Anybody else not aware that ATV+ can be used without Apple hardware?

[ackmondual]

Methinks they should also advertise that ATV+ can be used without Apple hardware. For the longest time, I didn't bother with it b/c of that reason (although TBF, I was in the thick of numerous other SS at those times). It wasn't until I got a free trial that I actually looked into this (I've watched stuff on a Windows computer, via Firefox browser).

 

[OhMyMy]

It's a well known fact that ATV+ has an app on other smart TV platforms like Roku, LG's webOS and others. Not sure where you got the info that it can only be used on Apple devices.

 

[ackmondual]

It's a well known fact that ATV+ has an app on other smart TV platforms like Roku, LG's webOS and others. Not sure where you got the info that it can only be used on Apple devices.

I should add that I don't use streaming boxes, so these I've never paid attention to.

 

[Juicy Box]

One of the biggest problem Apple has is the naming convention for the Apple TV, Apple TV+, and the Apple TV app.

Most non-tech people do not know the difference between these things, and while Apple does advertise ATV+, most people have no idea what the ATV HW actually is.

It's a well known fact

While it is a fact, I wouldn't say it is well known outside of the tech world, and probably the Apple tech world.

I have heard similar statements from many people in the wild. Also, that many people think that the ATV is an actual television.

Apple sucks at advertising the ATV, and while it advertises ATV+ like crazy, many people do not know that ATV+ content can be viewed on non-Apple HW.

Not sure where you got the info that it can only be used on Apple devices.

I think that is the point of the OP, Apple should advertise that ATV+ can be used on non-Apple HW.

 

[Eric Idle]

Yep- Whomever named Apple TV & Apple TV+ failed out of marketing 101. It is hard to imagine a more awful set of names. Probably the number one reason why Apple TV+ is such a failure. I don't know a single person in my non virutal life who subscribes to Apple TV+.

 

[DeltaMac]

I suppose Apple still stays a bit "messy", when it comes to TV product. I recall the Macintosh TV (from the early 90s) mostly a normal Mac, with a standard TV tuner card. No streaming, of course. Had that even existed, the old 68030 CPU, and puny amount of RAM left it woefully unpowered, even for the time, and Apple apparently didn't have much confidence in it, which was only sold for 4 months. (Came on the market when I first started working at the local Apple specialist. I wanted a Mac TV, because it was all black!

 

[t0pher]

One of the biggest problem Apple has is the naming convention for the Apple TV, Apple TV+, and the Apple TV app.

Most non-tech people do not know the difference between these things, and while Apple does advertise ATV+, most people have no idea what the ATV HW actually is.



While it is a fact, I wouldn't say it is well known outside of the tech world, and probably the Apple tech world.

I have heard similar statements from many people in the wild. Also, that many people think that the ATV is an actual television.

Apple sucks at advertising the ATV, and while it advertises ATV+ like crazy, many people do not know that ATV+ content can be viewed on non-Apple HW.


I think that is the point of the OP, Apple should advertise that ATV+ can be used on non-Apple HW.

A big problem with the appletv+ app on non apple hardware is that it can only stream atv+ stuff and can’t play any movies you’ve purchased or rented from the iTunes/music store.
just wanted to watch top gun, buying is £2 cheaper than renting if I wanted a couple of days.

I have a choice of Amazon prime or apple or sky to purchase from, my tv doesn’t have a sky app plus sky uhd doesnt do dd so it’s really prime vs apple and prime wins because atv 4k shows visible grey bars top and bottom while the native app never does!

 

[mallbritton]

A big problem with the appletv+ app on non apple hardware is that it can only stream atv+ stuff and can’t play any movies you’ve purchased or rented from the iTunes/music store.

Actually, the stand alone Apple TV app does stream one's iTunes Store video library.

 

[ftaok]

Actually, the stand alone Apple TV app does stream one's iTunes Store video library.

I suspect the frustration is that doing this requires another device in the mix, either a Mac or PC running iTunes. I wonder if it would work with an iTunes library on a local NAS, but even then, that's a more technical solution than most folks want to deal with.

