In this modern age, streaming has already become a part of our lives. Gone are the days of trying to find a safe source to download your MP3s and movies online. Now, online streaming has lessened the burden and become accessible for millions of users globally. Spotify is a great example in the music streaming service category, and there's Apple Music too.
Before we get to Apple Music on the TV box, we have to talk about the Apple TV 4K. From my experience, not many Apple users actually have the Apple TV 4K. Heck, even I don't have one as a long-time iPhone user. My friends and family who use Apple products don't have it. And I only know 1-2 guys who own one in the entire Malaysian tech media industry. You have to take my word for it.
The rarity of the Apple TV (let alone 4K) makes it quite an odd device to use for Apple Music. One time, I told my friend (an iPhone user) about the TV box with Apple Music in it, and her interest faded away like an ice cube under the hot sun, and I can see why. But anyway, using Apple Music on the Apple TV 4K was quite an interesting experience (and it's also my first time using the TV box).
Launching Apple Music from the Apple TV 4K
Just checking out Jay Chou's newest album. Interestingly, all the Mandarin titles are automatically translated into English
Despite that, it has complete Mandarin lyrics!
The lyrics can actually catch up to Eminem's hit single - Godzilla
For starters, Apple Music on the Apple TV functions similarly on the iPhone, iPad and Mac. You get to view lyrics that are already available without having to search for them online, and you can enjoy existing albums on Lossless Audio and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. Obviously, those features work best if you have a pair of AirPods and Beats headphones with an H1 or W1 chipset. But how about using it on your Apple TV 4K? Well, you need to have a soundbar that supports at least Dolby Atmos support, and you're good to go.
Not only that, you get to view lots of music videos from a wide variety of artists, even Malaysian artists. The music video quality is exceptional, and you can find a sea of them on Apple Music. That said, you must have a 4K TV which shouldn't be a problem since it's so common to have one in a household. The colour contrast can be on point, depending on what music video you're watching. You could even have a music video marathon from certain artists. I must also mention that it's kind of weird for the music videos' volume to be louder than the song tracks on the Apple TV 4K.
Confession - I don't really know most of these artistes
Popping colours
As long as you have a 4K TV, the music videos from the Apple TV 4K should look great
Syncing my iPhone with the Apple TV 4K, only to find out that not all the songs are available in Apple Music (as seen with the blank album covers)
LOSSLESS AUDIO ON LINKIN PARK HYBRID THEORY ALBUM HELL YEAH
Fans can enjoy finding and binge all the songs and albums of a particular artist easily
If you're looking for specific playlists, Apple Music has a ton of them
Additionally, you can sync your iPhone's Apple Music to the Apple TV 4K and let it play from your song list instead! However, do keep in mind that if you happen to have songs that don't exist in the Apple Music library, the Apple TV 4K won't be able to play them. That's a bummer, but understandably so. Regardless, you can visit special sections in the streaming service to find new songs or any genre you're in the mood for.
Honestly, there isn't much to say about Apple Music. But it is a pretty good music streaming service for Malaysians at RM14.90 per month. Using it on the Apple TV 4K is quite an interesting experience due to the vast amount of artists available, including local ones. I would say its strongest point is the music videos available on the platform, but there's just one problem.
Is RM14.90 per month worth it? Depends on your needs
Well, if we are going to talk about music videos, Apple Music on the Apple TV 4K has one strong competitor - YouTube. YouTube also has a ton of music videos that are provided by official music production companies, plus fan-made tracks, remixes, song covers, and many more by other creators. Most Malaysians would rather not have to pay and just enjoy the same content on YouTube (albeit with ads playing in between).
I think if I was younger, I would have enjoyed using the current Apple Music platform on the Apple TV 4K. Unfortunately, I'm at an age (or phase) where I don't really bother catching up on what's new in the music industry anymore. But I can imagine a young music lover enjoying his or her favourite tracks from their Apple Music account on the Apple TV 4K, alone in the living room. The idea doesn't sound bad, not bad at all.
But do you have any experience using the Apple TV 4K for Apple Music? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more Apple TV 4K hands-on articles at TechNave.com.
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