Apple TV first impressions and questions.....

[rossy100]

I ordered my Apple TV 4 earlier in the week with the expectation that it would likely be returned - as I wasn't sure it would offer me sufficient incremental value over my ATV3. Well I think i was wrong.......

1. I love the interface - much improved, crisper on screen etc
2. The remote is great and I find the touchpad very easy to use and responsive
3. Not sure if something was missing setup wrong on old box.... but now when I turn on the ATV4 it automatically switches on my Samsung soundbar (ATV is connected to sounder which is in turn connected to TV) and likewise turns it off when I put ATV to sleep. Sounds small, but makes getting everything up and running so much easier. The volume buttons on the remote also control my TV volume (didn't have to set anything up)

Questions
1. How can you tell how much charge is left on the remote?
2. How long do you leave charging for/know when full? I couldn't see any provided instructions on this.
3. Is there any way of using iPhone as a keyboard for typing?

 

[Blujelly]

Questions
1. How can you tell how much charge is left on the remote?
2. How long do you leave charging for/know when full? I couldn't see any provided instructions on this.
3. Is there any way of using iPhone as a keyboard for typing?

1. How can you tell how much charge is left on the remote? I asked this on another forum, no has clarified at the moment, but the assume it will be like ATV3 remote, and it will warn you on the TV when its low.

2. How long do you leave charging for/know when full? I couldn't see any provided instructions on this. Not 100% sure maybe a sound from the remote or Bluetooth settings to see when its full?

3. Is there any way of using iPhone as a keyboard for typing? Not yet hopefully they will update apple remote soon

 

[Godzilla71]

From another post....
1. Under 'Settings -> Remotes and devices -> Bluetooth' it shows a battery icon. This will go down as the battery reduces.
2. not sure. Probably have to look at #1
3. the remote app has not been updated yet so at the moment. no.

 

[nasa25]

the remote charge level will be in the settings menu I believe. You'll need to check this menu when its charging to see when it is fully charged

 

[Grumpyman]

been playing all day with it. very impressed overall. Don't need the wii anymore so that will be £50 on fleabay.
bit nervous about the remote being £65 to replace. kids just don't understand that stuff!

 

[StevenWalker]

Its a shame HBOgo servers wont validate the boxes though.
I and ten others have reported that every attempt fails.
Says it has 'success' on the Mac you are entering details on, but then on the device comes up with a fail message. Extremely disappointing.

 

[rick snagwell]

I ordered my Apple TV 4 earlier in the week with the expectation that it would likely be returned - as I wasn't sure it would offer me sufficient incremental value over my ATV3. Well I think i was wrong.......

1. I love the interface - much improved, crisper on screen etc
2. The remote is great and I find the touchpad very easy to use and responsive
3. Not sure if something was missing setup wrong on old box.... but now when I turn on the ATV4 it automatically switches on my Samsung soundbar (ATV is connected to sounder which is in turn connected to TV) and likewise turns it off when I put ATV to sleep. Sounds small, but makes getting everything up and running so much easier. The volume buttons on the remote also control my TV volume (didn't have to set anything up)

Questions
1. How can you tell how much charge is left on the remote?
2. How long do you leave charging for/know when full? I couldn't see any provided instructions on this.
3. Is there any way of using iPhone as a keyboard for typing?

so really just one thing? the interface?

i use the remote app, so 2 doesnt apply to me.

im looking for a reason to upgrade to ATV4 dang it.

 

[CruiseToGo]

Had mine for a few hours. Has anyone else noticed a substantial reduction in both sound quality and general loudness. My atv4 is connected through hdmi to my receiver, but for some reason, the surround doesn't seem to be directing to the proper channels (ie dialog center channel) and I need to crank up the volume on the receiver to hear a decent level of sound. This was not an issue on my atv3. There does not appear to be any settings to adjust other than the basic audio/video ones.

 

[whodatrr]

Got my first of two, and played with it for a couple minutes. It's an improvement, but not exactly earthshaking. Remote helps a bit, but my kids tend to break them and I worry about the replacement cost. Apps were limited, but we'll see how that improves?

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably save $50 and buy the 32G unit. I suspect that extra $50 will need to go into a remote replacement, in the coming year.

It's an OK bump, but I won;t be replacing all of our ATVs with it (we have 4). When a 4k unit comes out, we'll shuffle these to the bedroom TVs.

 

[T5BRICK]

1. How can you tell how much charge is left on the remote?

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205384

2. How long do you leave charging for/know when full? I couldn't see any provided instructions on this.

At some point I believe Apple stated that it took 2 hours to a full charge. Plug it in overnight when it gets low and it'll be good in the morning.

3. Is there any way of using iPhone as a keyboard for typing?

I'm guessing the Remote app for iOS will be updated for the aTV 4 soon.

 

[uwdude]

It kind of worries me that the remote replacements are $79. So as of right now since you can't use the remote app, if you lose that remote you need to do a $79 replacement to be back in business.

