With how good smart TVs are now, why keep my Apple TV?

[priitv8]

Your arguments all revolve around one concept: Saving money.
That's not something I am concerned with.

Not exactly. But I am about being reasonable. I am also not for creating useless waste. Replacing a TV of 65+" size every year sounds as a lot of waste to my ears. Why would I do that?
Also, at a price point of north $4000 it again sounds not justified. I can keep the screen, which was released in 2016 but is still top-notch in 2019 (even sony was not able to surpass it with their E and F models) and enjoy the high quality moving pictures with premium HDR quality. I really don't mind replacing a $200 box behind it every now and then. In case of appleTV it definitely does not need to be every year. More like 2..3 years.

I want myself and my family to have the easiest experience possible when deciding at a moment's notice to switch content from cable TV to streaming TV. One remote. With traditional buttons. One HDMI source with internal switching. At present that means I will always have a current Sony TV that has built-in smart features that allow us to get to Netflix, Prime, HBO Go, etc. very quickly.

For me, that goes already today so, without much issues using the TV remote. Navigating the tvOS UI is also second nature because everyone of us is accustomed to using an iPhone or iPad.

A year or two from now it sounds like I will be able to use a Sony TV running Android to get to an Apple TV or iTunes Media app and at that time I will again consider utilizing movie rentals and TV show purchases as I used to with the standalone Apple TV puck. But for now, it's just easier to use the built-in Google Play app for that content. Same price, better experience.

Again, for me, the weakest point in building this strategy is Sony and its support for Android TV. We will see how it will go.
Most firmware updates they've distributed lately have actually removed features. Gracenote was the one to go in March update for bluray players. To see discontinued things in latest AndroidTV update, just check here.
So, time will tell how the Apple services will fly on Sony Bravia. Lets see.

 

[MasterControlOp]

I know it’s all subjective, but I thought I’d share me experience real quick before I head out the door.

I’ve been using and loving apple tvs since the Apple TV 3. It’s been the centerpiece of my living room and I’ve had a lot of good times with it. There’s nothing better than going on a trip with my family and taking a bunch of pictures and videos and coming home and reliving those moments by air playing those to my tv. And the way Apple TV just made renting movies so much easier than going to Redbox and buying movies that I can watch anywhere has been just plain awesome. Love that I can start a movie on my Apple TV and continue on my iPhone later on.

But now smart TVs have gotten so good, I can’t really recommend people buy apple TVs anymore. Back in the day when TVs were nothing more than displays that did nothing else, sure. But last year I got an lg TV and wow. The web os interface is so much nicer than apple’s and their virtual assistant understands me even better than siri! How can siri, something that a trillion dollar touts as one of their biggest features, be so bad at even the most basic stuff?

Now I moved that lg tv to the bedroom and bought a new Samsung and the difference between smart tv and Apple TV is even greater. The apps load quicker. The interface is much less cluttered, the assistant understands me better, it hooks directly into my home stuff, the picture quality is better when I watch through tv’s Netflix and YouTube vs apple’s, the remote is much much easier to use. And now I’m told Samsung will be getting an update in the spring where I’ll have iTunes and AirPlay. Two of the biggest reasons I had an Apple TV.

So I wonder at this point if there’s anyone else that feels like me and sees it as a bit redundant having a box plugged into my tv that does what my tv already does.

I was just posting that I think smart TVs are the way to go. Even the new Apple TV + will have an app on smart TVs. One less thing to break, plug in, collect dust, remote to lose.

 

[AZhappyjack]

I know it’s all subjective, but I thought I’d share me experience real quick before I head out the door.

I’ve been using and loving apple tvs since the Apple TV 3. It’s been the centerpiece of my living room and I’ve had a lot of good times with it. There’s nothing better than going on a trip with my family and taking a bunch of pictures and videos and coming home and reliving those moments by air playing those to my tv. And the way Apple TV just made renting movies so much easier than going to Redbox and buying movies that I can watch anywhere has been just plain awesome. Love that I can start a movie on my Apple TV and continue on my iPhone later on.

But now smart TVs have gotten so good, I can’t really recommend people buy apple TVs anymore. Back in the day when TVs were nothing more than displays that did nothing else, sure. But last year I got an lg TV and wow. The web os interface is so much nicer than apple’s and their virtual assistant understands me even better than siri! How can siri, something that a trillion dollar touts as one of their biggest features, be so bad at even the most basic stuff?

