Apple TV 4k Vs Chromecast with Google TV

stoofa

stoofa

stoofa

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Wonder if anyone can comment on the "better product" of the two and if one is worth the rather large premium over the other.
Person this is going to be for has a nice 65" TV and would like Dolby Vision support.

Looking at these two devices they seem to support similar services:
Netflix, Prime, Disney+ and all the UK catch-up services. No Apple TV on the Chromecast of course, but not really a worry.

Had a read of a few reviews online and a lot of them mentioned the overall picture quality on the Apple TV box - saying that nothing could quite match it.
I know 4k content, even purchased films, never look as good streamed as they do from a UHD BluRay, however does the Apple TV box offer unmatched picture quality - and if you want the best, it's worth paying that little more?

As I said, read a few reviews - but do like to hear from owners.
 
I have an Apple TV 4k and a 3rd Gen chromecast, I have never used Google TV but for me Apple TV 4k is awesome. A lot of friends have them and have even moved from the NVIDIA Shield to them because you just can't quite beat the ease of use, quality, app support and so forth.
 
Biz.Kid09 said:
I have an Apple TV 4k and a 3rd Gen chromecast, I have never used Google TV but for me Apple TV 4k is awesome. A lot of friends have them and have even moved from the NVIDIA Shield to them because you just can't quite beat the ease of use, quality, app support and so forth.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I keep reading that.
I'm in no way an Apple fan - don't mean that in any particular way, I've just never looked at their products and thought "I must own that".
But I don't think I've read a bad thing about the Apple TV box yet.
 
I've got a shield and an ATV4k, I like the shield because i have access to my iptv(although i rarely watch it), but 95% of the time we use the ATV. The layout is much better, pretty sure all the catch-up apps are on ATV, google is missing one or two - although you can chromecast the apps from your phone to tv, but its not the same thing. Having said that, we still use a 1080p tv, so i cant comment on 4k stuff.
 
Apple TV 4K any day of the week. Google and hardware just aren’t a thing, seriously their business model is just a disaster - they have a minute attention span to any of their services outright. The ATV has always been a competent streamer alongside the Shield. I would choose either of these devices over anything else really.

I use an ATV 4K on my 55" Q90R and HW-Q90R. It works flawlessly. I am slowly building up a library of 4K films, in order to replace the 1080p rips on my NAS/Plex library.
 
Apple TV is a overpriced piece of junk. Yes it works but it's so annoying (the remote is hideous) and your limited to apples apps only.
Anything Android based is a hit and miss a fair but if you go for the top tier droids thru pretty much destroy Apples efforts (the ability to sideload and install apps you actually want) and I'll admit Apples eco system is built for ease of use (stupid people can use it) Android is for the more competent user.
I own a Nvidia shield TV (2019) several Rokus and 2 Fire TV 4k. All have benefits and I put them all ahead of Apples 4TV (I personally cannot get on with Apples eco system and charging a arm and a leg for devices that are limited in functionality because that's how they want it to be... ie you can only do what we say and nothing more, and yes we charge you extra for your own safety).
I can easily use Apples 4k tv but it doesn't do everything I want a streaming box to do. Everyone is different and at the end if the day get what your most comfortable with.
 
Apple TV a piece of junk? I think not.

I think if you're in the Google Ecosystem then the new Chromecast should be fine. But the superior device is the Apple TV. We've just bought a second one for the bedroom.
 
With the recent news that the PS5 is not supporting Dolby Vision from the get go (potentially never) I'm looking for a streaming device for Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ etc. Also the catch-up services.
I know the majority of that content isn't going to be 4k, however Netflix, Amazon, Disney all have increased libraries of 4k/HDR content.

I have a receiver and TV that supports Dolby Vision, so would like a device that supports this.
So looking for a device that will support all of the major streaming services and catch-up services in the UK and will over 4k/Dolby Vision/HDR10.
I may want to buy some 4k content digitally, so support for different stores/services here as well.
Add-in a relatively nice interface and something that just works - I don't want it buffering, I don't want it suddenly suffering from lip-sync half way through a playback from Netflix, etc.
I'll be running a network cable to it (appreciate that is an add-on for the Chromecast Device).
Ecosystem I'm not so worried about - it's going to be pretty stand-alone device, don't necessarily need anything to control it etc.