 

[CruiseToGo]

Not sure of this has been brought up, but if you had a universal remote (harmony for example), to operate an atv3, that can also be used for the atv4. Of course, you cannot access the siri features, but my harmony works with all other commands on the atv4.

 

[normanfox]

I have been playing with mine for an hour and here is what I found:
1) using Logitech Bluetooth headset is awesome. turning off headset, it automatically switch to TV speaker. turn on headset, it switch to headset
2) my Logitech Bluetooth keyboard used to work with ATV 3. but ATV 4 can't find/connect to it.
3) Can't find a way to pair with old ATV3 remote since I program it with my universal remote to control all devices
4) holding down Menu takes you back to home screen (like home button)
5) holding down home button allow to select and put ATV to sleep


you can use (5) above to turn off other devices, like TV and Receiver. pressing any buttons will turn on devices, like TV and receiver. but I don't like this feature since it can turn on your TV by accident when you toss and turn at night and press on a button.

 

[normanfox]

Not sure of this has been brought up, but if you had a universal remote (harmony for example), to operate an atv3, that can also be used for the atv4. Of course, you cannot access the siri features, but my harmony works with all other commands on the atv4.

I have an URC universal remote that I program it with my old ATV3 remote. How do I connect old ATV 3 remote to the ATV 4?

 

[CruiseToGo]

I have an URC universal remote that I program it with my old ATV3 remote. How do I connect old ATV 3 remote to the ATV 4?

On my harmony, I did not need to reprogram anything it just worked as before. I think other than the siri button, most of the commands have remained the same as before.

 

[normanfox]

On my harmony, I did not need to reprogram anything it just worked as before. I think other than the siri button, most of the commands have remained the same as before.

but before you use your Harmony remote, do you have to pair it with ATV4 first?

 

[groovyf]

My Harmony also worked without the need to do anything at all.

Also, my Twelve South Hi-Rise will Do just nicely as a charging stand for the remote

 

[camarobh]

Nice improvements overall, but very disappointed that the interface to local iTunes library is virtually the same as before, and Siri won't search it. At least group shows first by name, then season, then episode. The list of tv shows I have in my library is so long it takes forever to scroll by flicking the touch pad. At least before I could hold down the button.

 

[mac.cali]

Got my first of two, and played with it for a couple minutes. It's an improvement, but not exactly earthshaking. Remote helps a bit, but my kids tend to break them and I worry about the replacement cost. Apps were limited, but we'll see how that improves?

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably save $50 and buy the 32G unit. I suspect that extra $50 will need to go into a remote replacement, in the coming year.

It's an OK bump, but I won;t be replacing all of our ATVs with it (we have 4). When a 4k unit comes out, we'll shuffle these to the bedroom TVs.

Nice to know. I was initially thinking of going for 64gb, but not sure I would actually store content and more than likely stream it. That being said, $50 for double the storage isn't a bad deal. The question is would I even use the extra storage.

 

[IscariotJ]

Nice improvements overall, but very disappointed that the interface to local iTunes library is virtually the same as before, and Siri won't search it. At least group shows first by name, then season, then episode. The list of tv shows I have in my library is so long it takes forever to scroll by flicking the touch pad. At least before I could hold down the button.

My thoughts exactly. I was hoping for some improvements with a local library ( the grouping of the shows is my biggest wish ), but there's nothing. I'd settle for quick way of skipping to each letter, something akin to how it works on iOS where you start scrolling down and the alphabet appears. Hopefully, it's something that coming in a future update.

Tis nice, though, and hopefully Apple will build on it, and not let it languish....

 

[BMox81]

Quick question, is the purchased screen (for movies as an example) exactly the same as it is on the 3rd gen ATV?

 

[Bokes]

Nice improvements overall, but very disappointed that the interface to local iTunes library is virtually the same as before, and Siri won't search it. At least group shows first by name, then season, then episode. The list of tv shows I have in my library is so long it takes forever to scroll by flicking the touch pad. At least before I could hold down the button.

No iTunes search!?!
I assumed it would include a search through your own library- I was really excited about that.
How can Apple not include a local iTunes search?

 

[stocklen]

I have been playing with mine for an hour and here is what I found:
1) using Logitech Bluetooth headset is awesome. turning off headset, it automatically switch to TV speaker. turn on headset, it switch to headset
2) my Logitech Bluetooth keyboard used to work with ATV 3. but ATV 4 can't find/connect to it.
3) Can't find a way to pair with old ATV3 remote since I program it with my universal remote to control all devices
4) holding down Menu takes you back to home screen (like home button)
5) holding down home button allow to select and put ATV to sleep


you can use (5) above to turn off other devices, like TV and Receiver. pressing any buttons will turn on devices, like TV and receiver. but I don't like this feature since it can turn on your TV by accident when you toss and turn at night and press on a button.

double tap the menu button whilst on the home screen to instantly start the rather pretty screen saver

 

[shamus99]

I like how it takes over the tv... turned it on and it switched inputs without me doing anything. Volume works and it even turned off the tv when its done. I can totally see the potential for when you only use an appletv in the future.

 

[Yumbo]

Rentals don't show expiry date.