William Gallagher
Apple's original programming, set to air this fall with Apple TV+, is mastered with high quality video and audio systems from Dolby, and you can play them if your Mac, Apple TV or iOS device is compatible.
Following Tim Cook's unveiling of the launch date and cost of the forthcoming Apple TV+ service, Apple has released more technical details about how the programs will be screened. This includes the fact that, on compatible equipment, all titles will be offered with 4K HDR / Dolby Vision, and most will also feature Dolby Atmos sound.
Apple TV+ will launch on November 1, but titles featuring this improved sound and vision quality are already available through the iTunes Movies store.
To watch either existing titles or those coming with Apple TV+, you will need to have one of the following devices to get both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos:
- An iOS device released in 2018 or later
- Mac mini 2018
- MacBook Pro 2018, MacBook Air 2018 or later
- Apple TV 4K
Apple iPads or iPhones must be running iOS 13 or later, and the Macs must be running macOS Catalina or later. Apple TV 4K must be on tvOS 12 or later.
Certain Mac desktops can also display Dolby Vision, though they can't play Dolby Atmos:
- Mac Pro, iMac 5K, iMac 4K, 2019
- Mac mini 2019
- iMac Pro 2017
If you have one of these compatible devices and you've previously bought HD movies that are now available in this higher-quality format, they will be automatically updated for free.
Apple has had Dolby Atmos on its Apple TV 4K hardware since 2018, but began promising it even earlier.
Earlier this year, Netflix introduced Dolby Atmos or Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 to certain of its titles.
Apple TV+ is to launch in over 100 countries on Nov. 1, and a family subscription will cost $4.99 per month.
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Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider Staff
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
10 Comments
When I thought it was going to be $10/month, I was intrigued. Now -- I'm excited. And in for at least a year.
So are they going to upgrade all my HD movies purchased from iTunes to 4K for free? I have ATV HD.
Does iPhone support 4K output through the lightning port? IOW, can you hook an iPhone to a lightning to HDMI adapter to put onto a 4K HDTV? If so, what iPhone models?