For a while, if somebody was to ask me get the most effective picture and sound high quality when watching the finest streaming companies, I’d direct them to the Apple TV 4K with out hesitation. I’m not saying that the streaming field has built-in audio system, however listening and watching the identical content material by way of the built-in apps on my LG C4 OLED TV – one of many finest TVs – related to a house theater system revealed some critical variations. Earlier than I’m going on, although, let me offer you some context.
The Apple TV 4K has been the media streaming system of selection in my family for an extended whereas because of its clutter-free dwelling display and Siri integration, which makes voice search as straightforward will be (and nonetheless to at the present time the voice search function I’m prepared to make use of). I had it related to my LG TV and a Sonos setup, comprising an Arc soundbar, Period 300 rear audio system and a Sub Gen 3. The whole lot labored as anticipated and my dwelling cinema nights had been taken care of with gusto.
That was till I moved the Apple TV into the second room at dwelling to make use of for my XGIMI Aura 2 assessment. While it was arrange within the secondary room, my accomplice and I needed to resort to utilizing the built-in streaming apps on the TV. Till this second, I can’t keep in mind having ever actually used native TV apps as I assumed they wouldn’t have the ability to match the image and sound high quality of a devoted media streamer. It seems I used to be fallacious, as we each instantly observed a distinction in sound high quality popping out of our dwelling theater system, one which was optimistic and which took me abruptly.
Loud and clear
Essentially the most fast distinction we observed was how naturally louder the sound was. As a result of all audio was coming by way of our Sonos system, the precise indicated quantity degree throughout the Sonos app remained the identical. However, when watching content material by way of built-in Netflix, Disney+, Stan and Binge (two streaming companies accessible solely in Australia the place I’m primarily based), all of it got here via with seemingly larger affect and scale as in comparison with what we skilled by way of Apple’s streaming field.
We additionally agreed that a number of the films we watched had clearer dialogue when listening by way of the LG TV’s built-in streaming functions. Challengers on Prime Video is an efficient instance of this. The opening sequence on the tennis match brings in Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor’s wonderful soundtrack, pulsing synth beats and all. With the quantity set the identical for each variations of the app, the soundtrack had a lot deeper bass and a extra spacious soundfield when taking part in by way of the TV.
The calls from the umpire of the match had been additionally clearer. Their voice sounds slightly subdued naturally, however the LG’s Prime Video app was in a position to convey it with clearer definition. A short time later, one of many primary characters, Artwork, is strolling down a hallway whereas an announcement is being made. When watching on the Apple streaming field, I might solely nearly hear this announcement however couldn’t discern the phrases, but when switching to the LG’s app, it was rather more audible and clear.
Not at all times the final phrase
Whereas my TV gained out when it comes to the sound output, the ball was positively in Apple’s court docket when it got here to image high quality. I switched between each the LG’s Netflix app and the model on the Apple TV 4K whereas watching the lately launched motion thriller Carry-on. I skipped forward to the scene the place Elena Cole is touring down a freeway in a automobile with who she believed to be Agent Alcott, solely to obtain information that the person she’s truly with is an imposter. What follows is a sensational, high-octane struggle within the automobile’s cockpit.
Once I switched between the 2 apps, the picture delivered by way of the Apple TV 4K was clearly the higher of the 2. It was naturally brighter and exhibited larger shade and distinction. Quickly after the 2 begin grappling with one another, a truck in entrance of their automobile has its tyre shot out inflicting it to flip. The tail lamps of the truck have larger pop and the inexperienced/blue shade of the truck mattress is extra seen when considered on the Apple TV. The LG’s Netflix app, against this, is dimmer.
It was the identical with the aforementioned Challengers. The Apple TV 4K picked up that the film was accessible in HDR10+, whereas the native LG app didn’t as LG TVs don’t assist the format. Apparently, the LG displayed ‘Dolby Imaginative and prescient’ within the prime proper nook (which I can solely assume means it picked up the HDR information however outputted it in Dolby Imaginative and prescient as a result of it knew the LG TV didn’t assist it). I used to be additionally in a position to entry Dolby Imaginative and prescient image modes throughout the LG’s image settings, choices that weren’t there when watching by way of the native TV app. These image settings had the optimistic impact of delivering a extra natural-looking image in comparison with the ‘normal’ Filmmaker Mode on the LG TV.
With out having the chance to verify for any variations, I’d have stated LG’s copy was completely effective and in some ways, it’s. However being able to simply evaluate the 2 gadgets does certainly reveal there are variations to be discovered.
I don’t have entry to different exterior media streaming gadgets such because the Amazon Fireplace TV Stick 4K or Google Chromecast 4K, so I can’t personally touch upon their audio and visible qualities in comparison with the LG’s built-in streaming apps. I’d in the end count on them to not less than ship higher picture high quality, as they’re constructed with a single goal in thoughts: to stream video content material. Media streaming gadgets have a devoted operate to concentrate on and so ought to be extra completed when confronted with the identical process.
Whereas TVs have built-in streaming apps, they’ve received a plethora of different features to hold out all on the identical time and so can’t focus all of their efforts on reproducing the best possible high quality accessible.
Eye opener
Having been somebody who robotically discarded the concept of utilizing a TV’s functions, and utilizing the Apple TV 4K for a few years, this realization was actually shocking.
The variations in audio aren’t so nice as to have the ability to say Apple’s media streamer is ‘unhealthy’, not by any stretch. However I believe the comparability does not less than suggest we shouldn’t instantly put our religion in a devoted streamer and assume no matter our TV is ready to muster isn’t well worth the mild of day.
And contemplating my assessments revealed one to be higher with sound, whereas the opposite carried out higher on the subject of image, then I have to resolve which is most essential to me. My preliminary response could be to facet with higher sound high quality, as that’s what I deem to ship a extra immersive dwelling cinema expertise.
When you’re in a position to try the identical take a look at, then I encourage you to take action. You might effectively suppose there isn’t a lot distinction, if any in any respect. Conversely, you could be stunned to seek out out the oft-forgotten native TV apps should be given an opportunity. In the end, for those who just like the sound of one thing relatively than the look, then that’s all that issues. Or vice versa because the case could also be.