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Ditching Apple TV for Roku

M

mdwsta4

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 23, 2007
1,301
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I've been using Apple TV since the launch of Gen 2. At the time it was mainly to stream Netflix, share my MBP screen on my tv, and stream audio to my home stereo. Then I bought a Blu-Ray player which could access Netflix, Crackle, Youtube etc in a much easier to use layout. The only thing the ATV did better was allowing me to use my iPhone/iPad's keyboard to type passwords or search for content. I still used ATV from time to time, but it was no longer the default except for music. I also never use Siri so that's a pointless feature for me.

This past weekend I purchased a TV with Roku built in and I have to say, I'm very impressed! I'm able to stream 4k content, the interface is dead simple, I can access ALL of my streaming services, and can access content on my MBP via the Plex app.

With the imminent release of a 4k ATV, I'm questioning why I would need it anymore. Seems like the built in Roku works just as good, if not better, than ATV ever did. Plus it's one less thing I have to plug in and have in my entertainment center.

I kept getting ATV's because I have the rest of the Apple eco system and I thought it made sense. But now I'm wondering what's the point? Am I missing something that ATV does that Roku doesn't? Has anyone else made a similar switch?
 
I have an Apple TV 3 and Roku 3. I like that Roku has Amazon Video and Vudu, but that was its only advantage for me. And now that ATV has Vudu and will have Amazon soon... I'm fine with sticking with ATV exclusively.
 
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Of course ATV plays iTunes bought films and TV series and AirPlays :) Just try watching a iTunes bought film on your Roku ;)
Again, it depends what you need it for, but i'm certain that the new ATV5 J105 is going to be something special. I think that it's very easy to become used to having Apple and in a way, people take their beautiful designs, UI, materials, the way it works, reliability for granted. It's only when you see the rivals, that you realise how incredible Apple products are in every way.
This was proven the other week when two of my friends at the gym were showing me video on their Samsung Galaxy S7 Edges. Their phones seemed so plastic, cheap and a poor experience after the classy design of my iPhone SE. And that's before we even talk about terrible Android!
If you're happy with a Roku, then great but oh dear, it's not for me!
 
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I like how Roku is built into the TV so there are no additional menus to access or inputs I have to go through in order to view any of the content. Directly from the Roku/TV home page when I turn on my TV I can watch cable, blu ray, netflix, amazon, etc. Good to hear ATV is getting Amazon. That was another reason I used to stream from my blu-ray player.

twobelowpar said:
I have an Apple TV 3 and Roku 3. I like that Roku has Amazon Video and Vudu, but that was its only advantage for me. And now that ATV has Vudu and will have Amazon soon... I'm fine with sticking with ATV exclusively.
Click to expand...

The only time I use airplay for content was when my ATV wouldn't have an app to play said content! haha! Roku has these apps so I don't see the need to airplay anything from my phone/ipad/mbp. I've also never purchased or rented a single movie or show from iTunes so that isn't an issue.

I agree with you about build quality and design, of course, an ATV sits hidden on a shelf so it's never seen. And when you reprogram all your remotes into one universal remote, the only design your left with is the UI on the screen which isn't bad, but it isn't great either.

Surf Boy from Barcelona said:
Of course ATV plays iTunes bought films and TV series and AirPlays :) Just try watching a iTunes bought film on your Roku ;)
Again, it depends what you need it for, but i'm certain that the new ATV5 J105 is going to be something special. I think that it's very easy to become used to having Apple and in a way, people take their beautiful designs, UI, materials, the way it works, reliability for granted. It's only when you see the rivals, that you realise how incredible Apple products are in every way.
This was proven the other week when two of my friends at the gym were showing me video on their Samsung Galaxy S7 Edges. Their phones seemed so plastic, cheap and a poor experience after the classy design of my iPhone SE. And that's before we even talk about terrible Android!
If you're happy with a Roku, then great but oh dear, it's not for me!
Click to expand...
 
mdwsta4 said:
I've been using Apple TV since the launch of Gen 2. At the time it was mainly to stream Netflix, share my MBP screen on my tv, and stream audio to my home stereo. Then I bought a Blu-Ray player which could access Netflix, Crackle, Youtube etc in a much easier to use layout. The only thing the ATV did better was allowing me to use my iPhone/iPad's keyboard to type passwords or search for content. I still used ATV from time to time, but it was no longer the default except for music. I also never use Siri so that's a pointless feature for me.

