Apple TV 4K is one of the best streaming devices, and it has got only a large update in WWDC that will take TVOS to new heights.
As much as we like it, however, it is still not a perfect system out of the box. There are some settings that you can consider to change for optimal performance.
Fortunately, Apple has made it very easy to squeeze through settings on this device, with many options we need the right need in video and audio sections. What changes do you need to change here, and which you can leave alone.
4K SDR format
Let’s start with the most obvious settings: Video format. This may surprise you, but I usually recommend setting it 4K SDR.
Once it is set properly, you do not have to see the annoying black flash when the material switchs from SDR to HDR formats. It is very popular on YouTube and other platforms, and it makes you feel that there is a problem with the device.
Thus, if you are not using 4K TVs) then it is best to keep the main video format in 4K SDR (or 1080p SDR). It will not reduce quality in any way. In fact, it can create menu and other materials that are being forced into HDR, looks a bit better.
Croma settings
Croma refers to subscription, the way the color is transmitted through compressed video data, and in the case of Apple TV 4K, you have some options to choose on the basis of the TV you are using.
Croma 4: 4: 4 is the way your TV supports it and if you are using an applied HDMI cable. Switching on 4: 4: 4 is essentially providing you to full color array and will make the menu slightly more vibrant. However, you have to work hard to see any noticeable change in the general material.
You may have to change your HDR settings first before you get full benefit of any croma twee (and this setting will return to 4: 2: 0 if you adjust the video output).
Unfortunately, my TV only supports Croma 4: 2: 2, but it is better than 4: 2: 0 – even if the latter is largely favored for its increased credibility. If you participate in any signal failures, such as flicker or black screen, you can always switch back at 4: 2: 0, which I would recommend that if you are using a long HDMI cable or one of the best projector.
HDMI output
The HDMI setting on Apple TV 4K controls the color space in digital video content, which goes hand to hand with chroma and brightness. Changing this setting is really no need until it is already set on YCBCR.
You will have three total options to choose, including RGB High, RGB Low and above YCBCR. The latter is your best bet to get the best possible performance on Apple TV 4K, while RGB can be better if you were driving a different type of device.
If you were using one of the best monitors with your Apple TV 4K, you can consider RGB high or low, but I am not sure that there is a very big audience for it.
There are also some TVs that may look a little better with RGB competent, but for our purposes we are going to live with YCBCR.
Matching material
Just below the Croma Settings you will find the “match content” setting, which will automatically allow Apple TV 4K to switch from SDR to HDR and from 24hz to 30Hz, which is playing on the screen. Thus, you want to enable both the range and the frame rate.
Once capable, you don’t have to worry if your device is playing a dolby vision film at 24 Hz. Apple TV 4K bus will set itself in the right settings to feel that crisp cinematic without any additional feeding on your share.
In this case the “range” refers not only to HDR, but also other factors such as speed clarity. It largely depends on the material you are watching, but it is highly recommended to change this right from the box.
Audio Twix
At the bottom of the video and audio section, you will find all the audio settings that we need to replace. From here, you can set it so that your audio output can play with other connected speakers if you want, or if you like it, just trust the TV speaker.
You can also see if there is any sound functionality manufactured in your TV under the audio format section. Given that Samsung S90D OLED TV I am using Dolby Atomos Support, it is listed between available formats, but most users should simply set it on auto.
There are also some other notable settings that you can twist, such as increase the dialogue and lower the sound. As their names explain, they increase and reduce some audio signals to make the audio sound slightly improved. I would advise to increase the dialogue over everyone, but it comes down to user preference.
Finally, I recommend closing navigation clicks. This does not introduce much from the noise response when you proceed about the menu.
Remots and devices
An additional setting that I will change is clickpad functionality. This is another preference, so do not feel that it is a responsibility. Nevertheless, it can be very annoying – especially if you have navigation click in the audio tab. It is better to keep it only on clicks as it just makes navigation so much liquid.
When you are here, you can also change the TV button on a home screen. If you like it then it is to jump into Apple TV Plus. It would be good if the Apple lets you set it on any application, but it is understood that it is only home or Apple TV Plus in this case.
Also scroll downwards and turn on CEC functionality, which is only given as “control TV and receiver”. This allows you to use the same remote instead of two so that you do not Raming for many remotes when you have time for a film or show.
Common settings you should change
Last but at least, there are some settings in the general section that you can consider replacing. There is a large appearance. I immediately turned it into dark mode, which I find it easy on my eyes, but you can like it in light settings.
You can also accommodate how much time it takes before going into Apple TV sleep mode. It is set at 15 minutes on the default, but it can be reduced to 5 minutes or 4 hours. You can set it to “never”, so Apple TV never falls asleep, but your energy bill may not be very happy.
In general, you will also find some remarkable privacy settings: Although Apple Tv 4K is still the best streaming box when it comes to privacy, a doubles settings are important here, such as Apple TV Analytics, Siri & Dictation, and improve location services. You can close these that you will like, but they help Apple to improve your products.
Ensure that you allow you to ask to track “Apple” in the “track” setting. This ensures that the apps will ask you to track the data after installing, making it difficult for some brands to use your data.
You can go down in the list and see which apps are using data of different characteristics, such as Bluetooth, photos, microphones and cameras. This is a good habit to keep an eye on this, especially if you have children who cannot be so willing to read that they are choosing at any moment.
