Thinking of getting a 4K Apple TV

[Pezimak]

Hi, I am after others opinions. I currently have a 2019 Shield TV Tube. I don't play emulators on it or any other games, it's just used for streaming.
Recently it received an update that means Google now place adverts at the top of the Home Screen which I don't approve off, and I don't want to use another launcher on it either.

I got my mother a new Apple TV 4K for her birthday this weekend and am very impressed with it. It's faster and more fluid and setup is a doddle using my iPhone. The interface is brilliant and I love how fast it is loading apps and streaming content.

So I was thinking of selling my Shield TV and getting a new 4K Apple TV for myself, I have a 4K Sony OLED TV. What are the main differences between the two devices? I live in the U.K.
I use Apple TV Plus, Netlix, Prime Video, Disney Plus and Discovery Plus (which I noticed was missing from Apple TV App Store). You Tube. BBC iPlayer, More 5 for the F1 sometimes.

Is it a good move to make?

 

[Casey Royals]

It’s an overpriced little black box that is probably the best solution available these days.

If the apps you want are in the Sony App Store for your TV you could probably do without it.

The only reason I bought the latest model was because MLB.TV don’t make an app for LG TVs. I would have chosen a Samsung TV otherwise.

 

[400]

Only have the one box (1st 4K version) but it does 4k really well. I started buying iTunes films at the price drops and many get the bump up from HD to 4k if the studios allow. On an OLED my self as well and the Disney app delivers a good 4k rate for the picture as well, caveat is you have the pipe for a good 4k delivery. But if it were not for the 4K films and iTunes price drops I might not be using it.

iPlayer is hobbled on the Mk1 4k, HLG being the issue I think so no BBC 4k on the Mk1. No idea for the Mk2 you are thinking of. But HDR 10 is fine through the box.

I use my Virgin box or Panny player for the BBC iPlayer UHD feeds, I think they top out above Apple and BT rates for delivery and one of the best streamed I have seen, the HD content is fine. I hope they have it (UHD) working on the new ATV but Apple not mentioned on the BBC UHD trials site?

Is Netflix still pegged at 15mb/s? Never happy with their 4k delivery, on what ever device I used. Dropped them some time ago. But ran OK on mine when I subscribed, picture quality was the same across all devices (TV app, player app, ATV app etc). Nothing to write home about.

 

[SkiHound2]

I know nothing at all about the Shield. We've had and still have Rokus. I bought the newest model ATV to give it a go and see how it compared. I wanted to be able to use it with airpods pros, seamlessly display images from Photos, and interface seamlessly with Music. I try to avoid Google and Amazon devices as much as possible. They all track you but I feel Apple is more secure and less sinister. The devices are more expensive but they don't target you with adds much. If you're watching add supported programing that's one thing, just getting adds on the device, not so much. I don't do any gaming. I like the interface better than Roku, I think it's a smoother and possibly (faster) experience. It works well with my airpods and certainly works smoothly in the Apple environment. That said, in terms of streaming functionality the Rokus we've had work really well. For streaming, one of the Roku devices is almost certainly a better value. As a prior poster noted, the ATV is overpriced, but it does work well. And has more value for someone embedded in the Apple ecosystem.

 

[cynics]

Amazon on the ATV can be frustrating. I think HDR worked once for me.

Not sure if I could say its better than the shield.

Things it does well, it can act as a Home Hub for automation. With AirPlay 2 speakers you can integrate that in somehow. It compliments the iPhone with automatic remote with keyboard for typing, airplay, various calibration features, for video and audio (need faceid for audio). Its very well supported by Apple. I believe the NEW ATV does HDR on YouTube? (dont quote me).

Not saying the shield doesn't do a lot of cool stuff though, never used one.

 

[Dave 123]

The Apple TV 4K latest gen is amazing with my LG C1 OLED. Dolby Vision is amazing and you can leave it on all the time and the ATV upscales and does tone mapping beautifully. It works with my dual HomePods (original) for great sound.

ATV still doesn’t do HLG so only SDR 720p on BBC (send feedback). The iPlayer app on the LG does 4k HDR and looks stunning. But I tend to stay away from the LG remote and horrid UI and stick with the lovely ATV system.