My Apple TV Is Dead. Looking for TV Streaming Device Deals / Recommendations

AdamFury on 13/11/2017 - 15:18

So my Apple TV (4th gen) that I bought on a Kogan deal in September last year (1 year warranty) after when I was plugging it in the cable seemed to crackle a bit when plugging into the board after changing a few items around has died. Tried fixing it through a restore and took it in to apple and they advised me it would be $199 for a replacement due to it not being under warranty (dammit Kogan!) so I declined.

Anyway I'm looking for a new device and am open to recommendations. I've been looking around and the ChromeCast Ultra has caught my eye for $95 at Officeworks seems like a decent deal.

I am aware however there are a lot of other devices out there. Typically what I have been using my Apple TV for is a few things;

~ Using AirPlay from my 2012 Macbook to stream Foxtel GO to my TV (Am getting a Windows based laptop soon though and my main workstation is a windows PC)
~ YouTube (Pretty stock standard)
~ Netflix (Again, standard)
~ Free TV apps like TenPlay, Nine etc

Let me know what you guys are using and what you would recommend. Cheers!

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 13/11/2017 - 15:19
    -1

    You can't stream foxtel go over airplay

    • twobit on 13/11/2017 - 15:29
      +1

      You can stream a desktop (mac to appletv) and Foxtel GO will function. But the iOS apps cannot stream video over airplay.

      • AdamFury on 13/11/2017 - 16:08
        +2

        Yep. Can't use my iPhone or iPad however as twobit has already mentioned 'screen sharing' sort of tricks it into playing on your TV!

  • fruit on 13/11/2017 - 15:23
    +2

    Chromecast

    • AdamFury on 13/11/2017 - 16:09

      Thanks!

  • Lando on 13/11/2017 - 15:35
    +1

    AMAZON

    Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote | Streaming Media Player

    Everyone needs a chromecast too. Get the second generation. Does the job and only $45-$50.

    • AdamFury on 13/11/2017 - 16:09

      Thanks for the suggestion!

  • pantsparty on 13/11/2017 - 15:43
    +4

    Regular Chromecast is fine, I wouldn't bother with the Ultra version.

    • AdamFury on 13/11/2017 - 16:08

      Thanks for the suggestion. So just the regular Chromecast 2?

    • terrys on 14/11/2017 - 08:44

      I might - Chromecast 2 has the 5GHz band, AC wifi and three adaptive antennae whereas the version one is 2.4GHz wi-fi B/G/N. It can make a difference. It's line ball as I already have one regular I have used for two years and one still in the box.
      The "Ultra" will stream 4K HDR10 and Dolby Vision, has the connectivity of chromecast 2 and has Ethernet.

  • bdl on 13/11/2017 - 16:03
    +1

    Maybe sell old apple tv on ebay as parts to recoup some of the cost of your new device

    • AdamFury on 13/11/2017 - 16:08

      Thanks was thinking of doing this!

    • Qwertyasdfg on 13/11/2017 - 16:34
      +2

      No, the device should be returned for a replacement or refund. This customer has rights under law and should expect that the device failure (through no fault of the owner) whether or not it is inside or outside 1 year does not preclude Apple from helping repair, replace or refund, free of charge.

      Demand a replacement or refund or refer the issue to the ACCC.

  • Qwertyasdfg on 13/11/2017 - 16:30
    +4

    Your device shouldn't have failed after just 1 year of use and you should be able to get a replacement or refund. Please exercise you consumer rights. The advice you got from Apple is irregular. In fact, there have been many cases of Apple misrepresenting the law regarding repair, replacement and refunds over the years. Apple has been ordered to post correction notices to their website in the past. Even on Apple's website they note:

    "Australian consumer law: A reasonable period from date of delivery until the failure becomes apparent. Without limiting consumers’ rights, Apple will provide its own remedies equivalent to those remedies in the consumer guarantee provisions of the Australian Consumer Law at any time within 24 months of the date of purchase. For the avoidance of doubt, Apple acknowledges that the Australian Consumer Law may provide for remedies beyond 24 months for a number of its products.
    https://www.apple.com/au/legal/statutory-warranty/

    The expectation is that a product like an Apple TV should last much more than just 1 year, many more years in fact. It shouldn’t have failed (unless you happened to drop it into a fish tank!). So it is very unreasonable that Apple has denied helping you. Under Australian law, you have automatic guarantees on the products and services that you buy.
    https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees…

    Demand a replacement or refund or refer the issue to the ACCC.

    More about Apple and it's problems with the law and consumer rights in Australia:
    Apple taken to court by ACCC over alleged consumer warranty misrepresentations
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-06/apple-taken-to-court-b…

    • AdamFury on 13/11/2017 - 17:18

      Thanks for your advice. Does this apply in my scenario however being that I purchased the Apple TV from the Kogan eBay store who declared it as grey stock they imported from China?

      • Amaris on 13/11/2017 - 18:04
        +2

        Ask Kogan to replace it.

        • AdamFury on 13/11/2017 - 18:18
          +1

          I will try get onto Kogan. Do you think I have any chance?

