The arrival follows StereoNET’s report last month on tvOS 27, which examined reports of faster app loading, smoother animations, revised AirPlay behaviour and possible changes to Apple Music playback. At the time, the most interesting question for hi-fi users was whether the update would finally allow Apple TV 4K to play Hi-Res Lossless audio above its long-standing 48kHz ceiling.
That question remains unanswered.
Apple Music in tvOS 27 is reported to add a Hi-Res Lossless option for eligible recordings at resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz. Apple’s tvOS 27 developer release notes, however, do not provide technical details about the feature or confirm how higher-resolution audio is handled at the HDMI output.
Apple’s current consumer support documentation still states that Apple TV 4K supports Lossless playback up to 24-bit/48kHz and does not support Hi-Res Lossless above that figure. That page predates the tvOS 27 announcement, so it may not reflect the capabilities of the beta. What remains unclear is whether higher-resolution material is passed through HDMI at its native sample rate or converted somewhere in the playback chain.
Beyond audio, reports from the beta suggest tvOS 27 brings smoother animations, quicker app launches and a more responsive Control Centre. Improved wireless connections with devices including HomePod and a redesigned Podcasts app have also been reported, although these changes are not detailed in Apple’s developer release notes.
The public beta is available through the Apple Beta Software Program to anyone with a valid Apple Account. Apple warns that pre-release software may contain errors or behave unpredictably, and recommends installing beta releases on secondary rather than critical devices.
For owners with a spare compatible Apple TV 4K, the beta offers an early look at where Apple is taking its living-room platform. Those relying on the box as the centre of a primary home cinema system may be better served waiting for the stable release.
The key question remains whether tvOS 27 allows Apple TV 4K to output audio above 48kHz over HDMI, and whether higher-resolution files are passed through at their native sample rates. As the beta develops, we will keep watching for clearer answers from Apple.
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