tvOS 18.2 – Now with 21:9 and other aspect ratios

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With tvOS 18.2, Apple is bringing a crucial enhancement for all Apple TV users: support for different aspect ratios. In particular, the ability to flexibly adjust the image format offers new, customized experiences, especially for home theater enthusiasts and projector users.

Apple continues to surprise its users with exciting new features that expand and improve the experience on their devices. While tvOS 18 already brought some interesting innovations that were presented at WWDC in June 2024, even more innovations have been added in the tvOS 18.2 update. In addition to support for different aspect ratios, the update also brings other features that take your Apple TV experience to a new level.

Apple TV now supports different aspect ratios

With tvOS 18.2, you can adjust the aspect ratio of your Apple TV for the first time. The latest beta version of tvOS 18.2, which was recently released to developers, gives you various options:

Automatic: Apple TV automatically adjusts the aspect ratio to suit the connected display.
16:9: Standard format for most modern televisions and the most common format to date.
21:9: Specially optimized for cinema formats and ideal for film fans.
2.37:1, 2.39:1 and 2.40:1: Perfect for displaying films in Cinemascope format, as you know them from the cinema.
DCI 4K: Standard format for digital cinemas with high resolution and detailed image reproduction.
32:9: An extremely wide option intended for special setups such as large format projection screens or ultrawide screens.

The settings are located in the audio and video settings of your Apple TV. This gives you the flexibility to choose the aspect ratio that best suits your screen or projection screen. This is a welcome addition, especially for users who connect their Apple TV to projectors. Until now, Apple TVs were limited to the standard 16:9 format, which is not ideal for projection screens or specific screen ratios.

Additional features of tvOS 18

InSight – A comprehensive information tool

One of the most impressive new features in tvOS 18 is the InSight feature. With a simple tap, you can get information about actors, characters, and even songs currently playing in an Apple TV+ series or movie. This feature makes it particularly easy to learn more about the content on Apple TV and delve into the details of each scene.

Improve dialogue and automatic subtitles

The "Enhance Dialogue" feature has also been optimized. It specifically highlights dialogues in films and series so that conversations are easier to understand without having to constantly adjust the volume. In addition, the subtitle function is now automatically activated when you mute the sound. This function is useful if, for example, you have to watch a scene without sound and still want to follow the plot.

Redesigned Fitness+ app

The Fitness+ app has been completely redesigned and now offers you even more ways to optimize your workouts. You can also use an iPhone as a dedicated camera for FaceTime and other apps, which is especially useful for Fitness+ workouts with camera sharing. Using an iPhone as a FaceTime camera makes it even easier to use FaceTime and other video-based apps on Apple TV.

screensavers from Apple TV+ shows

Another feature announced with tvOS 18 are new screensavers with scenes from Apple TV+ productions. However, these are not yet available in the current beta version of tvOS 18.2. Apple has announced that the screensavers will be added in a future update to give users an immersive experience with images from popular series and films.

Availability

tvOS 18.2 is currently in beta and is currently only available to developers. The general public release is planned for December 2024. The update will be available for Apple TV models from 2015 and newer, so many users can benefit from it.

tvOS 18.2: More options for your perfect home cinema

With tvOS 18.2, Apple is once again showing how it responds to the needs of users with updates. The ability to flexibly adjust the aspect ratio, as well as new features such as InSight and improved audio options make Apple TV even more versatile and customizable. Whether you want to enjoy films on a projection screen or experience the latest series from Apple TV+ with additional information - tvOS 18.2 has something to offer every user. With the release planned for December, Apple TV users will soon be able to enjoy the new features and further personalize their home theater experience. Stay tuned and don't miss any updates to exploit the full potential of your Apple TV. Looking for the best accessories? Visit our Amazon Storefront and discover a variety of products from top providers, including for HomeKit! (Photo by Unsplash / James Yarema)

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