Apple Working on New Apple TV With Faster Processor and Remote Equipped With Find My

[Realityck]

Can someone tell me a reason to buy Apple TV instead of 250$ Smart TV for instance? I am really curious.

Its the quality of App GUI design that it so great compared to the same on Samsung, LG to give examples. You are accustomed to how well it works on iPadOS apps this tvOS environment does just that. The number of interface elements isn’t constrained like how I see on the TV apps. Setting up a digital streaming receiver can have it’s issues, the ATV4K works really well with a good 4K display that is DV capable. Go play with those Samsung, Sony, LG (tizen, android, webOS), compare how you navigate and use the apps and the TVs interface.

 

[Devin Breeding]

I can AirPlay from my MacPro AppleTV contents to my Samsung QN49Q60RAF in 4K and the picture and audio is flawless. The TV now runs around 450$.

My Samsung also has Airplay (UN75NU7100 whatever that means to you). I would bet if you hooked up an Apple TV, PS4, Xbox, etc. you would notice a significant difference comparing the same application. I notice it most in the color dimensions. Not only is it not even close, it is not even comparable in my case.

Does airplay from a Mac to TV even support surround?

 

[archer75]

My Samsung also has Airplay (UN75NU7100 whatever that means to you). I would bet if you hooked up an Apple TV, PS4, Xbox, etc. you would notice a significant difference comparing the same application. I notice it most in the color dimensions. Not only is it not even close, it is not even comparable in my case.

Does airplay from a Mac to TV even support surround?

Totally agree. I've tested on my LG, Samsung, vizio, xbox one x, roku, amazon fire 4k stick, chromecast, shield, and the ATV4k easily has better picture quality out of any of them. The 2019 shield and 4k fire stick are close though.

 

[arkmannj]

One little addition that helped with both Apple remotes and Roku remotes is the SideClick.
adds some nice programmable buttons and makes the remotes a little harder to fall between couch cushions.

Sideclick Remotes SC2-APG4K Universal Remote Attachment for Apple TV Gen 4

The Sideclick Universal remote attaches to the Apple TV remote, giving the user 8 programmable buttons to use across multiple devices. Included are the Sideclick slim universal remote and adapter clips to fit the older silver slim Apple TV remote and the newer generation black, touchpad Apple TV ...

www.amazon.com

 

[Realityck]

in my opinion the new Apple TV just needs to be a stick. Like a Roku or the fire stick. I can’t see any reason for the whole stand alone box idea. .

Do you not realize that a USB plug in device can be very inconvenient with where it positioned effecting remote control, WiFi reception.
These sticks also are redundant in that it’s incorporates WiFi as well as draws power via USB port.

It would be a failure to take something that is very powerful and make it very basic with no memory to speak of in a stick form. Given your named alternatives I see it as a interesting thought but impractical IMHO.

Yeah used a Roku stick.

 

[robbysibrahim]

Would love a lower priced "stick" version of  TV with reduced storage. I made a cost-based decision and went with Roku for my parents for this reason.

 

[canhaz]

If this has a remote with buttons instead of a weird touchpad, it's an instant buy for me.

That's sounds awfully familiar. Remember the people that used to complain when the iPhone first launched.

BuT iT DoESnT hAvE a REAL keYboARD!

I could definitely see how some might find it it a bit intimidating and maybe even unintuitive at first. I certainly felt this way coming from Windows to macOS ten years ago.

And yes, some of those complaining here maybe just don't like it and never will. Though I think there's a fair amount, if we're being honest, that simply haven't taken the time to learn it, and decided it just wasn't what they were used to.

My folks didn't like it either (in their 70's), but after spending 20 minutes showing them everything it can do, they now love it.

To me it feels faster and more fun to navigate my TV and Home with. It's also so convenient to say "Movies" and the lights dim and makes everything cozy.

 

[CarlJ]

They fixed that with the 4k variant having special outlines for the menu button. That way you can easily feel for the right orientation.

It’s a step in the right direction.. the current remote is still too slippery and too hard to casually pick up off of a flat surface. They need to put the same control layout into a more ergonomic chassis. The current design optimizes for elegance over ease-of-use.

