Latest generation Apple TV 4K with the A15 Bionic chip. Combine with (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/841318) for 10% equivalent points credited to your Everyday Rewards account.
What's in the box:
Refurbished Apple TV 4K
Siri Remote
Power lead
Documentation
Built in Apple TV doesn't exist, you must mean built in Apple TV+, the streaming service? Apple TV's do way more than just give you access to Apple TV+.
No I mean Apple TV+ app and also iOS mirroring is supported by a lot of TVs now. You don't get the interface, but the functionality appears to be the same.
@JSONBourne: Functionality is chalk and cheese, the device provides a much more seamless experience for apple users between devices. Comes down to individual needs and uses I guess, if your mindset is that TV operating systems and mirroring covers your needs then this isn't really for you, the same way a Hiace van isn't for you if a Corolla can get you to work just the same.
I'll always prefer dedicated hardware boxes like ATK4K or ShieldPro over the built-in apps on any TV.
Apart from the raw hardware processing power advantage, the apps are better, and they are better maintained and updated, than the various and many differing TV OS's and models. As well as the regular TVOS updates and bug & security fixes from Apple itself. Compared to many/most TV's OS's that receive sporadic and "maybe" updates from TV makers.
I also like the ability to take the ATV4K box to any other HDMI-enabled TV and plug it in, and all My Stuff is there and ready to go, signed in, and set up exactly how I like it.
The Apple TV+ streaming app in TV's these days is nothing like the APpleTV hardware box, that also has ATV+ streaming app.
Two different things for different purposes.
How do people use Apple TVs? As in, what are its uses? I remember we used to have one back around 2015 just to use AirPlay or watch Netflix but do people still use these on newer TVs that have those inbuilt? Is it because you prefer the OS over the TV's OS? So many questions XD
TV Apps and OS are often depreciated or run worse than a box like this or the nvidia shield pro.
I use one because generally speaking TV manufacturers are slow to push through updates on TVs on a good day, let alone if you have something older than a few years, apple will continue to push updates to this device for at least 5 years if not more(following their track record). Its also much more powerful which means a more seamless experience, it talks to all my devices and works with my smart home stuff too(ie I can use my tv remote to tell siri to turn off the kitchen lights - little things but super helpful when you cant be bothered getting your phone from the coffee table). Its also super handy on trips, its a small form factor so you can pack it all up and easily take it with you on holidays which is a godsend cause lets be real some tvs at hotels are absolute disasters. My apple tv has lasted two tvs already and is still going strong.
Because the built-in TV apps and OS make me want to hurl it out the window. They're slow, often old versions and often struggle with things like HDR.
AppleTV is expensive, but it's fast, everything seems to work with basically no messing about and they tend to be well supported for updates.
Android, Google Tv and the manufacturers themselves do a fire truck load of data mining about what you watch, when you watch it, and if the conspiracy theorists are to be believed, the conversations that take place within range of the TVs microphones.
I’m not saying apple collects lots less data, but apparently they don’t share it as widely - walled garden and all.
Edit: so to answer your question, I use it as my primary driver - my tv isn’t wifi connected, and is basically dumb
I am using Samsung TV Apps since forever. I did buy Apple TV but as my hardware is older, I had to do a lot of juggling just to switch between PS, AppleTV and TV. Apple TV was the first to g.
Now I only use TV Apps and PS Apps.
I appreciate everyone's insights!
Then pay $12.99 a month for Apple TV stream?
Infuse app
Or Mac Home Sharing. I download stuff on my Mac, quick format it to m4v and add subtitles using Subler, in Mac TV app - open files to add it to Library and it immediately shows on Apple TV. Then once a month I dump all stuff I watched from Mac to my NAS.
I tried Infuse, but effort to properly organise it did not worth it. Looks like it does not read all metadata properly.
How does this compare with a shield pro - for plex more than anything, does it have AV1 for YouTube HDR?
It is good when you are in Apple Ecosystem.
You don't need AV1 for YouTube HDR. Just VP9 Profile 2. And yes the Apple TV can stream 4K HDR YouTube.
I have both. I prefer the smooth animations of Apple TV, switching between apps, scrolling through video. Dictation works great too. I would ditch my Shield if it weren't for Dolby Atmos/DTS X height channels and some Dolby Vision remuxes that I have. The tvOS Plex app rarely works with Dolby Vision. Instead I use the Infuse app, which connects to my Plex library and plays 95% of them, except those with Dolby Vision Profile 8 CM v4. You can read more about it here https://www.reddit.com/r/ShieldAndroidTV/comments/1bqwhcw/co…
Thanks for the detailed insight, will stick with my shield for longer and continue to hope and dream of a refresh lol
I wouldn't get too hung up on trying to play Dolby Vision sourced from a UHD Blu-Ray. No streaming device can do it properly. Better off sticking with HDR10 or 10+.
Apple TV has perfect reproduction of Dolby Vision from streaming apps and web sources which is the most important thing.
Can't you do dolby atmos on the apple tv?
It doesn’t support the type of Atmos found on UHD Blu-Rays. It supports Atmos from all streaming services and web sources.
That's interesting to hear as I haven't had any dramas at all with DV remuxes on AppleTV through Plex. I set the AppleTV to match the dynamic range of the source material and everything has worked great.
Plex incorrectly flags Dolby Vision to the TV but outputs HDR.
@tp0: So the TV (Not the AppleTV but the actual TV displaying the signal) can report as getting DV when it's really only getting HDR from the ATV? I get that the ATV might think it's outputting DV when it's not, but I would've thought the actual display would be accurate in being able to say what it's receiving.