With the above in mind, Apple TV - £150, so more expensive than a lot of the rival products, but worth the premium?
 
You’ve described my scenario as I moved from a Roku to a AppleTV 4K for my new tv/soundbar. The good thing about the iTunes library on the device is that you’ve got a trusted ecosystem that’s been around for ages. Any existing HD films that you purchase are automatically upgraded to 4K if the publisher decides it. I’ve already had two films (Beetlejuice and Ghostbusters) upgraded.

At the moment I am slowly building a collection of 4K Atmos/Vision content and that content is also available on any Apple device should you own it.

I also have a Plex library as mentioned that has a sizeable amount of films and shows on it and they play flawlessly. The Prime Video app works well enough given its UI is absolute garbage on any platform but it’s own and the the same goes for YouTube.

My ATV hooked upto a switch that is connected to my SkyQ hub. I only have a poxy 75mb connection in my new place so I have a second or two of buffering before playing a movie and that’s it. Can’t comment on Netflix as I haven’t renewed my subs for that.

It is a damn powerful device but comes with the most annoying remote on the planet. It is fine once you get used to it’s touch pad but you’ll deffo want a silicon case for it (easily found on Amazon for a few quid) just to be able to hold it without it slipping out of your hand.... :o

Edit: I bagged my 64gb ATV 4K cheap off the ocuk members market as it came with 1yr sub to AppleTV+.
 
stoofa said:
Thanks - I keep reading that.
I'm in no way an Apple fan - don't mean that in any particular way, I've just never looked at their products and thought "I must own that".
But I don't think I've read a bad thing about the Apple TV box yet.
Click to expand...
For me, the big thing on the Apple side as well is that you just know the apps are always going to be updated and content will always be available. I understand the want/need to sideload apps etc but I spend enough of my day fixing problems and troubleshooting and messing about. Apple TV is a one constant in my house that anyone can use and are a few button clicks away from Netflix, iPlayer and everything else.

I have slowly moved my girlfriend, parents and anyone else I can onto Apple products because the amount of time I have spent troubleshooting, fixing, repairing, building and everything in between for the devices they had before just isn't worth it for me. Since getting my parents an AppleTV I haven't heard a peep of any issues, it keeps itself up to date, it looks similar to iOS and they can use the iPad or iPhone to control it. Nice and easy.
 
BMox81 said:
Apple TV a piece of junk? I think not.

I think if you're in the Google Ecosystem then the new Chromecast should be fine. But the superior device is the Apple TV. We've just bought a second one for the bedroom.
Click to expand...

Apple TV for me isn't a superior device and you'll find way more users on a Android based system because they typically less expensive to achieve what's needed in a streaming hdmi device for TV. Best streamer is the Nvidia Shield and its pricing is a bit rich, but with android the options are abundant. Again its my choice and I've based it on functionality and price.
Apple make decent products sure, but thier pricing is outrageous.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
Nvidia shield pro

Or if you want cheap Google TV
Click to expand...
It was the Chromecast with Google TV that I initially looked at - £60 appears a bargain, Dolby Vision support etc.
Started having a read through various forums and although generally good reviews, there were enough issues here and there with Google not appearing to be in any hurry to resolve that was putting me off.
It's just the old question, is the Apple TV a "£100 better device".
 
stoofa said:
It was the Chromecast with Google TV that I initially looked at - £60 appears a bargain, Dolby Vision support etc.
Started having a read through various forums and although generally good reviews, there were enough issues here and there with Google not appearing to be in any hurry to resolve that was putting me off.
It's just the old question, is the Apple TV a "£100 better device".
Click to expand...

I own that but not the Apple TV.

It works flawlessly for me.

As for best device it's the Nvidia shield pro which I also own.

What is your usage going to be? I use mine for emby, IPTV, prime video.
 
wellibob said:
Apple TV for me isn't a superior device and you'll find way more users on a Android based system because they typically less expensive to achieve what's needed in a streaming hdmi device for TV. Best streamer is the Nvidia Shield and its pricing is a bit rich, but with android the options are abundant. Again its my choice and I've based it on functionality and price.
Apple make decent products sure, but thier pricing is outrageous.
Click to expand...

