My Samsung smart TV has the built in Apple TV App and Netflix etc. It seems to work pretty good. I haven't had a need to turn on my Apple TV in awhile. Has anyone else experienced this themselves? I have been thinking of selling it. I never used it for anything else like gaming or anything. Any reason to keep it?
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Is there still a need for Apple TV device with Smart TV's?
- Thread starter SteelBlueTJ
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We don’t have cable and I love the consistency of everything being in one place. I’ve found with previous smart TVs that the apps either never get updated or are not supported after a couple of years.
Its also great for Apple Fitness, accessing family photos. Friends and family sharing photos when they come round via airplay.
Its also great for Apple Fitness, accessing family photos. Friends and family sharing photos when they come round via airplay.
A smartTV might have good apps when it is first released, but getting updates to those apps will likely be few and far between. Once the smartTV is a few years old, updates might cease entirely.
There are a crap load of threads with this topic.
The debate can basically be summarized as this:
Pros to use a Smart TV over an ATV:
Lower cost, some smart TVs cost less than an ATV
Built-in and convenient
Buttons on TV's remote to activate apps
Cleaner set up, less wires and devices to hook up
Cons for Smart TV:
Lack of long-term support, Apps could stop working or be missing new features over time
Slower than ATV
UI isn't always great
Lack of privacy, many Smart TV OS sell user data without given an chance to opt-out
Pros to having an ATV:
Long term support
In Apple's ecosystem, some apps are available across different Apple devices
Homekit, iCloud, Remote app
Better UI, although this is subjective
Faster HW
Gaming* Due to dropping gaming developer support for tvOS, this is starting to go away as a "pro"
Privacy, Apple is pretty good here
Portability, taking an ATV with you during travel is nice, usually easy to set up in most hotel rooms
Cons
Cost is probably the biggest
Apple doesn't seem to care about tvOS nor the ATV, although this is just my opinion
The remote, the Siri Remote is not widely liked, but the newer remote cannot be used on many gaming apps
Not as clean set up
Higher video settings require a more expensive HDMI cable
Setting up for best picture quality can be a hassle, imo
Bottom line, since gaming isn't a factor for you, I would say that keeping your ATV around is a matter of whether or not you will use it. If you are not using it, then maybe get rid of it while you can get a decent price for it. The Apple TV is basically an overpowered, and overpriced streaming box. So much untapped potential, but pretty much back to being Apple's hobby.
Apple doesn't seem to care much about the Apple TV, and I wouldn't be surprised if Apple discontinues it over the next few years.
The debate can basically be summarized as this:
Pros to use a Smart TV over an ATV:
Lower cost, some smart TVs cost less than an ATV
Built-in and convenient
Buttons on TV's remote to activate apps
Cleaner set up, less wires and devices to hook up
Cons for Smart TV:
Lack of long-term support, Apps could stop working or be missing new features over time
Slower than ATV
UI isn't always great
Lack of privacy, many Smart TV OS sell user data without given an chance to opt-out
Pros to having an ATV:
Long term support
In Apple's ecosystem, some apps are available across different Apple devices
Homekit, iCloud, Remote app
Better UI, although this is subjective
Faster HW
Gaming* Due to dropping gaming developer support for tvOS, this is starting to go away as a "pro"
Privacy, Apple is pretty good here
Portability, taking an ATV with you during travel is nice, usually easy to set up in most hotel rooms
Cons
Cost is probably the biggest
Apple doesn't seem to care about tvOS nor the ATV, although this is just my opinion
The remote, the Siri Remote is not widely liked, but the newer remote cannot be used on many gaming apps
Not as clean set up
Higher video settings require a more expensive HDMI cable
Setting up for best picture quality can be a hassle, imo
Bottom line, since gaming isn't a factor for you, I would say that keeping your ATV around is a matter of whether or not you will use it. If you are not using it, then maybe get rid of it while you can get a decent price for it. The Apple TV is basically an overpowered, and overpriced streaming box. So much untapped potential, but pretty much back to being Apple's hobby.
Apple doesn't seem to care much about the Apple TV, and I wouldn't be surprised if Apple discontinues it over the next few years.
Is it a requirement that the same question is asked every week?
That all depends on your preferences and what you actually use the ATV for.
If you buy movies from the iTunes Store/ATV app then with the smart tv app you don’t get access to any iTunes Extras which may include special features as well as any included Directors Cuts or other alternative cuts of a particular movie.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
AppleTV+ is not AppleTV (hardware). The former is but a single app on the latter. The latter does all kinds of things that the former does not do.
