Apple TV vs Samsung Smart TV processing

Apple TV vs Samsung Smart TV processing

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DeepEnd

Original Poster:

4,240 posts

67 months

Sunday 4th November 2018
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Anyone else noticed that Apple TV, playing itunes media or even Amazon Prime media - seems to be far superior than a Smart TV trying to do the same (e.g. Amazon prime)?

I can't put my finger on what exactly it is, it just seems to stream much more effectively and the picture seems far superior.

I have also just got a fire stick too which also appears to do a better job than the TV.

Perhaps I should not be surprised, but expected more of the processing in a 65" Samsung smart TV (I think its a 7000 series, so not top of the range, but not a cheap one either).





gr1340

979 posts

204 months

Monday 5th November 2018
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Although I don't know 100%, my thoughts would be the processor and RAM are better (or more suited) in the Apple TV and Amazon Fire Stick.

I have a 3 year old Sony TV (KD55X8509CBU) with Android built in and it can run Netflix, A Prime, VLC etc etc but it isn't as fast as on my better spec tablet.
I then bought a Nvidia Shield recently (a 2015 version as I wanted IR) and that runs Netflix and Amazon much better than the TV i.e. quicker to load although the 1080p or 4K picture quality doesn't seem any different.

I am fairy sure the Nvidia has much better specs that the TV even though they are the same age.

anonymous-user

55 months

Monday 5th November 2018
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I thought it was the fact that you had a load of buffering memory in the Apple TV that made the experience better.

I could be wrong though!

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Monday 5th November 2018
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The built in video processing in TVs is never the best, even the high end ones are only OK.

Just compare 4k HDR on something like a Sony OLED through the Android Netflix app and then compare the same with an Apple TV 4K plugged in, the difference is not subtle.


hornmeister

809 posts

92 months

Tuesday 6th November 2018
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I'd check that the settings for the Apple TV input are the same as for the TV's native aps.

I have a 7000 series Samsung myself and think the 4K Amazon & Youtube Aps are as good as through my 4K Sony Blueray player. Make sure all video processing is turned off on all inputs.The added bonus is you're less likely to see lipsync issues if you use the built in aps.

Of note however the 1080i to 4K upscaling of external inputs on the 7000 series isn't great I got micro stutter from Sky HD so had to get a 4K up scaling amp which solved the issue. Tends to suggest as above that the internal processor is a little underpowered but other than that cracking picture.

I went and upgraded to Sky Q which meant I didn't need to shell out for the amp. Doh!

anonymous-user

55 months

Tuesday 6th November 2018
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hornmeister said:
I'd check that the settings for the Apple TV input are the same as for the TV's native aps.

I have a 7000 series Samsung myself and think the 4K Amazon & Youtube Aps are as good as through my 4K Sony Blueray player. Make sure all video processing is turned off on all inputs.The added bonus is you're less likely to see lipsync issues if you use the built in aps.

Of note however the 1080i to 4K upscaling of external inputs on the 7000 series isn't great I got micro stutter from Sky HD so had to get a 4K up scaling amp which solved the issue. Tends to suggest as above that the internal processor is a little underpowered but other than that cracking picture.

I went and upgraded to Sky Q which meant I didn't need to shell out for the amp. Doh!
I have to admit that NetFlix and Amazon is superb via the App on my Samsung too.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Tuesday 6th November 2018
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The Apple TV does the processing far better than many TVs.

Watch the opening sequence from The Haunting Of Hill House in HDR. Many TVs show the fog and dark sky as a blocky mess, yet the same scene on the AppleTV on the same TV is crystal clear.


My LG OLED handles it really well, but when you go back and forth between the TVs app and the Apple TV the latter is definitely a cleaner image.

DeepEnd

Original Poster:

4,240 posts

67 months

Sunday 11th November 2018
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Thanks for replies - I didn't think I was imagining it.


MrBarry123

6,028 posts

122 months

Saturday 24th November 2018
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Pitching into this thread as we've just bought a new 4K TV and it seems like a sensible idea to invest in an Apple TV 4K if most of what we watch is via streaming services - would that be a fair conclusion?

P.S. gizlaroc - really enjoy reading your thoughts on stuff like this, keep it up. thumbup

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Saturday 24th November 2018
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MrBarry123 said:
Pitching into this thread as we've just bought a new 4K TV and it seems like a sensible idea to invest in an Apple TV 4K if most of what we watch is via streaming services - would that be a fair conclusion?

P.S. gizlaroc - really enjoy reading your thoughts on stuff like this, keep it up. thumbup
Depends what TV it is?

I have an LG and the smart features on that are pretty impressive. It does everything as well image wise as the Apple TV.
The Sony I had before sometimes struggled a bit with some stuff, just weird blocking in dark areas etc.



anonymous-user

55 months

Saturday 24th November 2018
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gizlaroc said:
MrBarry123 said:
Pitching into this thread as we've just bought a new 4K TV and it seems like a sensible idea to invest in an Apple TV 4K if most of what we watch is via streaming services - would that be a fair conclusion?

P.S. gizlaroc - really enjoy reading your thoughts on stuff like this, keep it up. thumbup
Depends what TV it is?

I have an LG and the smart features on that are pretty impressive. It does everything as well image wise as the Apple TV.
The Sony I had before sometimes struggled a bit with some stuff, just weird blocking in dark areas etc.
My Samsung does a good job too. Maybe see how the TV ‘s own apps are before getting the ATV?

MrBarry123

6,028 posts

122 months

Saturday 24th November 2018
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
Depends what TV it is?

I have an LG and the smart features on that are pretty impressive. It does everything as well image wise as the Apple TV.
The Sony I had before sometimes struggled a bit with some stuff, just weird blocking in dark areas etc.
It's a LG 55UK7550PLA so nothing special.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Saturday 24th November 2018
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See how you get on, the LG system is pretty good.

Unless you have features missing it probably won't add anything other than yet another remote.

MrBarry123

6,028 posts

122 months

Saturday 24th November 2018
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Okay, thanks.