Looking in to Apple TV

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › Looking in to Apple TV

BM0617

11 posts

Geek

#251536 29-Jun-2019 22:32

Hey all,

I am looking at ditching Vodafone TV in favour of Apple TV but need some help before I make the jump.

We will be using the Apple TV on a TV which is not a smart TV and will not have anything like Freeview or Sky, Apple TV will be our player for everything.

From what I understand Apple TV is basically makes your TV an iPhone (without the touch screen (for now)). Basically you download apps on to the box and this is responsible for playing your content. Is this right?

Our plan would be to use it to watch Netflix, Tv 2 (some TV shows/movies), TV 3 (some news and tv shows/movies) and sports.

Does this plan sound like it would work? I know I would have to subscribe to Netflix etc independently.

If this works what apps do people use to watch movies and sports (football, league, rugby and cricket) on?

Can you record on Apple TV like you can with 'My Sky'? or is it dependant on the app you are using?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Brad

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

3927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2510

#2267038 29-Jun-2019 22:41

The Apple TV just connects to any TV with an HDMI input. Yes it's (sort of) like a phone that you download apps to, although in NZ its a limited library. You can get all the TV apps, Netflix, etc, and can rent movies.

Love our Apple TV for watching streaming content, only wish I had got one sooner.

Sorry don't do sport, no idea whats on offer other than what might be on the usual TV apps.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

davidcole

6112 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1476

Trusted

#2267083 30-Jun-2019 06:31

Spark sport is supposed to be getting an Apple TV app in June. Not out yet, fanpass is also available.

No you can’t record on Apple TV, but by using on demand there is generally no need.

Previously known as psycik

Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4 4k, ATV4, HDHomeRun Dual
Server Host Plex Server 3x3TB, 4x4TB using MergerFS, Samsung 850 evo 512 GB SSD, Proxmox Server with 1xW10, 2xUbuntu 22.04 LTS, Backblaze Backups, usenetprime.com fastmail.com Sharesies Trakt.TV Sharesight

Loismustdye

952 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 256

Trusted

#2267093 30-Jun-2019 07:44

Sorry to hijack the thread, but we are looking at getting an Apple TV for our older living room tv that is no longer smart as the apps are out of date.
Does the nz Apple TV have plex, Netflix, Lightbox and sky go apps? As these are the apps we use the most.
Thnaks

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
9452 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6336

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2267098 30-Jun-2019 08:10

BM0617:
Hey all,

I am looking at ditching Vodafone TV in favour of Apple TV but need some help before I make the jump.

We will be using the Apple TV on a TV which is not a smart TV and will not have anything like Freeview or Sky, Apple TV will be our player for everything.

From what I understand Apple TV is basically makes your TV an iPhone (without the touch screen (for now)). Basically you download apps on to the box and this is responsible for playing your content. Is this right?

Our plan would be to use it to watch Netflix, Tv 2 (some TV shows/movies), TV 3 (some news and tv shows/movies) and sports.

Does this plan sound like it would work? I know I would have to subscribe to Netflix etc independently.

If this works what apps do people use to watch movies and sports (football, league, rugby and cricket) on?

Can you record on Apple TV like you can with 'My Sky'? or is it dependant on the app you are using?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Brad

I don’t have an ATV but my understanding is that you can’t watch FTA TV on it - unless you’re referring to On Demand for watching TV2 and Three - there may be apps for those.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

Chrisclarke

198 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 62

#2267133 30-Jun-2019 09:14

We use Apple TV exclusively - have three on the go in our household. Removed the need to have (so-called) 'smart' TV's as any simple panel does the job. The Apple TV and the apps receive regular updates and new apps are added all the time.

Has great features too - for example if we start watching a series on one device and move to another room, we can pick up where we left off. iTunes movie rentals are another feature. Nice simple remote and the interface is attractive and easy to follow.

TVNZ and Three apps allow you to watch content on demand but also stream live too. We have Lightbox, Plex, Netflix, Amazon TV. Heaps of other apps available and games for the kids, plenty free and some chargeable.

With a very small monthly fee (for a third party service) and a simple tweak to settings you can also access apps from overseas. BBC player, Channel 4 and ITV from the UK which are 'free to air' and US channels such as Hulu, Showtime & HBO if you are happy to subscribe. PM me if you want to know more about this.

We hung onto Sky for a while for sport but are able to get all we need using the work around above and watching them on overseas channels.

davidcole

6112 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1476

Trusted

#2267136 30-Jun-2019 09:27

There is no sky go on apple tv. They have fan pass (sky sport 1 - 4 only). There is also Neon I believe, (I've just looked and neon says it offers an iPad app, but does not mention apple tv, for if they bock airplay from it)

There is also:

lightbox
netflix
tvnz ondemand (with live)
tv3 ondemand (with live)
youtube
amazon video
red bull tv
plex

Geekzone support

Support Geekzone with one-off or recurring donations Donate via PressPatron.

geekiegeek

2513 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 625
Inactive user

#2267137 30-Jun-2019 09:28

One box to rule them all, we use ATV exclusively. As someone else mentioned, you can't record live TV but with on demand apps there isn't really any need to anymore. I watch One News most nights and can start it anytime after its begun broadcasting and just rewind to the start.

My main apps are:

TVNZ Ondemand

3Now

Netflix

Amazon (US with Showtime and HBO added)

BBC iPlayer

Hulu

SBS Australia

With these and iTunes movies there isn't much that I can't watch. I'm not into sport so can't comment on that area.

