Can't Stand The Apple TV REMOTE Anymore - Is There An Alternative?

[Cayenne1]

I’m baffled by the hate for the remote. My wife and I both prefer it to anything else. It’s so easy.

Not when you have Essential Tremors which I do. Oh, and forget the Siri interface. I don't want to talk to a remote at night like I'm Scotty asking to beam me up.

I'm sure there are many who use and perhaps love this remote like yourselves so I'm not trying to disagree. But, it seems suited for a specific demographic, not the broader range of potential users. Apple needs to be more inclusive. A remote that is more traditional as option would even make them some more money.

Actually, I've been questioning why I even need the ATV lately. There are other less expensive approaches to streaming content to my TV. Where's the value add now?

 

[Edd70]

Actually, I've been questioning why I even need the ATV lately. There are other less expensive approaches to streaming content to my TV. Where's the value add now?

I like the user interface on it and easily playing something from my iPhone and iPad on it. Also like that my photos are all on there. Plus the aerial screensavers are the best on the market, as far as I’m aware.

If you just desire the simple functionality of streaming content and don’t like the remote, the ATV is probably not for you.

 

[boltjames]

I’m baffled by the hate for the remote. My wife and I both prefer it to anything else. It’s so easy.

If it had a traditional d-pad instead of the touchpad millions would agree with you. It's uncomplicated and easy from a design and button standpoint but the finicky and overly sensitive touchpad ruins it.
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Actually, I've been questioning why I even need the ATV lately. There are other less expensive approaches to streaming content to my TV. Where's the value add now?

The value is in Apple Music (as a hub w/HomePod's), Home Movies (if you've been recording them for a decade on iPhone), and Purchased Media (if you've bought TV shows and Movies from the iTunes Music Store for the past decade).

Those are the 3 remaining value-adds right now. For everything else- YouTube, HBO, Hulu, Netflix, etc.- the built in apps on your smart TV are just as good. Same apps, no input change, no launch delays, same remote.

 

[-Gonzo-]

If it had a traditional d-pad instead of the touchpad millions would agree with you. It's uncomplicated and easy from a design and button standpoint but the finicky and overly sensitive touchpad ruins it.
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Overly sensitive? can’t say I’ve ever noticed it to be sensitive at all myself.
You can however change the touch surface tracking in the settings menu.

 

[Cayenne1]

The value is in Apple Music (as a hub w/HomePod's), Home Movies (if you've been recording them for a decade on iPhone), and Purchased Media (if you've bought TV shows and Movies from the iTunes Music Store for the past decade).

Those are the 3 remaining value-adds right now. For everything else- YouTube, HBO, Hulu, Netflix, etc.- the built in apps on your smart TV are just as good. Same apps, no input change, no launch delays, same remote.

Thanks, I don't have any purchased iTunes Music or TV/Movies. I do have a lot of home video camera mp4s and ripped DVDs I use with Plex and/or Infuse which run on my ATV. So, perhaps those are the reasons to use an ATV vs running a Plex app on a TV. Granted I don't use those apps much as there is a lot of streaming movie content.

The Logitech remote does work well as an Apple remote substitute. So, I'll keep the investment. If I didn't have anything, it might be different.

 

[JBGoode]

Overly sensitive? can’t say I’ve ever noticed it to be sensitive at all myself.
You can however change the touch surface tracking in the settings menu.

Mine is definitely way overly sensitive even at the lowest setting to the point a light brush against it will screw up what I'm watching. On more than one occasion I can almost swear I never touched it. (I even think a fart once paused my Youtube video). I can't stand the thing.

 

[boltjames]

Mine is definitely way overly sensitive even at the lowest setting to the point a light brush against it will screw up what I'm watching. On more than one occasion I can almost swear I never touched it. (I even think a fart once paused my Youtube video). I can't stand the thing.

Furthermore, even if the touchpad weren’t prone to misfires it’s still just inefficient. It’s inaccurate. It’s more work.

For example, if I am on the YouTube app native on my Sony TV I can just tap the D-pad to the right 6 times to jump exactly 6 videos ahead. On Apple TV I kinda sorta have to swipe at a medium-ish speed and then slow my thumb down as I get closer to the 6th one and sometimes wind up on the 5th one or the 7th one. Even when you’re comfortable with the remote it isn’t precise. Just navigating on the home screen is an adventure. Even moving through settings menus is like skiing on ice.

