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The processor is very adequate for some light gaming. Just strap a game controller and you should be good to have fun with some arcade games, though if you enjoy gaming you might as well do that on an xbox or a ps4.
 
Yeah, like 2 others have said, don't see the point in buying this if the Nvidia Shield is available at the same price. I guess if you only source your media downloads directly from Apple, the ATV may be more convenient.



For one thing (among others,) it won't be able to run Kodi. I have a media server with all my media ripped onto it (tons of stuff not available to stream, or purchase via Apple.) Kodi is an amazing library manager that's super straightforward to set-up, seamless, and handles everything without a hitch. Plex doesn't really compare IMO for local media. The Shield is the best platform for such usage and has an excellent remote. It can pretty much do everything the ATV can.

I have an Nvidia Shield and never use it. I don't care about Kodi and modding. My media server runs through AppleTV via Homeshare Perfectly fine and I also have PlexTV again which works perfectly fine for me. I also have a large iTunes library, I think most Apps on the Nvidia Shield suck and most importantly Xfinity hates Android TV and almost All apps that require authentication don't work and ATV has a larger selection of Apps than Android TV. Shield devices aren't cheaper they are the same price.
 
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This has always been an option in iTunes. Now they may have removed it for future updates - because it's stupid Apple. But it's always been an option in the past.

I was talking about natively on the AppleTV. It's present on iOS devices, macOS, in iTunes (or in some other native streaming/content apps like Vudu, Amazon video), but not on ATV, that why I was suggesting that the 32 vs. 64GB doesn't affect the amount of "local video", since that doesn't really exist (outside of local buffering, but that's a video at a time).
 
Why? Is JT the memory just for apps?

If you can't afford the extra $20 then maybe you shouldn't get the device at all. Just saying.

Apple shouldn't have bothered with the 32 GB version at all. It was done just to make it seem like there was a "cheaper" alternative when really, most sane people would pay the extra $20.
 
I can spare the $20, but just wondering what point it serves?

Who knows? I don't really care. I'd rather have more storage than not. Why do you care? I can understand if there was a huge difference in price, but its only $20.
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The processor is very adequate for some light gaming. Just strap a game controller and you should be good to have fun with some arcade games, though if you enjoy gaming you might as well do that on an xbox or a ps4.

People enjoying games on an ATV are by definition casual gamers. They aren't looking for AAA console experiences.
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I was talking about natively on the AppleTV. It's present on iOS devices, macOS, in iTunes (or in some other native streaming/content apps like Vudu, Amazon video), but not on ATV, that why I was suggesting that the 32 vs. 64GB doesn't affect the amount of "local video", since that doesn't really exist (outside of local buffering, but that's a video at a time).

It could impact local buffering when you are talking about 4K streaming.
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You're wasting your keystrokes. What Apple doesn't have for sale now is a stupid, useless gimmick "that no one needs"- see 4K on :apple:TV before today. There are a ton of threads on here that ridicules 4K in an :apple:TV as late as this week. Of course, now that God, er I mean Apple has formally embraced it in this model, where oh where have all those people gone?

Wait! There they are, now ridiculing desirable features like modern audio codecs Apple left out of this version... and probably filing away the anti-4K rationale for when competitors and TVs have pretty much gone 8K a few years from now.

They are finding new things to complain about in this very thread - it's too expensive, bandwidth caps, nvidia shield and roku are better, what's the point, etc...
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All those specs are useless if Apple continue to limit and lock down the software. Apple need to allow side loading of apps, emulators, etc. and allow personal ripped bluray to be stored and played. Also, allow connecting a keyboard and mouse to be used as an internet terminal.

I have my 3,000 movies ripped and my ATV plays them perfectly fine through Plex.TV AND Homeshare.
 
If i ever want to type more than two words, I use the remote app. Gives me a normal keyboard.

True. But that essentially adds another "remote" on the coffee table. Also I didn't find the remote app all that great. I had the previous gen Apple TV and the remote as well as wifi and Airplay issues were why I sold it. Maybe it was just the way my apartment is designed but wifi signal is not so great going from the living room to the bedrooms. The Airport Extreme (latest gen) has to send the signal through a bedroom and bathroom before it gets to my bedroom/living room. I'm using an Airport Express connected via optical cable to my AV receiver to get music from my Mac or iPhone to my home theatre to avoid any jitter. Even then it's not always perfect. My AV receiver has Airplay built in but obtaining the signal from my Mac in the bedroom sending that signal to the Airport Extreme in the living room and back to my receiver in the same bedroom much of the time doesn't work. The signal craps out and the audio is all choppy. Same thing when I had the 4th gen Apple TV.
 
