Considering Apple TV 4K for the first time

[The-Real-Deal82]

Hi,

Hopefully you chaps and lasses can give me some pointers. I’ve never had Apple TV but my wife is keen to invest in a steaming box to manage our subscriptions like Netflix, Amazon etc. We have a FreeSat box but it’s now 4 years old and that about the life limit sadly. We’ve started looking at Apple TV and the Amazon Firebox. Looking at the comparison videos and reviews it seems both have pros and cons over the other. We are both iPhone and iPad users so ATV appeals, but also have 4 Amazon Echos in our home. Am I right in thinking the last ATV was released in 2017 and we are due a new box this year? Some of the differences I picked up for each are based on the reviews I’ve watched:

Amazon Firebox:
- slightly better 4K quality. (a couple of reviews have said this).
- steams YouTube 4K
- lacking child safe option for movies and content
- cheaper of the two
- chunky box
- tv channel voice changing limited to Sky.

Apple TV:
- clean and familiar interface (better of the two)
- no YouTube 4K
- poor remote control unit
- mirrors Apple devices easily
- slimmer box

I really like ATV but there’s a couple of things that put me off at this point. I’m happy to wait until September to see if a revised version is released. Any thoughts and pointers you guys might be able to give? Am I missing anything.

Much appreciated

 

[techwarrior]

Any new ATV is likely to just improve gaming experience, the TV viewing experience likely won't be a whole lot different. I hope it will be more, but not expecting more. That said, ATV4K prices will drop when a new one arrives.

In the meantime, Refurbished ATV occasionally show up on Apple's website (there are a few listed now). Basically, about the same price a new one will likely sell for when a new model comes. Apple Refurbs are an excellent choice, come with the same warranty. In my experience, Refurbs are as good if not better than new, if there was something wrong, it gets fixed before sold, but most were purchased and returned due to consumer fickleness.

The remote is simple, and you get used to it quickly. Could it be better? Maybe, but I like the tight integration with other Apple products and services.

 

[FarmerBob]

AGREE 100%! So I got BOTH!

 

[JayMysterio]

Any new ATV is likely to just improve gaming experience, the TV viewing experience likely won't be a whole lot different. I hope it will be more, but not expecting more. That said, ATV4K prices will drop when a new one arrives.

In the meantime, Refurbished ATV occasionally show up on Apple's website (there are a few listed now). Basically, about the same price a new one will likely sell for when a new model comes. Apple Refurbs are an excellent choice, come with the same warranty. In my experience, Refurbs are as good if not better than new, if there was something wrong, it gets fixed before sold, but most were purchased and returned due to consumer fickleness.

The remote is simple, and you get used to it quickly. Could it be better? Maybe, but I like the tight integration with other Apple products and services.

I agree with everything, but the remote part. 😉

It's total butt cheeks. 😜

The Amazon ones are better and of course have Alexa integration like Apple has Siri.

There's a reason why this happened.

Swiss Telco Starts Selling An Alternative Remote For The Apple TV

Apple's Siri remote, which ships with its Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models, is apparently not everyone's cup of tea, at least as far as Swiss telco Salt is concerned. The company, which operates its Salt TV platform on Apple TV devices, has started selling an alternative remote which drops...

www.digitaltrends.com

The saving grace of course is that you @The-Real-Deal82 have IOS devices that you can put a free Apple remote device app on. Your IOS device will even prompt you if you come to typing field to use your iPhone or iPad to type if you don't want to use the mic.

I personally really enjoy my Apple TV, but I can say the same thing about the built in Fire TV integration on my tv as well. If you have a TV with Fire TV built in it's obviously nice that you don't have to activate another device. If it's separate devices, the only annoyance is the large Amazon ad at the top of your menu, which isn't a big thing after awhile.

Both are comparable to me, it's more a matter of what ecosystem you prefer more.

 

[Rigby]

I think in terms of watching movies you'd be happy with both devices. But the iOS integration of the Apple TV is nice. It can also serve as a Homekit hub (which allows e.g. secure remote control of Homekit devices and the use of Homekit Secure Video, which is pretty much the only end-to-end encrypted camera solution on the market, although the choice of cameras is still small).

