A thread for those who DON'T hate the new Apple TV

[redman042]

Overall the new processor makes a huge difference, everything works smoothly with little to no lag, and AirPlay is free of all the previous streaming bugs.

I was wondering about AirPlay. Is it a lot better? It has never worked 100% reliably for me with the ATV 3. Slow load time for 1080p videos recorded on my phone, occasional failures, and often I need to reboot the box. Would love to hear more about whether you experienced the same with the old model and how much it's improved with the 4.

 

[TrueBlou]

AirPlay has been fast, responsive and stable for me so far. Streaming videos, photos and playing a couple of games on my iPhone 6+ and iPad Air 2. There does seem to be a little bit of an improvement over the ATV 3.

 

[mostlycharlie]

The old Apple TV OS got better over time. Apple has a long history of transitioning their software to fit a different UI paradigm and some features did not make it into the first release. Siri itself sucked at first and eventually got better. I'm actually surprised at how well Siri on TVOS is doing even though I've run into a few walls with it. iOS Maps was the same way. Now it's pretty robust and I don't rely on Google Maps as much anymore. At the very least I can say that the way in which I have always used Apple TV works like a charm on this new one. And some of the enhancements have already proven to be great for me and my family.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I'm skeptical. Roku, Google TV and Amazon have had app stores for a while, but the apps haven't exactly set the world on Fire (pun intended ). Interactive TV has been tried several times over the last decades and never took off. People mostly just want to consume when they sit down in front of the TV. And for anything requiring serious interaction the input devices on TVs are much too limited. Why should I go shopping using a clumsy remote when I can just grab my iPad and use its much more powerful touch UI? My guess is that the only thing that will gain some traction are casual and party games. But the app sales will be tiny compared to mobile devices.

Coming into a screwed up market and fixing it is what Apple does. They've been holding back on the TV box market because they want to compete with Comcast and haven't been able to get content agreements in place yet. The fact that there are a bunch of blasé streaming platforms out there indicates (to me at least) that it's time for Apple to do it's thing.

 

[31 Flavas]

HDMI-CEC is great. Haven't touched my television remote since the Apple TV booted up.

Just curious what TV (and receiver, if you have one) you are using. HDMI-CEC, is a mixed bag for me. If I turn off my TV -- My receiver powers off, as well. But the Apple TV doesn't (big whoop it uses, what like 5 watts?). However, turning on my TV or the Apple TV does not power anyone up. But, the Apple TV (by HDMI-CEC) can adjust the volume on my receiver.

My TV is a 55" LG (55HG90) from 2010. My receiver is a Marantz NR1403 from 2012 or 2013.

I guess, is my TV just incompatible? or does everything have to be HDMI 1.4 HDMI-CEC to work?

 

[appledefenceforce]

I never understand why people complain about something that they don't buy or don't intend to buy. I mean don't get me wrong there are things about Apple and their products that are justifiably criticisable but to whine and whine and whine is just so negative.

 

[snowmoon]

I don't hate it but I was pumped until the reports started trickling in. I do believe it's got potential, but it didn't get the lead time that other devices did and it's still got a few obvious fixes to be put in place. Maybe a holiday buy if the majori problems are resolved or end up being overblown.

My two biggest concerns are...

1) The lack of siri "text input"
2) The requirement that all apps work with the microscopic remote rather than allow for apps to require gamepads will limit the availability of some categories of games. ( in fairness I understand why this decision was made out of the gate and it's one that can be relaxed in time )

If I'm not happy by the holidays the way it's progressing I may just get a console for gaming.

 

[pittpanthersfan]

Just curious what TV (and receiver, if you have one) you are using. HDMI-CEC, is a mixed bag for me.

It's a Samsung UN46D6000. From 2011 or 2012 I think. No receiver.

 

[Roy G Biv]

Yo-yo, what about the SPEED?! I'm perhaps most looking forward to an Apple TV that loads content and transitions between screens much faster than my ATV3. Please, I am manticorn!

 

[pedz]

Just curious what TV (and receiver, if you have one) you are using. HDMI-CEC, is a mixed bag for me. If I turn off my TV -- My receiver powers off, as well. But the Apple TV doesn't (big whoop it uses, what like 5 watts?). However, turning on my TV or the Apple TV does not power anyone up. But, the Apple TV (by HDMI-CEC) can adjust the volume on my receiver.