Hmm no one else finds it kinda concerning that there is no service port (USB / USB-C) to restore this device at all?

In the specs and diagrams it doesn't show one anymore:

https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-4k/specs/

Even in the comparison display it shows only on the old model:

https://www.apple.com/tv/compare/

So how are you supposed to restore this thing? I've had to do that several times with the past versions and download the operating system and do a full restore through iTunes to get functionality back. It also removes the "hobbiest" ability to hack it or even just charge the remote for goodness sakes.
 
Hmm no one else finds it kinda concerning that there is no service port (USB / USB-C) to restore this device at all?

In the specs and diagrams it doesn't show one anymore:

https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-4k/specs/

Even in the comparison display it shows only on the old model:

https://www.apple.com/tv/compare/

So how are you supposed to restore this thing? I've had to do that several times with the past versions and download the operating system and do a full restore through iTunes to get functionality back. It also removes the "hobbiest" ability to hack it or even just charge the remote for goodness sakes.
Several posts about it. Answer is, we don't know. :) Will there be a special code to boot it a different way? Network boot from an image? Who knows? Somehow they didn't like the USB-C method, and here we go again.

As for the remote, not sure what you mean. I plug it into one of the many lightning cables I have around that are used for charging iPhones or iPads!
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I can spare the $20, but just wondering what point it serves?
Seems to serve no point. :D I bought two of the Gen 4's with 64 and found I used none of the storage even when using several apps once in a while. So, recently got two Gen 4's free with 32 (using old United miles), and will be getting one Gen 5 with 32 for my one 4K TV

If they actually used the storage for something, great. I've never seen it used for anything at all. I have no problem with the $20 but it has to be for something, good grief.
 
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was that for the 64gb version or what? I saw that the 32gb is 179, but they took it off so fast I couldn't see the other model
You are responding in an article forum that lists the prices of each of these devices.
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They should've dropped the 1080p model to $99, and introduced the 4K model at $149. But no, Tim had to be greedy again. I guess becoming urban planners, with their town squares, has a lot of overhead. Meanwhile, a 4K Roku is $60. Ridiculous.
Tim should pay us to buy his products. I agree.
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If I'm spending $200 on a streaming box, I'm going to buy the best one available - the NVIDIA Shield.

Seriously, I've been hoping that this would bring me back to the aTV because I miss airplay and the other benefits of the Apple ecosystem. But this device is lacking in comparison to the Shield at the same price point. Sure the Shield has less onboard storage, but it also has two USB 3.0 ports if I want to attach HDDs or flash drives. More importantly, it will direct play anything I throw at it from my Plex Server.
You can buy the best spec'ed hardware in the world but without some sort of world class backend support you still end up with a half assed product.
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Yeah, like 2 others have said, don't see the point in buying this if the Nvidia Shield is available at the same price. I guess if you only source your media downloads directly from Apple, the ATV may be more convenient.



For one thing (among others,) it won't be able to run Kodi. I have a media server with all my media ripped onto it (tons of stuff not available to stream, or purchase via Apple.) Kodi is an amazing library manager that's super straightforward to set-up, seamless, and handles everything without a hitch. Plex doesn't really compare IMO for local media. The Shield is the best platform for such usage and has an excellent remote. It can pretty much do everything the ATV can.
Can it seamlessly access the Apple ecosystem?
 
it's only $20 more, why wouldn't someone get the 64gb?

Because u won't need it ? At $20 seems a no-brainer, but still its not like u can't take it back when u bought it at the Apple Store if you bought wrong one... So, there is no issue, unless you don't buy it from Apple directly.
 
I have an Nvidia Shield and never use it. I don't care about Kodi and modding. My media server runs through AppleTV via Homeshare Perfectly fine and I also have PlexTV again which works perfectly fine for me. I also have a large iTunes library, I think most Apps on the Nvidia Shield suck and most importantly Xfinity hates Android TV and almost All apps that require authentication don't work and ATV has a larger selection of Apps than Android TV. Shield devices aren't cheaper they are the same price.

I noted specifically that they are the same price. But the Shield is much more versatile than an Apple TV at the same price. I do agree, most apps suck. Most apps in general that is, for both the Apple store and the Android store. The major apps like Netflix, HBO, Amazon, etc... work perfectly fine. Don't know about the authentication issue as I tend to avoid anything associated with dreaded Comcast...I assume there would be a resolution though as the Shield community is quite large and it would be a major, widespread issue if they weren't compatible.