Personally, I find the remote superior to more traditional remotes such as the one that comes with the Fire. It takes a bit of getting used to, but the touchpad is great for quickly navigating within a video. Every time I have to use fast forward/reverse on other remotes I feel like I'm back in the stone age.

 

[Juicy Box]

I have used Apple TV's since the launch of the first gen, and I started using Amazon Fire devices a year ago, a FireStick, FireTV, FireTV 4k.

On my main TV, I currently use the ATV4k because it is the best overall device. On my other TVs, I use the ATV4(HD) because I already had it, and I use the Fire devices because the ATV4k cost a few times more than the FireTV.

IMO, the ATV4k is a lot better than the Fire devices.

The UI on the tvOS is great, polished, and what I am used to, but the UI on the Fire devices look like it was designed by the same people that designed Hulu's app. The the ATV4k is very noticeably faster than all my Fire devices, even the newer FireTv 4K.

There seems to be a general lagginess to the Fire devices, but if I only used the Fire devices, I am sure I would get used to it to the point that I wouldn't notice it.

As for the remote, I dislike both the Siri Remote and the Fire Remote, but when I hold the Siri Remote, it doesn't feel cheap, just designed for form over function. The Fire Remote feels cheap, and I had one of them stop working on me and I cannot get it to pair anymore. I would say that Siri probably works a little better than Alexa on the Fire Devices.

If you don't like the remote on the ATV, you can use any IR remote with the ATV's remote learning feature, the set up takes just a few seconds, no programing or punching in codes. This works with just about any IR Remote, it even worked with my Roomba's remote.

You can't use IR remotes with the Fire devices, or at least the ones that I have, but just like the ATV, it can use other Bluetooth remotes.

Overall, the ATV4k is just a better device, imo.

BUT..... Once in the common apps, there is very little difference between all the devices. The ATV might respond slightly quicker, but for the most part, the experience is very similar.

If price is an issue, I think you would be fine with a Fire devices. You can buy a few FireTV 4ks for the price of one ATV4k. The UI sucks, but if you spend most time in the apps, this won't matter as much.

If you want the best overall device and have the cash, the ATV4k would be the way to go.
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- slightly better 4K quality. (a couple of reviews have said this).

I think it depends on the app, not just the device.

 

[Ghost31]

Gonna keep it short: I have two Apple TV 4k’s. I’ve had almost every Apple TV they have and am a huge apple fanboy.

I’ve also tried fire tv and have amazon echo’s. If I didn’t already have an Apple TV, I’d just buy a fire stick 4K and enjoy it. Or maybe the fire cube since it’s basically an echo and a fire tv in one and does some cool stuff with voice controlling your tv and such.

most of the time you’re gonna live in apps. Netflix and YouTube and Hulu and such. And in that respect, they’re all the same but amazon has better integration with services, Alexa can do way more than siri (seeing reminders on your tv? Why doesn’t siri do that?) and YouTube is so much better on fire stick not just because of 4K but the app is actually updated. Apple TV we have the same app we had 3 years ago. Don’t know what’s going on with that

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Cheers for all the responses. I have been reading up a lot over the weekend and watching just about every YouTube video on each device. Price isn’t an issue as the Apple TV is only £179. I just want a reliable streaming device and seeing as we are a very Apple household in terms of Macs, iPhones, Apple watches and iPads, I liked the thought of Apple TV.

I am starting to sway towards the Amazon Fire Cube though. I find Siri infuriating at the best of times on my other devices with it getting confused and the reviews seem to suggest voice recognition on the Cube is superior. I find my current Amazon Echo’s much more responsive and reliable with commands. I can confuse my AW asking for a 10 minute timer lol. Not bothered about the design of the remote control so long as it does the job. I’ll probably break it within a year as they tend to bounce off our wooden floors more than once a day. The interface does appear much cleaner on Apple TV and that’s about the one thing keeping me interested along with the device integration.

