Shootout: Apple TV 4K "box" vs. Apple TV "App" on a 4K UHD Smart TV

[Mr.Bear]

Hello,

Hmmm. Just wondering which would win this shootout???

> I have the latest & greatest 4K UHD Smart TV and I connect the latest Apple TV 4K box via a top-shelf 4k UHD HDMI cable...

then I compare it to the following:

> I have the SAME latest & greatest 4K UHD Smart TV however instead of a connecting a "box" via HDMI, I simply install the Apple TV "App" right onto the TV...

 

[Audit13]

I have a 2017 LG OLED and noticed that the LG's apps don't support auto frame rate switching like my Apple TV 4k box so the box wins for me.

DV appears slightly darker on the Apple TV box than it does on my LG.

 

[HDFan]

There were some posts a while back, last years models I think, about the Samsung app. Bottom line was the Apple TV was much better. Multiple threads have discussed how the TV apps rapidly become dated as they may not be updated as quickly as the Apple TV. You also don't have to buy a new TV, just replace the Apple TV, to get the latest features.

 

[immac]

I wish they'd just release the damn new one already....Im sitting on the fence and the AppleTv is about the last apple device I DON’T own....
I plan on getting a LARGE 4K in the next year or whenever HDMI 2.1 becomes ubiquitous and dont want to buy the current ver ATV.... without 2.1

 

[waw74]

DV appears slightly darker on the Apple TV box than it does on my LG.

My LG is a couple years old, but all inputs have their own setting, so it's possible the brightness is just turned down for that input vs what it uses for onboard apps.

not only does it remember which preset you were using per input.
There's a different version of each preset per input

 

[Audit13]

My LG is a couple years old, but all inputs have their own setting, so it's possible the brightness is just turned down for that input vs what it uses for onboard apps.

not only does it remember which preset you were using per input.
There's a different version of each preset per input

I know there is a different setting for each setting but my TV was calibrated and didn't want to play around too much with the settings. When playing a DV movie, there aren't many settings available. Adjusting the contrast or brightness too much causes blacks in some movies to look more grey.

When playing a HDR movie/show, there are more settings available under the Technicolor Exper settings vs Cinema Home User for DV.

 

[The Phazer]

Honestly I haven't even turned my Apple TV 4K on in quite a while. The native apps on my Sony are just as good and I don't have to mess around with the Apple TV's awful remote or switching HDMI.