seems like more and more people have been asking for it. Hopefully the new ones at least give us that. Or at least allow third party apps to offer it like infuse.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Why do I need Apple TV??? (and the horrible remote)
- Thread starter LarryJoe33
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
it should work with passthrough. you might have to select something in the audio settings. I haven't heard a sound bar Atmos some people seem to like the higher end ones. Going from 5.1 for 10 years to Atmos is like a whole new experience for me. It really brings up the audio a lot. As big as 5.1 was for me. Enough for me to upgrade my bedrooms receiver and add more speakers to have it in there too.
Thanks, yeah I think if I really want to experience it I am going to have to go to a reciever and set up some individual channels, none of which will happen. High end home theatre audio just isn't appreciated by most of the household (read: Women) who do nothing but complain it's too loud.
I really like Infuse, I’ve been using it going back to the aTV Flash days, it’s got a very like interface and very robust support
Depends on who they are really. Most woman don’t like huge ugly speakers. There are a lot that actually can appreciate how they look if you do it right.
I had to instal a system at my brothers all in ceiling speakers because he has kids. You don’t see anything. Receiver behind a cabinet. Open back with fans inside. He loves it and his kid loves it. You can go that route and keep it all hidden in ceiling and be blown away with what you’ll get. There’s also plenty of great in wall left center right speakers.
Oh yeah, there are so many options and yes, my girlfriend hates big bulky speakers almost as much as a thumping sub. My ex-wife never appreciated the sound and separation either, so maybe I’m stereotyping or maybe I need to find a new girlfriend
. But I think my 7.1 home theater days are over with huge left and right channels flanking the screen. In wall and ceiling speakers aren’t in the cards for my great room. Cathedral super high ceilings don’t lend themselves to acoustics. Hardwood floors too. I’ve been impressed with many soundbars. I’m just too cheap to invest in them. I wish they had wireless rear channels that didn’t require a box for the speakers to be wired to.
B&W used to make a XT4 set of speakers that had a better "Wife Acceptance Factor". I've a 5.1 setup from the XT4 era...
Still love it although the XT4's are a PITA to power (they need a lot of oomph in the amp).
Where I bought them, the demo room had Lyngdorf amps, so I found out rather late the enormous requirements on amps they have.
If I were to redo it all in a new house: I'd go for in-wall and in-ceiling instead. The ceiling now is 30 degrees sloped so no atmos for me regardless of what I try here short of a major remodel of the entire house.
As to the AppleTV on a smart TV: think long term: the Apple TV gets regular updates. The TV makers tend to forget updating their stuff as soon as there's a next year's model. So, you'll be stuck with an OS that gets older and becomes ever more of a risk to continue to use to reach out to the Internet at large.
No idea how long Samsung update the Andriod in their TVs, but on their phones ... and e.g. webOS form LG: it's miserable when it comes to updates after a single year already.
Soundbar: our LG OLED77G7 essentially has a built-in ATMOS soundbar: I've tried it, but it's nothing compared to our 5.1 setup, even on ATMOS content. Might be due to our weird ceiling that it cannot bounce off of properly. The receiver "downsampling" it to 5.1 works tons better in our case.
Still love it although the XT4's are a PITA to power (they need a lot of oomph in the amp).
Where I bought them, the demo room had Lyngdorf amps, so I found out rather late the enormous requirements on amps they have.
If I were to redo it all in a new house: I'd go for in-wall and in-ceiling instead. The ceiling now is 30 degrees sloped so no atmos for me regardless of what I try here short of a major remodel of the entire house.
As to the AppleTV on a smart TV: think long term: the Apple TV gets regular updates. The TV makers tend to forget updating their stuff as soon as there's a next year's model. So, you'll be stuck with an OS that gets older and becomes ever more of a risk to continue to use to reach out to the Internet at large.
No idea how long Samsung update the Andriod in their TVs, but on their phones ... and e.g. webOS form LG: it's miserable when it comes to updates after a single year already.
Soundbar: our LG OLED77G7 essentially has a built-in ATMOS soundbar: I've tried it, but it's nothing compared to our 5.1 setup, even on ATMOS content. Might be due to our weird ceiling that it cannot bounce off of properly. The receiver "downsampling" it to 5.1 works tons better in our case.
Last edited:
My wife has spoken up! 
She wants the ATV4K plugged to your new TV.
