Apple TV Gaining Traction in 4K Streaming Device Market

[x-evil-x]

All of my TVs don't have anything plugged into them except an Apple TV.


Based off your post, you didn't read mine very well. I listed a bunch of reasons to use tvOS, and I also addressed everything you mentioned.

I just think that people shopping for an ATV should go for the ATV4K and not the ATV4 unless they can get a really good deal on the ATV4.

Besides, just because the ATV4 has a better/newer A-chip in it than the ATV3, doesn't mean that it wasn't underpowered at launch. The ATV3 uses a very basic and simple UI, and the A5 chip is perfect for what it does.

At launch, the ATV4 got a chip that was already a few generations old, the rumors were that the ATV4 was to get the A9, or at least the A8X that was in the iPad a year earlier. Instead, it got a much older (for tech) chip.

Now, compare that to the ATV4k's A10X Fusion chip at launch. The ATV4k was done right. Even, with the huge improvement of hardware over the ATV4, it only costs $30 more.

I guess I misunderstood I thought you where saying the atv3 was better than the 4 and it wasn't whatsoever. But I agree its kind of pointless to get an atv4 compared the toe 4k one for a little bit more with how long we have these(2-4 years) 30$ isnt really anything.

 

[Juicy Box]

I guess I misunderstood I thought you where saying the atv3 was better than the 4 and it wasn't whatsoever.

This isn't what I was saying either. I was saying that I would not buy an ATV4 unless I got a killer deal on it.

As for the ATV3, it depends on the user's intent with the device. If the user only used Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and HBO, there are other devices that can play these apps and they are much cheaper. The ATV3 being a good example. The ATV3 version of these apps are much better than tvOS versions imo.

IMO, the ATV3 has many features about it that are better than the ATV4, especially if the user's intent is basic streaming apps. Here are a few:

Obviously, the price
Ease of use
Simple remote
App UI
Optical out for audio

Now, if the user plans on using other apps that are not on the ATV3, like Plex, DirecTV Now, CW, or games, then the ATV3 would not be a good choice at all.

If the user wanted to stay with Apple products, then I would recommend getting an ATV4K unless they were able to get a really, really good deal on the ATV4.

 

[apolloa]

Well they lost me as a customer for the Apple TV 4K, it didn’t go on sale, the Nvidia Shield TV as per the norm did so that’s my Christmas Present, plus I had one before and the new Oreo interface looks nice, it’s more up my like to fiddle ally anyway.

Apple seriously need to sort out their platform support, choosing not to support You Tube 4K, probably the biggest content provider of 4K material and free, is a huge oversight.

I also read some turning off Dolby Vision as it doesn’t work properly?
And I know it was probably down for locking the device down purposes, but dropping the USB port, so not providing anyway to recharge the remote, seems daft to me.

I agree they need to launch a stick, but keep the 4K support considering the new Fire TV Stick does, make it look pretty etc. But they’ll have to stick an A9 I guess in it seeing as the A10 needs a fan? And for Gods sake reduce the price! You can’t literally offer something that does the exact same thing, in some ways less, then another decide that costs less then a third!

I don’t know what these manufactures think, the first Apple TV was an enthusiasts power house dream, the Nvidia Shield TV is the same and thankfully hasn’t been updated and had its functionality changed, I still have and will keep my first gen Fire TV, which the Shield will replace, but that Fire TV has only just been superseded by the new 4K Fire TV stick and even then it’s GPU isn’t much better! Note I’m not even mentioning the legendary second gen Fire TV!

These older devices are power house enthusiasts dreams, but as the manufactures move on they seem to just want to reduce those powers and functionality and make standard consumer products. Shame.

 

[mi7chy]

Worst graph ever. Of all the options out of the color spectrum they had to reuse similar colors for different devices.

I've owned ATV, Nvidia Shield TV, Amazon Fire TVs and Google Chromecasts. The new Fire TV Stick 4K kill them all on features, versatility and price. A refreshed Shield TV would be take the crown except for pricing.