Others above make many great points so I'll add only this: all it takes to rationalize keeping AppleTV is for it to do at least ONE thing you value that you can't do with the TV's apps. If not, then you can sell it and get everything you need with your TV apps. Unless you live alone, be sure no one else in your household likes something it does that the TV apps can't do.
AppleTV hardware has access to many apps. Are there any that you like/use that are not available in the TV app store? In my experience, TV app stores will have the mainstream, mostly video-streaming apps but not too much beyond those. If there is ONE useful app not available on the TV, that might be the rationalization.
Others above make many great points so I'll add only this: all it takes to rationalize keeping AppleTV is for it to do at least ONE thing you value that you can't do with the TV's apps. If not, then you can sell it and get everything you need with your TV apps. Unless you live alone, be sure no one else in your household likes something it does that the TV apps can't do.
AppleTV hardware has access to many apps. Are there any that you like/use that are not available in the TV app store? In my experience, TV app stores will have the mainstream, mostly video-streaming apps but not too much beyond those. If there is ONE useful app not available on the TV, that might be the rationalization.
Unless a moderator makes a few sticky threads of often asked questions, we will be inundated by repetition on various topics. Most search engines these days are as useless as teats on a bore hog, and they tend to focus on ads rather than the questions. So I don't blame people for not wanting to search through a gillion unrelated links provided by search engines.
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If you prefer buying a new TV every couple of years... then yes, dump the AppleTV.
The quandary you are in is that you still watch TV. Most cord cutters do not, so unlike you, they rarely are using the TV's interface at all, just their streaming box. Since you still use the TV portion of your TV, you spend most of your time in the TV's interface... which is why you see it as a solution rather than an annoyance. Stop watching TV on the thing and you will find your streaming device to be the sweet spot.
The quandary you are in is that you still watch TV. Most cord cutters do not, so unlike you, they rarely are using the TV's interface at all, just their streaming box. Since you still use the TV portion of your TV, you spend most of your time in the TV's interface... which is why you see it as a solution rather than an annoyance. Stop watching TV on the thing and you will find your streaming device to be the sweet spot.
Privacy and consistency are easily the biggest pros. Pretty much every smart TV now is sending ludicrous amounts of data back to their servers, as well as displaying ads etc inside their interface. The AppleTV avoids all that (I won't even allow any SmartTV I own to connect to the internet full stop). You'll find support for apps on SmartTVs are also dropped pretty fast, within a couple of years. TV manufacturers have no incentive to keep you happy with your TV because they are losing money on the sales typically, so they want you to upgrade to the latest one with its new and improved adware/spyware.
I love AppleTV, everything in the Apple ecosystem works with it, multiple units can sync across my home, it acts as a Home Hub. I know it seems like Apple aren't interested and people have said they'll drop it any day now since the ATV3 but they're still releasing them. Part of me suspects that Apple knows its the best (increasingly the only) complete smart TV box that is privacy first and offers a great app experience, and that a lot of AppleTV owner/users are likely going to keep using them/buying them until the end of time.
I love AppleTV, everything in the Apple ecosystem works with it, multiple units can sync across my home, it acts as a Home Hub. I know it seems like Apple aren't interested and people have said they'll drop it any day now since the ATV3 but they're still releasing them. Part of me suspects that Apple knows its the best (increasingly the only) complete smart TV box that is privacy first and offers a great app experience, and that a lot of AppleTV owner/users are likely going to keep using them/buying them until the end of time.
BBC iPlayer never worked on my TV, out the blocks it was broken and no fixes seemed to have made its way through. That meant an external device with the app on. Granted probably a minority but still, having a separate source for the usual suspects can pay especially with software update vagaries and then no software updates. The format for UHD/HD remains a constant as far as the life of this TV/ATV/BluRay etc. are concerned.
I know my ATV has a decent throughput for 4k, is the app the same?
I know my ATV has a decent throughput for 4k, is the app the same?
I'd say...if you own an ATV, use it. If you don't, use your smartTV integrated apps. But don't forget, ATV can also stream from your iDevices to your TV too.
I purchased a 4K Sony Bravia earlier this year, with built in HomeKit, AirPlay, and the AppleTV app. I thought "Great! I don't need to hook up my Apple TV anymore!"
One week later I ordered a new Apple TV 4K.
The apps on the smart TV just weren't as responsive. I hated using the traditional TV remote, and actually prefer the Apple TV swipe remote.