 

[Dionte]

I don’t know where my 4K Apple TV remote is. It’s so expensive to replace I’m just waiting for the next Apple TV instead of buying a replacement remote.

 

[agsystems]

Let's hope the new ATV fixes the broken Match Frame Rate feature which does not output pure 24.000p or 60.000p framerate sources correctly. Outputs these as 23.976p and 59.94p with skipped frames every 41 seconds. Completely takes you out of the programme you're watching.

interesting - I thought my Vizio TV was the culprit - very distracting

 

[gridlocked]

Apple TV supports *any* IR remote. I use one from URC, but I’ve even used an old netgear remote with Apple TV.

I understand that but the home button functions do not work on IR remotes.

 

[VanNess]

The new remote is said to have a feature similar to Find My iPhone, which would make a lost remote easier to locate within the house

You don’t need that feature with the current remote because you always know exactly where it is - in the garbage can where it belongs.

 

[thefourthpope]

Put a silicon sleeve on it. The remote will be easier to find and use.

Haha I live the little cutout for the Apple logo, like I’ll be standing it up on display or want people to know that—yes, don’t worry this is really an Apple TV remote.
[automerge]1598995930[/automerge]
“Hey Siri where is my remote” and it automatically starts pinging the Find My noise. Please please at least this.

 

[cmaier]

I understand that but the home button functions do not work on IR remotes.

That is true. I do have to keep it around just for that (though I rarely need that button).

 

[ignatius345]

I've been waiting a LONG time for a new model,


There are three separate buttons on the left, while on the right you have one small and one long button. You can feel if with your thumb - the long button is bottom right.

Given the choice between carefully braille-reading it and looking down, I think most of us just look down.

 

[nylonsteel]

ugh - another candy bar remote

 

[ErikGrim]

This is a major glaring omission that most people don't discuss.

First of all there is a mute button: long press volume down. Second of all, who mutes things instead of pressing pause? People who watch ads?

 

[calvinline]

Would love a lower priced "stick" version of  TV with reduced storage. I made a cost-based decision and went with Roku for my parents for this reason.

I totally agree, I don't see any value in having 64+ GB of storage. I just want a simple streamer HDMI stick I plug into the back of my projector and simultaneously send the audio to my Airplay setup.I have been holding out on Apple TV for years waiting for this imaginary product.. And no, I don't want any hardware by Google or Evil Amazon thanks.

 

[Patrick2A]

Apple Remote easily the worst invention Apple has ever made. The entire problem is that it is never usable without looking at it. You need to look at it to know which way is up to use the touchpad. Meanwhile, every other remote in the world is usable without looking at it.

Holy crap did Apple completely fail at user experience design here..

I don't agree with your comment. It's the best remote I've ever used but I agree I cheat a little using a "case".

 

[Velociround]

I definitely don't understand all the hate towards the Apple TV remote.
- It's beautiful
- it's easy to use
- It doesn't have useless buttons
- It's very fast
- Its battery lasts a ridiculously long time (I guess about 1 year? I can't remember the last time I've charged it)
- You can recharge it instead of purchasing more batteries, and it can be used while charging
- You can use it without ever looking at it (the buttons are asymmetric, so you can just feel it in your hands and know how you're holding it. Also the all buttons obviously feel different)

Nonetheless, the Apple TV works with HDMI-CEC, bluetooth remotes, universal remotes, and also NON-universal remotes (whatever IR remote you want!). Most work directly out-of-the-box, and the ones that don't can be added support by setting up on Settings.

I absolutely love Apple's remote, I hope Apple doesn't change it because some people whine about it. I wish every other company were doing remotes like Apple's. I abhor conventional TV remotes, generally they are literally the opposite of every feature I described here, and that's without mentioning the ridiculous amount of buttons, 99,99% of which are plain useless.

 

[ptklenk]

I am a fan of Asphalt 8 and I developed a simple cardboard steering wheel with the remote secured with velcro. In any case, I want a new faster Apple TV. Purchasing will be a done deal.

