Roku vs Apple TV? Thoughts?

[Britnasty]

I have been a lifelong Roku user but am actually looking at switching to the Apple TV 4K just for uniformity and accessing the last little bit of content I can't. I have a lot of TV show seasons (mainly trashy reality TV) that I have purchased through iTunes that I cannot view except on my iPad and iPhone and now that it has VUDU, is getting Amazon Prime and offers 4K HDR via MA in its own library, I might be switching over since other than my ROKU, I pretty much live in an Apple ecosystem (phone, tablet, watch, laptop, etc).

[moviegeek1992]

Originally Posted by brentsg

It just sounds like the opinion one might have that hasn't used an Apple TV. All the apps are there, save for Amazon.. and that's coming. You can use an Apple TV for everything and never buy any content from them. It is not restrictive.

That being said, now that Movies Anywhere has come along, it's even better b/c you'll automatically have a bunch of content in iTunes if you wish to view it.. b/c it'll feed over from Vudu, Google Play, Amazon, via MA.

Amazon is already here isn't it? At least I've had it on my ATV for the past two months.

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by moviegeek1992

Amazon is already here isn't it? At least I've had it on my ATV for the past two months.

I’ve had it too. It’s definitely here.

[brentsg]

Originally Posted by moviegeek1992

Amazon is already here isn't it? At least I've had it on my ATV for the past two months.

Ah thanks, better grab it then. Didn't realize it had released.

[jmspls72]

Originally Posted by Britnasty

I have been a lifelong Roku user but am actually looking at switching to the Apple TV 4K just for uniformity and accessing the last little bit of content I can't. I have a lot of TV show seasons (mainly trashy reality TV) that I have purchased through iTunes that I cannot view except on my iPad and iPhone and now that it has VUDU, is getting Amazon Prime and offers 4K HDR via MA in its own library, I might be switching over since other than my ROKU, I pretty much live in an Apple ecosystem (phone, tablet, watch, laptop, etc).

I am in the same boat. I have an iPad. I didn’t realize how much I like to cast content until I couldn’t do it with my Roku. Since than I have been looking to get Apple TV

[jmspls72]

I have question. I have a harmony 700 remote and a Roku TCL 403 tv. The remote doesn’t work with the tv. Does ant know if Apple TV has support for Roku tvs

[p w]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

Actually, if you read this thread, you'll see that there are many problems with the Apple TV.

some people are just entrenched in one camp or the other. shrug. i'm more into the usefulness of an item than who its manufactured by. appletv has learned and evolved a bit since being the total locked down ecosystem which starved it out for years. roku is still a bit more of a swiss army knife than the apple tv. i've tried them all and havent found any of the more recent media players lacking.

for a users own personal enjoyment one of the first questions they need to answer when considering a new media center: can i use plex on it? most modern players support it.

then you get into stuff like can the unit be hardwired? (some 4k content plays hell with wifi). what apps/support is available? (if the only thing it does is play 1-4 apps, why settle for that in 2018). can you cast to/from unit with apps or hardware? (or not at all, which is a pass on that player in 2018). lots of other questions to be answered depending on each individual user's tastes and preferences. there isn't a one size fits all answer to this question.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by jmspls72

I have question. I have a harmony 700 remote and a Roku TCL 403 tv. The remote doesn’t work with the tv. Does ant know if Apple TV has support for Roku tvs

Isn't that one of the models that uses Roku's Wifi-based remote control? If so, you won't be able to control it through the ATV remote (it can only be trained for IR-based remote control). You may be able to turn the TV on and off and adjust the volume through HDMI CEC, if the TV supports it.

[IndyMLVC]

Just to give my 2 cents to my own thread...I've since gotten rid of my Roku and stuck with the Apple TV. Had both and didn't see any reason to keep the Roku.

[avs commenter]

I have both (different rooms). Both are great and much better than Amazon Fire.

[Batman90]

I think Apple TV is better cause I can also watch my shows and movies that are I tunes only like Deadwood and The Sopranos shows are ITunes only. Plus the remote doesn’t use batteries you just charge it with the same cord as the iPhone.

[Fiffy]

Roku moving one step closer to becoming an advertising platform (and the privacy violations that come with it):

https://variety.com/2021/digital/new...ng-1234918532/

"Under the agreement, announced Monday, Roku will obtain Nielsen’s video automatic content recognition (ACR) technology and dynamic ad insertion (DAI) system, which can replace ads in linear feeds with targeted, household-level spots on over-the-top streaming platforms."

