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Unless something changed, I remember seeing somewhere that HD movies are not supported using the Silverlight player on a Mac. I don't know whether or not HD playback using the HTML5 player in Chrome is supported. TV shows will stream in HD, however (limitation is only for movies).
I thought there used to be a workaround where you could go into Amazon prime settings and disable Silverlight?

Does anyone remember this?
 
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I thought there used to be a workaround where you could go into Amazon prime settings and disable Silverlight?

Does anyone remember this?

I sort of remember that Amazon would fall back to using Flash if Silverlight was disabled. But, I think they may have removed Flash support in lieu of HTML5 support with Chrome.
 
I don't see where this has been posted by others (my apologies if I've missed it)... but I sent a written complaint to Amazon regarding the Apple TV. I'll paste the response below.

I'm not exactly sure how to take it, because it seems like they're saying "we're working on it" - but there is also no overt claim that an Apple TV app is in the works. So my advice would be to keep logging written complaints with them until we get it.

Here's the email from them:
__________________________________
Hello Derek,

I understand from your email that you want to use Amazon video App on your Apple TV.

Currently Amazon Video App are is not compatible with Apple TV, I can imagine this may be extremely inconvenient to you. That's definitely not we want our customers to experience, and I'm truly sorry.

Please note that the availability of Amazon Services is completely based on our agreements with the device manufacturers, please be assured that we are trying our best.

However, this does not mean your inconvenience and disappointment will go unnoticed.

We have recently received numerous requests of watching Amazon Videos on Apple TV. Please be assured that we're regularly working on improvements and adding more devices compatible to stream Prime videos.

You have been our loyal customer from about 13 years and the last thing we want is to lose you. Because your satisfaction is something we work hard to achieve.

To ensure utmost attention, I've considered your comments as feedback and personally forwarded them to the Amazon development team.

We are working very hard for the betterment of our products so that we provide a service that works best for our customers. I’m truly sorry for the trouble caused in this case.

We do value the feedback of our customers and make every attempt to integrate their comments or suggestions into our stores and procedures.

We have team of experts who takes into consideration each and every feedback of our customers and brings them into practice.

It might take some time, but they'll definitely do their best.Thank you for letting us know what you want from your Amazon Video service.

I do realize that the Airplay feature has it's limits and it's not the same without an official app.

As always, please feel free to contact us should you have future suggestions, questions or comments.

www.amazon.com/gp/help/contact-us/digital-video.html

I hope that you will honor us with another opportunity, to prove the quality of our service to you in the future as we look forward to seeing you again soon.

We'd appreciate your feedback. Please use the links below to tell us about your experience today.

Best regards,
Suhel N
 
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based on that reply, I think its going to be a while
Yeah. As I mentioned, it's not clear that they are even working on an app at the moment.

They are forwarding these kinds of complaints though... so I'd say to keep the complaints coming. If you want the app... tell them so.
 
You can also spam Jeff Bozo if you like - jeff@amazon.com You'll get a reply from a PA telling you to buy a Fire TV.

I suspect the only way Amazon will develop an app for the Apple TV is if it gains a huge market share. Right now the ATV 4 is a tiny fraction of the streaming user base, so of little concern to Amazon.
 
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I suspect the only way Amazon will develop an app for the Apple TV is if it gains a huge market share. Right now the ATV 4 is a tiny fraction of the streaming user base, so of little concern to Amazon.
Do you have numbers on this? I have not seen any numbers from Apple.
 
I suspect the only way Amazon will develop an app for the Apple TV is if it gains a huge market share. Right now the ATV 4 is a tiny fraction of the streaming user base, so of little concern to Amazon.
That seems like a very short-sighted approach if true.

How much work does it take to develop an app that, even if a small percentage of overall customers, will still number in the millions? Meanwhile, people will get annoyed and move on to competitors like Netflix and Hulu. I barely use Amazon Prime as it is. It's not worth the hassle when comparative services are available at no hassle at all.