Now I moved that lg tv to the bedroom and bought a new Samsung and the difference between smart tv and Apple TV is even greater. The apps load quicker. The interface is much less cluttered, the assistant understands me better, it hooks directly into my home stuff, the picture quality is better when I watch through tv’s Netflix and YouTube vs apple’s, the remote is much much easier to use. And now I’m told Samsung will be getting an update in the spring where I’ll have iTunes and AirPlay. Two of the biggest reasons I had an Apple TV.

So I wonder at this point if there’s anyone else that feels like me and sees it as a bit redundant having a box plugged into my tv that does what my tv already does.

Portability and security/privacy issues are worth the effort with the AppleTV... plus, I already own a v4 (4K) AppleTV, so there's no added expense at this time.

 

[danny842003]

Personally i prefer the UI, I find the apps are better and more reliable on tvOS. Also I like the Apple remote integration, I can put all my remotes in a draw and just use my TV.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

Portability and security/privacy issues are worth the effort with the AppleTV... plus, I already own a v4 (4K) AppleTV, so there's no added expense at this time.

ABSOLUTELY!!! Your Apple I.D. in the wrong hands can lock or wipe the contents of your Mac/iPad/iPhone and create more damage. Are people seriously so blo**y stupid or ignorant as to trust this on a cheap Android TV playtform that is permanently connected to the internet or a poor quality Samsung platform? Your Apple I.D. holds everything in your Apple Ecosystem and digital life. Sharing this outside of that secure ecosystem is insanity!

The Apple TV has an incredibly long life ahead of it. No other platform offers such a polished, elegant and reliable experience.
Sadly, when users Android TVs apps crash with the Apple TV app, every film is played in 60fps with judder, menus are slow etc it will probably be Apple that is blamed!
[doublepost=1553948545][/doublepost]

Not exactly. But I am about being reasonable. I am also not for creating useless waste. Replacing a TV of 65+" size every year sounds as a lot of waste to my ears. Why would I do that?
Also, at a price point of north $4000 it again sounds not justified. I can keep the screen, which was released in 2016 but is still top-notch in 2019 (even sony was not able to surpass it with their E and F models) and enjoy the high quality moving pictures with premium HDR quality. I really don't mind replacing a $200 box behind it every now and then. In case of appleTV it definitely does not need to be every year. More like 2..3 years.
For me, that goes already today so, without much issues using the TV remote. Navigating the tvOS UI is also second nature because everyone of us is accustomed to using an iPhone or iPad.
Again, for me, the weakest point in building this strategy is Sony and its support for Android TV. We will see how it will go.
Most firmware updates they've distributed lately have actually removed features. Gracenote was the one to go in March update for bluray players. To see discontinued things in latest AndroidTV update, just check here.
So, time will tell how the Apple services will fly on Sony Bravia. Lets see.

Respect to you Prilitv8. I agree 100% with everything that you have written here.

 

[aneftp]

My top of the line 2015 Samsung js9500 series with all the bells and whistles including 4K hdr (which at the time was very rare) and Samsung “one connect” “upgradable 8 core kit.

Well Samsung decided in early 2017 they wouldn’t offer an upgrade kit ($400) one connect to improve the motherboard even more. Cause they rather have people spend more money on a new tv. Even for high end tv. Since this tv had almost every future proof feature in 2015. They wanted people like me to buy another $4000-6000 tv.

It’s still a fantastic tv well ahead of its time.

But I use my Apple TV 4K and amazon fire tv 2nd gen box rather than the smart apps. The Apple TV and amazon fire tv get more updates and more flexible.

My 2011 Samsung D8000 high end series smart tv features were always laggy. Even in 2011. I use Apple TV 4K with that tv also.

My 2018 lg has webos. It’s still
Not as good as stand a lone.

 

[GreginNJ]

My top of the line 2015 Samsung js9500 series with all the bells and whistles including 4K hdr (which at the time was very rare) and Samsung “one connect” “upgradable 8 core kit.

