Apple Says New Apple TV 4K is Tremendous Value at $179, Not Designed to Compete Directly With Xbox or PlayStation

[icanhazmac]

Literally no difference between my ATV4K (previous version) and my LG CX. Both are smooth and speedy.

One thing I have heard from friends with "smart" TVs is that your TVs processor is usable today, but in 4 years will be junk and the apps will be laggy or will no longer be updated. My bet is the Apple TV will hold up much better in that regard.

Plus you get the bonus of your TV not spying on you. I just added a Samsung 4k TV to my office and it isn't allowed call home, Apple TV FTW!

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Ngl, I’d be interested in an “Apple TV mode” being available on Macs, especially the new M1 Mini. That power with this interface and apps/games, being able to back out and do actual computer things… it’d be pretty dope. They’d just need to sell one with HDMI 2.1.

That used to exist actually. It was called front row.
introduced in 2005, a year and a half before the first Apple TV. The original Apple TV literally was just front row, but ripped out of Mac OS X

 

[0815]

Which Smart TV do you have? I have a Samsung Smart TV and I can install all the apps I can imagine: Netflix, Hulu, Spectrum, a Browser, games, etc.

sure, the big ones you can install and if that is all you care about, that's fine - but not all streaming apps available on AppleTV are available on smart TVs (in the US) ... mostly from international TV stations (e.g. ZDF, ARD, ... and many more)

 

[jcshas]

Improved smart TVs along with cheaper 3rd party options should be driving the cost of Apple TV down to the $99-129 range.

 

[Td1970]

I would agree if all the apps (streaming, not games) would be available on my SmartTV. It's great that I can even install the appleTV+ service on my SmartTV, but that offers only the apple TV services, not the apps I can install on my AppleTV. Sure I could workaround by installing those apps on my iPhone and then airplay, but that has other disadvantages.

Mostly steaming apps from international TV stations - those apps are nowhere to be found on SmartTV's. I don't care about games on appleTV, but I care about some of the streaming apps.

Thanks. My head was trying to grasp what apps one would use ona. Apple TV. Makes sense b

 

[Druggar]

But why not make an ATV PRO that does compete with PS5 and XBox? I mean maybe there a those of us that don’t want to buy a console and an ATV. Merge the two and save us some money. Hey maybe merge it with the Home Pod also and you will get the best bad ass streaming/console/speaker in the market! Ok, I got too excited. Just make a console like ATV, would you? Pretty please.

 

[Td1970]

Considering Apple TV has been the sole device connected to my house's TVs for 10+ years, I agree...tremendous value.

Funny I have had one for 3 years. Probably used it 5 times.

TVs built in apps work just as well.

 

[bluespark]

Honest question: What advantages does Apple TV bring to a Smart TV?

My TV already has a smart hub that does more than I can use, it can record shows and AirPlay comes built into it, so I can seamlessly mirror my iPhone or iPad screen, or even use it as a monitor wirelessly. I do not even have a set top box, the TV can already handle the TV-input from the provider.

You'll find lots of answers in this thread, and they generally are correct. ATV brings a smoother experience with a better interface, more "high-end" A/V abilities, and much better privacy. We have several ATV's for those reasons.

That said, the advantages over a newer smart TV are much less than they were not too long ago. You probably can watch most of the content you want on a smart TV (not all of it, though), and newer ones integrate just fine with the Apple ecosystem and generally have A/V capabilities on part with what most users would demand from that particular TV. In short, if your current setup works for you, just enjoy it. Lots of these types of upgrades address needs we perhaps didn't think we had until the upgrade came along.

 

[bluespark]

But why not make an ATV PRO that does compete with PS5 and XBox? I mean maybe there a those of us that don’t want to buy a console and an ATV. Merge the two and save us some money. Hey maybe merge it with the Home Pod also and you will get the best bad ass streaming/console/speaker in the market! Ok, I got too excited. Just make a console like ATV, would you? Pretty please.

Maybe because Sony and Microsoft do those things really well already, and Apple wouldn't necessarily be bringing much new to that particular area. It could also be that the numbers of people wanting combined devices (game box/speaker, game box/ATV) aren't actually that large.

 

[thadoggfather]

When a company calls their own product tremendous value, lol.

isn't that for the consumer to decide?

 

[fwmireault]

But why not make an ATV PRO that does compete with PS5 and XBox? I mean maybe there a those of us that don’t want to buy a console and an ATV. Merge the two and save us some money. Hey maybe merge it with the Home Pod also and you will get the best bad ass streaming/console/speaker in the market! Ok, I got too excited. Just make a console like ATV, would you? Pretty please.

There are rumors that Apple is developing a more gaming-centered Apple TV with A14 and much better graphics, and an Apple designed gaming controller. I don’t know if it will ever be announced and when, but that could be very cool if done right

 

[nvmls]

• Faster, smoother interface due to a much faster CPU
• Tight integration with Apple services and devices
• You can use iPhone as a remote in a pinch
• Availability of some games, including most Apple Arcade games
• Wider selection of apps (NBC, ABC, Crunchyroll, Plex, CBS News, you name it)
• Now, the usability and convenience of the remote is far better than you'll find on any TV remore
• Cast audio to HomePod stereo pair via AirPlay
• AirPlay screen mirroring has significantly less lag and significantly fewer compression artifacts on Apple TV versus a smart TV

Oh wow, now I think it's worth 50 bucks then.

 

[Kulfon]

What is a practical difference with the current TV 4K when it comes to Netflix watching experience?

 

[Td1970]

When a company calls their own product tremendous value, lol.

isn't that for the consumer to decide?

Gotta get your ROI somehow.

 

[fwmireault]

What is a practical difference with the current TV 4K when it comes to Netflix watching experience?

