Apple TV - Worth it?

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cambsno

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Keep getting tempted to get Apple TV but worried it will just be an expensive ipad!!

Have Sky so taken care of on the TV channel side, not sure it will add anyting my TV viewing pleasure! The main reason seems to be for the apps (games) on TV. Sold the Wii as we didn't use it much but the kids do play quite a few ipad games - crossy road, Fifa, Star Wars and the like. Kids are 8 and 6 so no need for a full on PS or Xbox yet!

Wife may want Netflix but any other benefits?
 
we have it, all i use it for is steaming my ipad to the TV so for me its fine but I appreciate that it has limited appeal really
 
I like my apple tv and use that as the only device. I have sky internet, but for the rest I just use Now TV and Netflix. Not really a gamer person, I did download a couple of racing games to have a play - certainly seems very slick but I'm probably not the best to ask for gameing! Overally, I like it though, very easy to watch something downloaded on my MacBook on here etc
 
I use it for streaming from my iPad and for Netflix, I have an older version so can't use apps but thinking of getting a new one.
 
NDevon said:
I use it for streaming from my iPad and for Netflix, I have an older version so can't use apps but thinking of getting a new one.
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Go fot it, they regularly come up on ebay and can get a good deal; I got mine a few months ago for about 80 for the 32GB
 
LCS said:
Go fot it, they regularly come up on ebay and can get a good deal; I got mine a few months ago for about 80 for the 32GB
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Wow didn't think they'd be on sale yet, that's worth a look then. They don't get handled much and doubt there is much to go wrong so it's worth a go
 
Big hype about nothing IMHO. the only thing I use it for is occasionally watching YouTube from my iPad on the TV. The smart TV has Netflix stc built in and the TV upstairs we use a cheaper and better roku box.
 
I have the older version and find it very useful, as others say, for streaming from iPad or iPhone.
 
It just a bloody expensive chrome cast for apple.

Over priced and lacks functionality in the UK
 
If you're only using it for streaming from an iAnything then wouldn't a chromecast make more sense? Way cheaper anyway.

You could always put an apple sticker on it :)
 
Think it's help me decide it's not worth it. Aside from the games/apps can't see what other use it will get.
 
Ballyman said:
If you're only using it for streaming from an iAnything then wouldn't a chromecast make more sense? Way cheaper anyway.

You could always put an apple sticker on it :)
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Not sure if you are replying to me but I bought my ATV refurbished and quite a few years ago when there were few alternative that worked with iThings without any fuss ;-)
 
I have a atv3 I use it for Netflix but now thinking of using it for now tv and getting rid of sky. The version 4 is better as you can down load apps too
 
wave01 said:
I have a atv3 I use it for Netflix but now thinking of using it for now tv and getting rid of sky. The version 4 is better as you can down load apps too
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Do it, you won’t regret it. I only have an HD 1080 40 TV, and use Now TV. Quality is fine, and I don’t even pay the 6.99 for the sky channels as its incl. in my vodafone plan! I think peeps should total up what they pay for sky tv a year,, and then think about it again! Think what can be bought for that!
 
LCS said:
Do it, you won’t regret it. I only have an HD 1080 40 TV, and use Now TV. Quality is fine, and I don’t even pay the 6.99 for the sky channels as its incl. in my vodafone plan! I think peeps should total up what they pay for sky tv a year,, and then think about it again! Think what can be bought for that!
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I looked at Now TV, for me it was a non-starter because max quality is 760p.
 
Ricardodaforce said:
I looked at Now TV, for me it was a non-starter because max quality is 760p.
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That is a fair point actually, Netflix does seem a LOT sharper. Surprised sky haven't done it in HD yet. I'd still argue it's very much watchable though, even at 720p
 
LCS said:
That is a fair point actually, Netflix does seem a LOT sharper. Surprised sky haven't done it in HD yet. I'd still argue it's very much watchable though, even at 720p
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Maybe Sky want to keep an image quality gap between Now TV and Sky Q to reduce the amount of people cancelling their contract. Who knows!
 
Nowtv is only 30fps well. fine for films but weak for sports
 
frod said:
Nowtv is only 30fps well. fine for films but weak for sports
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Hopefully when 4K broadcasting be asked totally the norm (the way HD is now) now tv will up it to a good standard 1080p. Touch wood!
 
Are we allowed to talk about Kodi on here?

I had an ATV 3 and for me I didn't get the point unless I could jailbreak it. Nice interface but for what?

I ended top buying an Aspire Revo r3610 mini computer, loading up OpenElec & Kodi (it was XBMC back then) and I get to stream whatever I want........
 
Angelboy said:
Are we allowed to talk about Kodi on here?

I had an ATV 3 and for me I didn't get the point unless I could jailbreak it. Nice interface but for what?

I ended top buying an Aspire Revo r3610 mini computer, loading up OpenElec & Kodi (it was XBMC back then) and I get to stream whatever I want........
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Do you mean stuff that you should be paying for, without paying?
 
Ricardodaforce said:
Do you mean stuff that you should be paying for, without paying?
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Not really, no, but they's plenty of worldwide content available plus you can configure the system with more options that you can with Apple TV because the Kodi software is open source so programmers all around the world are contributing to it. I just like the idea that a bunch of people have got together for no profit to provide an interface that other companies are charging mega bucks for.
 