Well Samsung decided in early 2017 they wouldn’t offer an upgrade kit ($400) one connect to improve the motherboard even more. Cause they rather have people spend more money on a new tv. Even for high end tv. Since this tv had almost every future proof feature in 2015. They wanted people like me to buy another $4000-6000 tv.

It’s still a fantastic tv well ahead of its time.

But I use my Apple TV 4K and amazon fire tv 2nd gen box rather than the smart apps. The Apple TV and amazon fire tv get more updates and more flexible.

My 2011 Samsung D8000 high end series smart tv features were always laggy. Even in 2011. I use Apple TV 4K with that tv also.

My 2018 lg has webos. It’s still
Not as good as stand a lone.

I have a 2010 C8000. Since I have the Apple TV I didn't use the smart apps on the Samsung that often, but it seemed like every time I launched InterneTV or whatever they call it, the first couple minutes would be spent auto-deleting apps. Right now, the only apps I have that I still can use are Hulu and Netflix, if I remember correctly.

 

[JasonHB]

I guess a lot of this depends on your system.

I have a pretty decent set up and I can say with absolute certainty that the audio on my Apple TV 4K is miles better than the audio out on the TV. There is no comparison and coupled together with the fact that the ATV supports Dolby Atmos and with my iTunes library for movies, it’s a total non argument.

It wouldn’t matter which TV I bought, I’d still use my ATV every time.

Jason

 

[theOmega]

I think the Apple TV is worth alone for the amazing screensavers .

 

[Ghost31]

I think the Apple TV is worth alone for the amazing screensavers .

My Samsung tv has a feature with more advanced screensavers that show real time weather, news, the time and it’ll even scan the room to make the colors on tv blend into the wall. Apple TV should do something like that

 

[2010mini]

Two reasons:

Software and security Updates on a regular basis.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

This article sums up the terrible state of smart TVs. Samsung, scanning & malware...
https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1560774562

 

[seek3r]

My Samsung tv has a feature with more advanced screensavers that show real time weather, news, the time and it’ll even scan the room to make the colors on tv blend into the wall. Apple TV should do something like that

Somehow that doesnt sound appealing, I really dont want a samsung smart tv scanning my room. Hell, samsung already got into trouble for recording people's conversations using smart TVs....

 

[Sedulous]

Most smart TVs sell your viewing data and probably have poorly developed security for something sitting on the network all day every day. I refuse to connect my TV to the network and run AppleTV instead.

 

[M115CLE]

- Siri open DirectTV Now and switch to the local news in the morning
- even better automate it so that it happens when my alarm goes off and the lights come on
- automatically show the front-door camera [picture in picture view] when the doorbell rings

This is absolute gold mate, this is exactly where Apple Inc need to be putting their focus, features like what you mentioned is what’s going to sell more ATV’s not multi-user support.

Let’s be honest, with the current software updates, that I definitely welcome for sure, those updates aren’t going to take someone who is sitting on the fence down to their Apple store to purchase.

 

[seek3r]

This is absolute gold mate, this is exactly where Apple Inc need to be putting their focus, features like what you mentioned is what’s going to sell more ATV’s not multi-user support.

Let’s be honest, with the current software updates, that I definitely welcome for sure, those updates aren’t going to take someone who is sitting on the fence down to their Apple store to purchase.

You may be surprised, multi-user support is going to be great for my wife and I, and it helped drive a decision for me to pick up a second AppleTV for our office/den

That said, I don't think it's either/or and the automation would be awesome too

 

[Osamede]

I know it’s all subjective, but I thought I’d share me experience real quick before I head out the door.

I’ve been using and loving apple tvs since the Apple TV 3. It’s been the centerpiece of my living room and I’ve had a lot of good times with it. There’s nothing better than going on a trip with my family and taking a bunch of pictures and videos and coming home and reliving those moments by air playing those to my tv. And the way Apple TV just made renting movies so much easier than going to Redbox and buying movies that I can watch anywhere has been just plain awesome. Love that I can start a movie on my Apple TV and continue on my iPhone later on.

But now smart TVs have gotten so good, I can’t really recommend people buy apple TVs anymore. Back in the day when TVs were nothing more than displays that did nothing else, sure. But last year I got an lg TV and wow. The web os interface is so much nicer than apple’s and their virtual assistant understands me even better than siri! How can siri, something that a trillion dollar touts as one of their biggest features, be so bad at even the most basic stuff?

