Poor quality video for local TV when streamed via apps on Apple TV

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Sienna

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#304311 22-Apr-2023 20:11

I mainly watch the local TV channels and until last week, could do this perfectly satisfactorily using a VTV connected via wifi. After VTV was turned off, I have tried streaming the local channels via their apps on my Apple TV which is also connected via wifi. However, the video is very poor quality. This is especially the case for TV3 which is now so horrid that I consider it unwatchable. It's as if the video output has been created by someone using a very wide paint brush so there is no subtelty. This particularly affects skin tones but is not limited to those.

I don't know if anyone ever gets good quality pictures from live TV via either the TVNZ+ or ThreeNow apps.

A speedtest on the Apple TV shows the download speed is 230 Mbps. I understand that you only need 10 Mbps for streaming.

My Apple TV is 4th generation HD with 1080 resolution.

I don't know what to do to improve the quality assuming that it can be improved rather than just being a limitation of streaming live TV via apps. I am happy to spend some money but would first like to be reasonably confident that it will solve the problem.

Some options that I am considering:
1. Upgrading to the latest Apple 4K TV which I understand has better video quality.
2. Using a Powerlink-type adaptor so I can connect the Apple TV to ethernet via gadgets plugged into powerpoints.
3. Getting a Wifi extender.
4. Getting a different streaming device (eg Google chromecast/TV).
5. Trying yet another HDMI cable. (I have already tried 2.)
6. Installing a terrestrial aerial. (I really, really do not want to do this.)

Given that the video quality was fine when using the VTV connected to Wifi, I am inclined to think that it's not a problem with the Wifi but maybe I am wrong.

Can anyone suggest anything? Has anyone had a similar experience and managed to find a solution?

Thanks in advance.

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#3067060 22-Apr-2023 20:36

1) Won't make any difference on the content you have listed - the source is at best 1080. Yes the 4K is better, but only if the source is better
2) At 200ish Mb/s you should be fine on wifi, as long as that is reasonably stable. Most streaming services have at least a few seconds buffer.
3) No. Bad. Absolute last resort device to extend range at the (big) expense of throughput. Additional wired access point/s are good though
4) ATV is normally pretty good, but see what others say about the source quality first
5) If you've tried 2, then you should be fine. However, check the ATV AV settings to make sure the output is set correctly
6) This will work (assuming in the right geographical area)

Spyware

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#3067061 22-Apr-2023 20:37

7. Watch TV on your phone.

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davidcole

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#3067065 22-Apr-2023 20:48

I have an Apple TV 4K. And until recently on a 1080 tv it was fine. Can’t comment on tv3 as I don’t watch that.

I’ve not noticed any degradation of tvnz picture. I’m also 300mbps internet, but wired connection.

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Oblivian

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#3067074 22-Apr-2023 21:37

If you have a 5.1/decoder system you will quickly find TVNZ 1/2/Duke are only 720. TV3 + prime 1080, and the rest the poorer cousins again.

And all with 2 Channel AAC.

Can't beat the terrestrial 1080+AC3 (and seemingly VTV own back-door streams of a better coded format)

Senecio

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#3067078 22-Apr-2023 22:02

There is nothing wrong with your wifi, there is nothing wrong with your setup. The apps provide SD quality or 720p streams at best at 25fps.

if you want to match what you had with VTV you’ll have to instal an aerial on the roof and run coax to the TV.

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#3067150 23-Apr-2023 06:41

I thought TV3 streams were 480 or 576. Will check later. But TV3 is only phone quality at best.

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antoniosk

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#3067156 23-Apr-2023 08:01

Sienna

What's your experience like using the TVNZ+ app on AppleTV? is the quality consistently good there?

Both platforms use the same tech although tv3's is built cheaply.