@noisymime: Plex flags it as Dolby Vision incorrectly and the Apple TV kicks into Dolby Vision mode but the actual content is just the HDR fallback.
There seems to be a lot of confusion between Apple TV+ the streaming service and Apple TV the device running tvOS.
Like Google TV devices it's a fully featured streaming box with an app store and a wide range of streaming and media apps. It's also many times more powerful than the best Android TV devices meaning it can also play double duty as a game console and has a large number of games designed to run on it.
As to why you would get this instead of a Google TV device? Integration with Apple services (Home, Arcade, Music, TV app etc.)
How does this compare to a fire tv stick 4k max?
Only wanting to use Plex 🤔
The Plex app for tvOS is… interesting. The app and UI are as smooth as you'd expect but the player is a bit broken. There are audio delay issues and frame drops with larger files.
Would stick with a Google TV device if Plex is your #1 requirement.
long time Plex and Apple TV user, dont have any audio delay issues on Hi Fi or HomePod,
it may be your wifi as i have Ethernet, no issues with 100 GB (DV, 4k) files playing .
I've always had weird audio delay issues with Apple TVs and my Denon Receiver so it could be that. Forcing Plex to use the "old" (system) player instead seems to help.
As for the frame drops it was an issue discussed on the forum with the CPU consumption of the player getting out of control. Maybe they've fixed it? I've just been using Infuse instead.
@tp0: could be, try different audio output, maybe Bluetooth headphones,
if it's CPU consumption then set transcoding to Automatic on Plex client, the server should transcode into something more digestable?
just my thoughts
For some reason can’t turn the accidental neg vote off.
Having both it is like comparing a Toyota Yaris with a hi lux.
The fire stick (or chromecast) are streamers.
The ATV or Shield are also streamers, but additionally provide a wide range of other apps. Such as games fitness services, dance, weather services, media servers etc.
The ATV is the most powerful of these by far and its deep integration with the Apple ecosystem makes it a no brainer for such people.
If all you are doing is stream and have a recent TV, you don’t need anything;
If your TV is no longer get getting updated and all you do is stream then firestick or chromecast;
If you want to do the the kind of services above get the ATV. (Or shield, but it is getting long in the tooth).
Go to votes —> revoke vote
thanks!
Logging in to comment and answer a few questions here.
You use an Apple TV to replace the OS your TVs use. It's essentially a clean, snappy, ad free version of Android TV - though obviously Apple and not Google. This means that you can keep your TV disconnected from the internet to avoid ads, etc. You just download and install the apps you use, ie. Prime, Netflix, Plex. It's got typical Apple settings so just be aware of that.
This means that you don't have to struggle through Tizen software, or LG's WebOS. Sony's Android TVs is snappy on flagship models, and is the only TV OS I think performs better than the Apple TV.
I picked one up to trial it out with a VPN (Tailscale) solely for my Plex while away. It works on dumb or older TVs, and can be taken with you travelling. The toss up was Apple TV or Chromecast.
Compared to the latest gen Chromecasts, it's fast and snappy. Compared to the Nvidia Shield, it outputs better sound and picture - Dolby Surround and Dolby Vision.
Would I recommend it, yes, especially compared to the Nvidia Shield's price point, it's a better device. Voice input instead of typing works well, although it needs American pronunciation which can be annoying.
Siri has full support for English (Australian) as a voice input and output language so there's no need to use American pronunciation.
Thank you for that. I'm not really indoctrinated into the Apple Ecosystem, so that's helpful.
I will add, that I don't think there's casting YouTube to the TV, or not in an easy way. Those are the slight drawbacks I see over an Android powered device.
You can use AirPlay to cast. I also think you can control the app from your mobile as long as it’s open on the Apple TV.
Yes, TV brand OS replacement even more so for HiSense and other cheaper TVs even when the TV is new. Because their OS sucks, and is laggy, while ATV is easy to use and snappy.
Agree with all of the above, my only thing Ill add is +1 to tp0 point - I have never had to use American pronunciation for my apple tv, it just runs through siri who is pretty capable understanding our slang, for the most part.
Well summarised. The only further comment I could add is that whilst the ATV is the beast streamer I own, I think the 4K Fire TV (currently $49-$69) is worth considering as a low cost streaming device. Although it heavily promotes Amazon's own programs, it's a snappy device that does streaming apps well.
Nvidia shield pro can play lossless audio (dolby atmos truehd) but appletv can't.
Otherwise, appletv is the better box imo if just watching through streaming services.
128GB OOS..
i may need these when my tv os/app suppoet ends.
If the storage isn't a huge deal for you, you can get a new 64gb 4k one for $10 more
Where?
eBay from multiple sellers at $219 less 8% off code: SAVB8 = $201.48
Or Centre Com at $199, less 5% price beat at OW
New Apple TV coming out soon isn't there?
Regardless of what may be coming soon the current model is a pretty safe purchase. It’s not like it’s running a SOC from 2015 or something.
128GB model brand new is only $29 more. You can be sure that no person has ever had their hands on it before.
https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/apple-tv-4…
You can be sure that no person has ever had their hands on it before.
I've never seen a genuine refurbished product sold directly from Apple with fingerprints of the previous owner.
The surface of the Apple TV of whatever it's made of doesn't seem to collect fingerprints.
another advantage for Apple TV is that I have no problems sharing Netflix passwords- I can't seem to do that on my shield anymore since the crackdown. have no idea why that is so- maybe to do with apple's data policy?
128gb model is out of stock.
64GB and 128GB models seem to be both out of stock.
![[Refurbished] Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet $209 Delivered, 64GB Wi-Fi $189 Delivered @ Apple AU](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/48/841748.jpg?h=f58b9991)
These are awesome.