Apple TV

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ajw

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Topic # 198348 5-Jul-2016 13:42

Is the Apple TV media streamer any good. A friend wants one to watch netflix and is there much free content.

I'm only referring to the 3 rd generation model not the latest 4th generation model.

Thanks.

https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/home-entertainment/televisions/media-players/c10017-c10137-cMedia_Players-p1.html

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Banana?
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Reply # 1586443 5-Jul-2016 13:48

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Yes, it is fine for Netflix.

Don't know about any free stuff on there - it will stream stuff from iTunes, but that is paid for as well.

The 4th Gen one is a much better unit - and has more options available (though, a lot more expensive). I would not buy a 3rd Gen, because NZ apps for it are very limited. The 4th Gen already has TV3 and Lightbox. TVNZ will eventually release one, and so will Sky (Neon and Fanpass). On top of that, it runs Plex (very well) and it is pretty easy to get apps from other countries installed (you'll need a DNS unblocker) like Australian and UK On Demand/BBC iPlayer.

dclegg

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Reply # 1586453 5-Jul-2016 14:10

We have an Apple TV3 and Apple TV4. The newer model is superior, thanks to it's App Store. It's used to stream Netflix, Lightbox, Hulu, HBO, BBC iPlayer, local content via Plex and Tunes, and rented movies via the Apple store (new release movies at a similar price to hiring a BluRay from your local video store).

The Apple TV3 is used for Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Plex & iTunes, and rented movies. Lightbox can be used with it, but it needs to be Airplayed from an iOS device. If your friend has other Apple devices (iOS or desktop OS), it may make it a more compelling proposition. You don't have as many apps as for the ATV4, but many services have apps that allow AirPlay, and OSX also supports it.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1586463 5-Jul-2016 14:25

Yes, there is certainly some free content available via the ATV3, but it's a matter of poking around to find what's there; you'll find many of the services on the box are US-only and/or cost money. One great exception is we get to watch Project Runway free via the Lifetime app on our ATV3, which is essential viewing in our household!

Certainly, if I was purchasing a device now I'd stump up for an ATV4, given the advantages of the new platform, and I'm sure one day I'll replace our ATV3.

jawnbc

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Reply # 1588446 8-Jul-2016 17:10

Picked up at ATV4 6 weeks ago, based on comments here. Haven't been disappointed: we have kiwi, UK, Aussie, Canadian and American apps and our DNS service means they all work. The only negative compared to Roku is that there's no All4/Channel4/4OD or ITV app for ATV4.

old3eyes

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Reply # 1588635 9-Jul-2016 09:00

jonathan18:

Yes, there is certainly some free content available via the ATV3, but it's a matter of poking around to find what's there; you'll find many of the services on the box are US-only and/or cost money. One great exception is we get to watch Project Runway free via the Lifetime app on our ATV3, which is essential viewing in our household!

Certainly, if I was purchasing a device now I'd stump up for an ATV4, given the advantages of the new platform, and I'm sure one day I'll replace our ATV3.

How did you get the Lifetime app on your ATV3?? I'm using my Amazon FireTV for the wife to watch it when it's on..

Regards,

Old3eyes

littleheaven

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Reply # 1589532 11-Jul-2016 11:10

jawnbc:

Picked up at ATV4 6 weeks ago, based on comments here. Haven't been disappointed: we have kiwi, UK, Aussie, Canadian and American apps and our DNS service means they all work. The only negative compared to Roku is that there's no All4/Channel4/4OD or ITV app for ATV4.

Oh yes, I would love those apps. Also the UKTV Play one, which has Dave, Really and Yesterday. Lots of my favourite content on there. I live in hope that they'll get added at some stage, but at least you can airplay 4 and ITV. You can view the live streams of those channels via the $6 (from memory) TV Streams app. I've got most of the UK and Australian channels plugged into that (courtesy of the links provided by the Eye On Demand blog). I've also downloaded TV Guide apps for UK and Australia so I can sit down in the evening and check what's on that I might like to watch.