We have tried Android TV for two months on our Sony XH95. Overall Android TV is very good but not as stable and polished as Apple TV.
This is what we dislike about Android TV.
- iPlayer crashes three times yesterday.
- Youtube refuses to load this morning.
- Yesterday streaming quality on the TV was low.
- No multi tasking or resume across all app. With ATV, I love that I can open any app and pick up where I left off.
To sum up my trial of Android TV I would say that you don't need an ATV.
However ATV is a very nice nice to have with a very low cost per use if you consider the number of hours in a year that you would use it. Furthermore it's transferable to any TV or monitor.
She wants the ATV4K plugged to your new TV.
We have tried Android TV for two months on our Sony XH95. Overall Android TV is very good but not as stable and polished as Apple TV.
This is what we dislike about Android TV.
- iPlayer crashes three times yesterday.
- Youtube refuses to load this morning.
- Yesterday streaming quality on the TV was low.
- No multi tasking or resume across all app. With ATV, I love that I can open any app and pick up where I left off.
To sum up my trial of Android TV I would say that you don't need an ATV.
However ATV is a very nice nice to have with a very low cost per use if you consider the number of hours in a year that you would use it. Furthermore it's transferable to any TV or monitor.
What would be the difference between that one and games payable on the current ATV?Also, if not previously mentioned there are rumours of a newArcade-focused model coming that will add more value.
I have no ads on my Samsung TV at all.
There are only a few niche apps that are on the Samsung TV (like fitness apps) and some games.
But I would say that a Xbox is a much better buy over an Apple TV in the first place.
I've had just about every version of the AppleTV produced. Currently running a couple of AppleTV 4Ks. The remote is pretty annoying. You can use the old silver remote if you wish or a third party remote. I mostly just struggle with the touchy remote.
I got to tell you, The Samsung Frame is VERY female friendly. I got nothing but heartburn from her about wanting a 75" TV for the space as she thought it was going to be too big (like there is such a thing with TV's). I could actually fit the 85", it's between two windows and 85" would almost abut the window trim. I did agree that a TV that is supposed to look like a framed picture should show some wall around it. She was the first one to say the 75" Frame really looked good in the space. I know for a fact a traditional wall mount 75"er would have looked bad.My wife has spoken up!
She wants the ATV4K plugged to your new TV.
We have tried Android TV for two months on our Sony XH95. Overall Android TV is very good but not as stable and polished as Apple TV.
This is what we dislike about Android TV.
- iPlayer crashes three times yesterday.
- Youtube refuses to load this morning.
- Yesterday streaming quality on the TV was low.
- No multi tasking or resume across all app. With ATV, I love that I can open any app and pick up where I left off.
To sum up my trial of Android TV I would say that you don't need an ATV.
However ATV is a very nice nice to have with a very low cost per use if you consider the number of hours in a year that you would use it. Furthermore it's transferable to any TV or monitor.
The only think useful about the new remote is Siri search and unfortunately none of the alternative options has it. So it still reluctantly gets used in my house.
Have had most of the atvs, and have extensively used them. I think the services are great and love the way that little tangents have been added like the way you can control the ATV with your tv remote, HomePod theatre audio (if you have homepods), ATV remote control from the iPhone Etc. It’s interesting to see how many features have been adopted by rival devices; google tv even looks very like the ATV menu.
But the ATV app is available on newer TVs, and largely make the box redundant. I think this app could get even better, and fulfils most of the important functions of the ATV. I don’t know what a new ATV could even offer, but there’s nothing compelling about a slightly faster processor or gaming services (for me anyway). If the app could be better integrated into third party TVs, so that I can still use homepods as a sound bar, I think there is some mileage left in it as a service. I’ve got airplay 2, HomeKit and ATV+ on my Sony, I believe some tvs (LG?)also have Apple Music. Siri could also be added (maybe) and support for multiple users in software, but because of the way homepods work hardware would needed to use them with the tv (maybe there potential for a relatively cheap device to airplay to the homepods). For me, a new ATV would need to offer a lot more function to make itself worthwhile and the way things are atm with the world the less devices using power the better.
