Stream Local 4K Video to Apple TV from Mac

Stream Local 4K Video to Apple TV from Mac

Can Apple stream 4K video?

When the Apple TV 4 launched in 2015, it doesn’t offer 4K video streaming capability. But a report from Bloomberg suggests that Apple is at work on a new revision of the device, which will bring support for 4K (Ultra High Definition or UHD) video as well as a feature with “more vivid colors,” which is probably something related to High Dynamic Range (HDR).

Stream local 4K video to Apple TV 4 on Mac

Although Apple TV doesn’t support 4K streaming from Netflix, Amazon, etc, however, you can stream 4K video shot with your iPhone/iPad or 4K camera/camcorder from your Mac to Apple TV 4 via AirPlaying Mirroring, iTunes or Plex Media Server.

Airplay 4K video to Apple TV 4

A nice and easy way, if you have a modern Mac, is AirPlay Mirroring. Basically, this means that you play the 4K video with your Mac (for instance with VLC) and just mirror your display to the Apple TV 4.

The big advantage is that you can instantly start watching your video.

Stream 4K video to Apple TV via iTunes or Plex Media Server

Stream 4K video to Apple TV from iTunes library

For iTunes, you simply turn on Home Sharing in iTunes’ File menu. Enter your Apple ID, and do the same on the Apple TV. You then access your iTunes library on the Apple TV from the Computers tile.

However, to successfully view 4K video on Apple TV 4 via iTunes, it would be much ideal for you to download a third-party video conversion app such as Pavtube Video Converter for Mac compress and convert 4K video to both iTunes and Apple TV 4 best compatible MPEG-4 or H.264 with the file extension of .m4v, .mov or .mp4.

Stream 4K video to Apple TV 4 via Plex Media Server

With Plex, there’s a bit more setup. After you install the software on your Mac computer, you point it to specific folders for the content you want to stream. You could point it to the Movies, TV Shows, and Music folders in your iTunes Media folder, or use separate folders. Once this is set up, you configure Plex to update regularly so it adds new content.

Plex can play more file types than iTunes, in addition, it can also transcode other unsupported file formats such as AVI, MKV, WMV, etc. However, transcoding 4K content is a very intensive process and will require a powerful computer running Plex Media Server. If your Mac computer is not powerful enough, you can still use the Mac Video Converter listed above to transcode and downscale unsupported 4K video to Apple TV compatible file formats and file resolution.

Step by Step to Convert and Compress 4K Video to Apple TV Streaming via iTunes/Plex

Step 1: Load 4K video.

Download the free trial version of the program. Launch it on your computer. Click “File” menu and select “Add Video/Audio” or click the “Add Video” button on the top tool bar to import source 4K video files into the program.

Tips: The program supports batch conversion mode, you can import multiple 4K video into the program.

Step 2: Define the output format.

Clicking the Format bar, from its drop-down list, select Apple TV best favorable “H.264 HD Video(*.mp4)” under “HD Video” main category.

Step 3: Compress 4K to 1080p.

Click “Settings” on the main interface to open “Profile Settings” window, in video section, click “Size(pix)” drop-down list, choose “1920*1080” or “1080*720” to compress 4K to 1080p. You can also adjust other settings to make them adapt with your Apple TV 4 best playback settings.

Step 4: Begin the conversion process.

After all setting is completed, hit the “Convert” button at the right bottom of the main interface to transcode and compress 4K video to Apple TV best favorable H.264 HD formats.

When the conversion is finished, click “Open Output Folder” icon on the main interface to open the folder with generated files.