Urgh, still undecided but will continue researching and listening to others advice, very much appreciated.

 

[satcomer]

Most people today know to have both the Apple TV and Nvidia Shield (for Android Apps) and it’s App Store!

 

[Riviera122]

I'm personally waiting for the new version to launch as I didn't want to pay full price for something that released in 2017. I bought the previous version to tide me over until then.

 

[JSRinUK]

Price isn’t an issue as the Apple TV is only £179.

I recently (briefly) considered Apple TV for the first time, too.

With my new iPhone SE, I see that I can have a free year of Apple TV, saving something like £60. This would seemingly be a great way into Apple TV, that I hadn’t considered before, but I don’t think I’ll be using my free year at all.

Even though it’s free, it’s too expensive for me.

I have no way of watching Apple TV on any of our televisions, so I’d be limited to my Apple devices and my Mac mini. Watching TV on small screens is not something that interests me, and my Mac mini is on my computer desk where I don’t watch TV either.

It seems I need to get an Apple TV device to watching Apple TV on my TV - which costs in the region of £150-£200. After spending a considered sum on my new iPhone SE, there’s no way I can afford that kind of money just to watch TV.

The only similar service I have is Amazon - but that’s because I got Prime for the free postage, and only looked into their TV stuff when I got a £25 dongle for my TV. Amazon’s TV offering is additional to the free delivery, which is what I went for in the first place. I very rarely watch Amazon programmes, but I watch enough to justify the initial £25 outlay. If I’d had to pay £150-£200 for a device for my TV, I wouldn’t be watching Amazon either.

If there was an Apple device that would let me watch Apple TV on my television for under £50, then I’d maybe consider it, but I’ve not found one. Having to pay £150-£200 to watch the 1yr trial makes “free” too expensive, so I think I'll be giving it a miss. Given that Apple wants us to pay a fee each month to access Apple TV, I would have thought their Apple TV devices would be an awful lot cheaper to encourage more people to take it up.

 

[HDFan]

I just want a reliable streaming device

suggest voice recognition on the Cube

What is your priority, streaming/video or voice recognition? For streaming content it is hard to beat the Apple TV.

I have no way of watching Apple TV on any of our televisions,

Your TV's don't have HDMI ports?

I got Prime

Which is available on Apple TV, along with a ton of other services, some free. I was streaming a movie via prime (I think) on my Comcast box a few days ago and then remembered I could stream the same title from Prime on my Apple TV. It was so much better. Went from 1080p to 4K UHD.

 

[JSRinUK]

Your TV's don't have HDMI ports?

Of course it has HDMI ports, but how do I get Apple TV into the HDMI port without an Apple TV hardware box?

Which is available on Apple TV, along with a ton of other services, some free. I was streaming a movie via prime (I think) on my Comcast box a few days ago and then remembered I could stream the same title from Prime on my Apple TV. It was so much better. Went from 1080p to 4K UHD.

How is Prime being available on Apple TV helpful? I don't have a way to watch Apple TV on my television, so it doesn't matter what Apple TV has available.

I don't understand how your replies help me to watch Apple TV on my television without paying a small fortune for an Apple TV device.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

The reason we started looking into Apple TV was our FreeSat box is on its way out and our 5 year old LG 4K TV does not seem to support apps like Apple TV, Disney+ etc. Its mad to think such a young device is so out of date! We thought getting a streaming box as a stand alone would bridge the gap. Unfortunately I don't know anybody with Apple TV in their home to ask for advice and it seems quite unpopular in the UK compared to other countries. I thought Apple TV makes sense as we have so many Apple devices in our home, but reading the reviews I realised there are various types of these boxes to consider.

A bit of a swerve-ball now is my wife can get the Amazon Cube for £80 instead of £110. Price isn't an issue but at that price it might be worth trying. I was hoping to expect a new revised Apple TV version this year that includes all the missing features the current one has, like Youtube 4K etc. Another thing in favour of the cube is the superior voice recognition. Is Siri better on Apple TV than it is on iPhone and Apple Watch? Just so many variables but I think its best to wait a few more months to see what Apple bring to the table.
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What is your priority, streaming/video or voice recognition? For streaming content it is hard to beat the Apple TV.

