How does Apple TV integrate with what I already have?

[scgf]

I already have a 4K Apple TV. I appreciate I would need a new ATV to take advantage of the EE TV service. I already subscribe to Netflix (top tier to take advantage of 4K HDR material). I also already subscribe to ITVX and I pay a premium to Channel 4 so I see no adverts. I wouldn't be interested in anything which isn't at the very leat HD. How would this work out for me? I note a basic subscription to Netflix is in the entertainment package. What exactly would I gain with EE TV?

[Weerab2024]

If you picked the entertainment package on the apple TV box you would receive free to air channel and the entertainment channels as well as sky sports news from the link below https://ee.co.uk/help/tv-sport/manage-use/channel-guide

You would need to take a HD boost add on to get HD channels under the entertainment category and Sky Sports news.

You would also recieve Netflix basic (but you can upgrade through EE to higher Netflix  packages) or link your existing account and Discovery plus basic. 

[scgf]

It's shocking how many standard definition channels are there in the mix. Many people have 4K TVs and we are presented with SD programming. There really shouldn't be a premium for HD, it should be the default. I will never watch an SD programme, not ever. Why do they even exist?

[Weerab2024]

It's just the way it is at the moment unfortunately. Hopefully it gets better one day. 

I have been with BT/EE for years and I think its good value and hardly goes wrong in my experience.

If it does they seem to correct it quickly and this forum is the best way to get a quick answer and advice. 

[DarrenDev]

Content providers charge more for higher quality. There is also additional cost in protecting the content (from piracy), as well as costs to broadcast it across the network (higher bandwidth).  Plus not everyone has fast enough broadband for it (e.g. to watch one channel and record another), so removing SD as an option would cut them off or reduce their options.

We're always reviewing our products, and hopefully we'll eventually get to the point where HD can be the standard, but for now it's a chargeable add-on.

[scgf]

Having read what has been said in this thread, and what I have found out, I feel that currently my best option is to stick to Freesat for linear TV, carry on using my Apple TV for most streaming services like ITVX, Netflix, Apple TV+, and using my LG TV iPlayer app to watch BBC content in 1080p and 4K UHD. The Apple TV iPlayer app only does 720p. That way I have what I need and should I ever want to I can subscribe to NowTV. The worrying thing about IPTV is that we are forced to watch advertising. I subscribe to ITVX and Channel 4 so I don't need to see adverts, but on linear IPTV I won't have that option.

[Weerab2024]

This might be a silly question but how can you check the quality of the stream? I can tell between SD and HD obviously but when it comes to audio etc I wouldn't have a clue.

[scgf]

The BBC themselves say the version of iPlayer on Apple TV is a an older, less capable version than on other devices and it does not do 1080i/p or better. It's down to the fact the BBC uses dash-MPEG for higher quality streaming whereas Apple TV uses only Apple's own protocol, HLS. Competing standards again and the customer suffers. I just know that ITVX and Channel 4 steam in 1080. Netflix, Apple TV+ and others do full 4K, Dolby Vision and so on. 

As for audio, if you have a surround system you will know the difference between two channel stereo and surround sound. Your centre speaker is active with surround sound and it's not with two channel stereo. Your home cinema amp should also make it clear as to what is being delivered.