3rd vs 4th generation

[tl01]

I haven’t ever had an Apple TV before...mostly bc I have smart TVs. My other issue is that my main TV is hung on a wall and I can’t get it down without someone to help my husband. That said, my parents told me to take home their Apple TV since they never used it. It is a 3rd generation. What is it lacking that the 4th has besides 4K? Also, what does Apple TV do that say my smart TV doesn’t do. I have most every other Apple item but just never really paid attention to the tv. We have full cable on our TVs.

Thanks!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Most notably: Apps beyond the smallish group that come with the "3."

Smart TV apps can cover a lot of bases that equivalent apps on the TV covers. However, TV is the best option for Apple-centric stuff. Smart TV apps won't play iTunes purchased or rented content, iTunes DRM'd content, etc. Some argue the apps on the TV tend to be better than typical smart TV apps. Etc. Go the Apple's site and read the sales pitch. Note what you like in all of that. Can the TV's apps do the things you like?

Since you are given the "3", hook it up and see for yourself. If you really like the "3", consider the 4K or 4 for faster hardware, a good-sized third party app store and current support/potential. On the other hand, if you are not very deep into Apple's ecosystem tentacles, if you find that your TV's apps cover all the bases that matter to you, perhaps sell or give away that "3"

 

[mallbritton]

The biggest differences, beyond just the 4/4K having access to the App Store which the 3 does not is all the specs are improved. Faster Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and faster and more powerful processor for improved UI response.

 

[Mrbobb]

Gen3 doesn't have APPS, it only has Channels, but if it's free, hook it up and see what u can do with it. Honestly I just use YouTube and Netflix. Played with some of the sports channels for a while and got bored with them. News channels are basically junks, and lots of others you have to be a paid cable subscriber in order to get to them. Even though I already have YouTube and Netflix on my TV, I prefer the interface on my Apple3.

AirPlay maybe a good use for iPhone owners who just want to use their big stereo to play music from their phones, unless u already have Bluetooth hooked up.

 

[Juicy Box]

What is it lacking that the 4th has besides 4K?

The 4th gen ATV does not have 4k, but the fifth gen does.

As previously mentioned, the ATV3 does not have an app store, and all the channels are preloaded. It my opinion, the ATV3 apps are much better than the ATV4 and ATV4k versions, so if you would only use a few apps, and they are already on the ATV3, I would just use that.

The ATV4 and ATV4k has a different OS called tvOS, which is more modern, and has an app store. There are a lot of apps to choose from, genres from streaming apps, shopping, games, entertainment, education, and many of which are also on the iOS.

Also, what does Apple TV do that say my smart TV doesn’t do.

The Smart TV apps are probably limited compared to the tvOS App Store, I doubt there are too many games available for Smart TVs.

Many of the tvOS apps synch with the iOS counterparts, like games for example.

This is just a guess, but I bet that the tvOS and its apps will be updated and support longer and more often than the Smart TVs. For example, My parents bought a Smart TV a few months before Netflix launched its profiles feature, but there was never an update on my parents' Smart TV's Netflix app.

Personally, I would recommend a streaming box like the ATV over Smart TV apps for the reasons already mentioned. Also because one thing that you can do with your ATV, but not a Smart TV (at least not easily), is take it with you when you travel. You can use it on a hotel's TV, or when staying at someone home.
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If you really like the "3", consider the 4K or 4 for faster hardware,

In my experience, even though the hardware is not as advanced, the ATV3 is faster, smoother, and less buggy than the ATV4. But, the ATV4k does seems faster and smoother UI than the ATV4.

The biggest differences, beyond just the 4/4K having access to the App Store which the 3 does not is all the specs are improved. Faster Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and faster and more powerful processor for improved UI response.

The ATV4 does not have Gigabit ethernet, and in my experience, is slower than the ATV3. The ATV4K seems like a big improvement over the ATV4 though, and the above statement would be a fitting description of it.

 

[campyguy]

Take the ATV 3, buy the ATV4k. My 2¢. I have one of each, here's why:

The 3 has two killer features - the silver remote (which you can still use with your 4/4k but isn't as maddening at times to use as the Siri remote that comes with the 4/4k), and a minijack-port (which was removed from the 4-series) that can be used as a line-out with a stereo or headphones - great for broadcasting music to. At the cost of zero it's a worthwhile keeper. And, yes you can use the two remotes simultaneously with the 4k that you're going to buy (or the 4 for that matter...)

The 4k delivered to me by DTV a few days ago is faster and smoother than the 4 it's replacing. The 4k's HDR10, faster processor, Gigabit Ethernet, and dual-band MIMO wifi are nice upgrades for the extra $30 over the 4. And, agreed with @vertical smile with the wired networking on the 4 seeming slower than the 3, I'm guessing that the far-more-stripped-down GUI on the 3 may have something to do with this bit?

I also own and use an older last-generation FireTV. The native Prime programming looks pretty spectacular on the FireTV and the voice-control always was better than Siri on the 4, but the 4k is - not seems - on-par with the FireTV's voice control and related picture quality. I'm putting the 4 on CL pretty soon...

 

[mattopotamus]

The 4th gen ATV does not have 4k, but the fifth gen does.

I am so happy you pointed that out. I was feeling a little mad reading ATV 4 as the 4K variant.

ATV 4 = 1080P ATV with better specs and the App Store

ATV 5th gen = 4K ATV.

 

[Tech198]

I haven’t ever had an Apple TV before...mostly bc I have smart TVs. My other issue is that my main TV is hung on a wall and I can’t get it down without someone to help my husband. That said, my parents told me to take home their Apple TV since they never used it. It is a 3rd generation. What is it lacking that the 4th has besides 4K? Also, what does Apple TV do that say my smart TV doesn’t do. I have most every other Apple item but just never really paid attention to the tv. We have full cable on our TVs.

Thanks!

We have Apple 3rd & 4th gen(s) at our place..

No App store on the 3rd gen and allot more simple.. No siri for instance, just the basic watching, home sharing, icloud etc.

Apple TV 3rd gen even on latest firmware update (discontinued) still exhibits the notorious W-fi issue when it will loose network connectivity, regards of signal and distance from wi-fi mode, which a restore doesn't help..

I doubt its Apple TV 3, but due to firmware itself.. This is why i now connect it via LAN cable. but it serves it purpose ..

 

[Boyd01]

I have two ATV3's hardwired on ethernet and a Mini that is dedicated as an iTunes server with about 1200 DVD's I ripped myself. Still quite content with it, and especially enjoy the simplicity of the pushbutton remote (had to replace both of them because they started wearing out but that was pretty cheap).

My usage is very basic, so I can understand why others would want the newer models. If you have a free one, why not give it a try? You can always buy a newer one if it doesn't do what you want. I don't quite understand the part about taking the TV off the wall. All you need to do is plug in an HDMI cable to hook up the Apple TV - can't you do that without removing the TV from the wall?