32GB Apple TV 4K Streaming Media Player (2021)

sdiori

Jul 31, 2022 3:12 PM

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Joined Aug 2016

sdioriJul 31, 2022 3:12 PM

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Quote from SoundsGood

:

I'm wondering the same thing. Or a Chromecast with Google TV device for $49.

Having all three, a few things:

- Clean UI, no ads—consistently smooth
- tvOS tends to have the most recent updates of their third party apps (eg Hulu)
- Ability to use a captive network, like those in hotels (vs Chromecast)
- Dynamic refresh rate (vs Chromecast specifically)

5

2

creedyB

Jul 31, 2022 3:24 PM

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Joined Dec 2019

creedyBJul 31, 2022 3:24 PM

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Just my experience after getting in on the prime day sale:

I bought this thinking it would blow me away with the performance, and that it would be a major improvement over the Google TV w/CC.

What I found was that the OS was snappy, but the apps were lacking. The Netflix app is very strange and janky in my (very brief) experience. The app felt sluggish, and the UI was almost unusable. The YouTube app was the same way, it just felt unpolished (and I know google has mixed incentives on keeping it updated/smooth). When you select a title in these apps, things spin for a second and then Apple's player pops up, loads some more, and then the content plays. Hard to explain unless you experience it yourself I guess

Twitch worked ok, not appreciably better/faster than on GTVwCC. Same with Plex.

Apple TV, of course worked great. That's all the services I use.

All this made it feel like all the power and slick UI of the ATV was a waste. If the apps suck, what's the point? Maybe my expectations are too high or maybe I just use the worst apps. No clue. Wasn't worth it in the end and I returned.

9

1

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thelark

Jul 31, 2022 3:24 PM

1.3K Comments

Joined Apr 2004

thelarkJul 31, 2022 3:24 PM

1.3K Comments

Quote from ArshadK9452

:

The remote might have a built-in airtag equivalent tracker.
No official confirmation on this though.

And the box itself is expected to be based on A14, in which case the price may not be decreased.

So easy for that remote to slip between cushions. I bought a case to put an AirTag in it. Built-in would make sense.

3

davin900

Jul 31, 2022 3:54 PM

920 Comments

Joined Jun 2011

davin900Jul 31, 2022 3:54 PM

920 Comments

Quote from thelark

:

So easy for that remote to slip between cushions. I bought a case to put an AirTag in it. Built-in would make sense.

Yeah the only thing that would make me consider upgrading my current Apple TV is something like AirTag functionality for the remote.

But the last time they changed the remote, you could just buy it separately and use it with the older model. So we'll see.

1

supermanrob

Jul 31, 2022 4:09 PM

13K Comments

Joined Jul 2010

supermanrobJul 31, 2022 4:09 PM

13K Comments

Quote from JollyLanguage1998

:

So how is this so damn expensive compared to my fire stick 4k hd that was ~$30??

Having compared most of them, this offers the best PQ/AQ performance with streaming content.

Having it work with no issues and like most other Apple devices will do so for years is a big plus.

People spend hundreds more to have the best display(I did), paying an extra $90 or so to have the best streaming content was a no brainer to me.

2

SoundsGood

Jul 31, 2022 4:11 PM

635 Comments

Joined Mar 2008

SoundsGoodJul 31, 2022 4:11 PM

635 Comments

Quote from supermanrob

:

Having compared most of them, this offers the best PQ/AQ performance with streaming content.

Having it work with no issues and like most other Apple devices will do so for years is a big plus.

People spend hundreds more to have the best display(I did), paying an extra $90 or so to have the best streaming content was a no brainer to me.

Do you have other Apple products? If so, I totally understand why someone would want this. If not, I'm not so sure.

1

4

Geemoon

Jul 31, 2022 4:50 PM

1 Comments

Joined Jul 2022

GeemoonJul 31, 2022 4:50 PM

1 Comments

Quote from JollyLanguage1998

:

So how is this so damn expensive compared to my fire stick 4k hd that was ~$30??

If you haven't switched I'd recommend it. I was hesitant at first and amazon cube user but the software gets laggy over time, ads on the homepage, etc etc. apples OS is extremely fast, never hiccups and if you have an iPhone/iPad HomeKit integration for additional shortcut commands makes everything easy like pausing, turning on and off your tv easy + Siri

2

yaounit

Jul 31, 2022 5:03 PM

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Joined Dec 2009

yaounitJul 31, 2022 5:03 PM

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Quote from SoundsGood

:

Is this Apple TV device worth the extra cost for people who don't have any other Apple devices?