        • Amaris on 13/11/2017 - 18:19

          @adamfury:

          Who's the seller? Kogan Australia or Kogan HK?

        • AdamFury on 13/11/2017 - 18:25

          @lahiruwan: It was on the Kogan eBay store. I believe the item came from HK.

        • Amaris on 13/11/2017 - 19:31

          @adamfury:

          If that is the case they might not come under Australian Consumer Law unfortunately.

      • Qwertyasdfg on 14/11/2017 - 03:39
        +3

        Well it's not clear exactly… but don't let that discourage investigating this issue further. It doesn't appear right at all that your expensive purchase has failed after just one year. It's also unreasonable that Kogan or Apple won't help replace it. (Side note Apple's offer to replace for $199 is very poor as well. I recently a purchased a brand new Apple TV via an ebay Myer sale for $169, still yet to unbox it.)

        Kogan's ebay store has the web address "stores.ebay.com.au/kogan". It gives the impression that it's an Australian store and you purchased from an Australian retailer no matter where the product your purchased was sourced from.

        Then there's Kogan's lengthy Terms and Conditions which frankly buries a whole lot of detail which no one ever reads.

        Then on the Kogan item ebay listings there is the standard ebay text "Refunds by law: In Australia, consumers have a legal right to obtain a refund from a business for goods purchased if the goods are faulty, not fit for purpose or don't match description. More information at returns."

        I would contact Kogan and ask for a replacement or refund. If you get a knock back, reply to them and point Kogan to the Consumer Guarantees and note that you have the right to repair, replacement or refund and that you intend to refer it to the ACCC. (Unfortunately some retailers don't make life easy and you might need to really assert your rights. Hopefully this isn't the case and Kogan helps you out.) You should do the same with Apple. Put it in writing, copy and paste an email separately to both Apple and Kogan.

        Failing that, I would contact the ACCC. https://www.accc.gov.au/contact-us/contact-the-accc

        I once had a Dyson vacuum (~$400) that failed very early into its life (less than 3 years). Dyson were terrible to deal with. Their "customer service" even blamed me at one point for not charging the device properly(!) Many emails back and forward and eventually the retailer Harvey Norman assisted with getting it replaced for me. (Turns out I discovered later on the Dyson model I had was plagued with a number issues many others across the world also experienced.) These are expensive purchases and the devices should be durable. All in all, it wasn't a fun experience at all, but I was determined not to be stuck with a non functioning machine that was no fault of my own. Likewise you shouldn't have to be stuck with a device that wasn't manufactured correctly.

        Good luck with it!

        • simmos on 14/11/2017 - 10:59
          +1

          Thanks for this info re Dyson. Makes me feel not guilty about buying a knock off desktop bladeless fan out of Thailand recently. 1/6th of the price of a genuine Dyson I might add!

        • Qwertyasdfg on 14/11/2017 - 17:14

          @simmos: I'm kind of interested in this knock off fan you mention. Do you have a link please?

      • Qwertyasdfg on 14/11/2017 - 03:54
        +1

        PS Watch this:

        RETURNING GOODS | The Checkout | ABC1
        Julian Morrow finds out if you can get away with murder under the Australian Consumer Law. Along the way he tells you what your rights are when it comes to returning goods. They're your rights and you have the right not to remain silent.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE8BB-ioNRw

    • moar bargains on 14/11/2017 - 12:29

      While this is all entirely correct, the problem with it is there are 3 approaches:
      a) Thump on the counter (or the electronic equivalent) until they give you a replacement or refund (which they obviously have no incentive to do, especially if they're already flouting consumer law).
      b) Take them to court and assert your legal rights
      c) Complain to ACCC and hope that something comes out of it.

      Option a is a mix of luck and determination. They're counting on the fact that you can't be bothered with all the hassle it will take to find someone who's feeling generous enough to do this.
      Now you absolutely have a legal case, but for $200 who's really going to go through with option b? I can't imagine anyone bothering with this even at the minor civil claims tribunal unless it's something worth $1000 or more.
      Which leaves option c…

      • Qwertyasdfg on 14/11/2017 - 17:22

        Option d), a fourth approach, is simply formalise it in a simple clear letter, noting the issues and how you want it resolved, sent by email or post to the company's main contact/head office.
        There's no need to thump on counters. And it doesn't need to be escalated into a legal case.
        Sure, some businesses are counting on the fact that people can't be bothered.
        I've found assertive persistence works in most cases, and if that fails, refer it all to the ACCC, and further lodge a complaint to the Department of Fair Trading in each state.

  • PlasticSpaceman on 14/11/2017 - 11:04

    Hard to go past a chromecast. If you want to experiment, another option would be a Kodi (used to be xbmc) device. If you have a raspberry pi hanging around, you can use that although don't expect 4k from that. You can use the Asus Tinker board ('pi rival) if you need 4k, but it's double the price of a 'pi.

  • Odin on 14/11/2017 - 22:22
    +1

    Roku streaming stick (oct 2017) - holy crap are they good. Can't believe i lived without it before. Approx $50 aud delivered from amazon.

  • auna on 26/11/2017 - 23:57

    Apple TV 4K

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