Roku vs Apple TV? Thoughts?

[BlakkMajik3000]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

It's interesting how different the perspectives are. I've had nothing but good experiences with Apple's digital media. They spearheaded DRM-free music downloads , iTunes (the app) is still far superior for media management than the web pages that other providers rely on, and their movie DRM is the most liberal that I know of. The free 4K upgrades don't hurt either.

Not exactly. That credit goes to Amazon.
https://www.techhive.com/article/155...music_drm.html

Amazon: The online retail giant was the first music store to sell DRM-free MP3s from the Big Four--EMI, Universal, Warner Music, and Sony BMG.

I remember buying drm-free music through Amazon well before Apple finally offered the same for the big labels.

On topic, I've owned a Roku 2, 3, and 4, and now own an Apple TV 4 (not 4k...yet). I removed the Roku 4 from the main TV and haven't hooked it up anywhere else. So yea, I like the Apple TV quite a bit.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by BlakkMajik3000

Not exactly. That credit goes to Amazon.
https://www.techhive.com/article/155...music_drm.html

I remember buying drm-free music through Amazon well before Apple finally offered the same for the big labels.

Not true. Amazon was the first store to offer DRM-free music from all 4 major labels, but Apple sold DRM-free music from EMI before Amazon Music was even launched:

https://www.theguardian.com/media/20...s.digitalmedia

According to reports there was quite a bit of arm-twisting by Jobs involved.

[Actionable Mango]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

Has anyone here owned both devices? Likes? Dislikes? Opinions?

The ATV is faster, smoother, better UI.

The touchpad/SIRI remote is super awesome for scrolling/scrubbing and has an incredible battery life. But the frequent complaints about picking it up wrong are true--somehow orientation is wrong most of the time when I pick it up. (You would think at worst it would be 50/50 right way, wrong way!) I've also heard that the trackpad is glass, so if you drop it onto tile, stone, or some other rigid surface, it can shatter.

But that's actually the little stuff. The absolute game changer for me is the combination of free 4K upgrades+MA+VUDU. Here are some of the more dramatic examples:

1) One of the things I struggle with is "4K or 3D?" when buying something. For example Blade Runner 2049 I want the sharpness, detail, and HDR presentation, which is 4K/DV. But I also want to experience it at least once in 3D (which is glorious on a 4K OLED). Now I don't have to choose. I buy the 3D disc and redeem the HD code in UV. Via MA it shows up in iTunes with 4K/DV. So get both without having to buy both discs separately.

2) 4K digital codes are a mess. You can buy a 4K disc but they often redeem in HD in a service, EVEN WHEN THAT SERVICE HAS THE TITLE IN 4K. This just pisses me off. Well if iTunes has it in 4K, the code will play in 4K. And if iTunes gets it later in 4K, it'll become 4K. This is really a basic straightforward expectation, but everyone else just seems incompetent about it.

3) There is a bonus combination that most people aren't aware of. iTunes+MA+VUDU+Disc-to-Digital. For example, I just did a disc-to-digital Starship Troopers for $2, which puts it in VUDU in HD. Then, via MA, it shows up in iTunes as 4K/Dolby Vision. So I got 4K+DV/HDR versions of Starship Troopers, I Am Legend, Star Trek, Terminator Genisys, and The Town...all for $2 each. Awesome. That's $10 total. Without D2D, that would have cost $100-$150.

And it's the gift that keeps on giving. Over time I fully expect more and more titles to go 4K on iTunes, so my Blu-ray disc collection will keep upgrading itself over time to 4K/HDR streaming for free.

This is literally the exact opposite of what we are all used to, which is begrudgingly trying to pick which titles should we double/triple/quadruple dip for, and paying out the butt every time we want to upgrade the media.

This is such a breath of fresh air, and absolutely 100% a game changer IMHO. I am surprised this isn't talked about more.

[Greyman]

Originally Posted by Actionable Mango

The ATV is faster, smoother, better UI.
....