I use iCloud Photos and some of the Apple Arcade games on my TV, as well as Apple Fitness, which were all things that didn't work on the smart TV, or at least didn't work in the same way. Yes, I could AirPlay Photos and Fitness, but Fitness doesn't show you your stats during AirPlay.
The one thing the smart TV has over the Apple TV is the Netflix app. The choose your own adventure style titles don't work on the Apple TV, but work fine on any smart TV.
Also, the Android TV interface is just a mess. It's just stuff everywhere, and I didn't like it.
One week later I ordered a new Apple TV 4K.
The apps on the smart TV just weren't as responsive. I hated using the traditional TV remote, and actually prefer the Apple TV swipe remote.
I use iCloud Photos and some of the Apple Arcade games on my TV, as well as Apple Fitness, which were all things that didn't work on the smart TV, or at least didn't work in the same way. Yes, I could AirPlay Photos and Fitness, but Fitness doesn't show you your stats during AirPlay.
The one thing the smart TV has over the Apple TV is the Netflix app. The choose your own adventure style titles don't work on the Apple TV, but work fine on any smart TV.
Also, the Android TV interface is just a mess. It's just stuff everywhere, and I didn't like it.
Not sure if this is facetious advice or what, but switching TV inputs is trivial, and OTA TV is still a huge loophole for watching live programming that would otherwise be unavailable or cost extra.
People use the apps within the smart TV because it is convenient.... if you have a streaming box, it is more convenient to stay within the streaming device than to pop-in and out of it.
Yes, it is trivial to switch remotes, switch inputs, et al... but most people don't actually do it. OTA isn't worth the time for most people. For me, when I cut the cord, I said goodbye to live TV once and for all. Been several years now and I can't say that I have missed it one bit. If you're still tethered to live TV, whether you get to OTA or otherwise, you're still tethered. You haven't cut the cord. Not everyone who say they have cut the cord, truly have done so. Which is why smart TVs exist... for all those people who still want live TV.
I will be glad when Comcast puts the stream app on the Apple Tv soon, No longer have to switch inputs
LOL, maybe someday I'll make it. Until then I'll have to keep living this horrible life "tethered" to the DTV tuner I occasionally switch to on my projector.
I use my ATV to airplay music to my HiFi. Otherwise, my Samsung smart TV does everything that the ATV does, including screen share from IOS / MacOS devices.
Does not have the convenience of folders, does not have Apple Podcasts or the ability to view your own photos. no Apple arcade or fitness if you want those and will not be supported a few years from now like the Appel tv or any box. will. Even the highly overrated Roku junk with its terrible UI is better than any smart TV
I don't have a current Apple TV but I do have an LG 65" TV with WebOS (65NANO75). It has a huge problem - it will not work with videos that have DTS audio, only Dolby Digital (AC3). I don't know if the Apple TV has this limitation, too, but because of this problem, I still use my Mac mini (2012) as my Plex server because a lot of my movies have DTS audio. The downside is the mini can only do 1080p (although the LG upscales it) and there's no chance for more than 5.1 audio, let alone Atmos (or DTS-X if it ever arrives).
I have thought about getting one but the extra cost puts me off. My few year old Samsun has the Apple TV+ app but it's slow, and no airplay. My Xbox series X is faster but the streaming apps don't output 24p so there's judder. If I didn't have the Xbox I'd definitely get an Apple TV.
One item not explicitly mentioned is that ATV can function as a hub for smart home devices (Home app). That's a consideration that can benefit some users, perhaps saving a few $ on a dedicated hub.
AirPlay mirroring/streaming - depends on the TV, of course, since more and more TVs support AirPlay 2.
For me, I like the tie-in with my Apple ecosystem - big-screen access to my Photos library, including using my own photos as screen saver.
AirPlay mirroring/streaming - depends on the TV, of course, since more and more TVs support AirPlay 2.
For me, I like the tie-in with my Apple ecosystem - big-screen access to my Photos library, including using my own photos as screen saver.
Unfortunately Apple doesn't have much to offer in the smart home automation arena. What little they offer and/or support tends to be way overpriced. And Siri is still at moron level while Alexa and other systems are way more advanced. Plus, these days a lot of smart home technology can work via Wi-Fi and thus get around the need for a hub. I love my Macs, iPads, and iPhones, and even my ATV 4K, but when it comes to smart home devices and smart speakers I’m all in with Amazon. They are so far advanced from Apple that it isn't a competition, Apple is in the minor leagues with smart home technology and trying to play against the major league teams, and they are getting their butts kicked big time.
If you plan on continuing for years, i3 are now under 500