Regarding your setup it's probably fine, but spend any time on this forum and you'll see how many people have very random experiences with wifi. Its the equivalent of wet noodle for consistency. What worked today won't work well tomorrow and vice versa. Restarting your wifi points regularly can help, and if they are relatively modern they might be good at adjusting for outside interference etc

If the tvnz+ app runs well for live tv, then your network is probably quite good and what's left is tv3 :-)

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Sienna

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#3067338 23-Apr-2023 12:23

Thanks for the replies.

Live TV via the TVNZ+ app is certainly better than TV3 via the ThreeNow app but the quality is not great. It is also variable. I am inclined to think that my Wifi set up is fine given that all devices at home are connected via Wifi and I can't say that I have noticed any glitches.

It seems that I have 2 options if I want to watch the local channels in similar video quality to what I had on VTV. One is to install a terrestrial aerial which I really do not want to do. The other is to buy a streaming device that either has Freeview installed or that it can be installed on as my 2016 LG TV is too old to get the Freeview app directly.

The SmartVU dongle comes with Freeview installed and currently costs just under $130 so should work straight out of the box.

I understand Freeview can be 'sideloaded' to an Amazon Fire TV stick which is currently $67 at Harvey Norman. I am tempted to get this to see if it does what I want. If it doesn't, then I could get a SmartVU dongle.

My TV viewing is pretty simple and I never really stray much from the FTA channels.

Does this seem like a good approach? My choice of the Amazon Fire stick is largely based on price. Would I be better off getting the SmartVU dongle, or a Google Chromecast and loading Freeview on that?

Thanks once again.

Oblivian

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#3067343 23-Apr-2023 12:41

The Crux is the source streams. All rubbish. And far as I know all use the same source.

Try rabbit ears. You may be surprised.

RunningMan

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#3067354 23-Apr-2023 13:34

Do the ATV apps use the same streams as other Freeview devices? If os, it's not going to get better by changing devices as the problem is the video source.

Sienna

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#3067362 23-Apr-2023 14:00

RunningMan:

Do the ATV apps use the same streams as other Freeview devices? If os, it's not going to get better by changing devices as the problem is the video source.

I don't know. I thought that if you were watching a tv channel via Freeview then you would essentially be watching what was broadcast. If it was the same quality as via TVNZ+ or ThreeNow, then there must be a lot of disappointed people who purchased SmartVU dongles to avold having to have an aerial. I think it's only now that I truly appreciate how good VTV was.

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Sienna

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#3067364 23-Apr-2023 14:01

Oblivian: The Crux is the source streams. All rubbish. And far as I know all use the same source.

Try rabbit ears. You may be surprised.

Hmm...maybe I should go to the tip shop to see if I can get some to try without spending a fortune.

Oblivian

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#3067369 23-Apr-2023 14:16

I know someone who uses ATVs everywhere. And need to hold tongue when watching anything through the apps, especially since room is kitted in surround speakers.

Yet soon as you switch to broadcast 5.1 and the sub comes alive and you can see the pores on actors faces.

Disney etc don't have that issue naturally. Well, NEON still doesn't do surround either I don't think.

Sienna

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#3067370 23-Apr-2023 14:20

Oblivian: I know someone who uses ATVs everywhere. And need to hold tongue when watching anything through the apps, especially since room is kitted in surround speakers.

Yet soon as you switch to broadcast 5.1 and the sub comes alive and you can see the pores on actors faces.

Disney etc don't have that issue naturally. Well, NEON still doesn't do surround either I don't think.

I am not sure I understand your reply. I expect to be able to see the pores on people's faces. Is 5.1 what I will get if I use Freeview?

Oblivian

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#3067373 23-Apr-2023 14:31

No. Broadcast is 1080i/p.

Streams are not (well, 2 channels are interlaced)

Broadcast has AC3 multi channel audio. Which, soundbars and home theatre systems all make use of for cinema sound.

Streams do not

Just pointing out, ATV are popular for the apple user world and sound great at face value. But the streams on NZ apps hold them back. And are easily shown how bad when you switch to broadcast.

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