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jaybar

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Dec 11, 2008
2,031
615
Hi

We are ordering the new ATV. We have never had an ATV or any other streaming device. I'm not even sure what the memory is used for. Since I will preorder, what is best? Our TV is ancient. 720P and 1080i.

Thanks
 

Agent2015

macrumors 6502
Oct 17, 2015
337
296
Sonoran Desert
Hi

We are ordering the new ATV. We have never had an ATV or any other streaming device. I'm not even sure what the memory is used for. Since I will preorder, what is best? Our TV is ancient. 720P and 1080i.

Thanks
My first ATV4 was the 64GB but my second was the 32GB version. After assessing how storage was used I realized that for my setup 32GB is more than enough. Apps are really the only thing that requires storage space...at least for most users. I plan to preorder a 32GB ATV 4K based on this experience.
 

macs4nw

macrumors 601
Hi

We are ordering the new ATV. We have never had an ATV or any other streaming device. I'm not even sure what the memory is used for. Since I will preorder, what is best? Our TV is ancient. 720P and 1080i. Thanks
The memory is used for downloading Apps and frequently used content from your iTunes and Photo libraries. How much storage you might want to order is explained in this ~6mos old article that pertained to ATV4, but that still holds true for the 5th gen.

Unless you're planning to buy a 4K tv in the near future, you could also save some $$ and go for a sweet deal on a (non-4K) AppleTV, even in the refurb store. I couldn't check prices for you as the store is down at the moment, but I would recommend 'getting your feet wet' with a lower priced unit, and once you have a better idea of what you're looking for and possibly upgraded your tv/flat screen to 4K, make the jump to the newest model.

The previous model may very well do all you want it to do for now, and for a lot less money.
 

archer75

macrumors 68040
Jan 26, 2005
3,116
1,746
Oregon
32gb is way more than enough

To put it in perspective, I have a 16gb nvidia shield which is way more powerful than the ATV 4k and is heavy on gaming and I haven't even filled that up yet.
 
Last edited:

PowerGala

macrumors regular
Aug 26, 2016
201
272
For $20 more, I'm just going with the 64GB model. I doubt I'll ever use it, but I'd rather have the peace of mind. The Apple TV 4k is really powerful for a streaming box, so maybe it will have games I'll want to play. Maybe not, but it's just $20.
 

vipergts2207

macrumors 601
Apr 7, 2009
4,089
8,915
Columbus, OH
Same thoughts as PowerGala. Before it was announced I was originally planning on going for the lower storage option. Now seeing that the price difference is only $20, what the hell, might as well go 64 GB.
 
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scott911

macrumors 6502a
Aug 24, 2009
758
455
i'm used to apple charging $100 for every memory increment, so for $20 - I went with the 64.
my last apple TV didn't do apps, so I wasn't sure how into that we'll be. But I have two kids, so maybe we'll use the space...
 

xsmett

macrumors regular
Nov 1, 2015
193
195
Wondering how much money apple makes with people deciding to take the 64GB Version, because of the just $20 difference, even they don't need it all.

To be honest, I would have been in the same boat, but the 64GB wasn't on stock. :)
 
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davidg4781

macrumors 68030
Oct 28, 2006
2,797
396
Alice, TX
I got the 64 GB 4th gen and that's more than I need. I'm wondering though, on the 4K, if games and other apps are going to be larger since it's more powerful and has better graphics.

Really, even though there are some decent games, there's nothing that exciting. What if we can get full games like Lego Indiana Jones 2? On my mini, it's 4.77 GB.
 

d21mike

macrumors 68040
Jul 11, 2007
3,320
356
Torrance, CA
64gb. I have 8x 64gb ATV 4's. I will replace 2 of them with 64gb ATV 4K and give my ATV 4's to other family members as they are replaced.

Only 1 of my ATV 4's has been using > 32gb. Currently that one is using around 40gb. However, with tvOS 11 where all ATV's will share the same layout/apps I expect more to use > 32gb over time.
 