My TV is a 55" LG (55HG90) from 2010. My receiver is a Marantz NR1403 from 2012 or 2013.

I guess, is my TV just incompatible? or does everything have to be HDMI 1.4 HDMI-CEC to work?

I had the same problem with my Panasonic tv and some one answered it on another thread I posted. Not sure if it is the same for LG but worth checking. Look at the settings for CEC on the tv, for my Panasonic there were separate settings for letting devices turn the tv on and off, and only off was enabled by default.

 

[pedz]

Yo-yo, what about the SPEED?! I'm perhaps most looking forward to an Apple TV that loads content and transitions between screens much faster than my ATV3. Please, I am manticorn!

This has been one of the main benefits for me. Everything's zips now. No hanging when moving through menu lists, responds instantly to remote actions, and when I play videos from my library they start instantly and I can easily fast forward and rewind (including the siri options to do it). For me that has been the biggest win compared to the previous models.

 

[snowmoon]

Yo-yo, what about the SPEED?! I'm perhaps most looking forward to an Apple TV that loads content and transitions between screens much faster than my ATV3. Please, I am manticorn!

It's got an A8, the same CPU as the iPad Mini 4 and a 1080p "screen" has 30% fewer pixels to drive... if there is any slowness to the transitions it's not because of the hardware. This in in contrast to the aTV3 which had a single core gimped A5 ( it had less power than an iPod Touch 5th gen ) and 1/4 of the ram ( 512mb vs 2gb ).

 

[Topfry]

I think it's great; the most interesting product so far this year, more so than this iteration of Apple Watch. It didn't incorporate everything I would have liked, but what it can do is promising. The last atv had tremendous potential that would never be fulfilled, but the new one has potential that can be fulfilled; the ram, processor, storage and apps will eventually make it rock, and HomeKit apps are where it's going to look really cool.
The missus and I were watching a Netflix film last night, and arguing over the identity of an actor in the movie - I used the " who is in this film" for the first time and we fell in love all over again - ha ha - (probably because it proved she was right).
The price is too high, but still pleased I got one. Looking forward to seeing how the atv software develops in the coming months, and hope that a 4K, faster processor, better Bluetooth version isn't released too soon in the future.

 

[TrueBlou]

I don't hate it but I was pumped until the reports started trickling in. I do believe it's got potential, but it didn't get the lead time that other devices did and it's still got a few obvious fixes to be put in place. Maybe a holiday buy if the majori problems are resolved or end up being overblown.

My two biggest concerns are...

1) The lack of siri "text input"
2) The requirement that all apps work with the microscopic remote rather than allow for apps to require gamepads will limit the availability of some categories of games. ( in fairness I understand why this decision was made out of the gate and it's one that can be relaxed in time )

If I'm not happy by the holidays the way it's progressing I may just get a console for gaming.

The Siri text input will get resolved, hopefully sooner rather than later.

The controller thing is a non-issue. It's entirely possible to satisfy Apples requirements, which aren't as bad as some like to make out, for the Siri remote in games for absolutely any game style. Then provide a proper expanded control scheme for those of us who purchase a game pad. It's already starting to happen.

Let's put it this way, the Siri remote has effectively, two analogue sticks (the touch pad and gyros) two buttons for game actions and a third one to bring up a menu.

Apples only requirement is that any game must be playable on a basic level. With that set up anything can be made playable on a basic level.

 

[snowmoon]

The Siri text input will get resolved, hopefully sooner rather than later.

The controller thing is a non-issue.

I'm glad you are hopeful but I'm just more conservative. Like the watch, it seems like launch day was just a little less exciting than it could have been due to lack of "bake time". It feels more like an extended beta period at this point while they work out the other issues.

When the issues get resolved and there is a little more idea on how much space things will take up then I'll probably pick one up. I just feel like there are too many open questions to make it an easy buy.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I'm glad you are hopeful but I'm just more conservative. Like the watch, it seems like launch day was just a little less exciting than it could have been due to lack of "bake time". It feels more like an extended beta period at this point while they work out the other issues.

When the issues get resolved and there is a little more idea on how much space things will take up then I'll probably pick one up. I just feel like there are too many open questions to make it an easy buy.

And? This has been the case with every Apple product for nearly a decade now. Remember the first iPod, the first iPhone, the first iPad. All of them were roundly criticized for lacking features and being "half baked." But that nascent period didn't last long for any of them. The ATV4 is no exception. It's arguably a brand new device in this iteration and it'll follow the same pattern established by Apple: starts out bare bones and features are added via software.

