Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Anyone else perfectly fine with their Apple TV 3?
- Thread starter 1low91hb
- Start date
-
- Tags
- apple tv
- Sort by reaction score
The main benefit is simply the app store, although I like the remote very much. For video, you're almost always better wired than wireless, so being able to get the video apps on a wired connection using the new apps is a positive. I'm still sure there are plenty that have no particular need to get the new version.
I'm certainly fine for the moment. I have multiple ATV3s, used for movies and music. ATV4 does not really bring a lot to the table in this regard, and Apple chose to drop the optical out which makes it incompatible with all my existing installations. There are workarounds for that, but at the moment there is little incentive to go down that path.
There are things that could come in future updates that might push me over the edge: full Siri with HomeKit integration and dual Bluetooth headphone support are two things which would be of interest to me. As it stands, even if one of my ATV3s were to die, I do not know which model I would choose to replace it.
A.
There are things that could come in future updates that might push me over the edge: full Siri with HomeKit integration and dual Bluetooth headphone support are two things which would be of interest to me. As it stands, even if one of my ATV3s were to die, I do not know which model I would choose to replace it.
A.
To be fair there isn't much functionality that Apple could add to Apple TV 3 in the first place, that sticks with its function as a streaming device. Streaming doesn't need a fast processor etc, and only needs basic of hardware to function. This is probably why Apple focused on adding other functions to the device that have nothing to do with its primary purpose. If you don't need these extra functions, then V 4 is probably a waste of money.
The best advantage by far of version 4 is that version 3 is now considerably less expensive.
The best advantage by far of version 4 is that version 3 is now considerably less expensive.
Well, I think Apple is redefining the Apple TV's primary purpose ;-)
And I have no problem with that. I recognize that Apple is expanding into new demographics with different expectations and different needs. In the meantime, as you say, the $69 ATV3 is a steal.
A.
I like it, but probably the best way to decide whether you feel it's worth the upgrade is order it online, save the box, try it for a week, if you don't see the benefit -- call the order line (or email them) and they'll email you a shipping label. Then, simply box it up, print the emailed label, tape it on the box and send it back...
I'm perfectly fine with it as my bedroom unit. I mostly use it to play video playlists right when going to sleep.
However, I'm all about the fourth gen in my den. Games, Siri, that remote. If some apps come along that really change the device and maybe things like PiP and notifications, boo yah.
I'm sticking with my ATV3 for now. I never play games and the streaming services I use are covered by with my current set-top boxes and smart TV.
I would be tempted if the ATV4 could be a one box replacement for my current set up but the app store in the UK is a bit sparsely populated so far.
I would be tempted if the ATV4 could be a one box replacement for my current set up but the app store in the UK is a bit sparsely populated so far.
Surely people who wanted more apps on the device itself rather than Airplaying from tablet/phone. Folks in the UK have already added BBC iPlayer, I assume that ITV, Channel 4, etc, will eventually arrive as well. No idea about other countries.
I have both and going back to the ATV3 after using the ATV is like taking a walk back to the stone age. It's clunky, slow, and feels antiquated already. With that being said, it still works perfectly fine for things such as Netflix and HBOGo for streaming but it feels like a very limited device after the great internals improvement and app store creation on the 4.
I've had an ATV2 forever and I am a proponent of the platform. The move to the ATV4 was a very nice upgrade for me IMHO. The unit seems much much faster, i love the apps, but the biggest upgrade for me is the Siri global search / music control. Its such a massive help/time saver for me, and totally worth the cost of the upgrade by itself.
ATV 4 is junk at this moment. It doesn't play local movies from iTunes Home Sharing smoothly. It's jerky and stutters. The remote is a terrible design. Half the time you pick it up its upside down because there is no real tactile reference on which side is up. You can't infinite scroll either. You have to swipe 50 times to get to the bottom of a list. It keeps rebooting to Aeriel screen saver. Perhaps Apple will address all these issues with a firmware update when they feel like it.
I am quite happy with my apple tv 3 (and the apple tv 2 i have in my basement).
However, if the apple tv 4 would FINALLY add amazon prime, I'd probably jump. Tired of having to airplay from my iPad.
I am a bit concerned to hear about home sharing not working very well, though. That could be a deal breaker. While I buy a lot of movies from iTunes, I also still have a lot of ripped movies and home movies that I watch.
Hopefully there is some resolution on the home sharing issue soon. I had enough trouble with home sharing initially with the apple tv 2...
