If you use monitors for professional use, chances are that you use them for entertainment purposes too. Watching Apple TV on monitors can be comfortable for some because they are used to sitting close and watch movies or TV shows. Another reason to choose a monitor for Apple TV could be space constraints, gaming, or a creative professional career.
In this article, we will talk about some of the best monitors for Apple TV and the reasons what makes them stand out among the rest. While choosing a monitor, the purpose of using it changes everything. You should buy a decent 1080p or 4k resolution without an advanced gaming feature if you want to use it for standard office work.
We listed down the best monitors for Apple TV and other Mac devices based on resolution, response time, G -Sync, FreeSync for gaming. If you are into a creative professional career then choose high resolution with a higher refresh rate and wide color gamut.
Monitor for Apple Ecosystem:
Apple TV has a resolution of 1080p whereas the Apple TV 4k comes with 4k resolution. While choosing a monitor, it is best to match these specs for optimum results. You can also connect monitors with Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, Mac Mini, or iMac.
Due to the 1080p resolution, it is better to choose a 1080p monitor for Apple TV HD. On the other hand, the best monitor for Apple TV 4k should support 4k resolution with HDR.
Apple TV HD:
ASUS VG279QM 27”
We chose this monitor with highest refresh rate for Apple TV HD. It has a 1080p resolution, a decent contrast ratio of 1000:1, and supports DCI-P3’s 95% color gamut. While the IPS panel suffers from poor contrast, the viewing angle is broader. With built-in speakers and HDMI ports, it is one of the best monitors for Apple TV.
This monitor is G-Sync compatible and the Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB SYNC) works with it. These features protect the screen from blur, tearing, or juddering. so you can play games from NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10 or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20-series graphics card. The Asus 4k gaming monitor supports HDR and has a brightness of 400cd/m2.
Features like shadow boost, game plus, game visual, flicker-free technology along faster response time of 1ms make it the best gaming monitor. However, while the display shows the lowest delay at 280Hz, the delay is longer with 60Hz so it isn’t ideal for console gamers. For the Apple TV monitor you can also check the Acer SB220Q bi 21.5 Inches.
Apple TV 4k:
LG 27UK850-W 27″
This LG ultra HD monitor is our pick for the Apple TV 4k. it supports 4k resolution and HDR 10 along with sRGB 99% Color Gamut. With HDR-effect you can convert the non-HDR content to HDR that will make the image look sharper and more accurate. The higher color accuracy is for users who are into photography, video editing, or graphic design.
Due to its resolution and HDCP 2.2 compatibility, it is the best monitor for Apple TV 4k. The LG 27” UHD has a FreeSync feature so it is an ideal choice for gamers. This feature will make the fast-moving gaming scenes look precise, clear without any screen tearing. The LG monitor 27-inch 4k also has Black Stabilizer to shed light on darker scenes and Dynamic Action Sync for clarity.
You can use this monitor to view multiple screens. Along with HDCP, it has a USB-C port which you can use for 4k video display, data transfer, or charging laptop or smartphones. Comparing with conventional monitors, the display is more detailed and accurate. The design is sleek and classy.
Mac Mini
Samsung C27HG70 27″ HDR QLED
This Samsung monitor is one of the best-curved monitors for MacBook Pro or Mac Mini which uses a VA panel. The value of contrast ratio with local dimming is excellent that makes it ideal to use in dark rooms.
What makes this monitor special is its deep blacks and pure whites along with a wide color gamut. It supports the DCI-P3 color gamut. People can use it for photo editing due to its high color accuracy.
The monitor has good reflection handling so you can easily use them in bright rooms. It is specifically ideal for gaming with better response time and native refresh rate while playing at 144Hz. On the downside, it has a poor viewing angle and bad response time at 60Hz so it is better to avoid console games.
This HDR Gaming monitor uses Quantum Dot Technology that makes game scenes look livelier and more realistic. Overall, this 1440p curved Samsung monitor will give you an immersive experience when connected with Mac Mini.
Along with HDR compatibility, the resolution and color accuracy make it the best monitor for Maz Mini.
‘How to attach a Mac Mini to a monitor?’
The setup is easy and straightforward. If the monitor has a VGA port then you need a USB-C to VGA Multiport adapter. If the monitor has a DVI port then a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter is needed. The monitor we chose here has an HDMI port which makes the connection easiest without the need for any additional adapter.
Here you simply need to use the HDMI cable of the monitor for connection. The new models come with a USB-C port where you can simply buy a USB-C to HDMI adapter then take the HDMI connector and connect with your monitor.
And connect the USB-C to the Apple device. This procedure is the same for Macbook, iMac, Mac Mini, and Mac Pro.
iMac
BenQ EW3270U 32 inch 4K Monitor
The reason to add this ultrawide HDR gaming monitor as an external display with iMac could be because you want a bigger screen or don’t feel comfortable working long hours on a small screen laptop.