3) There is a bonus combination that most people aren't aware of. iTunes+MA+VUDU+Disc-to-Digital. For example, I just did a disc-to-digital Starship Troopers for $2, which puts it in VUDU in HD. Then, via MA, it shows up in iTunes as 4K/Dolby Vision. So I got 4K+DV/HDR versions of Starship Troopers, I Am Legend, Star Trek, Terminator Genisys, and The Town...all for $2 each. Awesome. That's $10 total. Without D2D, that would have cost $100-$150.

...

I am sorry to have to tell you but you are not getting 4K copies from D2D conversions. You only get the 4K upgrade from direct iTunes purchases and code redemptions. On mobile you can see what you own in your library on the TV app or on the Apple TV when watching a movie and swiping down. Check the iTunes 4K thread for more info and confirmation.

[Veign06]

Originally Posted by Actionable Mango

The ATV is faster, smoother, better UI.

The touchpad/SIRI remote is super awesome for scrolling/scrubbing and has an incredible battery life. But the frequent complaints about picking it up wrong are true--somehow orientation is wrong most of the time when I pick it up. (You would think at worst it would be 50/50 right way, wrong way!) I've also heard that the trackpad is glass, so if you drop it onto tile, stone, or some other rigid surface, it can shatter.

But that's actually the little stuff. The absolute game changer for me is the combination of free 4K upgrades+MA+VUDU. Here are some of the more dramatic examples:

1) One of the things I struggle with is "4K or 3D?" when buying something. For example Blade Runner 2049 I want the sharpness, detail, and HDR presentation, which is 4K/DV. But I also want to experience it at least once in 3D (which is glorious on a 4K OLED). Now I don't have to choose. I buy the 3D disc and redeem the HD code in UV. Via MA it shows up in iTunes with 4K/DV. So get both without having to buy both discs separately.

2) 4K digital codes are a mess. You can buy a 4K disc but they often redeem in HD in a service, EVEN WHEN THAT SERVICE HAS THE TITLE IN 4K. This just pisses me off. Well if iTunes has it in 4K, the code will play in 4K. And if iTunes gets it later in 4K, it'll become 4K. This is really a basic straightforward expectation, but everyone else just seems incompetent about it.

3) There is a bonus combination that most people aren't aware of. iTunes+MA+VUDU+Disc-to-Digital. For example, I just did a disc-to-digital Starship Troopers for $2, which puts it in VUDU in HD. Then, via MA, it shows up in iTunes as 4K/Dolby Vision. So I got 4K+DV/HDR versions of Starship Troopers, I Am Legend, Star Trek, Terminator Genisys, and The Town...all for $2 each. Awesome. That's $10 total. Without D2D, that would have cost $100-$150.

And it's the gift that keeps on giving. Over time I fully expect more and more titles to go 4K on iTunes, so my Blu-ray disc collection will keep upgrading itself over time to 4K/HDR streaming for free.

This is literally the exact opposite of what we are all used to, which is begrudgingly trying to pick which titles should we double/triple/quadruple dip for, and paying out the butt every time we want to upgrade the media.

This is such a breath of fresh air, and absolutely 100% a game changer IMHO. I am surprised this isn't talked about more.

This is not how the 4k upgrade works. If you get a non 4k code and redeem in VUDU it doesn’t give you a 4K upgrade in iTunes. You only get 4k upgraded for Movies you buy or redeem directly in iTunes. If you are going by what’s listed in iTunes, that is not the PQ you own, that is only the highest the offer.

So that Blade Runner is not 4k in iTunes. I wished it worked how you think it worked. Same with those DTD, none of those port into iTunes giving 4k...it’s not that easy.

Here’s the spreadsheet, a lot of movies are not in 4k and a lot are only available if you purchase full price in iTunes: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...Htmh4/htmlview

[Nostromo]

Originally Posted by brentsg

And none of this pertains to the issue at hand. The OP wanted people to compare that had used both. Obviously he's not in the hater camp with you.

Really?? You’re using the word “hater”? No offense, but that makes you sound like an immature five year old. Criticism is not “hate”. It’s just...criticism. Some people use Apple TV and love it, while others dislike it. Those who don’t like it aren’t haters, it just means that the product in question did not meet that person’s needs.