Memory. It's a valuable skill.

 

[TrueBlou]

I'm glad you are hopeful but I'm just more conservative. Like the watch, it seems like launch day was just a little less exciting than it could have been due to lack of "bake time". It feels more like an extended beta period at this point while they work out the other issues.

When the issues get resolved and there is a little more idea on how much space things will take up then I'll probably pick one up. I just feel like there are too many open questions to make it an easy buy.

That's pretty much the norm for Apple these days with new product categories, look at the Apple Watch. I'm considering this Apple TV to be a new product category in a sense as its a radical departure from the previous models in what it has the potential to do, what with it being the first one to offer an AppStore.

Maybe it's because I've been working with it for a while and I can see a lot of very, very untapped potential, it gives me a sense of security knowing how far it could and likely will grow.

 

[snowmoon]

And? This has been the case with every Apple product for nearly a decade now.

I've been round this block too many time to count, I don't buy on potential I'll buy when it's done baking. I've just seen too many obvious features that never make it into a new device. I'm just hoping it will be done with this initial awkwardness before the holidays.

 

[illitrate23]

I've been round this block too many time to count, I don't buy on potential I'll buy when it's done baking. I've just seen too many obvious features that never make it into a new device. I'm just hoping it will be done with this initial awkwardness before the holidays.

Where's the fun in that?
Adopt early, and then you can appreciate the improvement and growth of the product over time. Otherwise you end up buying just before the next version is announced

 

[Surf Monkey]

Where's the fun in that?
Adopt early, and then you can appreciate the improvement and growth of the product over time. Otherwise you end up buying just before the next version is announced

No kidding. I have to agree. How often does Apple launch a brand new platform? Being there on the ground floor to watch it grow and evolve is exciting every time.

 

[TrueBlou]

No kidding. I have to agree. How often does Apple launch a brand new platform? Being there on the ground floor to watch it grow and evolve is exciting every time.

Yeah I like getting in at the start and following the progression. I don't know, there's just something more, interesting, seeing how it grows and develops. Rather than just getting one a year later and everything is already done and perfect.

 

[leesweet]

No kidding. I have to agree. How often does Apple launch a brand new platform? Being there on the ground floor to watch it grow and evolve is exciting every time.

I would agree with this if I were told it was a beta system. Like I'm running iOS 9.2PB1, I'm happy to report issues. I'd be happy to report and suggest we need the remote app and deal with it because it's beta. Etc. To have this sort of thing missing on production means it wasn't tested with the right people. Or there wasn't time to correct things. Or who knows.

I like the ATV4, really. The speed, the apps, everything that's new is great. But it could have been so much better with a few additions.

 

[MH01]

I don't hate mine. I'd say underwhelmed, as in the Uk, we have very few apps. Still at the stage where I'm deciding if I will keep it.

I am struggling with the price update, cause the 64gb is about 3x the price I could get an ATV3. And it's not even close to being twice the machine, maybe down the track developers will be able to add apps that justify the update

 

[FiberRobot]

I'm just glad that I don't have to use Roku AND Apple TV anymore.

Totally agree, I had ATV3 and Roku3 but only used Roku3 for the Plex app. Now I use Simple X for Plex playback and it works great. Plex will eventually have their own app for ATV4 so I will check that out but I would be fine just with Simple X. The bonus is I can move the Roku3 to guest bed room...

 

[TrueBlou]

I don't hate mine. I'd say underwhelmed, as in the Uk, we have very few apps. Still at the stage where I'm deciding if I will keep it.

I am struggling with the price update, cause the 64gb is about 3x the price I could get an ATV3. And it's not even close to being twice the machine, maybe down the track developers will be able to add apps that justify the update

Yeah, it's always like this with a brand new product category unfortunately (the AppStore on ATV being the new product category.)

The apps will come, the vast majority of developers have only had a few months with the sdk for the Apple TV and few even got their hands on a unit to test on before the public launch last week.

Getting in at the start always has it's downfalls, but until more software comes and we get to see the true potential, I'm enjoying a few of the games available and that there's Apple Music access. I'm less fussed about the various catch up services getting their finger out and making apps, they will, but it's not like I don't have other ways to watch them in the meantime.