Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple TV 4 vs Roku Ultra

Ok just wondering. I know it has been mentioned that Roku's UI was a little dated and guess was asking if it's likely to change anytime soon... possibly by a software update. Has the UI been basically the same for several years now?
 
The basic UI hasn't changed at all in the time I've been using it. The UI of the apps is very much dependent on the individual companies, but in general I find apps get updated UI's quite a bit later on the Roku vs. the ATV.
 
I need a streamer that I can run the HDMI straight to my tv and the optical out to my Outlaw sound processor. The Outlaw is just old enough to not have HDMI.

I got around the optical out issue by running HDMI from the ATV4 to the TV then optical out from the TV to your sound processor, which for me is an older LG sound bar which is optical inputs only (no HDMI). Simple work around and works perfectly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: satcomer
I have an Apple TV 4 and am buying an Ultra. No 4K, no HDR and no Amazon is a dead deal for me. Bought it when I had no plans to upgrade TV's but have since done so. With this shiny new TV and it's capabilities I need a box to support it. I really thought they would get Amazon on board at some point but looks like that isn't happening either. I'll keep it around as my wife likes it and pushed the purchase to start with, but I am moving onto Roku.
 
I have both and prefer the Apple TV.. My Roku 4 has been relegated to an extra room that hardly ever gets used.. Before you decide OP, do a quick search on the Roku forums as they have plenty of issues. I can't watch much on mine without buffering and disconnects. Roku has replaced it twice already and unit 3 behaves in the same manner.

The Roku also uses some goofy hidden WiFi connection for the remote that appears to be the culprit for most connection issues.. The Roku OS / GUI is also pretty primitive and you are relying on channel creators to update it. Some use the new GUI and it looks fine while other channels are stuck on the old GUI and it's terrible!

Lastly, the home screen is ad infested and ugly. The ad's take up about 30% of the home screen...

I've had every Roku ever made and the 4 is the worse one ever. I have not tried the newly name versions but my understanding is that they are renamed 4's.....
 
  • Like
Reactions: JeffPerrin
I received my Roku Ultra today and being my first experience with a Roku so far I'm finding it very acceptable. I don't mind what some have called an out of date UI it doesn't bother me. Yes it's a shame there's ads on the Home screen taking up a lot of real estate but not a deal breaker for me.

Now if I start having buffering and disconnect issues like raqball then I may quickly change my opinion of it... only time will tell.
 
mike2874 said:
I received my Roku Ultra today and being my first experience with a Roku so far I'm finding it very acceptable. I don't mind what some have called an out of date UI it doesn't bother me. Yes it's a shame there's ads on the Home screen taking up a lot of real estate but not a deal breaker for me.

Now if I start having buffering and disconnect issues like raqball then I may quickly change my opinion of it... only time will tell.
Click to expand...

I really hope your experience is better with the buffering (not being sarcastic) than my parents. They had terrible buffering issues with Plex (the main reason they got a Roku), and solved the issues with an Apple TV. It could be the Plex app itself.

I will say that the options on the Plex app for Roku were a little more robust, like the ability to shift the audio back and forth if it's not in synch with the video (as happens with downloaded content sometimes).
 
  • Like
Reactions: raqball
If I have buffering issues I will definitely post about them. Biggest difference from my ATV2 is the Ultra's picture quality and yes an ATV4 would also provide that. I'm finding out that alone is worthwhile upgrading... whether it be a Roku or ATV4.
 
Roku support tried to blame my internet connection but I have 300 down and 50 up.... Also, my Apple TV 4 is rock solid connection wise as is my Chromecast.

When I was using the Roku 4 I spent more time troubleshooting than I did watching.. Maybe Roku changed something with these newly named units but it's my understanding they are just renamed Roku 4..

Some had luck disconnecting the Roku remote and using something like a Harmony. There was a very, very, very long thread on the Roku forum re: the Roku Direct connection that's used for their remote..

Edit: Link to a WiFi direct causing issues thread on the Roku Forums:
https://forums.roku.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=74898

That's just one thread of many on the topic..

One massive bonus of the Roku though is the headphone jack in the remote so if you disconnect the Roku remote you obviously lose that capability...

I am happy with the Apple TV 4.. It's lacking a few things but over all it's solid..
 
Last edited:
We have been using the Roku remote's headphone jack daily for years - it's one of two things that keeps us on Roku in a couple rooms of our house - and have never ever had a problem with the remote's connection. It's actually kind of crazy how reliable that part of things has been.
 
It's not the remote that the problem.. As discussed in numerous Roku forum threads it's the hidden WiFi direct connection the remote uses that causes interference and causes channel playback buffering and connection issues...

If you've never had the problem the good for you but it's irritated many Roku users over the years and Roku refuses to address the issue.. Maybe it's been addressed in the new units, but I doubt it..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back