The advantage of using the Apple TV hardware in this specific use case is that you can play your iTunes purchased content* (or digital copy files from DVD/BD purchases) without a middleman device. It just streams from the Internet.

* - availability of content online is at the discretion of the content owners. Downloading the digital file to your personal iTunes library remains the only way to guarantee that the content is available after the owners pull it from the store.

 

[interbear]

Actually, the stand alone Apple TV app does stream one's iTunes Store video library.

Does it? Pretty sure the ATV+ app on my LG TV only allows me to watch ATV+ streaming, and does NOT allow access to my library of purchased movies on iTunes. It’s one of the reasons I have stuck to using the Apple TV box rather than native apps on the TV, and as a default position I now use the Apple TV box for all streaming services (Netflix, Amazon etc). Have I missed something? I’ll go and check later today of course but would be surprised if this is possible.

 

[dUnKle]

Does it? Pretty sure the ATV+ app on my LG TV only allows me to watch ATV+ streaming, and does NOT allow access to my library of purchased movies on iTunes. It’s one of the reasons I have stuck to using the Apple TV box rather than native apps on the TV, and as a default position I now use the Apple TV box for all streaming services (Netflix, Amazon etc). Have I missed something? I’ll go and check later today of course but would be surprised if this is possible.

I know on the UK the apple app on the sky box only allows for viewing on apples own streaming based content, the app on LG TVs and Samsung TVs does both steaming and library content

I still prefer the standalone box and use for all my streaming needs

 

[mallbritton]

Does it? Pretty sure the ATV+ app on my LG TV only allows me to watch ATV+ streaming, and does NOT allow access to my library of purchased movies on iTunes. It’s one of the reasons I have stuck to using the Apple TV box rather than native apps on the TV, and as a default position I now use the Apple TV box for all streaming services (Netflix, Amazon etc). Have I missed something? I’ll go and check later today of course but would be surprised if this is possible.

Yes, the TV app on my Samsung TV, model UN50NU6900, allows me to stream not only Apple TV+ content but my iTunes library as well. The menu looks like this:

"Library" is all my iTunes Store video purchases. Now, this behavior may a little different if you are in a country other than the USA, but I can't imagine you should only be limited to either ATV+ content or your purchased library.

 

[addamas]

Same on Samsung TV Q80TAT with Tizen 5.5 onboard - I can watch ATV+, watch movies and even buy them from this app but have to accept it from phone via QR code.

So in short - everything is working.
TV has Airplay 2 which I use to stream tv from iPad

I am building ATV movies library in 4K

 

[Bento.Box]

I was aware from the beginning that I can simply watch apple TV in my browser.

That's also were I discovered that the 4k quality was really low - it's effectively not even 2k if I compare the show's filming to what I can achieve on my 2k Panasonic DSLR.

I usually watch it in the app on my ipad though, in the bath tub.

What's missing to be a viable service in my view is a Kodi plugin, like it exists for other streaming services like youtube, nebula or curiositystream. Of course, you can just download and copy your shows to your HTPC, but since it is a streaming service, it might as well be used as one.

 

[martens]

There is no Apple TV app for Android, for some reason. And no browser support.

 

[audiomixer]

There is no Apple TV app for Android, for some reason. And no browser support.

Do you mean Apple Tv+ app by chance? This app is available for android on certain devices. I have it on my nvidia shield.

 

[Bento.Box]

There is no Apple TV app for Android, for some reason. And no browser support.

You can use it with the original Chrome browser on Android.
I do that on my tablet.

It will not work with other browsers though (e.g. brave) like on Computers.

 

[compwiz1202]

Yes, the TV app on my Samsung TV, model UN50NU6900, allows me to stream not only Apple TV+ content but my iTunes library as well. The menu looks like this:
View attachment 2092173

"Library" is all my iTunes Store video purchases. Now, this behavior may a little different if you are in a country other than the USA, but I can't imagine you should only be limited to either ATV+ content or your purchased library.

Same on our FireTV (The actual TV Set)