The BenQ EW3270U 32-inch IPS panel is a perfect choice. Although primarily built for gaming, it can be used for office work or entertainment purposes.
The BenQ 10-bit 4k monitor can be considered as the best monitor for iMac because it supports 4k and supports a wide color gamut (95% DCI-P3). The WCG is responsible for producing vibrant reds, blues, or greens.
In terms of audio, it has 2.1 speakers by treVolo. This means the audio should be better with the effect of the subwoofer. All these features make it the best 32” 4k monitor.
The 4k ultrawide gaming monitor supports HDR that produces a crystal clear image. It works with the propriety technology HDRi that is HDR with Intelligent control. It has a 24p cinematic frame rate, easy to use remote control.
Unlike other monitors, it has an EyeCare feature that works on reducing eye fatigue. With a very low response time of 5ms and FreeSync compatibility, it will be ideal for you if you are a gamer.
BenQ connections:
Along with using this monitor with iMac, you can use the USB-C cable to connect with the 2019 MacBook Pro. Since the BenQ monitor also has HDMI connections, you can use it as a TV and connect to a streaming device like Roku TV or Apple TV.
MacBook Pro
Acer Nitro XV340CK Pbmiipphzx 34″ QHD (3440 x 1440) IPS
The 34” Acer Nitro IPS panel has 3440×1440 resolution with a wide viewing angle. You can also rotate it 360-degrees. This ultra-wide monitor with an aspect ratio of 21:9 is one of the best monitors for MacBook Pro.
It supports HDR 10 and has a refresh rate of 144Hz which focuses on clear motion without any blur needed for fast-pacing objects like while watching sports or playing games.
One of the major downsides of this monitor is its brightness. The SDR and HDR Real Scene brightness lies between 220-250 cd/m2. It has two speakers that have 3W power each. This monitor is ideal for gaming as it supports FreeSynce and G-Sync. The response time is around 1ms VRB and the input lag is also very low.
So, it can be considered the best monitor for gaming without tearing or juddering of an image. The monitor covers the major ports like2 HDMI, 2 DisplayPort, Headphone, and 2 USB 3.0. Although the color accuracy isn’t outstanding, you can do video or photo editing very easily.
Can I use a monitor to view the file from different sources?
The Acer monitor can’t display the screen from two different sources. Although a widget app is available it doesn’t give the best results. You can try the Aquasnap to see how it works in your case.
MacBook Air
HP Business Z27 2TB68A8 27 inches
You can easily connect this HP monitor with MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Mac Mini. Comparing Acer vs HP Z27, the Acer Nitro XV340CK Pbmiipphzx has a 1000:1 contrast ratio and 250cd/m2 brightness, whereas the HP Z27 has 1300:1 contrast ratio and 350cd/m2 brightness. The monitor allows you to rotate or tilt it as per your need.
The 4K UHD screen comes with a broader color gamut and supports sRGB color spaces. It has a non-glare screen and wide viewing angle. It supports HDCP 2.2 so connecting with Mac devices is very straightforward.
So, if you want a wide monitor with decent color gamut and brightness then it can be considered as one of the best monitors for MacBook Air.
One of the drawbacks is, it doesn’t have any built-in speaker and it also doesn’t have Thunderbolt options. The price is affordable and the monitor has strong built with easy setup guides. The color range, input flexibility, and good contrast ratio make it the best 27-inch 4k monitor.
How to set up the HP Z27 with Mac?
The new Mac devices have USB-C. the most common connection with the monitor is to use the HDMI. If the monitor doesn’t have USB-C, DisplayPort, or HDMI, then you need an adapter.
How to set up audio with HP Z27?
Since this monitor doesn’t have built-in speakers, foe sound set up, you have to connect to the audio port with the USB-C. if it’s not working, go to the On-Screen Display Power Mode Menu then change the Power Mode to Performance and not to Power Save. Also, the speakers have to be ‘self-amplified’.
Best alternative of a monitor:
If you are having second thoughts while buying a monitor, then the best alternative to a monitor is a TV. For Apple TV you can choose the expensive Sony XBR85Z9G 85-Inch 8K TV.
Sony XBR85Z9G 85-Inch 8K TV for Apple TV 4k:
If space and money support you, you can have an immersive experience with Sony XBR85Z9G. you can connect to Apple TV because it will support the 4k contents along with 8k contents from other sources. This monitor has 8k resolution, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision.
The image quality will be extraordinary and compared to smaller monitor screen sizes, you can enjoy the larger screen. The X-Motion Clarity technology will make sure the image doesn’t suffer from blur. The Backlight Master Drive adjusts the brightness of different parts of the image to ensure accurate contrast and brightness.
