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Apple TV - current version worth it now?

T

TorontoSS

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 9, 2009
1,087
395
Hi guys,

I have a question and I know it's annoying. But I've been looking into buying an Apple TV. I note the macrumors buyers guide says don't buy. Of course we don't know when there's going to be any release, I just do see any this year.

My question is: Worth getting now?
Would any upgrade be that significant right now?

I'm upgrading from a 3rd or 2nd Generation one (bought it in 2012).

Thanks in advance!
 
I had a 3rd gen and it got struck by lightning. Replaced it a couple of months ago with a 4th gen. I had to get used to the differences, but once I did, I love it. So like boast said, analyze your needs and base it on that. Who knows, you might wait and get lucky!
 
The "Buy"/"Don't buy" ratings mostly go on how many days since the last release, compared to previous history of how many days between releases is common for that device. The current ATV4 is a very nice machine - it is not everything that anybody could wish for, but I use it daily as my primary (nearly only) source on my TV (upgraded from a ATV2 the day the ATV4 launched).

That said, WWDC is a few weeks away. And the keynote there could see the announcement of new ATV hardware (probably unlikely), or the sessions (most of which will be available for streaming through the week) could tip their hand towards new ATV hardware to arrive in the fall (e.g. say they don't announce new hardware, but spend some time taking about preparing for 4K displays, you might "put 2 and 2 together", figuring the tea leaves point towards new hardware in the fall).

Whether to get one now, or wait, is a value judgement that only you can make. Personally I'd wait to see what may play out at WWDC, but I'm quite happy with the existing ATV4 (and will be using it to stream WWDC sessions via the WWDC app). There is much they could improve by changing the OS running on the existing hardware. The only hardware improvements that seem likely possibilities would be things like 4K/HDR support, but they may hold off on those, or they may pull some other rabbit out of a hat. That's the fun (and agony) with Apple, you never know for sure until they unveil it on stage.
 
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As no one seems to know when the new ones are coming you may as well just buy now. Buy it, enjoy it, and if the new one does offer significant improvements then take a view on whether to buy that. In the iPhone's case I'd say wait but this is different.
 
I still love my Apple TV 4, it does everything I need (and lots I don't). I use it to watch my ever growing iTunes movie library, watch my locally stored content via the Infuse app (or VLC, Mr MC etc) and of course Netflix.

It is however missing Amazon Video, though it's rumoured to be coming in the summer.

I say buy it, I think a 4K version is a long way off, and that won't change until 4K content is available on iTunes
 
Personally, I would say buy it. My wife and I have two ATV4's that we use as our main form of media consumption. Our TV's are not 4K, so we don't have a need for that.

With the exception of Amazon Video, ATV has everything we need to watch live TV (PS Vue) and catch up on shows (HBO Go, Nextflix, Starz, etc.)
 
I'm going to be a bit blunt. If the ATV4 fits your needs, buy it. Get a job and if and when the ATV5 rolls out and fits you needs, buy it. 3D and 4K? meehh!
 
The latest rumor is that an announcement about Amazon Video coming to Apple TV 4 will happen at WWDC on June 5. Also, there are rumors about new hardware like the SIRI Speaker to be announced. I guess it is possible there could be an announcement about the Apple TV 5 then but who knows. If you really do not need it before then you could wait a couple weeks and find out. I have 8 Apple TV 4's which replaced all of my FIOS STB's when it was released. They are great. If a 5 comes out I will replace maybe 2 or 3 of my 4's and give them to other family members. Really happy I did not pass on the 4.
 
I have been using our ATV4 just about every day for over a year now. No complaints or problems here. Yes, the remote takes a little getting used to, but it does work well. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it if again.
 
I'd buy now and look for Memorial Day sales. There are a couple of deals on DealNews.com for the ATV4 64GB version for $160.
 
As others have stated, buy now if it meets your needs. But, if you are not in a rush, WWDC may reveal something new.

I suspect ATV5 will combine some things, such as Siri Speaker and maybe networking as they have "re-assigned" the airport team to other products. Certainly, 4K is among the most likely rumors, but unless you have 4K TV and\or content, that may not be worth waiting on.

In order to support 4K video, it will likely involve beefed up CPU\GPU, but the current model is adequate for the current capabilities.
 
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If you have a 4k TV I would probably wait. If not go for it.

Personally the older it gets the more I use an older Linux laptop as a HTPC vs using the ATV4.

For me it just leaves a lot to be desired with the omission of certain apps, app quality and functionality, output resolutions, the remote that I'll apparently never fully appreciate, its responsiveness (which feels a tad bit slow to me), etc etc....

Its not a bad device by any means and I still prefer it over the competition but find using an HTPC to be vastly superior at nearly everything to the point that its hard to go back.
 
I have 2 ATV 4's and to be honest they are almost unused now. We have 2 4K TV's which the ATV4 can't take full advantage of, and these TV's have all of the media apps such as YouTube, Plex, that you could want. I think its very poor that the ATV4 didn't support 4K but I bought them as part of the furnishing of my new house along with all the other stuff we had to buy.
 
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Forget about specs...Streaming devices are ALL about the content YOU want to watch.