Now I moved that lg tv to the bedroom and bought a new Samsung and the difference between smart tv and Apple TV is even greater. The apps load quicker. The interface is much less cluttered, the assistant understands me better, it hooks directly into my home stuff, the picture quality is better when I watch through tv’s Netflix and YouTube vs apple’s, the remote is much much easier to use. And now I’m told Samsung will be getting an update in the spring where I’ll have iTunes and AirPlay. Two of the biggest reasons I had an Apple TV.

So I wonder at this point if there’s anyone else that feels like me and sees it as a bit redundant having a box plugged into my tv that does what my tv already does.

Your TV can last 10 or 20 years and deliver top quality performance as a display device in that time. “Smart TV” consumer appliance functionality is shortlived and poorly supported. As such it’s basically practically and environmentally irresponsible to add such functionality to display devices. Planned obsolescence. Why participate in it?

 

[Ghost31]

Your TV can last 10 or 20 years and deliver top quality performance as a display device in that time. “Smart TV” consumer appliance functionality is shortlived and poorly supported. As such it’s basically practically and environmentally irresponsible to add such functionality to display devices. Planned obsolescence. Why participate in it?

Beats me. But I’ve got a smart tv from a decade ago in my bedroom that works just fine today. So idk about this planned obsolescence that I’m supposed to be experiencing. I do know I had to buy an Apple TV 4 because my Apple TV 3 wouldn’t support the App Store and newer functionality. So hmm

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

Beats me. But I’ve got a smart tv from a decade ago in my bedroom that works just fine today. So idk about this planned obsolescence that I’m supposed to be experiencing. I do know I had to buy an Apple TV 4 because my Apple TV 3 wouldn’t support the App Store and newer functionality. So hmm

It's pretty clear that the Apple TV is not for you and that's absolutely fine. Simply move on, watch your Smart TV occasionally and enjoy your life. It's not necessary to debate it especially as many people like myself find the Apple TV to be a perfect device for our Apple products and apps. But it's only a TV. Get the most out of your life and get out there! In reality, the world would be a far far better place without TV!

 

[Ghost31]

It's pretty clear that the Apple TV is not for you and that's absolutely fine. Simply move on, watch your Smart TV occasionally and enjoy your life. It's not necessary to debate it especially as many people like myself find the Apple TV to be a perfect device for our Apple products and apps. But it's only a TV. Get the most out of your life and get out there! In reality, the world would be a far far better place without TV!

I...did move on lol I’m not here debating this until I’m blue in the face. I’m just causally chit chatting. No big deal

 

[Osamede]

Beats me. But I’ve got a smart tv from a decade ago in my bedroom that works just fine today. So idk about this planned obsolescence that I’m supposed to be experiencing. I do know I had to buy an Apple TV 4 because my Apple TV 3 wouldn’t support the App Store and newer functionality. So hmm

There is no “smart” TV that won’t be a security risk long before its lifespan as a display is over. TV display is much better as a dumb endpoint.

 

[Ghost31]

There is no “smart” TV that won’t be a security risk long before its lifespan as a display is over. TV display is much better as a dumb endpoint.

I’m reading a really good book right now called “future crimes” by Marc Goodman. He’s former law enforcement and special crimes investigator that deals in technology related crimes. Basically, if you think by just not using smart TVs you are safe, you are living in an illusion. There are so many ways people are stealing your information just from your iOS devices/ websites you visit, social media you use, this very website that it’s futile to think you are safe. You should really give it a read.

Your information is already so incredibly exposed, I wouldn’t worry too much about the security implications of simply using a smart tv

 

[mpainesyd]

As long as the ATV retains the Computers app it is useful for using a Mac as a media server. I have large movie, tv and music libraries, including iTunes purchases that are best played through an Atv to my projector. i prefer to not stream from the internet all the time.

 

[satcomer]

I’m of the feeling Smart TVs are ok at first but six months after and the TV are old or stop being updated! However TV boxes updated apps for year!

 

[mrex]

Do you honestly feel safe trusting a cheap crappy TV with your Apple ID and Password??? The very same Apple ID that has all of your contacts, browsing history, messages, photos of your family, video, credit card details, billing address, purchases???

I certainly would not.

why would you give your appleId and password for the android os?