Stu1

1918 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 503

ID Verified

Subscriber

#2267192 30-Jun-2019 10:27

Only downside is no Neon only reason I still use the Chromecast, Soo simple for the wife and young kids to use. We don't watch anything else these days often watch news via live stream on TVNZ app

tdgeek

30088 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9525

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2267222 30-Jun-2019 11:43

Curiositystream is good too if you like docos.A myriad if stuff on there.

Sky is looking to introduce a full app, as an alternative to satellite. If that happens you can probably watch Sky on an ATV in due course

FineWine

3132 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2478

Trusted

Nurse (R)

Lifetime subscriber

#2267306 30-Jun-2019 13:39

Here is an interesting little article from Stuff.com Apple’s TV+ app may leave New Zealand customers wanting. Lee Suckling10:00, Mar 27 2019

Our global location and Sky's studio agreements makes for interesting times.

Apples own PR - Apple TV app is the ultimate way to watch TV

What I am hoping is that Apple updates their ATV with a larger - 1Tb drive and/or the capability to plug in an ext drive. It's all well good to rent stuff but I like to own a lot of the content. I have a 487 DVD collection which is small compared to some collections and 100 downloaded content, mostly gay themed, which has a very small market here in NZ. US & Europe have the best gay themed content of high quality which we just do not get here due to market size. (think Broke Back Mountain or Beautiful Thing or Angels in America) So a larger ATV storage or ext storage capability, not iCloud, would be huge to a lot of people worldwide.

Panasonic has the better Freeview recorders but again if ATV introduced a full on twin recorder into the mix, combine it with their App store and their up and coming Apple TV app, they would be a huge player in any market.

And while we are at it; where is ATV siri for New Zealand ❗️❓

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

gehenna

8676 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3903

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2267321 30-Jun-2019 14:37

I have two big issues with the Apple TV.

1. 4K content in YouTube is not available because Apple doesn't support the codec Google uses.

2. The remote control is abysmal. The touchscreen surface is terrible and navigation is a royal pain in the butt.

Aside from that, for the small number of apps I use, it's fine. I'm in Plex most of the time. AirPlay a bit. Apple Music a lot. But for Netflix and YouTube I use the native LG WebOS apps.

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

FineWine

3132 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2478

Trusted

Nurse (R)

Lifetime subscriber

#2267328 30-Jun-2019 15:03

gehenna:1. 4K content in YouTube is not available because Apple doesn't support the codec Google uses.

Yes I have read a lot of gripes about this and YouTubes own site says: YouTube relies on VP9, the industry leading open-source codec, for distribution and playback of 4K videos. Using VP9 results in less buffering, faster startup, and higher video quality. The Apple TV 4K model (5th generation) does not support VP9, and therefore we can’t deliver 4K resolution on this device.

industry leading open-source codec That's a bit rich as considering they own some of the patents. It was originally designed for googles Android against anything that Microsoft and Apple had to offer. Again we see the behemoths battling it out with licencing and money making - VP9 vs HEVC.

gehenna:2. The remote control is abysmal. The touchscreen surface is terrible and navigation is a royal pain in the butt.

If you have an iPhone or iPad have you tried their Apple Remote App ? and if you are Android based I believe their are App's available though not of course an offical Apple app. I have heard that the AnyMote app is good.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

gehenna

8676 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3903

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2267340 30-Jun-2019 15:36

The app is just as bad given it's touch gesture based in some screens, button based in others. They haven't used a consistent HCI language across tvOS unfortunately. The only useful thing I do with the app is typing.

rugrat

3148 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 950

Lifetime subscriber

#2267341 30-Jun-2019 15:39

It won't be as good for the Sky stuff as what Vodafone TV is at the moment, though depending on what new applics Sky has planned for future that could change.

No recording of freeview, can watch live through - for non live stuff it is the TV stations on demand catalog only.

Sport - Fan Pass which is Sky Sports 1-4, expected to improve though, Spark Sports from memory is coming out with applic July.

Neon, no Apple TV applic (that may change in future) so need an Apple phone or pad to airplay or if have an android phone a chromecast.

I'm assuming your TV supports HDMI as that is the only connector on Apple TV.

As a warning the RWC will not be available on the live stream of TVNZ on Demand so will not be able to watch the free games with Apple TV.

"For viewers used to live streaming TVNZ 1 via TVNZ OnDemand or our TVNZ app, we’re really sorry but the matches won’t be available for viewing in that way.

TVNZ 1’s live stream will be turned off when we screen any matches – so if you watch TVNZ 1 online through TVNZ OnDemand or via the TVNZ app, you’ll need to head over to Spark Sport to stream these games or switch to free-to-air broadcast TV."

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/rugby-world-cup-2019

Edit: You also lose Prime on Apple TV only as well, I feel that going to an Apple TV from the Vodafone one would be a downgrade.

I haven't seen a Vodafone TV going, just it abilities on paper, if Netflix or other items don't work to good on it, Apple TV is a one off cost so they may be able to compliment each other.

BM0617

11 posts

Geek

#2267447 30-Jun-2019 19:30

Loismustdye: Sorry to hijack the thread, but we are looking at getting an Apple TV for our older living room tv that is no longer smart as the apps are out of date.
Does the nz Apple TV have plex, Netflix, Lightbox and sky go apps? As these are the apps we use the most.
Thnaks

What is Plex? Is it any good?

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5