[CSM101]

With HBO Max, Apple TV supports Dolby Atmos. I’m not sure if Roku does as of yet.

I guess the Roku Ultra does do Atmos with HBO Max. Correct me if I’m wrong

[davcole]

Originally Posted by CSM101

With HBO Max, Apple TV supports Dolby Atmos. I’m not sure if Roku does as of yet.

I guess the Roku Ultra does do Atmos with HBO Max. Correct me if I’m wrong

My Roku TV does Atmos with HBO Max. I'm sure the Ultra does.

[tjritter79]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Roku moving one step closer to becoming an advertising platform (and the privacy violations that come with it):

https://variety.com/2021/digital/new...ng-1234918532/

"Under the agreement, announced Monday, Roku will obtain Nielsen’s video automatic content recognition (ACR) technology and dynamic ad insertion (DAI) system, which can replace ads in linear feeds with targeted, household-level spots on over-the-top streaming platforms."

Both Roku & Amazon (Fire) have tried to monetize their platforms. A huge reason why both Peacock & HBO Max weren't available on either at the beginning....and as you implied, it's ALL about accessing/controlling data. Simply having a "portal" (app) means you forego any data accessed through that portal. However, if that SAME content can be commercialized (Roku on their "The Roku Channel") or added ads for Prime services, then the data follows dual paths and both sides benefit. R & A know despite current numbers that the streaming industry is moving to D2C (direct-to-consumer) services and one of the perks for making this move is control over the data that moves through your portal.

Nielsen is but a dinosaur who's yet to realize they have no place in this new business climate. They totally missed the boat on cable and they waited way too long for streaming. Nielsen is but a company whos claim to fame is "rating rankings" and that system was on its last legs in the 90's. TV has evolved beyond 3 networks fighting for prime time viewers and Nielsen has yet to grasp that the REAL measure of a programs success is not ratings, but ad revenue and exposure. It's why marginal shows such as DIY house fixer uppers and resell types have captured a niche audience and survived. They cater to a smaller demographic not only of an audience, but of advertisers looking to push their products specifically to THAT audience they can't find on prime time.

[Fiffy]

I think the worst part of this is the automatic content recognition. This is the same technology that some smart TVs use to detect what the user is watching by fingerprinting the screen content. This potentially gives Roku the capability to know what the user is watching not only in the Roku channel, but also in 3rd party apps or even locally streamed via Plex or DLNA. Total (corporate) surveillance.

[lgans316]

With TVOS 14.5, ATV will be the only streamer to support both 23.976 and 24 fps without resorting to any side loading or jail breaks.

[tjritter79]

Originally Posted by lgans316

With TVOS 14.5, ATV will be the only streamer to support both 23.976 and 24 fps without resorting to any side loading or jail breaks.

The Apple TV IS the superior device, unless you want to count Nvidia Shield but I think the Shield caters to the gamer as well. People are put off by its cost and learning curve with the remote. It won't be long till the newly designed/improved ATV tech specs are released and I'm told the device will be ready to sell in April. A faster proc, more memory options (storage) a new remote and my fav....HDMI 2.1 support will make this the must-have for any true streaming enthusiast. Prolly won't be any cheaper but I've never had as much as a blip on my ATV 4K since I bought it, while I had to reset the Roku Ultra nearly weekly. IMO, buying a Roku is like settling for a $400 TV while an Apple TV is akin to a $2K+ OLED.

[bhampton]

I have a Roku 3 and an ATV4K

They both work but the ATV4K is the my favorite streaming gizmo ever.

The ATV4K is in the home theater and the Roku 3 in a bedroom plasma 720p 3D set that is still good.

-Brian

[flyry]

Originally Posted by tjritter79

The Apple TV IS the superior device, unless you want to count Nvidia Shield but I think the Shield caters to the gamer as well. People are put off by its cost and learning curve with the remote. It won't be long till the newly designed/improved ATV tech specs are released and I'm told the device will be ready to sell in April. A faster proc, more memory options (storage) a new remote and my fav....HDMI 2.1 support will make this the must-have for any true streaming enthusiast. Prolly won't be any cheaper but I've never had as much as a blip on my ATV 4K since I bought it, while I had to reset the Roku Ultra nearly weekly. IMO, buying a Roku is like settling for a $400 TV while an Apple TV is akin to a $2K+ OLED.

boo