I get that Amazon is pushing its own hardware... but I find it hard to believe that a "strategic" move like this will do anything but lose them money in the long run.
 
Thanks for the following Link. I replied because simply easy to do it.

www.amazon.com/gp/help/contact-us/digital-video.html


Just shot them an email also using this link. Said the usual things bit did pointedly say that I hope their response doesn't say "our team is working on it" because thats a cop out.

Its unlikely that several dozen emails or even hundreds will motivate Amazon but its worth the shot.

I actually don't like their iOS app because you can't, if you wanted to, buy a movie or TV show within the app.
 
Do you have numbers on this? I have not seen any numbers from Apple.

I base my assumptions purely upon how long the ATV 4 has been available. It takes time to build a user base.
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Just shot them an email also using this link. Said the usual things bit did pointedly say that I hope their response doesn't say "our team is working on it" because thats a cop out.

Its unlikely that several dozen emails or even hundreds will motivate Amazon but its worth the shot.

I actually don't like their iOS app because you can't, if you wanted to, buy a movie or TV show within the app.

Well you can thank Apple for that. Amazon don't want to pay Apple for obvious reasons. On other platforms the Prime Video app is fully functional and allows purchases and rentals.
 
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You can also spam Jeff Bozo if you like - jeff@amazon.com You'll get a reply from a PA telling you to buy a Fire TV.

I suspect the only way Amazon will develop an app for the Apple TV is if it gains a huge market share. Right now the ATV 4 is a tiny fraction of the streaming user base, so of little concern to Amazon.
I agree. You have to get a Fire TV. Even if they release a app for the Apple TV is most likely won't be good. The app on the PS3, PS4 is terrible. It can't even maintain a SD picture for nothing goes from HD to low def SD since the latest update yet the Fire TV starts up and plays in HD.
 
I agree. You have to get a Fire TV. Even if they release a app for the Apple TV is most likely won't be good. The app on the PS3, PS4 is terrible. It can't even maintain a SD picture for nothing goes from HD to low def SD since the latest update yet the Fire TV starts up and plays in HD.

If you think of the progress in TV watching made in the last 10 years, I suppose we should be happy. Hopefully in a couple of years all this will well sorted and much easier. Its early days in a way...

Because at this moment besides an ATV4, you need a Roku for 4k, (I will leave the other 1000 threads about really needing 4k or not to discuss this issue) and a Amazon Fire to get the native Amazon app with in app purchase enabled. Does Chromecast have something I need that the others have???

That said, I am happy at the moment with the ATV4, using a Smart DNS I have too many channels to watch anyway.

I think I know what first world problems are now!
 
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yeah, that just sounds like a canned response of we feel sorry...we are working on it and strive to give our customers the best possible...

because, they have an iOS app, that can Airplay. they could simply refine this a touch and get it on the new AppleTV...no working with Apple, etc. they aren't, they haven't, they probably won't for a while. boo
 
A quick response from Amazon to my email, more BS, no facts...Although its different than the response posted upthread, so I guess that they actually read them...

Glad to let them know, it can't hurt...


Dear winstars,

I understand that you are concerned about having Amazon video for Apple TV.

We would like to thank you for writing back with this feedback and suggesting that we make some modifications to our service as this will provide better accessibility to the users.

I realize how convenient it would be for all our customers if the feature of providing the app on all the compatible devices.

We would like to thank you for bringing this issue to our concern and taking time to share your concerns about our video service and the availability on different devices.

We will make every effort to evaluate the information you have provided, and try our level best to lead it to program changes or enhancements.

I appreciate that you wrote about this so I can point out the need for these changes to our video service. We’ll certainly keep your request in focus as we make future improvements to avoid any inconvenience to the customers as happened in your case.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding as a Loyal Amazon Customer.

If you have any issues please feel free to contact us
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/contact-us

We look forward to seeing you soon.

We'd appreciate your feedback. Please use the links below to tell us about your experience today.