Since it supports the Android TV platform you can also enjoy those contents and channels. It has Chromecast built-in and works with Google Assistant. It also has AirPlay 2 compatibility. Compared to a monitor, the sound quality will be better.
How to connect Apple TV with a TV?
The setup of Apple TV with a TV set is pretty straightforward:
- Use an HDMI cable
- Connect the HDMI cable to the Apple TV in the HDMI port.
- Connect the opposite head into the HDMI port of the TV
- Connect the TV and Apple TV with a power supply
- Switch on the TV and choose the HDMI input that is attached to the Apple device. This has to done manually or automatically
How to use your TV as a display with Mac?
You can use any TV with a good resolution that supports HDMI. Such as the TCL 75S425 75 Inch Smart Roku TV. It supports 4k resolution with HDR for crisp and detailed image quality. The 4k Creative Pro Upscaling helps to upscale HD content to 4k.
It has several inputs like 3 HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2, USB, optical audio output, etc. However, certain things like icons and texts in TVs may appear fuzzy and that’s why people choose to monitor over TV for accuracy.
You can also use the TCL 43S425 TV as a monitor by hooking up the monitor to the TV using the same HDMI connection. Then you need to adjust some settings so that the TV realizes you want to display a computer through it. Once the TV is turned on, it will question you what is connected to the certain HDMI port such as HDMI 3.
If you want to permanently use the TV as a monitor, then go to Settings> Systems> Power. Then select the Power on the option to Computer, so each time when you turn on or off your TV, it will display your computer.
Find out which OTA device is more convenient AirTV or Tablo
Why should you use a TV as a monitor?
The primary reason to use the TV as a monitor is the price.
- TVs are cheaper than monitor
- The larger screen at an affordable cost
- For people who love sitting far away
- Multiple-use: Smart OS with apps and channels and computer for work purpose
- People who love gaming sitting on the couch
- Comes with good resolution, HDR technology and some has Dolby Vision/Atmos at a reasonable price
Why should you use a monitor as an external display?
You can use a monitor as an external display for Mac devices or can attach an Apple TV with it.
- Due to the small screen size, the resolution is better and sharper in it
- If you don’t want to compromise image quality, brightness, sharpness, details
- Very low input lag and higher response time compared to monitor
- Multipurpose, use the monitor as graphics designing, photo/video editing, content creating as well as entertainment purpose or gaming.
Which devices are the best for Sling TV
Which TV will support the Apple TV app or Apple TV+?
You can watch the Apple TV app on some specific TV brands, streaming devices:
- Samsung
- LG
- Roku
- Amazon Fire TV
- Xbox Series X
- Xbox Series S
Find out which one is the best to use TV or Monitor
Parting words:
We often don’t feel comfortable using small screens for long hours. This is where you need a monitor for Mac devices. In this article on the best monitors for Apple TV, we have listed both monitors and TVs. The main criteria while choosing one of the best monitors for Apple TV is whether the monitor has built-in speakers, HDCP connection, and good resolution.
For TVs, a larger screen with 4k resolution and HDR compatibility will enhance your viewing experience. It should have HDMI ports and all TVs come with it. If it is a Smart TV like a Roku TV, then you will have the advantage to view channels and contents from that as well.
The setup between monitor or TV and Apple TV or Mac devices is very simple but, in some cases, you may need an adapter. If you are specifically looking for a gaming monitor for Apple TV, then look for lower input lags, better response time, and Adaptive sync features.
Which DVR devices do not require a subscription fee
FAQ
This FAQ is here to give you a better understanding of this subject. let’s hop right into it.
Which TV brands work with AirPlay?
The following TV brands will work with AirPlay:
- Samsung
- Samsung FHD / HD 4, 5 Series
- Samsung UHD 6, 7, 8 Series (2018, 2019)
- LG
- LG OLED (2019, 2020)
- LG NanoCell NANO 9, 8 series (2020
- Sony
- Sony Z8H Series (2020)
- Sony A9S Series (2020)
- Sony A8H Series (2020)
- Vision (VIZIO)
- VIZIO OLED (2020)
- VIZIO P-Series Quantum X
- VIZIO M-Series Quantum (2020, 2019)
- VIZIO E-Series (2018, 2017, and 2016 UHD models
How to adjust Mac setting when connected to monitor?
if you have Mac OS (10.10, 10.11, 10.12, 10.13), then you can adjust or change specific settings on your monitor.
- Go to Mac System Preferences > Displays.
- unmark the box for “Automatically adjust brightness”
- Display window> Color Tab> check the profile name for Mac
- For (10.12 or 10.13), do not use the Night Shift option
- System preference> Accessibility> Display, then mark the Reduce transparency option
- The Display Contrast option should remain at normal settings
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