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Angelboy said:
Not really, no, but they's plenty of worldwide content available plus you can configure the system with more options that you can with Apple TV because the Kodi software is open source so programmers all around the world are contributing to it. I just like the idea that a bunch of people have got together for no profit to provide an interface that other companies are charging mega bucks for.
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There is nothing new about it, it has been going for many years. To me there is only one obvious attraction to it and that it what Richardodaforce already questioned. I couldn't stand it back in the day, and happily paid for Microsoft MCE as an alternative, and I can't stand it today. To me I can see its appeal if you like to stream from dodgy sources or have no idea how good the alternatives actually can be.

I have 3 AppleTV's in the house. All my local movie collection that I bought streams to them, as does our music, and when required airplay directly from a phone, tablet or laptop as well. I like how reliable it is, and works together and can stream my local DVD, BluRay connection of discs that I bought. Sure the AppleTVs are connectors for the TV's, my other devices can connect to the same iTunes server serving this as well so there is great synergy and ease of connectivity throughout our property.
 
Ricardodaforce said:
Do you mean stuff that you should be paying for, without paying?
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Kodi is just an opensource media player.

It can be used to play content sourced from multiple places.

I have a Kodi box in the bedroom which is used to stream live TV so I don't have to faff around running an aerial in.
Nothing illegal about that as I have a TV license.

I have some music on a hard drive which I can play via the Kodi box, bought that legally also.
 
I've had ATV2, ATV3 and now have an ATV4. I actually watch things on it more than regular TV. Mostly YouTube, iPlayer, Netflix and Redbull TV. I also use it for casual gaming, the OP mentioned Crossy Road, I find that much better on the TV than the iPad, especially as you can have multiplayer. My friend's kids loved it!

The main annoyance for me is that ITV, C5 and 5 haven't released their catchup TV apps for it yet.
 
Love Apple gear and used Apple TV until it blew in a lightning strike earlier this year. Bought Amazon fire stick at half the price as we just needed to use Netflix, Iplayer etc on the bedroom tv. Didn't really use the ATV unit fir much else. Firestick works great.
 
There is an obvious and relevant use for Apple TV, showing off photos! Assuming you use the Photos app it is an effective way to share your albums when the folks/friends come over. Or just to leave on in the background when playing music through it.
 
Which a less than £30 streaming stick such as Chromecast or a Roku can also do.... I'm not saying the Apple TV isn't good, but it has no standout feature at the moment, for me at least..
 
Neilc28 said:
Which a less than £30 streaming stick such as Chromecast or a Roku can also do.... I'm not saying the Apple TV isn't good, but it has no standout feature at the moment, for me at least..
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Not with my iPhone ;)
 
Selsdon_PJS said:
There is an obvious and relevant use for Apple TV, showing off photos! Assuming you use the Photos app it is an effective way to share your albums when the folks/friends come over. Or just to leave on in the background when playing music through it.
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There is a Lightroom app too.
 
The 4th gen also acts as a hub for Apple HomeKit to remotely control smart home things if you are that way inclined.
 
Selsdon_PJS said:
There is an obvious and relevant use for Apple TV, showing off photos! Assuming you use the Photos app it is an effective way to share your albums when the folks/friends come over. Or just to leave on in the background when playing music through it.
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Yes, I used mine quite a bit when I first got it for displaying photos but latterly found I wasn't using it at all but that could have been because we had the Apple TV unit in the bedroom as the main tv was already set up for Netflix etc.
 
Now that Amazon Prime is on Apple TV and the TV app has been launched, Apple TV really is showing its worth.
I’ll be cancelling my BT TV contract when it’s up and just using Apple TV.
Once I get the Eurosport Player app and subscription (£20/year) I’ll be sorted.
 
Ricardodaforce said:
Now that Amazon Prime is on Apple TV and the TV app has been launched, Apple TV really is showing its worth.
I’ll be cancelling my BT TV contract when it’s up and just using Apple TV.
Once I get the Eurosport Player app and subscription (£20/year) I’ll be sorted.
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I've been an Amazon prime member for a loooooong time and I don't use Amazon Video at all due to the dire catalog, I'm also a Netflix subscriber which is leaps and bounds ahead of Amazon in this department.

It's a shame, I pay Amazon for Prime delivery knowing that part of that subscription is for the video service that I don't use, however I do use the music service.

Amazon Prime Video is also on pretty much every smart-tv, so if you've already got a smart-tv I can't see this swaying potential ATV customers. Existing customers obviously now a benefit, but this should've been standard to be honest, not Apples fault though.
 
Many people download films to their iPads/iPhones to watch on holiday, I go one stage further and take an Apple TV as well so that the iPad can be streamed to the Apple TV and then watched on a proper TV without the need for any router or wifi.
 
Paul W. H said:
Many people download films to their iPads/iPhones to watch on holiday, I go one stage further and take an Apple TV as well so that the iPad can be streamed to the Apple TV and then watched on a proper TV without the need for any router or wifi.
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I thought it required both devices to connect to a common wifi network. Is this a new feature?
 
Gil Bev said:
I thought it required both devices to connect to a common wifi network. Is this a new feature?
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I have been doing this for a couple of years and it works on Cruise Ships, UK and Foreign Hotels as long as the TV has an HDMI input (and don't forget your remote, power lead and HDMI lead)
 
Question for anyone who has one... with the new TV app, can you select on the iPad what to watch on the Apple TV, or if you select something on the iPad does the stream go “internet” to iPad to AppleTV?
 
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