I've had a fire stick and chromecast with Google TV previously. I've also used the built in Roku on my sister's tv. Hitting the 8 GB storage limit with media apps only and crashing of apps, especially on the chromecast was what drove me to the apple TV. The apple TV provides a smooth reliable experience. The UI is far less cluttered than a fire product and no ads unless you specifically go into an apple app that sells things. Google's UI is not bad but the speed to load it was troublesome.

For reference, I use an Android phone and used to be an Apple hater. Recent product launches like the Apple TV and M1 Air have made me more open to them. Still don't like iPhones though.

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1

RumbleTheBison

Jul 31, 2022 5:06 PM

7.8K Comments

Joined Oct 2008

RumbleTheBisonJul 31, 2022 5:06 PM

7.8K Comments

Quote from SoundsGood

:

Is this Apple TV device worth the extra cost for people who don't have any other Apple devices?

Nah, get a Roku Ultra who also tries to not violate your privacy (though they do have ads)

It's honestly a choice between if you are in the Apple ecosystem or not at that point, with both excelling at its primary functions

3

5

RumbleTheBison

Jul 31, 2022 5:08 PM

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Joined Oct 2008

RumbleTheBisonJul 31, 2022 5:08 PM

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Quote from WiseRaccoon701

:

I bought one on prime day a few weeks ago for the same price and I had to return it, I have a 65" 2020 samsung Qled tv which the the interface is working pretty good but I was curious to see why people keep buying this , and honestly if you already have a smart tv, you don't need this one, it does not add anything new , I had even some issues with some apps in apple tv to get connected to the sound bar which I never experienced with samaung tv ,

My LG experience is so awful that a streaming box was high priority. They didn't even have an ESPN APP!!!

2

supermanrob

Jul 31, 2022 5:11 PM

13K Comments

Joined Jul 2010

supermanrobJul 31, 2022 5:11 PM

13K Comments

Quote from SoundsGood

:

Do you have other Apple products? If so, I totally understand why someone would want this. If not, I'm not so sure.

Yes I do and the only one that's a benefit here for me is AirPods and it works flawlessly with it.

As I mentioned the main reason I choose it was for performance with PQ/AQ.
In prior threads people have posted where you can see that this performs better than the others & why I wanted to find out for myself.

$90 or so seems pretty inexpensive to get the best especially if it will last for years without issue.

1

R3DTR1X

Jul 31, 2022 5:46 PM

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R3DTR1XJul 31, 2022 5:46 PM

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Quote from JollyLanguage1998

:

So how is this so damn expensive compared to my fire stick 4k hd that was ~$30??

Better processor, more storage (32 or 64GB), flawlessly just works within apple ecosystem. Airplay is nearly instant, can connect HomePods for audio, it has some advantages over the others if you are an apple user, that being said, I am an apple user (iPhone, AirPods, iPad, HomePods) and have 2 Apple TV boxes that never get used. I find myself using Nvidia shields and other android tv boxes because I just prefer the interface and ability to side load the occasional app that I can't get through App Store. The ads don't bother me. But I hate HATE Fire TV. I have half a dozen of those in a drawer

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1

SoundsGood

Jul 31, 2022 5:53 PM

635 Comments

Joined Mar 2008

SoundsGoodJul 31, 2022 5:53 PM

635 Comments

Quote from R3DTR1X

:

Better processor, more storage (32 or 64GB), flawlessly just works within apple ecosystem. Airplay is nearly instant, can connect HomePods for audio, it has some advantages over the others if you are an apple user, that being said, I am an apple user (iPhone, AirPods, iPad, HomePods) and have 2 Apple TV boxes that never get used. I find myself using Nvidia shields and other android tv boxes because I just prefer the interface and ability to side load the occasional app that I can't get through App Store. The ads don't bother me. But I hate HATE Fire TV. I have half a dozen of those in a drawer

Thanks for the honest feedback. 👍 Have you personally compared the Nvidia Shield to the Chromecast with Google TV device? If so, how would you say they compare?

32GB Apple TV 4K Streaming Media Player (2021)

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