[brentsg]

Originally Posted by Nostromo

Really?? You’re using the word “hater”? No offense, but that makes you sound like an immature five year old. Criticism is not “hate”. It’s just...criticism. Some people use Apple TV and love it, while others dislike it. Those who don’t like it aren’t haters, it just means that the product in question did not meet that person’s needs.

There have been direct references to hating Apple in this thread, and mentions of people saying "buy Roku, never buy anything from Apple" basically.

That's not criticism in any form. It's not going to help the OP either, because he's not buying product based on the forum members personal bias. It's absolutely ridiculous but there are people who will contribute to a thread like this with zero information except a statement that they don't buy brand X, for reasons, despite never owning any of brand X to begin with.

[Actionable Mango]

Originally Posted by Veign06

This is not how the 4k upgrade works.]

Originally Posted by Greyman

I am sorry to have to tell you but you are not getting 4K copies from D2D conversions.

Oh man, you guys are raining on my parade! But thanks for the correction. And it explains why nobody is talking about it.

What confuses me is that on the D2D titles I own when I look in iTunes it states 4K. Admittedly I have not had time to watch the titles, much less verify the stream. I'm in middle of a huge project to digitize my disc library.

I will check out the link you passed on. I appreciate it!

[Naiera]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

Has anyone here owned both devices? Likes? Dislikes? Opinions?

Apple TV shits all over Roku.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by Naiera

Apple TV shits all over Roku.

[Veign06]

Originally Posted by Actionable Mango

Oh man, you guys are raining on my parade! But thanks for the correction. And it explains why nobody is talking about it.

What confuses me is that on the D2D titles I own when I look in iTunes it states 4K. Admittedly I have not had time to watch the titles, much less verify the stream. I'm in middle of a huge project to digitize my disc library.

I will check out the link you passed on. I appreciate it!

Yep when I first saw the news I was thinking the same but the more I researched I found that it wasn’t the case. Still loving it so far but that would have been MUCH better. You can check on the Apple TV 4k, just go to the TV app (not the iTunes app) then go to Library...it will show how many 4k movies you own and list them out.

[squatting hen]

Originally Posted by Naiera

Apple TV shits all over Roku.

That's because Roku killed it. Excrement usually happens when something dies.

[Naiera]

Except for a crapload of useless channels, Roku does NOTHING the Apple TV doesn’t do better.

[solarrdadd]

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by Naiera

Except for a crapload of useless channels, Roku does NOTHING the Apple TV doesn’t do better.

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

[Naiera]

And there are no problems with Roku? There are plenty of different issues with both systems, but assuming that all things work as they should, there is nothing besides the extreme selection of (99% worthless) channels that any Roku does better than an Apple TV 4K.

I had a Roku 2 XD a long time ago and a Roku Premiere now. I have nothing against Roku’s streamers, unlike the Apple haters out there who’ll let their personal bias control their recommendations to you.

[Ray_Rogers]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

I used to have blind hatred for them as well. In this case, Vudu not being able to get things right and MA changed all that. I want the option.

Make your own digital copies with the discs. There are hundreds of programs which allow the conversion. As I've already mentioned, I'd never willfully have anything by Apple.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

Make your own digital copies with the discs. There are hundreds of programs which allow the conversion. As I've already mentioned, I'd never willfully have anything by Apple.

Then you're of no use in this thread. I need unbiased, logical and intelligent opinions.

[WestMan]

Originally Posted by Naiera

And there are no problems with Roku? There are plenty of different issues with both systems, but assuming that all things work as they should, there is nothing besides the extreme selection of (99% worthless) channels that any Roku does better than an Apple TV 4K.

I had a Roku 2 XD a long time ago and a Roku Premiere now. I have nothing against Roku’s streamers, unlike the Apple haters out there who’ll let their personal bias control their recommendations to you.

There is no bias. Just a realization that loving in the Apple ecosystem can be both expensive and restrictive. Roku is much more like Android where there is an openness to the platform.

[brentsg]

Originally Posted by WestMan

There is no bias. Just a realization that loving in the Apple ecosystem can be both expensive and restrictive. Roku is much more like Android where there is an openness to the platform.

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.