Who else is tired of waiting for a much better Apple TV? A remote that can be found...

[yegon]

I’m still using the 3rd Gen Apple TV & slowly apps like Crave & YouTube are discontinuing their function on this & older models.

To be expected as the 3rd gen is around 9 yrs old, which is rather old in technology.

You can still Airplay them to the unit if you have iPhone or iPad, which is ok but a pain sometimes.

I will upgrade to nothing but Apple TV but the big question is: when to pull the trigger...?! Now or continue to wait on the hope they will release something new...?!

For those that have new Apple TV units, how is the Airplay function, specifically when streaming music? I find it sometimes is very spotty and that’s being just 10 ft from the unit using an iPhone 11.

Definitely wait.

Funny I say that though, I bought mine quite late in 2019 and was reluctant even then fearing an imminent update 😂

Off topic, but I bought the Apple Thunderbolt Display DEEP into its life. Again, I feared an imminent update...and it came about 5 years later and £4K over my budget!

 

[Tesla1856]

For those that have new Apple TV units, how is the Airplay function, specifically when streaming music? I find it sometimes is very spotty and that’s being just 10 ft from the unit using an iPhone 11.

AirPlay seems to work fine for me.

However, pretty sure it uses WiFi, of which your WiFi Router is access-point for both. In my case, the Apple-TV-4 is wired ethernet.

Additionally, with so many native Apps and abilities, you can usually play media and music from the Apple-TV itself without the need for AirPlay.

 

[Beerstalker]

I’m still using the 3rd Gen Apple TV & slowly apps like Crave & YouTube are discontinuing their function on this & older models.

To be expected as the 3rd gen is around 9 yrs old, which is rather old in technology.

You can still Airplay them to the unit if you have iPhone or iPad, which is ok but a pain sometimes.

I will upgrade to nothing but Apple TV but the big question is: when to pull the trigger...?! Now or continue to wait on the hope they will release something new...?!

For those that have new Apple TV units, how is the Airplay function, specifically when streaming music? I find it sometimes is very spotty and that’s being just 10 ft from the unit using an iPhone 11.

Do you have more than one Television? If so maybe buy one AppleTV4K now and use it in the location where you watch TV the most. Amazon has it on sale right now in the US for $30 off, not sure about where you are.

When/if a new model comes out you can move the AppleTV 4K to the lesser used location and buy the new model for the more frequently used location.

This is pretty much what I have done. Originally I had Apple TV 3rd gens, which got updated to 4th gens, and the 3rd gens got moved to lesser used locations. Then once I bought 4K TVs I updated to the Apple TV 4K and moved the old 4th gen units to replace the 3rd gen ones. I then gifted my 3rd gens to my parents and mother-in-law.

When a new model is released I will probably replace the 4K models with the new ones, move the 4K models to the locations that have 4th gen now, give the 4th gens to my parents and mother-in-law, and sell or recycle the 3rd gens.

 

[HDFan]

We are sooo tired of our Apple TVs locking up and freezing or just not working right! Also the remote leaves a lot to be desired! it is way too easy to lose and too hard to find!!!

These problems could be due to a lot of things which aren't an AppleTV problem as such. The remote is rather controversial though.

it’s easy to lose in the couch cushions

if you grab it and don’t look it’s easy to grab it upside down and then you try swiping on the glass bottom instead

I put mine in bright colored cases with a tether. Very rarely lose them now, and the tether tells you which side is up in the dark.

No Touch surface and Siri microphones.

The touch surface has its issues, but there is no remote that will allow you to virtually instantaneously fast forward to a specific spot near the end of a long movie, then scroll back to a specific frame. The microphone is great when you enter in search terms or passwords in apps. I would hate to lose either feature. I use two remotes, a Harmony and the AppleTV remote based upon what I'm doing.

 

[trigf]

That is far from ideal

Maybe far from ideal for you. For myself and my family, Siri on the Apple TV is not a highly used feature, so no need to project your problems on our usage of the product.

 

[JoeShades]

Maybe far from ideal for you. For myself and my family, Siri on the Apple TV is not a highly used feature, so no need to project your problems on our usage of the product.

It is far from ideal, if i feel the need to project my problems I will, i really don't care if that bothers you

 

[BaggieBoy]

I almost never touch the Apple remote, I have a Logitech Hub and use the Logitech app on my iPad Pro.

 

[SuperMatt]

We are sooo tired of our Apple TVs locking up and freezing or just not working right! Also the remote leaves a lot to be desired! it is way too easy to lose and too hard to find!!! Is android, Amazon fire and Roku all better now, other than not having access to iTunes photos and podcasts?
Thank you.

Too busy watching and enjoying my Apple TV 4K... never crashes on me. I don’t mind the remote, and like that I can recharge it with an iPhone cable.

 

[LeeW]

Actually just had another ATV delivered today, 3 now. All work great, no issues with the remote. I think I am pretty demanding when it comes to paying Apple markup for things. No issues with these.