To the OP, the main drawback of the ATV3 is that it only comes with the apps that Apple has made available for installation, and you can't add extras. Also, to see the apps for any one region, you have to change the whole ATV to that region, and you can't see any others - so you can only view UK or US or Australia or NZ. With ATV4, you can create iTunes accounts for each region, log in once with each, and the ATV4 will remember your accounts. Just select from the list and click, and you're into the app store for that region (all the while with the device set to NZ in region settings). When you download an app from any region, it stays on your home screen so you can have all of them sitting together and all you have to do is flick from one to the other. I can go from Hulu to Lightbox to BBC to Aussie Channel 10 without changing any settings at all. I have more free content between the NZ, Aus and UK free to air channels than I know what to do with. If I want sport, I just get Fanpass for the event I'm interested in. They have an app in development at the moment and you can airplay it from a mobile device. I love my ATV4 and don't regret a single cent of the cost.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

Currently using: Modified 2008 Mac Pro, HP M6-1017TX Laptop, iPad Pro, iPhone 7, iPhone 6S, AppleTV4.

reven

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Reply # 1589537 11-Jul-2016 11:13

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personally I would rather pay half the price for a Amazon Fire TV Stick

littleheaven

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Reply # 1590151 12-Jul-2016 10:19

As of the latest iOS app update, you can now stream TVNZ OnDemand to both ATV3 and ATV4, which is a pretty significant boost to the free content range. They have a lot of "direct from the US" content available that is yet to screen on TV.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

Currently using: Modified 2008 Mac Pro, HP M6-1017TX Laptop, iPad Pro, iPhone 7, iPhone 6S, AppleTV4.

wazzageek

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Reply # 1590171 12-Jul-2016 10:42

reven:

personally I would rather pay half the price for a Amazon Fire TV Stick

What local content is available via the Amazon Fire TV Stick? - eg. NZ Netflix / TVNZ / MediaWorks, etc?

Thanks!

trig42

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Reply # 1590187 12-Jul-2016 10:50

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wazzageek:

reven:

personally I would rather pay half the price for a Amazon Fire TV Stick

What local content is available via the Amazon Fire TV Stick? - eg. NZ Netflix / TVNZ / MediaWorks, etc?

Thanks!

NZ Netflix only.

reven

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Reply # 1590192 12-Jul-2016 11:00

yeah fire tv is only netflix, no tv3/tvnz or anything, if thats important to you, then its not the device for you. personally I use netflix, hulu, and youtube so its perfect for me

jonathan18

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Reply # 1594426 18-Jul-2016 12:16

old3eyes:

jonathan18:

Yes, there is certainly some free content available via the ATV3, but it's a matter of poking around to find what's there; you'll find many of the services on the box are US-only and/or cost money. One great exception is we get to watch Project Runway free via the Lifetime app on our ATV3, which is essential viewing in our household!

Certainly, if I was purchasing a device now I'd stump up for an ATV4, given the advantages of the new platform, and I'm sure one day I'll replace our ATV3.

How did you get the Lifetime app on your ATV3?? I'm using my Amazon FireTV for the wife to watch it when it's on..

Sorry, @old3eyes, hadn't seen this question until now.

TBH, I really don't know - it's just on it now, and can't recall exactly how I got Lifetime on there! I'm assuming at some point I've been logged into my US Apple account on the ATV3, and either it downloaded automatically or I elected to download it.

old3eyes

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Reply # 1594448 18-Jul-2016 12:50

jonathan18:

old3eyes:

jonathan18:

Yes, there is certainly some free content available via the ATV3, but it's a matter of poking around to find what's there; you'll find many of the services on the box are US-only and/or cost money. One great exception is we get to watch Project Runway free via the Lifetime app on our ATV3, which is essential viewing in our household!

Certainly, if I was purchasing a device now I'd stump up for an ATV4, given the advantages of the new platform, and I'm sure one day I'll replace our ATV3.

How did you get the Lifetime app on your ATV3?? I'm using my Amazon FireTV for the wife to watch it when it's on..

Sorry, @old3eyes, hadn't seen this question until now.

TBH, I really don't know - it's just on it now, and can't recall exactly how I got Lifetime on there! I'm assuming at some point I've been logged into my US Apple account on the ATV3, and either it downloaded automatically or I elected to download it.

Thanx. Yes it most likely was the US Apple account that got it..

Regards,

Old3eyes

Dairyxox

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Reply # 1594463 18-Jul-2016 13:04

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Apple TV3 is still an alright device. But to get the most out of it you really need an ipad or iphone for airplay. Then TVNZ on demand can be played, as well as rugby through rugbypass.com through apps.

Stu1

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Reply # 1597465 23-Jul-2016 21:04

sorry guys dumb question can I set up muiltple apple ids so I can get UK, nz and us apps without an iPhone or iPad, I read that its best to do it out of apple TV as I would need a us credit card?

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