How well do IR remotes work with AppleTV? + pairing mode? + my own content through iTunes?

[Wolfpup]

How well do IR remotes really work with AppleTV? I abhor that included remote...don’t want touch, don’t want a lightning port, don’t want a rechargeable battery, and you can only use one remote.

I’d be relying 100% on an IR remote (since I guess there’s no way to useother Bluetooth remotes?). My understanding is you can’t replicate every function from the included remote, and I’m wondering how practical it is, to fast forward, jump back, etc., whether it’s responsive.

also, does AppleTV stay in Bluetooth (or Wifi) pairing mode 24/7 like at least some older firetv boxes? (Not sure if the new ones do or not). From what I’ve read, it sounds like they do, yet that’s horrifically insecure, and I’d expect better from Apple.

last, you can use your own compatible content on an Apple TV just by sticking it in an iTunes library? I’m actually not sure how to get content from windows to a firetv (without Plex anyway), though Roku supports DLNA, and an Xbox one should be easy too. (Although my Samsung tv supposedly supports DLNA, but is completely unreliable, dies before I can finish a video)

oh, and does apple tv offer to save passwords or anything like that, as iOS does?

I don’t trust giving a Roku or Fire TV my google or Apple credentials...they’re too valuable and I don’t trust either of those companies to do security right, but I would trust Apple with them, so, for example, I could have my video history in YouTube, or of course watch Apple TV+. I don’t like that this hardware is over 2 years old, nor the price, and I’d love the remote control features the firetv cube 2 has both for my Tivo and tv, but I’d really like to have something I’d feel like is doing security right!

 

[priitv8]

Yes, you can use iTunes (now TV and Music apps) to store and serve your own content, provided it is QuickTime compatible (AVC, HEVC, AAC, ALAC, AC-3, E-AC-3, text-based subs and chapters, in MP4 container).
Also, to get local UHD movie show up in tvOS UI, you needto tag it as 1080p, not 4K. It will play in UHD nonetheless.

 

[tdhurst]

You can watch your own stuff via iTunes on Apple TV or use the Plex app.

Curious as to what your security concerns are regarding video content?

 

[Wolfpup]

You can watch your own stuff via iTunes on Apple TV or use the Plex app.

Curious as to what your security concerns are regarding video content?

Not video content, handing over important credentials to untrusted computers. My Disney+ login, meh, okay. My google or Microsoft or Apple accounts? Nooot so excited to do that.

and in terms of leaving pairing mode on 24/7, well, doing especially want a breach point on to my network. Got rid of a first gen fire tv when an update started it doing that. I *think* Roku handles this correctly. Microsoft does for sure with Xbox One, which besides being a great game platform is really their streaming box too. Fire tv...used to be a disaster, and it’s unclear whether it still is or not, I’m reading conflicting stuff. And Apple TV I’d ASSUME would do it right because Apple is normally good at this, yet stuff I’ve read indicates it would have to be in pairing mode all the time, s maybe they’re screwing up.