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glad i dumped appletv

I only use Apple TV to stream my iTunes purchases to my home cinema. For this it is perfect.

I don't use the Apple TV remote because I control all my home cinema equipment from my iPhone using Roomie Remote.
 
I had/have 2012 ATV I had to get rid of it because it just won't keep WiFi now for whatever reason. I have looked into it and trouble shot to the best of my ability, which is pretty competent. I would have bought the upcoming ATV, however my needs are current and so we bought a ROKU 2. I have to say it is much faster, snappier to load, less issue and I can stream from my iMac using PLEX so no biggie on air play which tended to get punted off quite frequently. The menu displays for shows aren't as nice as the ATV. But it is fast and efficient.
 
There is no doubt that the Apple ecosystem (iDevices with AppleTV) just works better even in it's current form if you have Apple products. You can Airplay your iPhone, iPad, MacIntosh to your AppleTV or do mirroring (I do this daily and never had any issues with Airplay).

For Android users things like Amazon FireTV and NVidia Shield are their best answers, but the people here are Mac users.

The new Apple TV, or whatever it'll be called, will match the features of the next gen boxes that just came out and extend your Apple ecosystem far beyond the other set top boxes. Plus the ease of use and the huge apps development will eclipse all other competition. Apple TV for me works fantastic without customizing some add-ons from another set top box maker to get a few extra capabilities that will come under the next Apple TV anyway.

With the console-like games development and quality support coming from Amazon and NVidia, I'd expect Roku to be the bigger loser in sales against those two and against the new Apple TV. Currently Roku 3 has less features, power and less available games. Roku has the largest marketshare now at 34%, but it is in a poor position with less strategic resources compared to Amazon and Apple.
 
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thepixelpusher said:
There is no doubt that the Apple ecosystem (iDevices with AppleTV) just works better even in it's current form. You can Airplay your iPhone, iPad, MacIntosh to your AppleTV or do mirroring (I do this daily and never had any issues with Airplay).

For Android users things like Amazon FireTV and NVidia Shield are their best answers, but the people here are Mac users.

The new Apple TV, or whatever it'll be called, will match the features of the next gen boxes that just came out and extend your Apple ecosystem far beyond the other set top boxes. Plus the ease of use and the huge apps development will eclipse all other competition. Apple TV for me works fantastic without customizing some add-ons from another set top box maker to get a few extra capabilities that will come under the next Apple TV anyway.

With the console-like games development and quality support coming from Amazon and NVidia, I'd expect Roku to be the bigger loser in sales against those two and against the new Apple TV. Currently Roku 2 has less features, power and less available games. Roku has the largest marketshare now at 34%, but it is in a poor position with less strategic resources compared to Amazon and Apple.
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I'll await Apple's next ATV to pass judgement. What I can say is the present ATV is nothing more than a front end to Appe's rental/buy store. As I have stated often, it was like Kodak's Instamatic cameras that were designed to get people to buy Kodak film (126 cartridges). For now, NVidia Share TV vastly bests the ATV so let's see how the next ATV does before, as I said, before passing judgement.
 
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I agree the current Apple TV needs more than a next step up. The rumors are that it's a big difference…and it better be.

I think Nvidia specs will beat the next Apple TV, but that might not tell the whole picture. Apple usually optimizes the heck out of their own iOS code and devkit developed apps to get much better performance out of a lower processor. Not slamming the Nvidia Shield which looks great and will be a nice addition for anyone. The Apple TV will likely be almost on par, but not quite, with the NVidia for gaming performance, plus end up with a ton of apps and integration across devices to make a complete ecosystem with Apple devices and home control.

I think voice control, which Amazon FireTV has and maybe the new Apple TV too, will be the thing people really love. Instant gratification over slow typing. And the motion controlled Wii-like remote for the new Apple TV will be popular too.

If the new Apple remote looked anything like this, it would kill the competition.
apple5.jpg
 
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thepixelpusher said:
For Android users things like Amazon FireTV and NVidia Shield are their best answers, but the people here are Mac users.
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Largely yes. But ever since iOS became hugely popular I feel there are a lot of people on here who don't have a Mac but may have one or two iOS devices. So for a significant number of members, the Pros of not enclosing yourself entirely within the Apple ecosystem become relevant to these discussions as well.
 