This past weekend I purchased a TV with Roku built in and I have to say, I'm very impressed! I'm able to stream 4k content, the interface is dead simple, I can access ALL of my streaming services, and can access content on my MBP via the Plex app.

With the imminent release of a 4k ATV, I'm questioning why I would need it anymore. Seems like the built in Roku works just as good, if not better, than ATV ever did. Plus it's one less thing I have to plug in and have in my entertainment center.

I kept getting ATV's because I have the rest of the Apple eco system and I thought it made sense. But now I'm wondering what's the point? Am I missing something that ATV does that Roku doesn't? Has anyone else made a similar switch?
Click to expand...

If all you stream is Netflix then you are probably is great shape. For me I factor in that with apps at the core of ATV, it will continue to evolve while your TV's offerings will become outdated long before considering that you will likely keep and use your TV for 5-10 years?!? before replacing.
 
I have order Chrome device as I plan to go with youtubetv....and dump Direct TV.........Direct TV is overpriced at best....youtube is just $30 a month...direct tv was over $100 and when it rains..it goes dead.
 
lvavila said:
If all you stream is Netflix then you are probably is great shape. For me I factor in that with apps at the core of ATV, it will continue to evolve while your TV's offerings will become outdated long before considering that you will likely keep and use your TV for 5-10 years?!? before replacing.
Click to expand...
Roku TV is not like Apps on other brands. They have their own streaming device as well which competes with Apple tv and the TV is kept current with the separate roku boxes. This is unlike using built in apps from someone like samsung or sony,
 
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My Roku experience have been buggy and issue-ridden. That's with a 3 and an Ultra. I have high hopes for ATV5.
 
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TrackZ said:
My Roku experience have been buggy and issue-ridden. That's with a 3 and an Ultra. I have high hopes for ATV5.
Click to expand...

So has mine. I have an older Roku by todays standards and the youtube app crashes the entire thing on start up. I can't comment on the newer models but my older ATV3 still works alright. I can play movies via USB on the Roku which was the reason I bought it, that still functions fine.
 
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My Roku 4 was a horrible experience with apps like Youtube always crashing, the system overheating and rebooting, bad third party support, etc...
 
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oneMadRssn said:
Same. I also despise the Roku remote. In my opinion, it is the worst in the industry.
Click to expand...

Hilarious how people complain about the Apple tv remote, it is the best. as far as I know is the only one that controls tv volume and if you don't like it then use any remote you want. I really think either people just like to complain or are trolls.
 
Think of remotes as being like electric guitars or doorknobs or kitchen sink faucets.

Remotes are funny things. It's in the handiness of the thing and its utility. I've had a lot of remotes in my life and there have only been a few that felt and performed just right.

When you get a combo of ergonomics and just the right amount of features without having to drill-down into menu-based commands, then you have a winner.

For some, remotes that are too thin or too small, or too fat, or too fiddly does not suit them. That's when the rise of the universal remotes. I had a RCA remote from the 1990's that was the shizzle. No bling, just the right buttons in the right place. Personally, I'd rather have a Sony U-Matic remote. Big square, commercial-grade transport buttons and a scrub wheel. (That'll be the day...) Not thin, though.
 
JoeShades said:
Hilarious how people complain about the Apple tv remote, it is the best. as far as I know is the only one that controls tv volume and if you don't like it then use any remote you want. I really think either people just like to complain or are trolls.
Click to expand...

The new ATV remote isn't perfect, but what I really like about Apple remotes in general is now solid they feel. They have good balance, good weight, and nice clicky buttons that don't wiggle or squish. Pretty much every other remote, unless you get into the really expensive ones, feel hollow and unbalanced, with squishy uncertain buttons.
 
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My wife got a 40" ROKU TV from a work gift. It was free so hard to complain. I do like the UI instead of the TV Manufacture would offer. But this particular 1080p TV has terrible VIDEO Quality. I am sure it is because it is a really low cost TV but very surprised a 1080p would be this bad.

Anyway, my main reason for choosing the Apple TV 4 is the App Store. I understand ROKU has their own version of Apps but multiple times I have noticed Apps that support ATV but not ROKU.

Example:
Directv Now did not support ROKU at first but does now.
Channels App only supported Apple TV for the longest time. They are starting to support other devices now.
WatchAid - Universal Watch List.
iTunes Moves and TV Shows - obvious.