 

[SeattleMoose]

Still loving my ATV2. Bought an ATV4 for my mom but the remote was too complicated for her. I had a hard time with it too. Bought her the old remote (which still works with ATV4) but she was already soured on the whole thing. ATV3 was just spec bumps compared to my ATV2 so that was never an option for me. And after using ATV4, have decided to stick with ATV2 because "it just works". And I only use ATV to watch movies anyway.

 

[Juicy Box]

Still loving my ATV2. Bought an ATV4 for my mom but the remote was too complicated for her. I had a hard time with it too. Bought her the old remote (which still works with ATV4) but she was already soured on the whole thing. ATV3 was just spec bumps compared to my ATV2 so that was never an option for me. And after using ATV4, have decided to stick with ATV2 because "it just works". And I only use ATV to watch movies anyway.

If you like YouTube, and can find a cheap ATV3 around, you should get it. YouTube was removed from the ATV2 a while back.

Other than YouTube and 1080p, you can get a similar experience with the ATV2, although I have noticed the ATV3 is noticeable faster for me.

It might be just my ATV2, but it occasionally crashes, and restarts.

As for the issues with the Siri remote, I thought my parents were going to have trouble with it, which they did for months when I gave them an ATV4K.

They are pretty used to it now, but I think they find the constant swiping annoying. Well, I do too.

 

[CLS727]

All I want from the next Apple TV is PIP support...... would be nice to have a big TV split into 4 screens with 4 different apps running/streaming at once.

ie: on my 120" projection screen.... control it to have my front door security camera top left, CNN bottom left, ESPN top right, and a movie bottom right.

Create you custom home sports bar or command center.

 

[Juicy Box]

All I want from the next Apple TV is PIP support...... would be nice to have a big TV split into 4 screens with 4 different apps running/streaming at once.

ie: on my 120" projection screen.... control it to have my front door security camera top left, CNN bottom left, ESPN top right, and a movie bottom right.

Create you custom home sports bar or command center.

It seems like Apple could do so much more with the ATV than they are currently doing, it is a shame.

 

[Mac 128]

Still loving my ATV2. Bought an ATV4 for my mom but the remote was too complicated for her. I had a hard time with it too. Bought her the old remote (which still works with ATV4) but she was already soured on the whole thing. ATV3 was just spec bumps compared to my ATV2 so that was never an option for me. And after using ATV4, have decided to stick with ATV2 because "it just works". And I only use ATV to watch movies anyway.

If you log into iCloud services and use two-factor authentication the ATV 2 doesn't work. There are some work arounds, but they're problematic. Also, if you use Amazon Prime, there's no app, whereas there is for the ATV 3. ATV 3 also works with AirPlay without guests being logged into your network. That's a great gift for moms with visitors, as everyone can show off their new pics of the grandkids. There are some other limitations. Some apps don't work correctly ... I've noticed Hulu doesn't play content correctly in particular, it gets hung up on the commercials. And there's no YouTube app. If you can pick up a cheap ATV3, you do get a lot of bang for your buck.

 

[chino-rican]

I’m thinking on buying an apple tv do you guys recomend it? And if so what size would you recomend?

I've had the 4th gen since the year after it came out (own 2 of them now) and the short answer is "yes."

Reasons:
- AirPlay to view photos, videos, and movies on your TV
- AirPlay to listen to music using your sound system, if available, and control it using your iOS device or Mac
- AirPlay to play games from your iOS device or Mac on your TV
- Download and play games
- Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu are fast; look and sound amazing. Also, they get updated frequently to address bugs, etc.
- iTunes HD movies sound and look amazing (can't speak for 4k)

Size: If you plan on downloading games, get the 64GB. Otherwise, just get the 32.

I will say the remote is a bit tricky and takes some getting used to. But once you learn to use it and figure out all the shortcuts and gestures, it truly is quite powerful. I agree that getting a silicone case does help.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Also, this is totally different than what I posted:


How are these things basic streaming apps? Well, maybe I guess you can consider Apple Music a basic music streaming, but I was referring to the basic video streamers.

