Complete technophobe here, wondering which of these would be best as a present? Do you need to have an iPhone/iPad to be able to control the Apple TV? The person I am buying for has built-in Freeview TV and TalkTalk broadband. Would a streaming device be a good thing to have, or would they be better off with a different product? I'm looking for something with nil or minimal ongoing cost to them.

you have to work out what they would use the device for.

the appletv has it's own phyisical remote control, but it can only stream your own content from an existing itunes library or from another apple device (ipad/iphone). it also gives you access to the itunes online store for renting or purchasing content, and gives access to some other services.

the roku3 is a more open device with more services available, and is not tied to itunes.