If I am going for Apple TV I would expect it to be better in both those aspects to be honest. Apple TV seems to have pro's over the Cube and vice versa and to be honest I am more in favour of Apple TV than my wife is. Steaming is the main purpose of course but we do like to use voice recognition and are used to to it with the Amazon Echos around our home. It was Siri that put us off getting the HomePod a couple of years ago.

 

[ScrumpyDaniel]

I brought an Apple TV 4K 2 years ago and don't regret it one bit. In fact it's become my favourite Apple device. It's so slick and smooth to use. Compared to the clubbiness of a normal Smart TV UI. I also have a Firestick 4K that I brought on Prime Day but I barely use that.

Last week I upgraded my Samsung HD TV (15 year old!) to an LG 43" 4K TV and the quality is stunning. Even better to use the ATV4K on it. I'd get one, you definitely won't regret it.

 

[PilotC150]

Of course it has HDMI ports, but how do I get Apple TV into the HDMI port without an Apple TV hardware box?


How is Prime being available on Apple TV helpful? I don't have a way to watch Apple TV on my television, so it doesn't matter what Apple TV has available.

I don't understand how your replies help me to watch Apple TV on my television without paying a small fortune for an Apple TV device.

Because "Apple TV" is a hardware device. "Apple TV+" is a streaming service. If you talk about "Apple TV" then you're talking about the hardware device.

 

[JSRinUK]

Because "Apple TV" is a hardware device. "Apple TV+" is a streaming service. If you talk about "Apple TV" then you're talking about the hardware device.

This thread is headed "Apple TV", which is the hardware device. My post was about not being able to afford the Apple TV device, so I can't watch Apple TV on my television.

It doesn't matter what the streaming service is called, or that I apparently get a free year due to buying a phone, if I can't actually watch it on my TV.

The post I replied to was to someone asking if my TV had HDMI ports, and that Prime was available on Apple TV. Neither of those two points goes to the fact that I can't watch Apple TV on my TV because the Apple TV hardware to do so is too expensive.

I guess I'm just getting confused, but maybe that's the point of Apple TV, so I'll just leave it and not bother with my free year.

 

[steve1960]

I have two ATV 4k and a 1080HD for myself and my daughters. Netflix is a favourite and You Tube but the biggest use by far is to stream films / series purchased or rented in iTunes (or whatever its called since it was broken into pieces). Having bought into the Apple ecosystem and invested in a huge library of content its the best choice for me.

 

[PilotC150]

This thread is headed "Apple TV", which is the hardware device. My post was about not being able to afford the Apple TV device, so I can't watch Apple TV on my television.

It doesn't matter what the streaming service is called, or that I apparently get a free year due to buying a phone, if I can't actually watch it on my TV.

The post I replied to was to someone asking if my TV had HDMI ports, and that Prime was available on Apple TV. Neither of those two points goes to the fact that I can't watch Apple TV on my TV because the Apple TV hardware to do so is too expensive.

I guess I'm just getting confused, but maybe that's the point of Apple TV, so I'll just leave it and not bother with my free year.

Apple TV+ is a streaming service that you watch through an app. That app is available on many different platforms, including Roku, Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs, and, of course, Apple TV. (https://support.apple.com/guide/tvplus/welcome/web)

If you get the free year, you can watch it from any of those devices without spending the ~$180 on an Apple TV hardware device.

 

[JSRinUK]

Apple TV+ is a streaming service that you watch through an app. That app is available on many different platforms, including Roku, Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs, and, of course, Apple TV. (https://support.apple.com/guide/tvplus/welcome/web)

If you get the free year, you can watch it from any of those devices without spending the ~$180 on an Apple TV hardware device.

But I watch TV on my television, that's what it's there for. If I can't watch Apple TV on my TV without paying ~£200, then there's no point in taking up the free year.