Only care about Netflix on a 40" bedroom TV? Any device will do. Want to use the Channels app with an OTA antenna and an HDHomeRun tuner? You need an AppleTV. Just bought a 4k TV and want to get the most of it, well you likely will be very disappointed in hooking up an AppleTV.

For me, my 3 AppleTVs are used every single day. I don't have any 4k TVs yet, so that limitation is irrelevant. I primarily use Plex, Channels, and YouTube, so "need" the AppleTV for Channels or otherwise could use any streamer. And as for cost, the roughly $450 I spent on the AppleTVs has LONG been paid for through my cancellation of a $100/mo satellite bill. In fact, with what I've saved over the last few years I could buy 3 new 4k TVs...oh...but then my AppleTVs would not suffice! ;-)

TL/DR: Decide what you will watch, THEN pick a streamer, and don't get lost in specs.
 
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I upgraded from an ATV3 to a 64GB ATV4 and I honestly have not found anything that the ATV4 does better than the ATV3. I went back to using the ATV3 remote because that ATV4 remote was so aggravating.

If I was on an ATV3 knowing what I know now I would not update. If I was buyers NV an ATV for the first time I would get the 32GB model. I honestly haven't seen any benefit to the 64GB.
 
It would be a tactical mistake for Apple not to release an updated AppleTV as soon as possible. As somebody who recently had to replace a dead TV in my living room (thanks to a toddler with a water pistol), it not longer makes sense to buy a 1080p display. Quality 4K TVs are cheap. Moreover they are all smart TVs. They all have Netflix and Amazon Prime built in running at 4K and HDR. They are objectively better at playing content from these services than the current AppleTV. This means AppleTV becomes a secondary input for users instead of Apples hope as "input 1". Worse still for Apple, many of these are running Android TV which helps Google further build there brand with users.
Personally I feel that Apple need to hurry and replace at least the 64GB model AppleTV with a 4K version.
 
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err404 said:
It would be a tactical mistake for Apple not to release an updated AppleTV as soon as possible. As somebody who recently had to replace a dead TV in my living room (thanks to a toddler with a water pistol), it not longer makes sense to buy a 1080p display. Quality 4K TVs are cheap. Moreover they are all smart TVs. They all have Netflix and Amazon Prime built in running at 4K and HDR. They are objectively better at playing content from these services than the current AppleTV. This means AppleTV becomes a secondary input for users instead of Apples hope as "input 1". Worse still for Apple, many of these are running Android TV which helps Google further build there brand with users.
Personally I feel that Apple need to hurry and replace at least the 64GB model AppleTV with a 4K version.
Click to expand...
I agree. I was a "4k isn't prime time yet" believer last year, but looking at all the new models that were announced and subsequently came out after CES, coupled with the price-drops, makes me think 4k is now prime time. Plus, there is some news that the super bowl might be shot in 4k this year. While it will likely still be broadcast in 720p or 1080i as usual, there might be some that get a 4k feed.

Basically, I agree. They need to hurry the f up.
 
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If I didn't have the majority of my digital movies in iTunes, I would have no reason to stick with ATV. I say that and I don't even have a 4K TV so that's not a factor for me. I feel stuck. I have to Airplay my Vudu movies which isn't always ideal (and isn't always in HD!) and I have to AirPlay Amazon Prime as well. I should have gone all in with Vudu from the start. Then I could truly have my movies in one place and only need one streaming box.
 
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twobelowpar said:
If I didn't have the majority of my digital movies in iTunes, I would have no reason to stick with ATV. I say that and I don't even have a 4K TV so that's not a factor for me. I feel stuck. I have to Airplay my Vudu movies which isn't always ideal (and isn't always in HD!) and I have to AirPlay Amazon Prime as well. I should have gone all in with Vudu from the start. Then I could truly have my movies in one place and only need one streaming box.
Click to expand...
At least this can be addressed with the current ATV4. Amazon is confirmed coming and there are indications of vudu being available this year too.
 
Even though I'm using my Xbox One more and more for Netflix and Hulu for 4K viewing, my Apple TV is still totally essential for me, i'd still recommend it even though I was disappointed not to see an 4k version yesterday.
 
Didn't they say that we would hear more about the apple tv later this year... I am sure they are updating it...
 
twobelowpar said:
If I didn't have the majority of my digital movies in iTunes, I would have no reason to stick with ATV. I say that and I don't even have a 4K TV so that's not a factor for me. I feel stuck. I have to Airplay my Vudu movies which isn't always ideal (and isn't always in HD!) and I have to AirPlay Amazon Prime as well. I should have gone all in with Vudu from the start. Then I could truly have my movies in one place and only need one streaming box.
Click to expand...

This is why Apple is falling behind. If I were just getting into a digital media ecosystem, in the past couple of years I would definitely not chose Apple -- I'd chose an format that supported 4K. Having just bought a 4K TV this year, I might be inclined to switch platforms now for new movie purchases if I didn't have some faith that Apple will update to 4K this Fall, as well as have a way to upgrade to upgrade all my recent 1080p purchases to 4K.

If Apple fails me, I'm likely to shift platforms, knowing that if I ever come back to Apple when they get 4K, that Amazon and others will have an app available to play them on it,
 
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