Best regards,
Asma
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
If you think of the progress in TV watching made in the last 10 years, I suppose we should be happy. Hopefully in a couple of years all this will well sorted and much easier. Its early days in a way...

Because at this moment besides an ATV4, you need a Roku for 4k, (I will leave the other 1000 threads about really needing 4k or not to discuss this issue) and a Amazon Fire to get the native Amazon app with in app purchase enabled. Does Chromecast have something I need that the others have???

That said, I am happy at the moment with the ATV4, using a Smart DNS I have too many channels to watch anyway.

I think I know what first world problems are now!


Just an FYI, Roku has had a full functioning Amazon app for years.....I know I use it daily.

People who seem baffled as to why Amazon doesn't just release an Apple TV app already, really need to take a step back and try looking the other direction once.
 
Just an FYI, Roku has had a full functioning Amazon app for years.....I know I use it daily.

People who seem baffled as to why Amazon doesn't just release an Apple TV app already, really need to take a step back and try looking the other direction once.


Thats what I said... You need a Roku to have an Amazon app that does it all...
 
People who seem baffled as to why Amazon doesn't just release an Apple TV app already, really need to take a step back and try looking the other direction once.
Not true. There is absolutely no reason Amazon could not release a Amazon Prime App for the Apple TV that has the SAME features as the Amazon App for the iPad. They simply do not want to. You can argue all you want that this is Apple's fault because they are not able to "ALSO" sell movies and tv shows on Apple TV (without paying any commission to Apple) but that is simply Amazon's decision. Anyone who currently has Amazon Prime for Shipping has bought it via the Amazon Web Site and those people should be able to user their subscription on the Apple TV if they want. Amazon should provide the option since they are now increasing the price to support Shipping + Video + Music ($79 -> $99). And of course customers like myself can decide if the $99 is too much to pay for shipping only because I only have an Apple TV. Amazon should consider a cheaper price for Shipping only since they want to be hardware proprietary with the Amazon Prime Video and Music.
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Thats what I said... You need a Roku to have an Amazon app that does it all...
I would say does the most. But to say it "does it all" is a stretch. My guess is Roku has a limited life. With the Apple TV App Store and the Android App Store I think their advantage is quickly coming to an end. I am already seeing new apps on Apple TV that do to exist on the Roku. Not to mention iTunes Content.
 
Not true. There is absolutely no reason Amazon could not release a Amazon Prime App for the Apple TV that has the SAME features as the Amazon App for the iPad. They simply do not want to. You can argue all you want that this is Apple's fault because they are not able to "ALSO" sell movies and tv shows on Apple TV (without paying any commission to Apple) but that is simply Amazon's decision. Anyone who currently has Amazon Prime for Shipping has bought it via the Amazon Web Site and those people should be able to user their subscription on the Apple TV if they want. Amazon should provide the option since they are now increasing the price to support Shipping + Video + Music ($79 -> $99). And of course customers like myself can decide if the $99 is too much to pay for shipping only because I only have an Apple TV. Amazon should consider a cheaper price for Shipping only since they want to be hardware proprietary with the Amazon Prime Video and Music.
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I would say does the most. But to say it "does it all" is a stretch. My guess is Roku has a limited life. With the Apple TV App Store and the Android App Store I think their advantage is quickly coming to an end. I am already seeing new apps on Apple TV that do to exist on the Roku. Not to mention iTunes Content.

I was saying that a Roku is needed at this time to use Amazon Video and apparently with the Roku, unlike the iPad and iPhone Amazon apps, you can purchase movies and TV shows within the app.

I have 3 ATV3's and 2 ATV4's and won't be buying a Roku to get Amazon Video anytime soon...

With the ATV4's and Smart DNS, I have so much to watch, there aren't enough hours in the day.

And in six months the app store could be crazy, its really early days...
 
