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Should I get Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick or Now TV?


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Old 09-05-2015, 20:38
Master Ozzy
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I'm struggling to work out what to get. I know they're due to announce a new Apple TV box in June, which I would happily wait for...however, the main things I want to use the box for are YouTube, Spotify and Netflix. I'm not too bothered about anything else. I'm wondering though would maybe Chromecast suit me better? Or perhaps the Amazon Fire Stick? Or would Now TV do the job?!
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Old 09-05-2015, 23:33
oilman
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cant say about the apple tv but i can say following.

1. chromecast is great for relaying netflix and youtube to tv but you need a smartphone or tablet/pc. cant say about spotify as i dont use it.

2. now tv box is good for uk tv catchup and some (paid) sky stuff but no netflix. i think it has sone youtube capability.

dont know about amazon fire stick.
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Old 10-05-2015, 00:01
JCR
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The main reasons to buy an Apple tv are

If you have a collection of itunes film/tv that would benefit from an easy way to be put on a tv.

Or if you have an iphone or ipad and think the airplay feature- the ability to stream most internet videos on your tv- would be useful.

Also in the Apple TV's corner is it's easy to change your Netflix region on it, much easier than on the Amazon devices.
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Old 10-05-2015, 10:43
akki007
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If you can get a U.S. cable provider login, the Apple tv is IMMENSE.
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Old 10-05-2015, 11:19
arunan22
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Genuinely curious - why do you want Spotify access on your TV? I struggle to understand this one but plenty of people seem to ask for it so just wondering why?
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Old 10-05-2015, 12:36
jcm193
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Personally i airplay spotify via my apple tv for improved sound quality my setup is connected to my tv and a 5.1 surround sound system far better than any laptop or mobile device could offer me
Genuinely curious - why do you want Spotify access on your TV? I struggle to understand this one but plenty of people seem to ask for it so just wondering why?
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Old 11-05-2015, 12:46
Joel's dad
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I would say 80% of my TV viewing is on Apple TV

I have Netflix, HBO now, Hulu, now TV. Not to mention all the shows and films I've bought on iTunes
It's great.
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Old 11-05-2015, 16:17
MikeOf LBuzzard
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If you can get a U.S. cable provider login, the Apple tv is IMMENSE.
Advice on how to get a US cable provider login would be helpful. I thought you need a US credit card which only US citizens can get.
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Old 11-05-2015, 19:02
akki007
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Advice on how to get a US cable provider login would be helpful. I thought you need a US credit card which only US citizens can get.
Or if you have a friend in the usa...
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Old 12-05-2015, 14:18
artesea
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I've been watching Netflix on my Chromecast so it can do the job.
The NOW TV box won't, and it's unlikely it will in the future although he Roku's which the NOW TV box is based on however do.
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Old 12-05-2015, 15:13
Coljj
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Or if you have a friend in the usa...
... Like Delboy & Raz?
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Old 13-05-2015, 10:11
SimonB79
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ATM I'm currently watching NowTV more then Netflix & Amazon combined

(Install Plex and it's the only Service / Box ya need IMO)
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Old 21-05-2015, 11:47
zantarous
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I have a Fire TV, Nexus Player (Android TV) and a Chromcast. Fire TV has a spotify app but it is just a receiver you still need a phone/tablett to control it although it seems really flaky. I don't have a spotify sub but a friend of mine does and I was unable to get her phone to connect to either my Fire TV or hers.

I prefer the Fire TV and Nexus Player over the chromecast as I like having an actual remote, it is a pain when I get a call on the phone and then tell the caller to wait while I fumble with the phone to try and pause what I am watching.

Both the nexus player and Fire TV have a wide range of apps including Netflix, but are lacking the extensive range that Roku have. However as both are Android boxes an avalanche of apps should come in the future. And as both are android boxes you can quite easily side load apps from the store and also install Kodi which is handsdown one of the best media players that out there, you can stream local connect form another machine on your network and install a whole range of addons that allow you access to a lot of streaming sites. heck I can even access my Google Music sub through Kodi.

The Youtube app on the Fire TV is a 3rd party one but over time I have started to like that more then the one that ships with the Nexus Player (i.e. Googles own one) has it far more feature rich and better laid out.

At the moment it is still a pretty tough choice, the Chromecast is just a dumb stick that simply transfer the video/service from your phone/tablet/chome browser to the Chromcast (only depending if the app has the facility which Spotify does not). The Nexus Player is also a Chromcast receiver but you get a really nice interface.