The question was what is the better device out of the ATV 4K and the new Chromecast, and if the ATV is worth the extra outlay. Out of those two, the ATV is the better device and is worth that extra. And going by most of the responses, others tend to agree.

I’ve found that there are lots of people using Android phones that prefer the Apple TV because the offerings on the iTunes Store, especially regarding 4K content far outweigh what is available on the Play Store. All the UK apps are there as well. It’s just the better all round package.

FWIW, a Shield TV Pro is £199, which is the same price as a 64GB Apple TV. So let’s not be saying that Apple have outrageous pricing either.
 
BMox81 said:
The question was what is the better device out of the ATV 4K and the new Chromecast, and if the ATV is worth the extra outlay. Out of those two, the ATV is the better device and is worth that extra. And going by most of the responses, others tend to agree.

I’ve found that there are lots of people using Android phones that prefer the Apple TV because the offerings on the iTunes Store, especially regarding 4K content far outweigh what is available on the Play Store. All the UK apps are there as well. It’s just the better all round package.

FWIW, a Shield TV Pro is £199, which is the same price as a 64GB Apple TV. So let’s not be saying that Apple have outrageous pricing either.
Click to expand...

Problem is that majority haven't used the new Chromecast it only came out a few days ago.

I gave an honest answer. I've never used Apple TV. Whereas many have neglected the fact they have never used the new Chromecast.

Also the shield pro is better than the apple TV.

Chromecast is only £60 Vs £200 on shield pro.

So it depends entirely on usage.

Do you warrant the extra power. The experience is much the same if you don't.
 
Access to itunes 4k pay movies, currently at a better bitrate than (covid) competitors is attractive, and,
if you will be paying for those, the £100 delta for the box is probably less significant.

ATV Upscaling capability is not so important , if you have a modern sony/pan/lg ... tv

edit: maybe not itunes doesn't have much 4k ? 100 titles
https://www.blu-ray.com/deals/?category=itunes4k
 
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ITunes is Apple users exclusively . If your a Apple user then go for it.
Sales figures show that for every 1 apple device sold 4 Android devices are (in general). Most people use Android because its typically a lot cheaper (not necessarily better) and offers a vastly wider choice.

I've owned all streaming devices. The Apple 4k tv doesn't get used because I sold it because the remote is hideous to use. Also I hate anything related to iTunes or Apples app store mainly because prices are cheaper elsewhere. I'm not tight, far from it but I prefer not to use Apple over other products which offer me more and cost less.

Buy both and see what you prefer. Only way you'll know which you'll like better.
I don't like everything equally unfortunately.
 

not forgetting, I had, that if you have lg/samsung/roku you can get itunes 4k content, installing their program, so, that would obviate, a lot of an atv's benefit.
I'lll have to look on my roku ss+ if that can genuinely be installed in the uk ? maybe article is taling about roku tv's

Guide: Apple TV app vs. Apple TV box

 
Psycho Sonny said:
Problem is that majority haven't used the new Chromecast it only came out a few days ago.

I gave an honest answer. I've never used Apple TV. Whereas many have neglected the fact they have never used the new Chromecast.

Also the shield pro is better than the apple TV.

Chromecast is only £60 Vs £200 on shield pro.

So it depends entirely on usage.

Do you warrant the extra power. The experience is much the same if you don't.
Click to expand...

We can go tit for tat all day about what device is better-if you have a certain preference to a device then naturally you’re going to lean towards that.

Sure if you’re heavily into one ecosystem then you might prefer going one specific way which is totally fine.

But as I said, I know of many people where the ATV is their only Apple device yet use Android everything else because of the quality/value it provides content wise.

I’ve had the Shield TV twice now and they’ve either been sold on or gone back because the apps either aren’t on the Android TV platform yet (All 4/Now TV) or they aren’t up to the same standard of the tvOS ones. You can cast those apps, sure. But most people don’t want to do that.

And as we’ve got a second ATV on the way, we’ve gotten enough value from the first one that getting a second one now is a no brainer.

Sure cost is one thing to weigh up, but it’s only one element and the OP asked if the ATV is worth the extra over the new Chromecast and I believe it is.
 
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