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maxsix said:
You've made your point, bashing Amazon's product makes you feel good.



Personally I celebrate choices in the market place.

I have ATV and Fire... they're both quite nice and do what they were designed to do very well.

I'm a dedicated Apple AND Amazon customer and couldn't be happier :D

Viva Le Choice!
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You couldn't be happier? Must be nice to have reached the peak of happiness with a couple of video streaming devices.
 
aced411 said:
If that was the remote I would fly to Cupertino and TP Tim Cook's house. I can't stand the aluminum remote. It's slippery and ergonomically challenged.
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We just use iPod touches with the Harmony Hubs. It's flawless. Plus I can get emails from it and air drop to various speakers around the house.
 
aced411 said:
If that was the remote I would fly to Cupertino and TP Tim Cook's house. I can't stand the aluminum remote. It's slippery and ergonomically challenged.
Click to expand...

I love the aluminum remote. It's so light and sits so comfortably in my hand. It's buttons are perfectly tactile and large enough to feel for without looking but small enough to not get in the way. I also love how simple it is. No extra buttons at all.

I really really hope the new remote isn't all touch-based or huge.

Though, I wouldn't mind if they made the remote BT with a mic and an audio-out like on the Roku.
 
thepixelpusher said:
Snoop I'd love to see a thread describing your setup an how you use it.
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1. Buy a harmony hub.
2. Download the app.
3. Go.

Works over wifi. The harmony hub is just a wifi enabled IR emitter/blaster.

Whats really slick is with the little ones the wife and I can run out of steam after we get them down. We leave the TV on or something and don't want to go back downstairs. Pick up any apple device, select the up and shut it all down. Has to be in the network, but man it's nice. Going for a jog/walk/bike, grab an iPod. Best part is I don't go looking at the phone all the time.

Hub is about $100 on amazon.
 
How effing effing dare you drop the Apple TV! Please hand over your Apple membership card, and your NFL Gamepass is hereby revoked!
 
It's nice to have a review of Amazon's device, thanks – it's interesting to see what other companies are doing while this whole thing is still seemingly in its infancy.

For me, the AppleTV is mostly about viewing iTunes content on my main screen, as well as, occasionally using the main screen as a Mac monitor using AirPlay. I occasionally use Netflix and iTunes movie rentals, and it does all of that spectacularly, so I think I'm just wanting something other than what Amazon and others are providing.
 
thepixelpusher said:
The new Apple TV, or whatever it'll be called, will match the features of the next gen boxes that just came out and extend your Apple ecosystem far beyond the other set top boxes.
Click to expand...

This is why I still hold a bit of hope out for 4K. Next week can't come fast enough.

Starfia said:
It's nice to have a review of Amazon's device, thanks – it's interesting to see what other companies are doing while this whole thing is still seemingly in its infancy.

For me, the AppleTV is mostly about viewing iTunes content on my main screen, as well as, occasionally using the main screen as a Mac monitor using AirPlay. I occasionally use Netflix and iTunes movie rentals, and it does all of that spectacularly, so I think I'm just wanting something other than what Amazon and others are providing.
Click to expand...


All about the smaller TVs in the house. 4K might make it viable for the projector. Right now it's horrid. Bit rate just isn't there yet.
 
*Tunnels through 7 VPNs and watches with Chinese audio and Engrish subtitles for the deaf* Sigh.
 
If you haven't cut the cord, the best device is the chromecast. I can just watch regular cable tv, while browsing movies or shows on my phone, pick something to watch, and voila, it appears on the tv. No need to change the input, and no need to reach for an extra remote. Honestly comparing the chromecast and the Amazon fire tv, the chromecast is much better for its ease of use.
 
The Roku LT at just $15 more than the Chromecast is better in many ways. The Chromecast is just too underpowered.

I'm betting that Google will release a bigger device with more features and power than the Chromecast (bigger price too). They'll have to to stay relevant to the growing market of devices that bring the house under control along with deep features of entertainment.

Honestly, I think Apple TV getting the Sports channels will be a tipping point to it's adoption. I know of people keeping cable only for sports programming.
 
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