BJMRamage

macrumors 68030
Oct 2, 2007
2,710
1,233
Is there an easy way to check on how much storage is being used?
I know you can check in Settings but that just shows the amounts of each app and you'd have to add up, and not really sure if it shows the actual full amounts and/or the tvOS space used.
 

d21mike

macrumors 68040
Jul 11, 2007
3,320
356
Torrance, CA
Is there an easy way to check on how much storage is being used?
I know you can check in Settings but that just shows the amounts of each app and you'd have to add up, and not really sure if it shows the actual full amounts and/or the tvOS space used.
I use Storage Doctor TV. But there are others as well. I mainly like this one because it also shows the System Storage used. Not just the Apps.
 
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Damstr

macrumors 6502
Sep 22, 2016
346
236
I plan on investing a lot into my current 2bay/4TB NAS expanding it to a 5bay/16TB (expandable to 40TB) and with Plex I noticed a lot of data can be used storing chapters and a lot of other meta data which is why I went with the 64GB.

On my OG NVIDIA 16GB (11 useable) Shield I actually started running out of space with my 3.5TB Plex library.
 
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jgelin

macrumors 6502a
Jul 30, 2015
904
1,073
St Petersburg, FL
I will be staying with the 32GB Version when I upgrade, there really isn't all the need for 64 if you are using it for streaming and maybe the occasional game that you downloaded and then forget about.
 

Spankey

macrumors 6502a
Sep 30, 2007
856
333
NJ
Yeah, not sure what the peace of mind is for unless you download every conceivable game available. Otherwise you are not going to need all that space.
 
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bluespark

macrumors 68040
Jul 11, 2009
3,087
3,982
Chicago
I bought the 64GB ATV 4, then realized I will NEVER use that space. Because I'm an idiot, I'll probably order the 64GB ATV 4K.
 

Donfor39

macrumors 68000
Jul 26, 2012
1,896
371
Lanarkshire Scotland
32GB Apple 4k tv for me.

From one who recently recycled 64gb iphone 6 for 32gb SE purchase.

I have the 4k t.v. -Apple t.v is for 4k movie rentals when required.
 

ActionableMango

macrumors G3
Sep 21, 2010
9,612
6,907
Until recently I would agree that 32GB was enough for literally everyone, whether a normal user or a power user. This was in part because Apple limited ATV app sizes to 200mb. Apple also doesn't allow you to store your media content on the ATV, so you can't really fill it up that way either.

However, some time in 2017 Apple changed the app size limit to 4GB. Going from 200MB to 4GB per app is quite a big jump. I assume things are changing. Now just half a dozen max-size apps will use up 32GB. There are obviously plans in the works.

I still think non-gamers just using streaming TV apps should go with 32GB. Power users might consider 64GB as well since TV streaming apps are now allowed to use up to 20GB for temporary storage like "pausing" live TV. Even if only one app is doing that, 20GB is a big chunk of 32GB.

Serious gamers should also consider 64GB, but then again aren't serious gamers on a console or PC?
 
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guitarguy316

macrumors 6502
Sep 5, 2010
370
65
I’m still stuck on which size to get. Reading that you can’t download 4k movies, I’m not sure 64GB is really needed. I have no interest in games and using the Siri remote to play them. That’s what xox and PS4 are for.
 
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d21mike

macrumors 68040
Jul 11, 2007
3,320
356
Torrance, CA
I’m still stuck on which size to get. Reading that you can’t download 4k movies, I’m not sure 64GB is really needed. I have no interest in games and using the Siri remote to play them. That’s what xox and PS4 are for.
To clarify, you do not need to use the SIRI Remote to play games on the Apple TV. We use these.
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/...c0e990164150dbf3da4bf7d68fda7545a4e51ded458ae

I have all 64gb versions. I use more the 32gb on most now with the Menu Sharing option in tvOS 11. Before only my main Apple TV used greater then 32gb. But since only $20 extra not sure why you would not just get the 64gb version and not worry about it. In the past with a $50 difference it was a harder decision. Apple TV 4K. $179 (32gb) vs. $199 (64gb). However, if you never plan to play any games and also have a limited number of Apps then you would not exceed 32gb.
 
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