 

[-Gonzo-]

Furthermore, even if the touchpad weren’t prone to misfires it’s still just inefficient. It’s inaccurate. It’s more work.

For example, if I am on the YouTube app native on my Sony TV I can just tap the D-pad to the right 6 times to jump exactly 6 videos ahead. On Apple TV I kinda sorta have to swipe at a medium-ish speed and then slow my thumb down as I get closer to the 6th one and sometimes wind up on the 5th one or the 7th one.

You do know the Siri remote performs up,down,left,right exactly the same with just a tap don’t you?
All you need to do is tap the right side of the pad, tap 6 times and it moves 6 times.

 

[boltjames]

You do know the Siri remote performs up,down,left,right exactly the same with just a tap don’t you?
All you need to do is tap the right side of the pad, tap 6 times and it moves 6 times.

Not if you have it in a protective silicone case because the evil turd is as slippery as a wet fish.

And even tapping dead center to select an item is an adventure. If your thumb is moving even a millimeter laterally it will slide to the next item on the list. Brutal.

 

[sirghost]

Are there any alternative remote controls for Apple TV that are small and handy that use traditional buttons and not the trackpad?

You can buy one of these.

Apple Remote - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

 

[omenatarhuri]

Our Vizio remote controls it just fine. Didn't need to anything about it either. If you have to type more the best option is the iPhone app which lets you use the iOS keyboard.

 

[boltjames]

Our Vizio remote controls it just fine. Didn't need to anything about it either. If you have to type more the best option is the iPhone app which lets you use the iOS keyboard.

You can buy one of these.

Thanks, but it turns out that if you don't use the awful touchpad remote you can't use Siri and that's a fate even worse than the awful touchpad remote. The only saving grace of the Apple TV UI is that you can use your voice to get most places and fill in most search fields.

"Hey Siri, shoot me"

 

[bbednarz]

It’s a UI overlay. You can say watch Game of Thrones on the remote and it’ll turn on your TV, your sound system, your Apple TV, and then open the HBO app, then browse to and open Game of Thrones. It’ll even remember what you’ve been watching. It’s so much better than the Harmony remote that I don’t even know where to begin. Your stuff plugs into the Hub and it instantly recognizes what the devices are. It’s very hassle free.

Ya know, I saw a few ads for that remote and was curious about it.. The Harmony remotes for me were fantastic at first, but I feel like they need to get reprogrammed or something every month or so. It just kept getting messed up. First it wouldn't control the TV. Then it couldn't control the sound. And dealing with the app is a whole pain. If my girlfriend keeps complaining about the Harmony not working and having to use the Apple remote I may have to give that one a chance.

 

[Pootie Tang]

I’m baffled by the hate for the remote. My wife and I both prefer it to anything else. It’s so easy.

There are no words for how much I dislike the ATV-4K remote. I use my old Harmony One from ten years ago.

 

[MattG]

I remember you being convinced that your Smart TV would replace the Apple TV some 18+ months ago and you certainly made a big fuss over it.

I personally love the trackpad and hope that it stays, it just needs tweaking.

Try the app on your iPhone or stick to your Android Sony as that makes you far happier.

Another day, another sanctimonious reply from "BODYBUILDERPAUL"

 

[Ruggy]

It has worked with every single remote I've tried to configure with it and after I'd tried a couple I got curious so I've probably tried at least 8 now.
You can probably use the one with your TV.
It isn't difficult to configure the remote but it isn't totally intuitive.
You go to the settings section and follow the instructions until you get a command 'start'.
You would think that is telling you to use the new remote but no, you have to start with the Apple remote and after pick up the new remote and configure which button you want for whatever command by holding it down right until the progress bar has gone all the way to the right and finished.

 

[QuarterSwede]

I use the Remote app on my iPhone, and also I have our Harmony remote programmed to control it.

Same. The Harmony SmartHub, or whatever they're calling it these days, is so good we have two (Great room TV and Master Bedroom). Although, half the time I'm using the remote functionality built into Control Center as it's always there. I personally love the Apple TV UI and find other smart TV UIs fine but not great.