I am interested in getting a box to add to my TV as it does not have access to any online services. I am not sure of the relative benefits of these two boxes which seem to do almost the same job but at vastly different prices. My main computer is an Apple so I guess there Apple TV will stream content like photo's but apart from that is there any additional benefit from Apple that I should consider?
Roku 2 VS Apple TV
If you have an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, you can also airplay a lot of videos or audio to the Apple TV.
But the big question is what do you want this box to do?
Currently, the Roku has the advantage of having the most UK streaming services: BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, All 4, Demand 5 and Netflix.
The Apple TV only has Netflix, but the new Apple TV will get additional apps soon (BBC is in the pipeline, and the rest will follow eventually). Until then, All 4 and ITV Player will airplay across.
The new Apple TV can also easily add apps from different countries, so if you use Smart DNS, you can add TenPlay from Australia, PBS, Crackle NBC etc from the US and add additional ways to watch more shows. The Roku can not do this.
The older Apple TV can not do this either, and will likely never get more UK apps. But it is cheaper than the new model.
But the big question is what do you want this box to do?
Currently, the Roku has the advantage of having the most UK streaming services: BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, All 4, Demand 5 and Netflix.
The Apple TV only has Netflix, but the new Apple TV will get additional apps soon (BBC is in the pipeline, and the rest will follow eventually). Until then, All 4 and ITV Player will airplay across.
The new Apple TV can also easily add apps from different countries, so if you use Smart DNS, you can add TenPlay from Australia, PBS, Crackle NBC etc from the US and add additional ways to watch more shows. The Roku can not do this.
The older Apple TV can not do this either, and will likely never get more UK apps. But it is cheaper than the new model.
Just a note, you don't need an Apple TV to airplay from another Apple product, it can be done with other devices too.
Originally Posted by Philip Wales:
“Just a note, you don't need an Apple TV to airplay from another Apple product, it can be done with other devices too.”
“Just a note, you don't need an Apple TV to airplay from another Apple product, it can be done with other devices too.”
Year, but it is backwards engineered.
Now, I'll be honest that I haven't tested this for a few months, but when I last did it came with three issues that I considered to be deal breakers.
1) It wouldn't airplay DRM content.
2) It would only mirror the screen.
3) Video quality was very suspect.
If these have all been resolved, definitely let me know as I would love to try it again.
I use airplayer and airbuddy on the fire tv and while I don't know about DRM media I have used it for movietube etc and it worked well.
Saying that I did notice that with ios9 every time the ipad went to sleep I would lose the connection. I haven't tried for a few weeks, since loading Kodi onto the FTV.
Saying that I did notice that with ios9 every time the ipad went to sleep I would lose the connection. I haven't tried for a few weeks, since loading Kodi onto the FTV.
Originally Posted by Philip Wales:
“I use airplayer and airbuddy on the fire tv and while I don't know about DRM media I have used it for movietube etc and it worked well.
Saying that I did notice that with ios9 every time the ipad went to sleep I would lose the connection. I haven't tried for a few weeks, since loading Kodi onto the FTV.”
“I use airplayer and airbuddy on the fire tv and while I don't know about DRM media I have used it for movietube etc and it worked well.
Saying that I did notice that with ios9 every time the ipad went to sleep I would lose the connection. I haven't tried for a few weeks, since loading Kodi onto the FTV.”
Thanks. I just checked AirBuddy and it still doesn't send any DRM content. This means all those apps such as All4, BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, TVPlayer, Zattoo, etc don't work which really means it's not really AirPlay in the same way.
Of course, it is a pity as that would be a great option.
The UK Roku boxes as of today now have Amazon Prime Video on board so another plus for this stable of boxes.
I have ATV & FTV and used to have a Roku but find my Humax FS box easily the best for catch up TV and its nearly as good as ATV for You tube..
I think the new 4th gen ATV will be the best bet once Apple get their act together as they seem to still be treating TV as a hobby
I think the new 4th gen ATV will be the best bet once Apple get their act together as they seem to still be treating TV as a hobby
The new Apple TV box has rubbish/not good reviews at the moment
The new Apple TV cannot show you the Red Bull TV channel - I think as it is not on Apple's website
Red Bull TV channel http://www.redbull.tv/about
The new Apple TV cannot show you the Red Bull TV channel - I think as it is not on Apple's website
Red Bull TV channel http://www.redbull.tv/about
If you have a Mac or iPad, airplay to Apple TV is the way to go because if you can get it on your Mac/iPad you can see it on your TV. You don't need to worry if it is on the Apple TV site. Site apps can come and go, just ask anyone who has a so-called smart TV.
Originally Posted by joshua_welby:
“The new Apple TV box has rubbish/not good reviews at the moment
The new Apple TV cannot show you the Red Bull TV channel - I think as it is not on Apple's website
Red Bull TV channel http://www.redbull.tv/about”
“The new Apple TV box has rubbish/not good reviews at the moment
The new Apple TV cannot show you the Red Bull TV channel - I think as it is not on Apple's website
Red Bull TV channel http://www.redbull.tv/about”
Red Bull TV is available on the Apple TV 4, it is a download app.
