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First Evidence of Fifth-Generation Apple TV and tvOS 11 Possibly Spotted in Developer Logs
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I hated the Netflix app on my Apple TV 2s and 3s. Forcing it into the same interface Apple used was just nuts. I would switch over to the native app on my other devices back in those days instead. The new app has some quirks (delay in loading while user interaction is already live or switching the order of shows but leaving the focus at the same index) but I think it's miles ahead of the old app.
I think the ATV3 version was easy to navigate, better for browsing, and gives a lot more information about a movie. '
If you want to know what actress played in a movie, the information was right there. If you want to see what other movies on Netflix she plays in, again the info is right there.
Genres are much better too. For the longest time, the ATV4 version of Netflix didn't have genres. Now it does, but it is very basic. Say I wanted to watch a vampire movie, but wasn't sure what one, on the ATV3's Netflix, I could browse Movie>horror>Vampire for example.
The ATV4 UI is visually nice, but messy and never in set order. Sometimes recently watched is at the top, sometimes the middle, and sometimes the end.
There are many other things about the ATV4 version that I think sucks compared to the ATV3, but I think the things I mentioned are enough.
What about the ATV3 version do you dislike?
If/when Apple releases a 4K HDR ATV I'll take a long look at it. I recently picked up a 2017 nVidia Shield Pro and it's a pleasure to have everything I regularly use (Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, Youtube, HBO and Starz) available on one device with 4K and HDR support that works fine with my Harmony remote. I still have an ATV4 that I use for the limited content I picked up from Apple but use it less and less. I don't have anything against the ATV4, just don't find it compelling right now as it's been lapped by other devices.
Yes. That's exactly what I was asking. Essentially, I wanted to know if there was really a point to upgrade my Apple TV which I bought last year for the purpose of 4k. It seems like you guys are all saying that most content is not 4k anyway, so if "4k" is the main reason for upgrading, then it's not worth it until more streaming content goes to 4k. Do I have all of that right? My TV is a Samsung that I just got and it is 4k.
Nice. Almost upgraded to a Roku Premiere but will hold out for this now. All computers in my house are Mac so might as well join the ecosystem. I guess if they don't add a Prime app I can use my ****** LG Smart TV for that.
Not just the hardware, but also please bring on 4K iTunes movies and TV shows at the same time.
If you purchased your ATV4 last year with the express intent of watching 4K content... sorry bud, you're going to have to pony up again if you want a 4K capable ATV. I've always said it was weird that Apple's product line up was 4K capable minus the ATV. If for no other reason than future proofing, your 4K TV is just fine. The prices are more than reasonable and will only get better.
I bought one when the 4th generation was released and honestly I was underwhelmed. It's really only a minor refresh( as is most Apple releases as of late) and doesn't really bring anything new to the table outside of Siri which barely understands anything you say. Outside of having access to iTunes material there really isn't anything any other streaming box or stick can't do better. As of now I have a Mi box and it runs circles around the Apple Tv
So you were saying despite of iPhone capable of recording 4K is not capable of playing the video? The only reason why you're not seeing 4K video on iPhone is because the display is a much lower resolution. Behind the scene obviously that video is playing 4K in my opinion. I've seen less capable devices than iPhone that plays 4K video, some of them at least 3 years old hardware.
Biggest issue for me with the AppleTV is that it is just Apple being lazy. All the rumours from 2 years ago suggested that Apple was looking to finalised their streaming TV plans and unveil them alsongside the Apple TV box at WWDC (presumably then running developer sessions on the TvOS app store). Of course, we know what happened: Apple couldn't lock down the deals and delayed release until the Autumn, but then they seemed to just dump out the hardware and the App Store and expect the developers to do all the work. Similar to the Watch where Apple over-relied on the developers to provide the killer apps. 4K isn't going to solve this - imagine a new AppleTV with 4K/HDR and faster A10 chip but no other differece: apart from (presumably) 4K Netflix and probably 4k iTunes Movies (and no free upgrades to 4K). Is that really worth $150/£140 etc? There is another thread in the AppleTV forum on whether the 4th gen is dying and unless Apple pulls its thumb out to sort out the software/apps it will die. The attitude of 'if you build it they will come' with the app stores clearly isn't working. Apple should have seen what is missing - games haven't taken off as they should, desired apps (Prime Video, VUDU, UK catch-up apps etc) haven't appeared - and correct it either by getting the cheque book out, or some new software feature - e.g. emulation of iOS apps on TvOS would let Prime Video etc be run without a dedicated TvOS app with a slightly worse interface.
