Update AppleTV design/layout

[Deihmos 169]

With recordings on the Apple TV, I will have one recorded file in a folder, but instead of taking me directly to the file, it first brings up a screen with a grey background that says “ play all,” while on the other apps, it goes straight to the file. I don't actually use this app often because I don't like it. Every now and again, I will update it to see if anything changes.

[tree2369 16]

On 14/09/2025 at 13:46, Deihmos said:

I don't know which one you mean with the typo. Here is an example. The Apple TV with the poster in the middle.

The Apple TV default recording folder sometimes has a poster. It is consistent on the other apps and the Apple TV has no configurable option. Apple TV also has people and cast blocking the artwork. There are lots of differences. 

If you have guide data with multiple aspect ratios (epg123 is one that serves all 3) then you have have the 2x3 poster for the guide/menu and then the 16x9 for the background when going into the play/record screen.

 

I had requested this sometime last year and saw it has been added at some stage and I hadn’t noticed until I got my old guide data up and running again.

 

@Lukeand @ebrthanks for the feature implementation. The Apple TV app is coming along nicely.

Love the current player implementation too, automatically uses mpv for live tv (mpegts) and then uses avplayer for movies/tv shows (mp4 w/ mov_text). IMO makes the experience as good or better than on my shield.

[Luke 42077]

On 9/14/2025 at 1:46 AM, Deihmos said:

I don't know which one you mean with the typo. Here is an example. The Apple TV with the poster in the middle.

The Apple TV default recording folder sometimes has a poster. It is consistent on the other apps and the Apple TV has no configurable option. Apple TV also has people and cast blocking the artwork. There are lots of differences. 

@SamEScan look at some of these differences. Thanks.

[SamES 1056]

On 14/09/2025 at 15:46, Deihmos said:

Here is an example. The Apple TV with the poster in the middle.

Which app is the screenshot on the left from?

The basis for the current app design is the web app when TV mode is enabled.  So for example, this is the web app view of a TV channel

[SamES 1056]

On 14/09/2025 at 15:46, Deihmos said:

I'm assuming you are referring to this option to select the view type. We don't currently have the option to change the view on this app, but it is possible for the future.

 

On 14/09/2025 at 15:46, Deihmos said:

The tvOS layout templates don't give us the same degree of layout flexability as other apps, so we aren't able to push down the content to keep the top of the screen clear to expose the background. Unfortunately the content needs to start from the top of the page, and the size of the top section is fixed.

I agree there are differences, but there are some limitations with the platform which are hard to work around. However, we aim to provide a consistent experience, so your feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

[Deihmos 169]

3 hours ago, SamES said:

I'm assuming you are referring to this option to select the view type. We don't currently have the option to change the view on this app, but it is possible for the future.

 

The tvOS layout templates don't give us the same degree of layout flexability as other apps, so we aren't able to push down the content to keep the top of the screen clear to expose the background. Unfortunately the content needs to start from the top of the page, and the size of the top section is fixed.

I agree there are differences, but there are some limitations with the platform which are hard to work around. However, we aim to provide a consistent experience, so your feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

Thanks. It was an observation that things look different across apps but that's fine. You can disregard those posts. I guess iOS is just easier to work with than Apple TV. 

Thanks for the updates. The app has gotten much better.

Edited November 21, 2025 by Deihmos

[LazySquirrel 0]

Recently installed the application on Apple TV 4k and Samsung S90F 2025. On TV, the application looks modern, the interface is polished, no any freezes. On Apple YV 4k, the interface seems to be from the last century, everything is square, rectangular, templates are "poor", there are practically no settings, movie download time, IPTV is longer, TV Guide is updated for 10 seconds before it is displayed (on Samsung instantly). Very dissapointed that Apple put so strong restrictions that prevent you from providing the same level UI and overall quality for all platforms

[MikeKentin 1]

1 hour ago, LazySquirrel said:

Recently installed the application on Apple TV 4k and Samsung S90F 2025. On TV, the application looks modern, the interface is polished, no any freezes. On Apple YV 4k, the interface seems to be from the last century, everything is square, rectangular, templates are "poor", there are practically no settings, movie download time, IPTV is longer, TV Guide is updated for 10 seconds before it is displayed (on Samsung instantly). Very dissapointed that Apple put so strong restrictions that prevent you from providing the same level UI and overall quality for all platforms

Yeah Apple TV barely receive any love. Even the app icon is still old looking , compared to the iOS one for example.