None

 

[Hasbro1]

Honest question: What advantages does Apple TV bring to a Smart TV?

My TV already has a smart hub that does more than I can use, it can record shows and AirPlay comes built into it, so I can seamlessly mirror my iPhone or iPad screen, or even use it as a monitor wirelessly. I do not even have a set top box, the TV can already handle the TV-input from the provider.

Yes, but processing on the TV is always better when it's done away from the TV on an external device. I have an 85" SONY, and there is a significant difference in quality when I use my Apple TV v. the onboard. If you are using HDMI-ARC w/ external device, it's even better, as the remote will control TV & Receiver.

 

[1258186]

ATV would be more attractive to me if it had a much larger hard drive so I could download and store my iTunes library.

 

[kcslc]

Why not make a 3rd variant that has a faster SOC in it, with more RAM and storage, and see what happens? Maybe you can find a market where customers don't demand Xbox/PS power, but just want fun games for the entire household? I dunno, like Nintendo.

Why not just buy a switch instead?

 

[drlamb]

I purchased this model as an upgrade. I'm moving and finally have the space for a dedicated workout area in the basement. The old apple TV 4K will provide airplay (for Fitness+) down there.

I've been extremely satisfied with Stereo homepods as an alternative to soundbars/more elaborate audio setups in my space constrained apartment(s). The lack of lossless Audio support on the homepod (The Tv supports it) is a pain point however.


The apple TV 4K is simply the best direct-play client for Plex/Jellyfin/Emby outside of the Android ecosystem with the Nvidia Shield TV Pro being the next best thing (but Nvidia and Android (ads)? yuck). A lot of TV's have no/crap apps for these media servers.

 

[brucewayne]

Honest question: What advantages does Apple TV bring to a Smart TV?

My TV already has a smart hub that does more than I can use, it can record shows and AirPlay comes built into it, so I can seamlessly mirror my iPhone or iPad screen, or even use it as a monitor wirelessly. I do not even have a set top box, the TV can already handle the TV-input from the provider.

If you are happy wth your smart tv there is no reason to buy an ATV.

I have multiple Smart TVs around the house, as well as a Fire 4k etc. Each one has a downside that prevents me from using it as is.

So for me the main reasons are Airpod support/Airpod sharing support, Apple Music app, fast and consistent experience across all of the TVs in the house regardless of the brand of TV or the components (soundbars/AV receivers etc) connected. Automatic app Download and sync to other ATVs in the house. Photos. Sync with universal apps that we have on our iOS and MacOS devices (for instance IPCams or Octopod that I setup once and settings are shared instantly to any other iOS device running that app) The ability to peek into what my kid is watching in another room via the airplay menu. Easy to pickup where I left off between devices.

 

[ksgant]

Honest question: What advantages does Apple TV bring to a Smart TV?

My TV already has a smart hub that does more than I can use, it can record shows and AirPlay comes built into it, so I can seamlessly mirror my iPhone or iPad screen, or even use it as a monitor wirelessly. I do not even have a set top box, the TV can already handle the TV-input from the provider.

For one, it doesn't sit there and spy on everything you watch to sell back to various sources (like
Roku). Plus you get timely updates with security updates with Apple...many TV manufacturers may take a long time to do that, if ever. The whole "Internet of Sh*t" thing.

I always treat TV's as dumb monitors and never connect them to the Internet.

The one thing I wish the AppleTV would do is play my local media from a NAS. VLC works in a pinch but it’s not what I would expect using an AppleTV.

There are several apps on the app store that do this with no problems. I use Infuse, and it directly hooks up to my Linux media server and streams everything I have on it. Sure, it would be nice if Apple did this natively, but "there's an App for that".

 

[Kulfon]

None

So what’s the big deal? Why have it?

 

[femike]

I have the Apple TV 4 HD released 5 years ago, and this new update is certainly not good value. The software hasn't changed, the hardware only with updated CPU and a few other items, its just a streaming box, with an after-thought for games. Its virtually unchanged for 5 years. There no vision whatsoever for what the Apple TV should be. Absolutely pathetic update. Apple still doesn't care about this Apple TV project, that much is clear.

 

[medee88]

I actually agree with him.
Even though I think $179 is just a bit steep, and I think them selling the old 2015 model for $149 still is a complete rip off, I do think that it is the best streaming box out there.
It definitely has the smoothest and easiest to use user interface, it supports all my iTunes purchases over the years, it has a decent remote, and it definitely supports the most formats.
Not to mention, you can’t beat that ecosystem integration.

I'm one that enjoys the overall experience of the Apple TV as well, so I'm certainly in agreement that it's a great device. Very smooth streaming experience! I find myself using it over my Chromecast with Google TV all the time.

But is it a "tremendous" value? No, not really. It has very smooth integration with the Apple ecosystem, but it's really not going to do anything super different than many of the streaming devices that we all have around our houses. Apple Arcade seems interesting, but nothing really grabs me ever from it. I have a feeling most Apple TV users are likely just watching shows and movies on it and enjoying the wallpapers.

To me, it's similar to paying more for a car with a smoother ride. There are reasons you'd want to pay more to get a better experience (luxury cars for example), but I'd never say it was a "tremendous" value. It's simply an experience people are willing to pay for.

To the average person trying to watch 4k content, this simply costs around 2-3x what other streaming devices cost, and that's totally ok that this exists in the market as well.

 

[fwmireault]

So what’s the big deal? Why have it?

I don’t think that it’s a update aimed to actual owners of the first gen Apple TV 4K, except for the remote that you can buy separately anyway. In my case I will update from an Apple TV HD, so it seems worth, but I would definitely buy only the remote if I had the 4K first gen