 

[Blair Paulsen]

With the right feature set, a $200 ATV 5 could be worth every penny.
• HDMI 2.1
• 8K support
• Direct access to content, no matter the source. I know the branding teams are determined to get me to care whether the show I am interested in is on network/service X, Y or Z - but I DON'T CARE. Netflix/ABC/Hulu/etc don't add any actual value. In fact, the segregation of content is actually a detriment to the user experience. If you don't remember which service supplied the show you're looking for, you end up wasting time checking them one by one until you spot it. This is an improvement? WTF.
• Virtual DVR so I can speed through ads in stored content
• Advanced buffering capacity so I can watch at high quality even if my web connection has hiccups. Moreover, I'd love to have the option of less compressed media by starting the download prior to viewing.

As an example, let's imagine that over dinner the family decides to watch movie X. I grab my iPhone and trigger the download, by the time dishes are done and everyone gets settled in with a snack, we start the movie. It looks fantastic because the version we are watching has a much milder compression ratio.

The dirty secret of our media distribution system (particularly in the US) is over compressed content. You get a big, high quality UHD/4K HDR TV and then feed it low quality material. Modest compression is no big deal, but the vast majority of what's available has been compressed to near death. Solve that part, and the home viewing experience can meet it's potential.

 

[Devin Breeding]

With the right feature set, a $200 ATV 5 could be worth every penny.
• HDMI 2.1
• 8K support
• Direct access to content, no matter the source. I know the branding teams are determined to get me to care whether the show I am interested in is on network/service X, Y or Z - but I DON'T CARE. Netflix/ABC/Hulu/etc don't add any actual value. In fact, the segregation of content is actually a detriment to the user experience. If you don't remember which service supplied the show you're looking for, you end up wasting time checking them one by one until you spot it. This is an improvement? WTF.
• Virtual DVR so I can speed through ads in stored content
• Advanced buffering capacity so I can watch at high quality even if my web connection has hiccups. Moreover, I'd love to have the option of less compressed media by starting the download prior to viewing.

As an example, let's imagine that over dinner the family decides to watch movie X. I grab my iPhone and trigger the download, by the time dishes are done and everyone gets settled in with a snack, we start the movie. It looks fantastic because the version we are watching has a much milder compression ratio.

The dirty secret of our media distribution system (particularly in the US) is over compressed content. You get a big, high quality UHD/4K HDR TV and then feed it low quality material. Modest compression is no big deal, but the vast majority of what's available has been compressed to near death. Solve that part, and the home viewing experience can meet it's potential.

I like all of these suggestions a lot. One issue I would see from this is predownloading considering how large 4k files are. One movie is almost what 100GB now? As far as compression in the US, I use VUDU, Disney +, Netflix and iTunes for movies. In my opinion, quality is indistinguishable to me now days to ultraHD Bluray.

I know not everyone’s situation is the same but for me, the need to pre download movies due to inadequate internet are over. Local Co-Op provider with fiber. With 100MB/S Up and Down speeds (low tier 😂😆) you get instant 4k with less buffering time than a disc loading. Hopefully everyone gets to enjoy those speeds in the near future. On a 75” with surround sound, I notice no compression issues at all.

 

[Realityck]

The dirty secret of our media distribution system (particularly in the US) is over compressed content. You get a big, high quality UHD/4K HDR TV and then feed it low quality material. Modest compression is no big deal, but the vast majority of what's available has been compressed to near death. Solve that part, and the home viewing experience can meet it's potential.

Buy physical media instead of streaming if the additional compression artifacts in very bright and very dark scenes bothers you. You can buy a ultra expensive Kaleidoscope system if you want download movies for 20 - 40 mins with 200+ Mbps connection with wanting 100 Mbps bit rate content from a large downloaded digital file. I previously mentioned HDMI 2.1 in the next ATV to support 4k/8K YouTube content. Streaming rates vs resolution by various hosts is well documented online as a FYI.

 

[Jar Jar Abrams]

I’ve always liked the remote and then there’s the one thats built into the phone too.