Thinking of switching from ATV4 to Fire Stick

[lightmyway]

The new 4th gen Apple TV has been my first - was previously using Chromecast. I love having a dedicated remote, but have been very, very disappointed with software bugs. This morning I had no audio until I reset the ATV. Tonight it "hung up" on a screen and took about 20 seconds to un-freeze. Yesterday the Hulu app gave me an error that wouldn't go away without resetting the ATV. More than 1.0 product, this seems like a Beta.

Amazon's Fire Stick with Voice Remote is $35 today. I'm thinking of buying that and selling the ATV4 for about what I paid for it. I am a big Apple fan (I have the Watch, iPhone, Mac, iPad...), but these bugs are driving me crazy and I feel like a fool for spending $150.

Did any of you switch from an Fire Stick to Apple TV? Is there anything I'll miss? I have a Prime account.

 

[T5BRICK]

I've been having the audio issue lately as well. I sent feedback to Apple.

 

[zhenya]

Why not return it and use an ATV3 until the new platform is more mature?

 

[aneftp]

$25 for Amazon stick or $35 for one with voice remote. Frankly voice remote sucks. Save urself $10 and pay $25 at Best Buy and staples etc.

The stick is a better value. Can side load kodi

Wait for Apple TV 4 apps to mature.

 

[Mac... nificent]

Yesterday the Hulu app gave me an error that wouldn't go away without resetting the ATV.

That is an app error, not a Apple TV error. You should contact Hulu.

Is there anything I'll miss?

When searching for movies or TV shows, the results will consistently point to where the title is available from Amazon, and it will miss that it's also on Hulu, HBO Go, Netflix and other streaming apps.

You won't be able to wireless stream your other Apple devices to your TV.

The home screen menu and movie titles are displayed in rows. This means only a few titles can be seen at one time.

No manufacture has the perfect device yet, but I feel that Apple will be the first to get everything right, and have the best device in the end.

 

[aneftp]

That is an app error, not a Apple TV error. You should contact Hulu.


When searching for movies or TV shows, the results will consistently point to where the title is available from Amazon, and it will miss that it's also on Hulu, HBO Go, Netflix and other streaming apps.

You won't be able to wireless stream your other Apple devices to your TV.

The home screen menu and movie titles are displayed in rows. This means only a few titles can be seen at one time.

No manufacture has the perfect device yet, but I feel that Apple will be the first to get everything right, and have the best device in the end.

I own the Amazon stick, Amazon Fire tv 2015 edition, own Apple TV 1-4. Own minix top of the line android box neo x8h plus s812 ($160).

The Amazon Fire stick is the biggest bang for the buck if u just want to do basic streaming while also allowing u to access kodi as a bonus. $25-35 for the Amazon stick vs $150 for Apple TV.

If u are Amazon prime member it's a no brainier if u have basic needs. One disadvantage of the stick is mirror casting is flaky. U can mirror cast from iPad you tube app easily. Other apps don't play as nice.

But YouTube is a major iOS app my kids can mirror cast to the Amazon Fire stick and play their videos.

 

[benjitek]

I'm thinking of buying that and selling the ATV4 for about what I paid for it...

Good luck with that, it's not like they're sold out with a lucrative eBay resale market -- why not just return it?

Thinking of switching from ATV4 to Fire Stick...

Amazon has user forums full of people posting similar statements about ditching their FireTV Sticks -- maybe stop by and read up.

 

[Mac... nificent]

If u are Amazon prime member it's a no brainier if u have basic needs.

I am a Amazon Prime member but I don't have basic needs. In the end, you get what you pay for.

Amazon has user forums full of people posting similar statements about ditching their FireTV Sticks -- maybe stop by and read up.

Exactly! The grass is always greener on the other side

 

[xraydoc]

The TV 4 has a ton of bugs. The TV 3 is a very solid device. Consider that for the meantime.

 

[aneftp]

I am a Amazon Prime member but I don't have basic needs. In the end, you get what you pay for.


Exactly! The grass is always greener on the other side

We aren't talking about your needs. Since you already admited you don't have basic needs.

Look all these streaming boxes are a dime a dozen these days. The content available is roughly the same (movie rentals, HBO go/now, watch ESPN, watch Disney, etc).

Apple and to a certain level Amazon with their Fire TV (not stick) try to also advertise it as a gaming device as well.

So what exactly is Apple offering? Besides AirPlay (competitors have miracasting).

Yes. I will give credit to Apple for having the better interface.

You say go to the Amazon message boards and see all the complaints. Same can be said about Apple TV4 on macrumors. Many people say save your money and stick with Apple TV 3.

Point being is don't overspend money. If you got the Apple TV 4 for target 25% off/Or similar HH Greg deal earlier this week. Than fine. But that shows you Apple faces stiff competition.

The masses aren't going to pony up $150/200 easily for Apple TV4. I am always early adopter and got 160gb Apple tv1 for $329. But Apple didn't hit the sweet spot until they lower price with Apple TV 2 and $99. That's the psychological barrier for these streaming devices.

Roku has maintain the under $99 until roku 4. I would like to see some numbers how well they are selling.