And WTF at the 1 user's comment on the Shield remote & Kodi being '90s? The Shield remote is not any less sophisticated or functional than the Apple one. It's very thin, light, and made is of quality aluminum/plastic construction. And you don't need direct line-of-sight to the device to use it. Never had an issue with it (using a 2nd gen. Shield)

And Kodi, if you think that the app is very "'90s", then Plex is surely outdated as well. The main thing about Kodi is the customization....there are 1000's of skins for Kodi available, even ones to make it look and function like Plex or Apple interface.

I suppose I'm more of a power user, which is why I'd much prefer the Nvidia. I have thousands of Blu-ray remuxes, lots of 4K video, and lossless music, pictures, ripped on my 80TB server and everything can be accessed seamlessly/directly without transcoding.

If Kodi doesn't interest you, then cool. If your needs are very basic, than the ATV will surely be sufficient.
 
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Nice, the Apple TV 4K has

Gigabit Ethernet and simultaneous dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)

I was looking for some "good" reason to upgrade :)
 
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Can it seamlessly access the Apple ecosystem?

I did mention that if you're solely invested in the Apple ecosystem, an ATV would probably be more convenient. Never cared for buying downloads from Apple personally as the general quality of their video/audio is mediocre in a good home theater set-up.
 
I noted specifically that they are the same price. But the Shield is much more versatile than an Apple TV at the same price. I do agree, most apps suck. Most apps in general that is, for both the Apple store and the Android store. The major apps like Netflix, HBO, Amazon, etc... work perfectly fine. Don't know about the authentication issue as I tend to avoid anything associated with dreaded Comcast...I assume there would be a resolution though as the Shield community is quite large and it would be a major, widespread issue if they weren't compatible.

And WTF at the 1 user's comment on the Shield remote & Kodi being '90s? The Shield remote is not any less sophisticated or functional than the Apple one. It's very thin, light, and made is of quality aluminum/plastic construction. And you don't need direct line-of-sight to the device to use it. Never had an issue with it (using a 2nd gen. Shield)

And Kodi, if you think that the app is very "'90s", then Plex is surely outdated as well. The main thing about Kodi is the customization....there are 1000's of skins for Kodi available, even ones to make it look and function like Plex or Apple interface.

I suppose I'm more of a power user, which is why I'd much prefer the Nvidia. I have thousands of Blu-ray remuxes, lots of 4K video, and lossless music, pictures, ripped on my 80TB server and everything can be accessed seamlessly/directly without transcoding.

If Kodi doesn't interest you, then cool. If your needs are very basic, than the ATV will surely be sufficient.
You're sold on the Shield, great. Nothing to do with the Apple TV and it's ecosystem.
 
The processor is very adequate for some light gaming. Just strap a game controller and you should be good to have fun with some arcade games, though if you enjoy gaming you might as well do that on an xbox or a ps4.
I game a lot on my Apple TV 4th Gen with a Steel Series Nimbus controller and really enjoy it. My kids have the PS4 and XBOX One to play, but I really enjoy gaming on the Apple TV.

I think the processor upgrade in the Apple TV 4K will make a big difference for those few of us who use tvOS as a gaming platform. I know that sounds ridiculous, but many of the games run very well on the system and they look great on the big screen and control well with the Nimbus controller.

Biggest issue with the Apple TV as a gaming system in my opinion...... Developers and publishers, considering the small gaming user base of the Apple TV, quit supporting their games on the device fairly quickly and we get left behind. Perfect examples, Modern Combat 5 and Afterpulse. Both are great games on the Apple TV, but have not been updated in a very long time while their iOS counterparts have been supported with updates to this day. From a financial and resource standpoint, I understand it, it's just disappointing for me personally. That's all. But again, I just enjoy gaming on it. That's just my opinion and it's not for everyone for sure.
 
You're sold on the Shield, great. Nothing to do with the Apple TV and it's ecosystem.

No doubt, if you're solely devoted/invested in the Apple ecosystem & only buy stuff via iTunes/IOS store, then ATV is the only option.

Not everybody is however (even on an Apple-based website.) Tons of content that isn't available in the apple ecosystem.
 
What's the point of buying iPhones with cellular band hardware inside NOT compatible with your service provider? What's the point in paying up for advanced hardware in iDevices or Macs but then never really making much use of such features?

In fact, why did Apple roll out new iPhones today when every single app in the App Store runs just fine on the iPhone we already have? And why roll out a new Watch when the iPhone we already have can cover its featuresand every single Watch app available already runs just fine on the Watches already out there. Seems to me, Apple should just stop creating anything new because "what's the point" of building new hardware or features when the existing stuff seems to do the job just fine as is.