 

[redpandadev]

I think the speeld, reliability, and interface of Apple TV is so vastly superior to any alternative that I have seen that I'd never consider anything else. I honestly don't see a need for upgraded hardware, unless it's for gaming (which I don't do). There are certainly some software upgrades I'd like to see.

 

[hagjohn]

4K device is fine for my needs (no gaming) but yes, the remote just sucks.

 

[SuperMatt]

Here‘s a possible replacement for the Apple TV remote:

I Think We Can All Agree That a Hacked Apple-Themed Game Boy Is the Best Apple TV Remote

There’s no discourse more toxic in the tech community than opinions on Apple’s attempts to redesign the TV remote. There are those that love the latest

gizmodo.com

 

[jicon]

So, I've used an old mac mini for my TV watching... FibeTV for cable has an app on phone, tablet, and AppleTV, alternatively can just use a web browser. Awkward on the TV, because... the mac mini only has 2GB of RAM, a slow HDD, and odd flyups asking for user input in MacOS. Need to get up, get the keyboard or mouse... move that mouse to a certain part of the screen so the navigation remains hidden... if using a wireless mouse or keyboard, I'm often asking-do the batteries still work? Finally said forget it, and I've ordered a 32GB 4K Apple TV, which I'll get eventually... I want something I can stream content to more readily and easily than AirServe My wife may take advantage of that for yoga workouts she does via video stream on her phone...

The remote seems to be the biggest pain reported, but how's people's experiences with the remote that comes with every iPhone, in the quick actions menu? No one seems to talk about it. Is it a lack of knowledge it exists, or is it just an even worse experience?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

So, are we guessing that a new Apple TV is being released in spring, or do we have to wait until September/October when they usually are released?

Recently got a 4K TV, so I would like to upgrade my ATV4, but knowing a new one is supposedly around the corner, I will wait it out. My mom also wants to try out an ATV, but I figure she can get my old one when I finally upgrade - Which is hopefully soon.

 

[jeffreco]

We are sooo tired of our Apple TVs locking up and freezing or just not working right! Also the remote leaves a lot to be desired! it is way too easy to lose and too hard to find!!! Is android, Amazon fire and Roku all better now, other than not having access to iTunes photos and podcasts?
Thank you.

I work at a school with more than 120 Apple TV's on our network. Problems with freezing and or locking up are few and far between. They are in constant use for Airplay and Youtube especially. As for the remote, we have found the remote app to be pretty useful, and personally, I'm using a Logitech Harmony remote at home to control all other connected components as well as the Apple TV. I use a Roku TV, own an Nvidia Shield, and have used and set up Firestick for family. The UI for Apple TV is better than pretty much anything else out there IMO.

 

[spacemnspiff]

I love the skip feature, but it doesn't always work well. Anecdotally, it works better in some apps than others, which makes me think it's a software problem with how each app is written.

I agree, I think it's more of an app implementation issue, works the best in the TV+ app and Netflix, slightly less perfectly in Prime & Hulu. It work's great for Airplay and Youtube as well.

 

[trigf]

It is far from ideal, if i feel the need to project my problems I will, i really don't care if that bothers you

Grow up.

 

[Blair Paulsen]

IMO, the ATV4K is weak sauce. Most crucially, it lacks HDMI 2.1 support.

FWIW, here are a few wish list items:
Offer a USB-C port to add local storage.
A premium model that features a camera/depth sensor system like the newer iPhones to support everything from Zoom to movement tracking for games/fitness.
Add a second HDMI port (could be v2.0a to cut costs) to support a second display or an audio only feed. This way you can route the HDMI 2.1 directly to the display and still use your existing AV receiver for audio - and potentially input selection.
NOTE: A quality AV receiver can last a decade or more, but many of them cannot switch HDMI 2 video signals - let alone 2.1 - as they were built in the HDMI 1.4 era (or even earlier!). There are several ways to work around this issue even if there's only one HDMI spigot, but none of them elegant.

Offer more than one style of remote.
Support HLG.

 

[Tesla1856]

IMO, the ATV4K is weak sauce. Most crucially, it lacks HDMI 2.1 support.

FWIW, here are a few wish list items:
Offer a USB-C port to add local storage.
A premium model that features a camera/depth sensor system like the newer iPhones to support everything from Zoom to movement tracking for games/fitness.
Add a second HDMI port (could be v2.0a to cut costs) to support a second display or an audio only feed. This way you can route the HDMI 2.1 directly to the display and still use your existing AV receiver for audio - and potentially input selection.
NOTE: A quality AV receiver can last a decade or more, but many of them cannot switch HDMI 2 video signals - let alone 2.1 - as they were built in the HDMI 1.4 era (or even earlier!). There are several ways to work around this issue even if there's only one HDMI spigot, but none of them elegant.

