Advantages and Disadvantages of using a Apple TV 4K over just using like I am now with video HDMI out onto my Projector Screen ? 60Hz

[max2]

Right now I play streaming video or downloaded video by dragging it onto my technically second monitor (projector screen)

It is quite easy to do and worked well years for me. Though I always ask myself what would a streaming box give me any advantage ? Except for a easy remote. Still I make my spare phone a remote sometimes. Though I prefer just using my mouse and keyboard still weirdly enough.

The biggest issue is I only use wired headphones and I don't any streaming box lets you hook up wired headphones to it. I could be wrong.

 

[Edd70]

Have you never used a streaming box of any kind?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

OP, single living alone? If there are others in your household, maybe they would prefer the streaming box option instead of the approach that works for you?

Are you using a laptop that way? Does it ever go out with you when you travel? If so and you have anyone living with you, the only method available to watch things back at home is on the road with you. A streaming box could fix that.

If you ARE single, living alone, then the direct connect option you are using offers much more flexibility than any streaming box. Basically, anything you can browse can be "thrown" to that projector. Streaming boxes are not typically as flexible regarding what they can show.

If you want to go wired headphones with streaming box, the easy option is to run streaming box into a receiver and then receiver to projector. Hook headphones into receiver. Else, you can probably buy what would amount to being a dongle- usually called an HDMI Audio Extractor like this one- to split off the audio signal from the streaming box and then plug your wired headphones into that. That one example (of many possibilities) has a dedicated wired headphone jack. AppleTV into one of those, HDMI out of one of those to your projector. Plug headphones in for audio. That HDMI out basically forwards the video on to your projector.

 

[max2]

Have you never used a streaming box of any kind?

Yes but it is rare.

 

[max2]

OP, single living alone? If there are others in your household, maybe they would prefer the streaming box option instead of the approach that works for you?

Are you using a laptop that way? Does it ever go out with you when you travel? If so and you have anyone living with you, the only method available to watch things back at home is on the road with you. A streaming box could fix that.

If you ARE single, living alone, then the direct connect option you are using offers much more flexibility than any streaming box. Basically, anything you can browse can be "thrown" to that projector. Streaming boxes are not typically as flexible regarding what they can show.

If you want to go wired headphones with streaming box, the easy option is to run streaming box into a receiver and then receiver to projector. Hook headphones into receiver. Else, you can probably buy what would amount to being a dongle- usually called an HDMI Audio Extractor like this one- to split off the audio signal from the streaming box and then plug your wired headphones into that. That one example (of many possibilities) has a dedicated wired headphone jack. AppleTV into one of those, HDMI out of one of those to your projector. Plug headphones in for audio. That HDMI out basically forwards the video on to your projector.

No. You bring up good points. Thanks.

 

[Edd70]

Yes but it is rare.

Well, your current setup is clunky af and wired headphones are inconvenient if you want to walk around the home a bit while still listening to the audio.

But you don’t seem to care. The advantages of a streaming box, you already are aware of, so I’d say you’re all set as is.