In tech, more horsepower is generally desirable for purposes beyond any one new thing. Do you like games? Better hardware will drive better games. Better video hardware will play 1080p or less at its maximum. This hardware might allow you to convert any of your own video to HEVC, saving great space without sacrificing quality.

Future proofing? When your 1080p set conks, there may no longer be 1080p sets to replace it.

Etc.

None of that and more matter to you? This model now existing makes the "4" cheaper to buy so you can save yourself money and get exactly what you want now.

There's no losers here... just more options for those that DO care about jumping on hardware advances.

Ridiculous argument. My argument is valid. The Apple 4K TV is a great product to those who don't have internet data caps. If you have a 4K TV then why not enjoy the latest and greatest if you are able. I am not. So buy more than you need if you feel it necessary. Support innovation. I am not stopping you or arguing against it. I was not arguing against progress, I was arguing against real world situations where you cannot use the latest and greatest under certain circumstances. Here in the US, it is becoming a popular practice for internet providers to institute data caps on their internet service. If you are like me, I use the internet to browse, conduct business, shop, and provide me with my main source of entertainment. I am off the grid and do not subscribe to cable or satellite. As a result I use a fair amount of data each month. If I upgraded to a 4K Apple TV and streamed 4K content I would surpass my data cap and have to pay A LOT extra each month. Sorry if I disrupted your utopian idea of Apple Technology.
 
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No doubt, if you're solely devoted/invested in the Apple ecosystem & only buy stuff via iTunes/IOS store, then ATV is the only option.

Not everybody is however (even on an Apple-based website.) Tons of content that isn't available in the apple ecosystem.
Agreed! YouTube, HBO, HULU, etc. all available on the Apple TV. Sure there's *lots* of content out there outside that but what with the effort it takes to tie it all together, not worth the effort and who cares? Not me. I can sit down at my Apple TV connected tv and watch a world of content. Sure there's other options outside that ecosystem but as I said before it's too much trouble for too little content.
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All those specs are useless if Apple continue to limit and lock down the software. Apple need to allow side loading of apps, emulators, etc. and allow personal ripped bluray to be stored and played. Also, allow connecting a keyboard and mouse to be used as an internet terminal.
They allow loading of apps like Plex. You sound like you want a DIY system wit no limits. Apple doesn't sell that.
 
Dont stream them , Download them ... you can buy the Nvidia Shield if you want to watch 4K movies with HDR .. it is more open than Apple TV.

Besides HEVC file size are half to 1/3 the H264 size .. so you will not need more Data I think

That is true for the same resolution. But, if you are comparing an HD movie on H.264 with a 4K movie on HEVC, you also have 4x the number of pixels (2x resolution in both directions). In net, an HD H.264 version of a movie will generally run around 3GB/hour, while a similar-quality, 4K resolution movie will run around 7GB/hour (which is about 15.5Mbps of bandwidth). These are Netflix's bandwidth estimates; Apple's movies may be compressed more or less than that but I'd expect that they aim for the same general quality level with 4K as they had with HD, similar to Netflix.

If you watch a 90-minute 4K movie every night of a month (30 days), that is a total of about 315GB of data in that month. If you have a 200GB data limit you'll need to watching only 19 movies per month (fewer if you use the internet connection for anything else as well). In contrast, you could watch 44 such movies in HD instead.
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You could read the thread...

Yeah, did that. You said there are no HDCP 2.2 splitters which have a toslink digital audio output. I provided you a link to a high-end one which specifically does what you said it would not (and both switches and splits 4k HDMI to boot).

No HDCP 2.2 on boxes like this, so no it won't work.

Again, no HDCP 2.2 devices split to optical.

You are quite obviously incorrect in that Monoprice sells an HDCP 2.2 device which splits out optical audio.

Are you saying that that device doesn't "work" somehow? Is Monoprice falsely advertising what their device does? Did I horribly misread the specs on their device? Or are you saying I missed some critical requirement in what you said doesn't exist?
 
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No real change in the Siri remote, just as I predicted yesterday. They don't have a clue...as I also suggested yesterday. It seems that Apple is just playing a waiting game and it's probably sink or swim for the Apple TV, they are just keeping it alive to fill out the Apple ecosystem.

And did you notice, no Amazon app, they just quickly mentioned that it will be available later in the year. True, Apple can't force Amazon to release something for the Apple TV but I was hoping that it would be available in time for the keynote.
 
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