WatchAid is something i use heavily during the Fall/Winter TV Season. Maybe other devices have a similar App but this is one I would not want to loose and I see no sign it will be ported over to the other devices. Lots of other Apps I use but not sure if available on other platforms.
 
Last edited:
mdwsta4 said:
I've been using Apple TV since the launch of Gen 2. At the time it was mainly to stream Netflix, share my MBP screen on my tv, and stream audio to my home stereo. Then I bought a Blu-Ray player which could access Netflix, Crackle, Youtube etc in a much easier to use layout. The only thing the ATV did better was allowing me to use my iPhone/iPad's keyboard to type passwords or search for content. I still used ATV from time to time, but it was no longer the default except for music. I also never use Siri so that's a pointless feature for me.

This past weekend I purchased a TV with Roku built in and I have to say, I'm very impressed! I'm able to stream 4k content, the interface is dead simple, I can access ALL of my streaming services, and can access content on my MBP via the Plex app.

With the imminent release of a 4k ATV, I'm questioning why I would need it anymore. Seems like the built in Roku works just as good, if not better, than ATV ever did. Plus it's one less thing I have to plug in and have in my entertainment center.

I kept getting ATV's because I have the rest of the Apple eco system and I thought it made sense. But now I'm wondering what's the point? Am I missing something that ATV does that Roku doesn't? Has anyone else made a similar switch?
Click to expand...
Your not alone. Iv'e had every Roku since the first one that had one channel, Netflix...now there is like 4000+. have never had an issue, they work great. 4K-3D and just about every channel....except itunes, so if you don't need itunes, and don't require an Apple logo, it's a no brainer.
 
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boast said:
My Roku 4 was a horrible experience with apps like Youtube always crashing, the system overheating and rebooting, bad third party support, etc...
Click to expand...
I returned my Roku 4 and replaced it with a 3. Was using it for the TV in the bedroom and the fan in the 4 would intermittently rev up even when the TV was off (yes I set the unit to supposedly sleep after a certain time with no input). One night I was awakened at 3AM - the TV had been off since 10PM.....the Roku light was on and the fan was making a a whir-WHIR-whir-WHIR noise that, in a dead quiet room, sounded like a vacuum cleaner running. Not sure if it was being pushed an update or what, but I couldn't stand having that happen regularly, so back to Amazon it went and I replaced it with a fanless Roku 3....it's only been a couple days, but so far, so good.
 
Just returned 2 Roku Ultra's. Volume was much lower on a few apps compared to the ATV4. Serious streaming issues with Netflix and overall a miserable experience. I checked the Roku community forum and found many others with similar issues with the 7.7 update. We decided we did not want to wait until my return period was up and be stuck with 2 devices that we did not like. Stayed with ATV4 and happy with that decision.
 
Interesting, although maybe not surprised, to hear so much negative feedback about Roku. Wonder if there is that big of a difference between standalone Roku boxes and those built into TVs? Have not experienced a single crash or hiccup in the week that I've been using the one built into my new TV
 
I'm as big an Apple fan as anyone but my Apple TV 4 doesn't get much attention since we got a fire stick. I'm not interested in gaming so all the extra power of the Apple TV doesn't pay off beyond Loading Netflix faster (it does). I was impressed with the Siri remote at first but always had trouble fast forwarding. The Alexa remote on the fire stick is clicky but I find it more comfortable in the hand. And on the weekend of The Money Fight I can't pretend Kodi availability is not a factor for me....
 
mdwsta4 said:
Interesting, although maybe not surprised, to hear so much negative feedback about Roku. Wonder if there is that big of a difference between standalone Roku boxes and those built into TVs? Have not experienced a single crash or hiccup in the week that I've been using the one built into my new TV
Click to expand...

When you sell as many devices as Roku does it's likely to get some negative feed back. I have owned them all and never had an issue beyond an occasional re-start, a bad power supply. Most people don't have any trouble.

https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/23/r...ce-in-the-u-s-and-still-growing-report-finds/
 
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JoeShades said:
Hilarious how people complain about the Apple tv remote, it is the best. as far as I know is the only one that controls tv volume and if you don't like it then use any remote you want. I really think either people just like to complain or are trolls.
Click to expand...
For your info both the Shield and the Roku remote control TV volume using HDMI CEC.
 
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