This is up to Amazon. There are rumors:
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/11/28/apple-tv-amazon-prime-video-tvos-app/
A.
This is really a very personal decision. The ATV 3 works very well for most things. I will use Netflix as example. A lot of people like the ATV 3 Netflix UI better then the ATV 4 which is using the Netflix UI created for all the other devices. So, you simply have to get use to it. If you had no real reason to upgrade then why fight it.
But for me, I have a lot of TV's was going to upgrade on 2 or maybe 3 and use ATV 3 for the rest. But after a month in with the ATV 4 I replaced all of my ATV 3' with the 4 mainly because of 1 App. It is Channels which allows me to have Live TV on every TV without using the cable company STB/DVR's and the savings of returning all of the equipment not to mention a much nicer UI.
Again, if you do not have something that requires you to upgrade then maybe you should not. But, to be clear the App Store is a game changer and will only get better over time.
But for me, I have a lot of TV's was going to upgrade on 2 or maybe 3 and use ATV 3 for the rest. But after a month in with the ATV 4 I replaced all of my ATV 3' with the 4 mainly because of 1 App. It is Channels which allows me to have Live TV on every TV without using the cable company STB/DVR's and the savings of returning all of the equipment not to mention a much nicer UI.
Again, if you do not have something that requires you to upgrade then maybe you should not. But, to be clear the App Store is a game changer and will only get better over time.
I have 1 apple tv3 and 1 apple tv 4. The 4 is WAY faster at loading my movie library. My kid loves the games, and my wife loves all the apps. She likes it a lot more. Siri still has a ways to go though!
I have both and still enjoy having both. The 4 has the speed advantage and a couple other things I like. The 3 is still a great streaming device.
Lack of Amazon Prime and Plex is what caused me to ditch most of my Apple TV 3s. Yes, I could airplay this stuff but I never had great success with airplay on the Apple TV 3 (maybe it's better on the 4); it worked most of the time but not always and I prefer to use native apps on my streaming devices. So, I switched to Rokus.
I love my ATV 3 and don't see much of a reason to switch. I'm not interested in an app store as most 3rd party apps are low quality and tend to be insecure/data mining. I don't give a **** about siri either, it has always been a gimmick IMO. And it seems like the new remote has a tendency to shatter. I also don't like the new UI, it's too white and not well suited for dark rooms.
All I do is watch netflix/HBO/youtube/itunes movies and occasionally check the weather. ATV 3 does that fine- the UI could be a little faster though, I'm sure the A8 in the newest model fixes that.
I'll switch when amazon prime video comes to it and they release a new model with 4K output.
All I do is watch netflix/HBO/youtube/itunes movies and occasionally check the weather. ATV 3 does that fine- the UI could be a little faster though, I'm sure the A8 in the newest model fixes that.
I'll switch when amazon prime video comes to it and they release a new model with 4K output.
We have the ATV4 in our living room and the ATV3 in the bedroom. While the ATV3 works great, we're thinking of upgrading to the 4 strictly for the App Store. For the time being though, we'll stick with the ATV3 setup in the bedroom until we can find a good deal on a ATV4.
My ATV3 and ATV2 works great. Plays all my iTunes home sharing movies and shows flawlessly. My new ATV4 on the other hand fails. Good for apps to play but lousy at playing movies and TV. Stutters randomly. Hopefully Apple updates the firmware to fix it.
With the simple addition of Plex, I have not looked back. At all. I have had zero issues with my ATV4. Again, I don't play games, and I have five apps installed. The JB version of plex on ATV3 was a pain for me. With the addition of a native app. Happy!
Hulu
Plex
Youtube
Netflix
Trailers
Hulu
Plex
Youtube
Netflix
Trailers
The ATV4 is faster when it comes to iTunes content and Netflix, we don't use any other services on it at this time. Netflix was a little messy for a while, but they seem to have fixed a few bugs. The lag in presenting the library no longer exists and streaming is nearly immediate.
As a gaming platform at this point, I'm afraid it leaves much to be desired. We've loaded a few games. Some are just slow as heck to load and others freeze up all the time.
Wireless internet connection was spotty, so we went back to wired.
Bluetooth Keyboard and Safari would be a nice touch.
[doublepost=1453392624][/doublepost]
Amazon Prime plus Vudu and all other streamers die.
Unfortunately, neither are budging.