But you mention "Fire TV" in your list there - does that mean there's an Apple TV app for my old Amazon Fire Stick? If so, then that would be different because I could watch it on my TV without additional (expensive) outlay of the Apple TV hardware.

 

[PilotC150]

But I watch TV on my television, that's what it's there for. If I can't watch Apple TV on my TV without paying ~£200, then there's no point in taking up the free year.

But you mention "Fire TV" in your list there - does that mean there's an Apple TV app for my old Amazon Fire Stick? If so, then that would be different because I could watch it on my TV without additional (expensive) outlay of the Apple TV hardware.

You really need to understand the different between "Apple TV" and "Apple TV+".

"Apple TV+" is the streaming service that you got a free year of. You don't need an Apple TV (hardware device) to watch Apple TV+. You can get the app to watch Apple TV+ on many different platforms, including Fire TV. I don't know how old your Fire Stick is so I don't know if it's available. Open the app store on there and search for it.

 

[JSRinUK]

You really need to understand the different between "Apple TV" and "Apple TV+".

So the free year is effectively pointless if I don't have a device to watch it on my TV. Okay.

"Apple TV+" is the streaming service that you got a free year of. You don't need an Apple TV (hardware device) to watch Apple TV+. You can get the app to watch Apple TV+ on many different platforms, including Fire TV. I don't know how old your Fire Stick is so I don't know if it's available. Open the app store on there and search for it.

It's the very first Fire Stick - I know that, because it's pretty slow! 😃 From what little I've been able to gather, Apple TV+ is only on the newer sticks. I'll take a look when I next get the chance.

I think, in the end, it's just going to prove to be a fruitless exercise. I don't see myself paying a fiver a month when the free year is over anyway, so I'm probably best off just letting it be.

 

[Rigby]

You really need to understand the different between "Apple TV" and "Apple TV+".

To be fair, Apple's naming is more than a little confusing. There is (a) Apple TV (the streaming box), there is (b) Apple TV+ (the subscription service), but there is also (c) the Apple TV app, which runs on (a) and other devices and is required to watch (b).

@JSRinUK: the Apple TV app is currently available on Fire TV, Roku and some smart TVs. There's a list of the supported devices here:

Apple TV app - Devices

The Apple TV app and Apple TV+ are available on a wide variety of streaming platforms, popular smart TVs, and AirPlay‑enabled TVs.

www.apple.com

Looks like a Fire TV stick from 2016 or newer should work.

 

[JSRinUK]

@JSRinUK: the Apple TV app is currently available on Fire TV, Roku and some smart TVs. There's a list of the supported devices here:

Apple TV app - Devices

The Apple TV app and Apple TV+ are available on a wide variety of streaming platforms, popular smart TVs, and AirPlay‑enabled TVs.

www.apple.com

Looks like a Fire TV stick from 2016 or newer should work.

Hmm, thanks, but I've a feeling mine's the even older version.

I did wonder, though, that if I was to be able to find some way to get the Lightning to HDMI adapter from Apple (https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MD826ZM/A/lightning-digital-av-adapter), would that let me play Apple TV from my iPhone and/or iPad mini through my television? That would at least be an acceptable kludge at a cheaper initial outlay than the Apple TV hardware itself and, in the event I chose not to continue after the year, the adapter would continue to serve a purpose for other things.

Is that possible?

 

[Rigby]

Hmm, thanks, but I've a feeling mine's the even older version.

I did wonder, though, that if I was to be able to find some way to get the Lightning to HDMI adapter from Apple (https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MD826ZM/A/lightning-digital-av-adapter), would that let me play Apple TV from my iPhone and/or iPad mini through my television? That would at least be an acceptable kludge at a cheaper initial outlay than the Apple TV hardware itself and, in the event I chose not to continue after the year, the adapter would continue to serve a purpose for other things.

Is that possible?

Yes (although the picture quality is not very good, since the adapter requires transcoding). But it would be cheaper to buy an inexpensive Roku.