I like how you decided not to quote what I said right before this, “it’s definitely not slow for normal media viewing.” That goes to the heart of what you said, “unless you can find a really, really great deal, do not get an ATV4. It was under-powered at launch, and still is 3 years later.”

Hogwash.

 

[Juicy Box]

I like how you decided not to quote what I said right before this, “it’s definitely not slow for normal media viewing.” That goes to the heart of what you said, “unless you can find a really, really great deal, do not get an ATV4. It was under-powered at launch, and still is 3 years later.”

Hogwash.

The reason why I did not quote the beginning of that paragraph:

I have both the ATV3 and ATV4 and I much prefer the 4. It’s definitely not slow for normal media viewing

Is because I agree with you that the ATV4 is perfectly fine for basic streaming.

I just don't think it is worth the relatively high price tag for basic streaming when an ATV3, which apps have better UI (imo), could be used at a tiny fraction of the price.

If the user was only using basic streaming apps that are available on the ATV3, and that user had no plans on using the streaming app for anything else, I wouldn't recommend spending the the extra money for the overpriced, but underpowered ATV4 when you can just get the ATV3 for a tiny fraction of the price. If they did want to spend the money for an ATV4, I would then recommend just spending a trivial amount more and getting the ATV4K which was not underpowered at launch like the ATV4 was.

All of this was already addressed here:

You can find an ATV3 for pretty cheap sometimes, I have seem them for $20.

Having Siri on tvOS is nice for searching, but if the apps on the ATV3 are the only ones you need, the extra money of the ATV4 or ATV4k isnt worth it just for Siri.

Also in a different post here:

just because the ATV4 has a better/newer A-chip in it than the ATV3, doesn't mean that it wasn't underpowered at launch. The ATV3 uses a very basic and simple UI, and the A5 chip is perfect for what it does.

At launch, the ATV4 got a chip that was already a few generations old, the rumors were that the ATV4 was to get the A9, or at least the A8X that was in the iPad a year earlier. Instead, it got a much older (for tech) chip.

Now, compare that to the ATV4k's A10X Fusion chip at launch. The ATV4k was done right. Even, with the huge improvement of hardware over the ATV4, it only costs $30 more.

The current pricing structure doesn't make any sense to me anyways. At a minimum, I think the ATV4 should have dropped to less than $100.

The reason I quoted what I did was because you listed a bunch of things that were not basic streaming apps as a reason to get the ATV4 over the ATV3, which is why I posted :

totally different than what I posted

My whole post was based off of using basic streamers.

If the user wanted to use apps that are not on the ATV3 such as games, Apple Music, emulators, then of course the ATV3 would not be a good choice, but the ATV4 would not be my recommendation unless the user could get one at a really good price. The ATV4K would be a much better choice at full retail prices, plus there has been plenty of really good deals for the32GB ATV4K model, so it would make very little sense to get an ATV4 over an ATV4K.

 

[Reason077]

Bought an ATV4 for my mom but the remote was too complicated for her. I had a hard time with it too. Bought her the old remote (which still works with ATV4)

Oh wow, I never realised that. The old remotes used to work with Macs too, but modern Macs dropped the IR receiver. I have a few of them sitting around in a box somewhere.
[doublepost=1543495251][/doublepost]

do you not run in an HDMI cable for a receiver other devices? Hows the rest of your stuff plugged in?

All I have plugged in is the RF cable, power cord, and Apple TV.

Speakers connect over Bluetooth and I haven't used a DVD/Blu-ray or set top box in many years.

My TV (LG) actually has WiFi and Netflix, iPlayer, etc built in, but adding the Apple TV gives a better selection of apps and allows for AirPlay streaming.

 

[Juicy Box]

Bought her the old remote (which still works with ATV4)

Oh wow, I never realised that.

With the ATV's remote learning feature, you can use just about any IR remote with your ATV. This feature has been around since the 1st Gen ATV.

I even tried it with the IR remote of my air conditioner and my car's aftermarket head unit remote, and it still was able to learn it. On most TVs I have used with an ATV, I used the TVs' oem remote to control the ATV.

You are not tied down to just one remote.