Yeah, my 3rd Gen ATV is still doing a great job streaming 1080p content (both locally through my Mac and streaming from the internet) to my projector. The only reason I'm even considering upgrading is because of TVos apps for new channels that have come out that I don't have access to.
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Worse how? I'm running at ATV3 and generally loving it aside from some apps I'd like to try out.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Any new
TV model is going to have newer, faster, better hardware and probably at least a few new software niceties. It's not going to be exactly the same as the 4 except that the one new thing it can do is 4K.There is not a single app on the iOS App Store exclusively for iPhone 8 but Apple is advancing that hardware anyway... and nobody finds any fault for them doing so.
New hardware is generally better, even for those who may have no use yet for the standout feature. Those happy with the "as is"- be that current
TV or iPhone or iPad or Mac- can just keep enjoying what they have.In your case, there's no absolute answer to your question. If you have no use for a 4K version yet, you get your answer by seeing what else a newer version brings and then deciding based on those other features.
However, since you already have a 4K TV, at least your pictures will look sharper and better exploit the TV. Have you shot any 4K yourself? If so, it will be easier to watch, and watch at 4K instead of scaled down to 1080p (throwing out detail) and then scaled back up (making up replacement detail) by your TV. Some apps will take advantage of the added resolution. Podcasts. And some Studios will try to make a buck with some early 4K versions of their content. We saw exactly the same "issue" when Apple finally went 1080p. The day before, there were no rentals, podcasts, apps, etc at 1080p.
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do you never use airplay? remote app from your watch or phone? I use airplay daily. Have my 500+ movie collection being able to stream that way is pretty nice. I have kodi side loaded as well as emulators for nes/snes/genesis games. Appletv's are great imo
I stream from my Mac Mini , I have an Ap that give DLNA. Works well, I was streaming to an Xbox and my TV directly without problems.
Siri on my iPhone has been there for years, however there is still no sign of siri for the ATV (one of the reasons I bought the ATV4) and I have my doubts it will ever be available now, apple is likely to hold it over as a selling point for the ATV5
However, I have bought my last ATV.
Bought 3 Roku Streaming sticks recently to run my newly subscribed Playstation Vue service and I'm ecstatic with the device. It's not unresponsive at all. My Apple TV's are collecting dust since I bought these 3 devices for the price of one f&#king Apple TV.
With the prices of the new MacBook Pros, I never thought I'd see the day where I start shedding Apple products from my household. It's started with my Apple TV's...
Re-read my post... or maybe yours, I am not sure if you mis-read mine, or if you meant ATV4.
[doublepost=1489715655][/doublepost]you can airplay Amazon Prime to your Apple TV. Works well. Amazon has it built in to their Amazon Prime app for iPhone
Finally a decent ATV5 rumor! A new Apple TV primarily needs two things, first 4K, and second HDR. With any luck, it will be announced at a Spring event, but pessimistically we may have to wait until Fall. Just had a 55" Sony XBR900E delivered yesterday and it would be nice to have a source that could provide 4K HDR content hooked up to my entertainment center. I'm currently still using an ATV3 for most of my streaming needs.
Nope, haven't used AirPlay in ages. Google Cast is a far better solution---doesn't require tying up another of my devices.
Only when I couldn't find the Apple/Siri remote. No real advantage either as all of the other boxes I've used or use also offer iPhone applications, even for the Android TV box. Guess what isn't available for use on Android phones? An Apple TV native remote app.
Why are you streaming your movie collection via AirPlay instead of just using the Apple TV itself? I could stream my movie collection stored on my NAS either via the Plex App or the Computers app (via home sharing) on the Apple TV. And I can do the same thing on our Fire TVs or the Nvidia Shield TV.
Yup, you can spend $99 for an Apple developer account and sideload Kodi on the Apple TV using Xcode, or put it on an Android TV box by,
, installing it from the Google Play Store. Hmmmm, decisions, decisions. Snark aside, I'm glad the Apple TV is working out for you. My only point is that, unless you are solely immersed in the Apple ecosystem with tons of iTunes DRM video, the Apple TV offers next to zero advantages over the competition.
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Or I can play it natively on a Shield TV, Fire TV, or Roku, in 4K as well if the content is available at that resolution, without the need for another $650+ device.
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People keep blaming Apple for things they have nothing to do with. I've seen two people in this thread say Apple needs to have 4K versions of their movies. The fact is, there isn't that much 4K content out there. There's approximately 150 4K blu rays available. That's not a lot of movies. Until the studios convert and release their movies in 4K, it's a non issue. Not to mention that most ISPs have data caps now and 4K will burn through your data cap in no time.