Not true. There is absolutely no reason Amazon could not release a Amazon Prime App for the Apple TV that has the SAME features as the Amazon App for the iPad. They simply do not want to. You can argue all you want that this is Apple's fault because they are not able to "ALSO" sell movies and tv shows on Apple TV (without paying any commission to Apple) but that is simply Amazon's decision. Anyone who currently has Amazon Prime for Shipping has bought it via the Amazon Web Site and those people should be able to user their subscription on the Apple TV if they want. Amazon should provide the option since they are now increasing the price to support Shipping + Video + Music ($79 -> $99). And of course customers like myself can decide if the $99 is too much to pay for shipping only because I only have an Apple TV. Amazon should consider a cheaper price for Shipping only since they want to be hardware proprietary with the Amazon Prime Video and Music.
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I would say does the most. But to say it "does it all" is a stretch. My guess is Roku has a limited life. With the Apple TV App Store and the Android App Store I think their advantage is quickly coming to an end. I am already seeing new apps on Apple TV that do to exist on the Roku. Not to mention iTunes Content.


Yes, Amazon want's a level playing field, and not to lose money on every transaction paying Apple. They are a business. They are in business to make money just like Apple. I know many seem to think with an App Store, everybody is going to flock to the Apple TV, but is that happening? Forget Amazon for the moment, is there ANY apps where you can buy or rent movies besides itunes? You say Roku has a limited life? I'll just have to disagree. There is a reason Roku has been the best selling streamer over the last few years and Apple fell to fourth......CONTENT IN KING!.......and the Roku has just about everything except itunes. If you really don't think Apple is in any way limiting or discouraging thru their practices, itunes competitors from getting on the Apple TV well.....I don't know what to tell you...... If anything this is going to sell more Roku's.....
 
The decision to not provide Amazon video on ATV is purely business related and not technical. As an iOS developer myself I can tell you it would not be hard to "port" their existing iPad app to tvOS. However it's unclear whether the appearance of this app is related to Apples reluctance to approve or Amazons to create. There are no Ultraviolet apps on ATV because Apple won't approve them.
 
Yes, Amazon want's a level playing field, and not to lose money on every transaction paying Apple. They are a business. They are in business to make money just like Apple. I know many seem to think with an App Store, everybody is going to flock to the Apple TV, but is that happening? Forget Amazon for the moment, is there ANY apps where you can buy or rent movies besides itunes? You say Roku has a limited life? I'll just have to disagree. There is a reason Roku has been the best selling streamer over the last few years and Apple fell to fourth......CONTENT IN KING!.......and the Roku has just about everything except itunes. If you really don't think Apple is in any way limiting or discouraging thru their practices, itunes competitors from getting on the Apple TV well.....I don't know what to tell you...... If anything this is going to sell more Roku's.....
We may want to revisit this discussion in about 3 years. I have replaced all of my STB/DVR's with Apple TV 4 and saving a lot of money simply because there is now an App Store on the Apple TV and a New App Called Channels (which is simply fantastic) for watching Live TV (current release just added 2gb buffer for support pause/ff/rew). This is not available on Roku. But a similar app is available on Android (include Amazon Fire TV). I believe the competition will be like on the Phone between tvOS and Android for the Living Room. That is why I feel Roku has a limited future. Back to Amazon Prime. They are selling that as part of the Free Shipping Package (at least now). They a bulk of their money still from sells goods and not selling movies. They are also creating original content that they give for FREE to the Prime Customers. For them to not want a huge based of customers just because they are not allowed to rent/sell movies and tv is a mistake and I feel the will create an app for the Apple TV at some point.
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There are no Ultraviolet apps on ATV because Apple won't approve them.
Do you have a link to a site like Flixster or Vudu that says they would do it except for the fact that Apple refuses to approve it. I have read where Apple has said they welcome everyone. Now if you say they will not let them SELL Movies without paying a commission then I would agree. Again, this is no different then iPad or iPhone. Amazon and others do not sell on the devices but you can buy from them and playback on the device.
 
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