New Apple TV arrived today

[eyebeebe]

I picked one up today. Quite impressed so far, but feels a bit like a version 1 Apple product rather than version 4. It's got a lot of potential, but it's going to be all about the apps. A video version of Apple Music - all you can eat for a fixed price - would be brilliant.

Digitalize said:

As this has proper apps I expect we'll see a Plex client on it soon enough, if Apple doesn't block it.

There's already an app called SimpleX, which accesses your Plex library. It works well. I'm able to to stream my most taxing file with it (large 1080p, surround sound, MKV). The hardware is up to the task, rather than it trying to use my NAS to transcode.

gpb1 said:

The Siri search doesn't look in my local iTunes library, which is a shame as I have over 1500 films in mine and was hoping to be able to navigate/search through them in a more efficient fashion

It's coming... the Siri API is also being opened up to developers, so it will likely work with Plex etc in the future too.

[Perik Omo]

I was never able to fix the "slight stuttering" picture problem of the last version whilst streaming from my MacBook Pro Retina to Panasonic Plasma TV, tried all the settings changes on the Panny and the Apple TV box suggested on the net but nothing worked even tried hard wiring rather than using wireless, so, it's sitting there unused now.

[viggyp]

Ok, erm......anyone having problems with the Netflix app? Mine just shows the Netflix sign at the bottom right of my screen! I can't get to the main page for the menu!!

Edit: I found out how to force quit the app and it's back to the way it should be.

Edited by viggyp on Sunday 1st November 19:41

[Zod]

where has the Apple Trailers app gone?

[spitfire-ian]

ecsrobin said:

So should I upgrade from my old AppleTV?

I'd be interested in whether it was worth upgrading too.

[Digitalize]

I'd vote not yet, which is what I'm doing.

[page3]

Zod said:

where has the Apple Trailers app gone?

Bit odd this one. It's available on the US store, so if you have a US account you can switch stores, install and then switch back.

[viggyp]

Zod said:

where has the Apple Trailers app gone?

There's a couple of Apps which play trailers so I ended up installing them. I can't remember the names of them at the top of my head. Sorry.

[marctwo]

Digitalize said:

As this has proper apps I expect we'll see a Plex client on it soon enough, if Apple doesn't block it.

It's out already https://blog.plex.tv/2015/11/02/plex-on-the-new-ap...

[Cybertronian]

I picked one of these up last week - it was so new, the hapless chap in the Apple store didn't have a clue about it and couldn't answer most of my questions.

Things I like:

- New remote is pretty slick (and bundled lightning cable will be useful as a spare around the home/in the car)
- Airplay seems much less stuttery compared to the previous one (I've hardwired mine into the network)
- Bluetooth headphone support
- TVPlayer app gives me Freeview channels (handy as I have the box setup in our spare room with no aerial connection)
- Home sharing works - I can access my entire iTunes library

Things I don't like:

- New remote is awful for username and password entry, and there's no support for the Remote app for iPhones and their on-screen keyboards
- Pitiful selection of launch apps (very US centric; no BBC iPlayer or NowTV, so it's a good thing Airplay streaming works well)
- Reliance on iOS 9.1 for some things (my iPhone and iPad are jailbroken on iOS 9.0.2)

EDIT - NowTV app has just launched this afternoon.

Edited by Cybertronian on Wednesday 4th November 16:41

[spitfire-ian]

Cybertronian said:

- TVPlayer app gives me Freeview channels (handy as I have the box setup in our spare room with no aerial connection)
- Home sharing works - I can access my entire iTunes library

Those two things have sold it for me

[Cybertronian]

FYI, most of the major Freeview channels are included, but the more obscure ones aren't covered. Stuff like Discovery and Eurosport are subscription only. Complete list is here.

[Zod]

Cybertronian said:

FYI, most of the major Freeview channels are included, but the more obscure ones aren't covered. Stuff like Discovery and Eurosport are subscription only. Complete list is here.

Are the HD channels included?

[Cybertronian]

Only standard def. BBC 1 didn't look bad at all the other night when I was watching a nature doc.

[herewego]

Cybertronian said:

FYI, most of the major Freeview channels are included, but the more obscure ones aren't covered. Stuff like Discovery and Eurosport are subscription only. Complete list is here.

Are those Freeview channels? I don't get those.

[Cybertronian]

Those particular ones aren't on Freeview, no, but they've been included in what's available if you decide to subscribe to the app's "Plus" service.

If anybody's unsure about the Apple TV, the chap in the Apple store said it comes with the same 14 day returns policy as anything else they sell. They'll happily take it back, even if it's been opened and used.

Edited by Cybertronian on Wednesday 4th November 14:57

[K12beano]

Cybertronian said:

If anybody's unsure about the Apple TV, the chap in the Apple store said it comes with the same 14 day returns policy as anything else they sell. They'll happily take it back, even if it's been opened and used.

.... and that means that, for those happy not to be the earliest adopters, there becomes a small but handy stream of Refurbs for a small discount.

(The Beano Household's AirPort Extreme, ATV (3rd gen) and iPad all sourced that way )

[Guvernator]

I got an Apple TV thrown in for free when I bought some other stuff, I set it up and had a play once for about 20 minutes and it's been sat gathering dust ever since. What does it actually do and why are people so keen on them? I've asked this question quiet a few times to various people and still can't see what all the fuss is about, I feel like I'm missing out on something!

[SpudLink]

Guvernator said:

I got an Apple TV thrown in for free when I bought some other stuff, I set it up and had a play once for about 20 minutes and it's been sat gathering dust ever since. What does it actually do and why are people so keen on them? I've asked this question quiet a few times to various people and still can't see what all the fuss is about, I feel like I'm missing out on something!

I can't speak for the new model, but have been using the old model for a couple of years.

If you have a modern smart TV it probably doesn't add much. If, like me, you have a TV that is just a TV, then it provides smart TV type functionality. YouTube, NetFlix, NOW TV, etc. If you use a Mac and iPhone it's quite good at playing media from those devices on your TV.

It's nothing revolutionary, but it works well and the controller is a lovely objet d'art.

[Stu R]

SpudLink said:

Guvernator said:

I got an Apple TV thrown in for free when I bought some other stuff, I set it up and had a play once for about 20 minutes and it's been sat gathering dust ever since. What does it actually do and why are people so keen on them? I've asked this question quiet a few times to various people and still can't see what all the fuss is about, I feel like I'm missing out on something!

I can't speak for the new model, but have been using the old model for a couple of years.

If you have a modern smart TV it probably doesn't add much. If, like me, you have a TV that is just a TV, then it provides smart TV type functionality. YouTube, NetFlix, NOW TV, etc. If you use a Mac and iPhone it's quite good at playing media from those devices on your TV.

It's nothing revolutionary, but it works well and the controller is a lovely objet d'art.

Even if you do have a smart TV it's a nicer interface than most IMO. We use ours all the time.

It's also handy if you've got a house full of other Apple kit and use the airplay functionality. Comes in handy in the office for that reason too.
I like them, the new one is good, but I do wish they'd made it 4k compatible and given it a beefier processor, not that the new one isn't adequate just that they typically have left ATV for years before updating it.