Offer more than one style of remote.
Support HLG.

Not a bad list.

However, while this sounds helpful:

Add a second HDMI port (could be v2.0a to cut costs) to support a second display or an audio only feed.

I think you really want this done at the AVR itself so that you can use second display with components other than just the Apple-TV.

Normally, you do this with a HDMI-Splitter (cloner box) when your old AVR doesn't support it natively (that's the way I do it).

Also, I use an audio extractor device on Apple-TV output to extract audio for AVR's Zone-2. Just some ideas.

 

[Blair Paulsen]

Audio extractors for 18gps HDMI 2.0 are certainly an option. Have not yet seen HDMI audio extractors that work with 48gb/s HDMI 2.1. IAC, my point was that most decent AVRs are expensive and, unless you bought it in the last few months, very unlikely to support 48gb/s signals via HDMI 2.1. In some installations there are also issues with cable length, signal loss, sync, HDCP compliance and latency when routing HDMI through an AVR.

To take advantage of the greater bandwidth of HDMI 2.1, you will need to throw down for a late model display that can support higher frame rates, more color bit depth, etc. If your budget allows, you can also get a 2021 model AVR that supports HDMI 2.1 and Bob's Your Uncle. For me, and I'm guessing many others, I'd like to keep using my current AVR for years to come.

Hopefully someone will bring a 48gb/s HDMI 2.1 compliant matrix switcher/splitter to market that can be slaved to the AVR to avoid having to use yet another remote to switch the video source.

 

[Tesla1856]

1. To take advantage of the greater bandwidth of HDMI 2.1, you will need to throw down for a late model display that can support higher frame rates, more color bit depth, etc. If your budget allows, you can also get a 2021 model AVR that supports HDMI 2.1 and Bob's Your Uncle. For me, and I'm guessing many others, I'd like to keep using my current AVR for years to come.

2. Hopefully someone will bring a 48gb/s HDMI 2.1 compliant matrix switcher/splitter to market that can be slaved to the AVR to avoid having to use yet another remote to switch the video source.

1. I "hear ya". It's just that I see Apple-TV as more of an end-point or just another output device on the system (not a controller like the AVR). It's getting more capable on every release, but I just don't see it as being my only "content generating device".

My application is having a plasma/LCD TV for day-time and the Projector for mostly night-time and movies (all in the main Home Theater).

I figure when I get a 4K TV or Projector, everything needs to upgraded to support those higher-bandwidth signals (including the AVR). It will be pricey (likely a nice Denon) but at least I've been able to hold-out until now (nursing along to old Onkyo).

2. Yeah, good idea. But all we need is Harmony Elite support and switching will be transparent.

Image: I suppose I need to edit this wallpaper. Now-days, XBMC is Kodi, all speakers are Polk Audio, and I should probably add a badge for the Apple-TV.

 

[Blair Paulsen]

Did a bit of research and discovered that the first wave of AVRs from the usual suspects have been plagued with issues linked to the HDMI 2.1 chipsets sourced from Panasonic. Ugh. There is some evidence that instead of supporting a full 48gb/s, they may be limited to 32 or 40. At the moment, only recently released Sony/MS game consoles and some graphics cards are able to feed data >32gb/s.
Disclaimer: I have not tested the relevant h/w personally, above notes are curated from several online sources. YMMV,

IAC, its possible that Apple was planning to use a Panny chipset that failed QC and finding an alternative supplier is delaying the release of a new AppleTV. To be clear, this is speculation only. All circumstantial.

 

[dba415]

Just get the NVIDIA Shield and don't look back, it's just way better. Apple TV is a waste of money

 

[HDFan]

Hopefully someone will bring a 48gb/s HDMI 2.1 compliant matrix switcher/splitter to market

There is some evidence that instead of supporting a full 48gb/s, they may be limited to 32 or 40.

48 Gbps is needed when you have 12 bit color. No such consumer panel exists today. 40 Gbps is the current limit, and the reason the new Denon and Marantz receivers only support 40 Gbps on their HDMI 2.1 port.



at 5:48

 

[jairopena]

Just get the NVIDIA Shield and don't look back, it's just way better. Apple TV is a waste of money

I have both and use the Shield only because it has audio bitstream (UI at 1080p is awful) but sometimes I think I’m “losing” picture quality and switch back to the ATV. As I’ve read 4K PQ should be the same across all apps from these two devices so I think I’m going to stop the nonsense and use the Shield unless the new ATV bring bitstream back.

Another thing I’m looking forward is Quick Media Switching which HDMI 2.1 could bring and it would be a game changer as we wouldn’t have blank screens no more.

Quick Media Switching (QMS)

QMS eliminates bonks by using the VRR mechanism to change frame rates, allowing rapid, smooth changes from a nominal 60Hz rate to any media rate below it (down to 24Hz). HDMI 2.1b

www.hdmi.org