But the ATV app is available on newer TVs, and largely make the box redundant. I think this app could get even better, and fulfils most of the important functions of the ATV. I don’t know what a new ATV could even offer, but there’s nothing compelling about a slightly faster processor or gaming services (for me anyway). If the app could be better integrated into third party TVs, so that I can still use homepods as a sound bar, I think there is some mileage left in it as a service. I’ve got airplay 2, HomeKit and ATV+ on my Sony, I believe some tvs (LG?)also have Apple Music. Siri could also be added (maybe) and support for multiple users in software, but because of the way homepods work hardware would needed to use them with the tv (maybe there potential for a relatively cheap device to airplay to the homepods). For me, a new ATV would need to offer a lot more function to make itself worthwhile and the way things are atm with the world the less devices using power the better.
Well said. For reference, I do have the Music app on my Samsung, so maybe it's Samsung you are thinking of. I honestly have not used my ATV at all since I got the TV in early December. The kids use it because that's what they know. I have only fired it up for testing and curiosity with regard to the TV apps vs. the ATV apps. It's just easier using the TV. I guess when I do look for an old movie or show, I will fire up the ATV and do a multi-app search via Siri assuming it's not on Netflix.
I will always be an Apple homer, so I probably would drink whatever cool-aid they push with the 'new AppleTV" whatever that is and when.
If there ever comes a time when iTunes Extras appear on the third party devices then yeah possibly that could spell the end for an actual ATV.
So far currently I must have access to those Extras which include those directors/extended cuts for some movies.
The other thing that keeps me using the ATV is the use of the Movies and TV shows apps as for the movies you can go direct to the title menu rather than just instantly playing the movie and for the TV shows for some reason the ATV app(even on an Apple TV) can play episodes in a different order.
Sometimes it works in favour and other times it doesn’t.
For example: Thunderbirds is listed in the wrong order via the iTunes Store/TV Shows app but plays in the correct order via the ATV app.
Batman The Animated Series, plays in a random order via the ATV app which is no good for those double episodes but play in the correct order via the TV Shows app.
So far currently I must have access to those Extras which include those directors/extended cuts for some movies.
The other thing that keeps me using the ATV is the use of the Movies and TV shows apps as for the movies you can go direct to the title menu rather than just instantly playing the movie and for the TV shows for some reason the ATV app(even on an Apple TV) can play episodes in a different order.
Sometimes it works in favour and other times it doesn’t.
For example: Thunderbirds is listed in the wrong order via the iTunes Store/TV Shows app but plays in the correct order via the ATV app.
Batman The Animated Series, plays in a random order via the ATV app which is no good for those double episodes but play in the correct order via the TV Shows app.
My tv has a terribly slow and awful UI. No Bluetooth support. No HomeKit. No Family sharing. No ability to fine tune resolution or upscaling content. Internet connection is not as stable on the tv. Have you ever had to buy a new TV and set it up with all the usernames and passwords? Using some crappy and slow keyboard to select one letter at a time is a huge time waster. You must not have younger kids either. One soft toy throw at the TV and you’re starting your setup all over again. I love the ability to to control my tv from another room or use Siri to search for stuff and then select what app I want to watch it from. Only needing to set up one ATV and having all the others, even when I upgrade to a newer model, is already set up. You complained about needing to find the Siri remote to turn on the TV, switch inputs, etc. but if you have anither device you can use the remote app and problem solved. Profiles. Each member of my family has a profile so I don’t have to sort through anyone’s tv shows to get to the one I was watching. Easier to select the audio options within a show and see video info. I don’t use the arcade stuff because their games are the literal embodiment of a steaming pile of dog crap but some people are into that. Integration with all my stuff. The ability to take it with me to watch UFC at a friends house because not everyone has subscriptions to all apps and I don’t want to host everything all the time. App selection is by far more expansive and unified. The more important to me is the support. I switched to Apple years ago for the iPhone because I got sick and tired of buying stuff and then being screwed over when the thing didn’t work right. I cannot tell you how many times I have called Apple Support and had them teach me how to do something (much like your audio issue. They can resolve it for you and you don’t need AppleCare). If the thing has an issue with the software you have somewhere to report it and they can replace it for you (TV‘s do this as well but my recent experience was a joke; replacement tv had to be sent back because the shippers damaged it and the tv company didn’t believe me.) If you cannot find a use for the apple tv that’s really on you. It’s more than simple device that collects video and audio apps. Let us all know in 3-5 years how that tv is meeting your needs. I am betting honeymoon will be over in a few more months.