The older ATV remote works without having to be learned, but using the remote learning feature only takes about 10 seconds.

All I have plugged in is the RF cable, power cord, and Apple TV.

Speakers connect over Bluetooth and I haven't used a DVD/Blu-ray or set top box in many years.

My TV (LG) actually has WiFi and Netflix, iPlayer, etc built in, but adding the Apple TV gives a better selection of apps and allows for AirPlay streaming.

My set up is the same. My main TV is on the wall and I just have my ATV plugged into it.

I think many people are going for the clean look with their TV set ups, and many people just don't have a need for a bunch of devices plugged into their TVs.

 

[Mac 128]

Oh wow, I never realised that. The old remotes used to work with Macs too, but modern Macs dropped the IR receiver. I have a few of them sitting around in a box somewhere.
[doublepost=1543495251][/doublepost]

All I have plugged in is the RF cable, power cord, and Apple TV.

Speakers connect over Bluetooth and I haven't used a DVD/Blu-ray or set top box in many years.

My TV (LG) actually has WiFi and Netflix, iPlayer, etc built in, but adding the Apple TV gives a better selection of apps and allows for AirPlay streaming.

How are your BT speakers connected? My Sony’s built-in BT has too much lag to be used with BT speakers. I have an Aptx Low Latency dongle plugged into my headphone jack, and an aptxLL receiver with my BT speakers which works pretty well, it’s almost never out of sync.

Or are they connected to the ATV only, which provides its own buffered stream to compensate for latency and picture sync?

 

[tharitm]

The 4K TV won’t be outdated any time soon. It’s too capable for what it does now. Any new version will likely be a slimmed down device with less features and less power rather than an updated model.

I think it would get updated next September, not anytime soon. The product cycle is usually 2 years. But its still top of the line with 4K, HDR with DV and DA (dolby vision and Atmos), the shield lacks the DV and DirectTVNOW app.

 

[Reason077]

How are your BT speakers connected? My Sony’s built-in BT has too much lag to be used with BT speakers. I have an Aptx Low Latency dongle plugged into my headphone jack, and an aptxLL receiver with my BT speakers which works pretty well, it’s almost never out of sync.

Or are they connected to the ATV only, which provides its own buffered stream to compensate for latency and picture sync?

I connect the bluetooth speakers directly to the TV - no intermediate dongle. I do have some issues with sound sync, but mostly only with movies. I think it has something to do with 24fps content rather than Bluetooth? This happens even with the TV's built-in apps when watching movies, but broadcast TV and even games etc on the Apple TV are fine.

There's a setting in the TV to adjust audio sync to account for lag, which I spend way too much time tweaking. My girlfriend thinks I'm crazy when I stop movies to adjust it, as she claims not to notice it. Maybe your Sony has a similar setting? Alternatively, there may be a setting to change the bluetooth audio codec on the speaker side, as some of the codecs are higher latency than others.

 

[SeattleMoose]

With the ATV's remote learning feature, you can use just about any IR remote with your ATV. This feature has been around since the 1st Gen ATV.

I even tried it with the IR remote of my air conditioner and my car's aftermarket head unit remote, and it still was able to learn it. On most TVs I have used with an ATV, I used the TVs' oem remote to control the ATV.

You are not tied down to just one remote.

The older ATV remote works without having to be learned, but using the remote learning feature only takes about 10 seconds.

10 seconds? The biggest mistake people make is when they extrapolate who they are today onto who they think they will be when they are old. For most, the brain/body decay. What is simple today will probably be MUCH more complicated when YOU are old. Even the brain's software program that governs something as simple as going down the stairs...gets bugs. Got Depends?

 

[Juicy Box]

10 seconds? The biggest mistake people make is when they extrapolate who they are today onto who they think they will be when they are old. For most, the brain/body decay. What is simple today will probably be MUCH more complicated when YOU are old. Got Depends?

Ummm..... What?

Not really sure of the point of the post, if it was suppose to be funny or disrespectful, but I was just pointing some alternatives for the remote, one being a free and easy feature that a lot of people didn't even know was there.

If you don't like the feature, you don't have to use it.