[SamES 1056]

6 hours ago, MikeKentin said:

Yeah Apple TV barely receive any love. Even the app icon is still old looking , compared to the iOS one for example.

I don't know about that.  In recent times we've added support for additional video parts on the details screens, multi-version support and audio and subitle selections via dropdowns on the details screens, ability to hide episode spoilers (with a setting option in th UI), OSD tab updates to match the web app, Subtitle search from detail screens and the OSD during playback, initial support for home screen layout improvements, support for animated music album covers, slideshow player improvements, long-press context menus for most/many items, significantly more filtering options added to library list views (which should match the web app) and a bunch of other fixes behind the scenes to improve reliability and ensure consisitency in experience with the web app. Yes, we have some limitations as to how far we can customize the UI, but I don't think it's true to say that it's barely had any love. 

Edited December 6, 2025 by SamES

[MikeKentin 1]

On 12/6/2025 at 10:37 PM, SamES said:

I don't know about that.  In recent times we've added support for additional video parts on the details screens, multi-version support and audio and subitle selections via dropdowns on the details screens, ability to hide episode spoilers (with a setting option in th UI), OSD tab updates to match the web app, Subtitle search from detail screens and the OSD during playback, initial support for home screen layout improvements, support for animated music album covers, slideshow player improvements, long-press context menus for most/many items, significantly more filtering options added to library list views (which should match the web app) and a bunch of other fixes behind the scenes to improve reliability and ensure consisitency in experience with the web app. Yes, we have some limitations as to how far we can customize the UI, but I don't think it's true to say that it's barely had any love. 

Perhaps it’s a bit “harse “‘for me to say no love at all. Reading the things above sure it’s a lot of improvement, probably not the things I need/use so the might go on noticed for me. My apologies for making that previous statement. I assume you are one of the devs, can I ask you something about a icon?

[SamES 1056]

5 hours ago, MikeKentin said:

I assume you are one of the devs, can I ask you something about a icon?

Which icon are you referring to? The icon for the ATV Home screen, or the in-app icon?

In which Emby app have you seen another icon which you would prefer?

 

[MikeKentin 1]

On 12/8/2025 at 10:55 PM, SamES said:

Which icon are you referring to? The icon for the ATV Home screen, or the in-app icon?

In which Emby app have you seen another icon which you would prefer?

 

Thanks for the quick reply, the app icon for emby on Apple TV ( Apple homescreen)  is still bluegradient , white and green icon. Would be cool if this could be matched to the for example iOS icon. Dark grey and green, feels a little more up to date colors. Since the app itself has this colors for the majority too.

[ebr 16169]

9 hours ago, MikeKentin said:

Thanks for the quick reply, the app icon for emby on Apple TV ( Apple homescreen)  is still bluegradient , white and green icon.

Hi.  I believe this is the same tile used in all TV interfaces. 

[MikeKentin 1]

3 minutes ago, ebr said:

Hi.  I believe this is the same tile used in all TV interfaces. 

Ah really ? I didn’t test emby on other devices to be honest. For me the icon is one of the reasons i don’t use the emby app for Apple TV. On smart devices the app is great + server side is emby much much better then plex for example.

[ebr 16169]

1 minute ago, MikeKentin said:

For me the icon is one of the reasons i don’t use the emby app for Apple TV.

Hi.  The color of the tile you click on to start the app is keeping you from using the app entirely?

[MikeKentin 1]

4 minutes ago, ebr said:

Hi.  The color of the tile you click on to start the app is keeping you from using the app entirely?

It sound silly when you write it down like that’s  its part of the reason. I am probably one of the few that doesn’t like the icon.  
 

But main reason for me is the whole app interface, I like a more  artwork like interface, this is not a complaint. Earlier was explained about some UI restrictions.

 

 

[Luke 42077]

9 hours ago, MikeKentin said:

It sound silly when you write it down like that’s  its part of the reason. I am probably one of the few that doesn’t like the icon.  
 

But main reason for me is the whole app interface, I like a more  artwork like interface, this is not a complaint. Earlier was explained about some UI restrictions.

 

 

Where would you like to see more artwork?

[MikeKentin 1]

On 12/12/2025 at 1:57 AM, Luke said:

Where would you like to see more artwork?

To be honest the whole tv show screen could me used better, space wise. The hard cut off between fan art and the “grey” area would be nice if this was more smooth and so one. 
 

like older Plex versions, Some

jellyfin apps. I can gather screens to explain better. But I don’t think emby will receive a redesign anytime soon. I think this is the design for a while right ?