I would say for now the Fire TV is the best of the bunch and I can't see why you would not get a Now TV app in future and almost all the other services that it is missing. In fact in my living room I have a combination of a Fire TV and a Chromcast that pretty much gives me everything I want.
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Old 19-07-2015, 22:32
Master Ozzy
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I think I'm going to go for Apple TV but might as well wait now for its next release.
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Old 20-07-2015, 10:51
ovbg
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Personally i airplay spotify via my apple tv for improved sound quality my setup is connected to my tv and a 5.1 surround sound system far better than any laptop or mobile device could offer me
I do this as well, as Spotify on the iPad and then AirPlay is the best UI for a music service like Spotify. Using Spotify directly on the TV or connected device is painful to say the least (almost as bad as using a browser), but the touch pad makes for a perfect UI, and AirPlay sends it to the TV.

My set up is with the Apple TV, HiFi and Harmony Remote. I connect the digital audio out from the ATV directly to my HiFi fibre input, so with the Harmony Remote, a single button will fire up the HiFi, set it to the right input and ready the ATV. The Television doesn't switch on as it is not needed, and then I can AirPlay from my iPad.
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Old 20-07-2015, 22:51
Richard_T
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My vote would be a Roku, I have both a Roku and a chromecast and the chromecast just sits there, while the roku gets used regularly
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Old 21-07-2015, 01:03
thms
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I also have an Apple TV (it's practically invisible on the smoked glass tv stand). The remote is aluminium and very tactile. My TV sound is fed through a headphone socket to what looks like a bowling ball! It actually has stereo speakers and a subwoofer built-in. (It's by gear4 and I paid just 29.99 in a HMV sale in December/January) .
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Old 21-07-2015, 14:24
Master Ozzy
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I've decided to go for Apple TV. I have one question though...is there any way around the selecting of each individual letter when searching for things (just say on You Tube for example)? I've used a friends Apple TV a few times and although I loved it, I found it very annoying when searching for things because you have to select each letter individually. I'm surprised that they haven't found a better way around this by now.
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Old 21-07-2015, 14:26
ovbg
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Yes, via your iPad or iPhone. Type it in and then airplay to the Apple TV. I don't think I have ever used Youtube directly on an ATV, only through airplay as it is so much easier.
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Old 21-07-2015, 15:01
-GONZO-
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I've decided to go for Apple TV. I have one question though...is there any way around the selecting of each individual letter when searching for things (just say on You Tube for example)? I've used a friends Apple TV a few times and although I loved it, I found it very annoying when searching for things because you have to select each letter individually. I'm surprised that they haven't found a better way around this by now.
As said above, or install the apple remote on an iPhone or iPad, as soon as you select anything that requires letters the app automatically brings up the keyboard.
Remote by Apple
https://appsto.re/gb/g198q.i
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Old 21-07-2015, 15:01
methodyguy
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To those people who are thinking of getting Apple TV just be aware that there is a new Apple TV coming out soon I don't know exactly when it could be as early as September so might be better until the new one launches.
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Old 21-07-2015, 15:06
ovbg
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^^ I concur.

No one knows when the new Apple TV will be launched. It has been overdue for years, and we have expected it so many times. But it is so overdue now that it surely must arrive sometime soon(ish).

I would personally hold off a few more months unless you are urgent, as a new Apple TV will probably come with a pile of new features including a app store - and that makes it a big deal.

I would also expect a voice controlled remote, or possibly one with gestures that could make things a lot easier.
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Old 21-07-2015, 15:10
methodyguy
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^^ I concur.

No one knows when the new Apple TV will be launched. It has been overdue for years, and we have expected it so many times. But it is so overdue now that it surely must arrive sometime soon(ish).

I would personally hold off a few more months unless you are urgent, as a new Apple TV will probably come with a pile of new features including a app store - and that makes it a big deal.

I would also expect a voice controlled remote, or possibly one with gestures that could make things a lot easier.
I agree hopefully the new Apple TV box will be well worth waiting for and it will be packed with lots of exciting new features.
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Old 21-07-2015, 15:21
icebergx
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If you do need to buy an apple TV now, I'd get one second hand.
I nabbed one off Gumtree for £35 boxed (8 months old) and an unboxed one was on there for £30.
Got my friend US login so I get all the PL football, F1, HBO Go, Showtime and many other channels. Highly, highly recommended, especially if you have an iOS device too. Movie Box Airplayed to the ATV also covers all you movie/TV watching needs!
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Old 24-07-2015, 09:47
stephen122333
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Anyone thinking of getting a ChromeCast for NOWtv consider these offers,
https://www.google.com/chrome/device...mecast/offers/
if you are going to use NOWtv than the cast works out at only £9, a bargain. I already have a NOWtv box, (and a AppleTV and AmazonFire Stick) but considering getting the stick for its bargain price.
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