An (Almost) Perfect Streaming Box: Apple 4K TV Review

The Apple TV 4K, not to be confused with the Apple TV+ streaming service, is Apple’s little black streaming box with an iphone chip inside. There’s so much crammed into this tiny thing. Let’s talk about it

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0:00 Introduction
0:18 Why A Streaming Box?
1:28 Smart Home Features
5:30 UI Smoothness
6:25 Remote
6:48 Integration with Apple Devices
7:45 Not Great Non-Apple Integration
8:14 App Store Experience
10:14 Lack of “Guest” Mode
11:02 Conclusion

As a streaming device, it’s a bit more expensive than a lot of options out there. However it has a lot of features packed in it, it’s more powerful than your average streaming box with an A15 chip inside. So it’s got the processing power of an iphone 13, crammed into this little black box dedicated to just streaming and playing games. The Apple TV, to me, is underrated because it’s so much more than a streaming box. If you have the 128gb version, it has an ethernet port and opens the Apple TV up to be a homekit hub, when there’s a homekit hub device in your home like an apple tv or homepod, you can control homekit devices away from home, and setup automations. And both versions of the Apple TV still let you control your smart home if set up in Homekit. So I like this because if I want to, I can view my cameras around the house from my TV, or get a notification when someone rings the door so I can see if it's a package or a door to door salesman. I can tell Siri to dim the lights, close the blinds, Whatever. I’m a huge smart home guy so having this functionality whenever I need it comes in clutch, especially when I’m laying in bed, watching TV and don’t want to move.

The worst part about TVs has got to be remotes. The good news is that the Siri remote that comes with the Apple TV remote is pretty decent, with clicky buttons, usb-c port for charging, and built-in find my functionality. So you can search for the remote with your iphone. Don’t like the remote? You can also pair 3rd party remotes to it and use those instead. You can also control the Apple TV from your iphone. The Apple TV really does feel like an extension of your iphone too because a lot of things that we find annoying about streaming devices are fixed thanks to the integration between the iPhone and Apple TV. Want to purchase something on the app store? Instead of typing in a password, use your iphone’s Face or Touch ID. Don’t want to manually type in the search bar using the terrible Apple TV keyboard? You can type it up on your phone instead. Don’t want to walk over to the other side of the bed to grab the remote off your significant other’s nightstand cause they’re sleeping and you don’t want to disturb them because you just know they had a rough week and you don’t want to contribute to it? You can control the Apple TV right from your phone. Want to watch something loud but your significant other is asleep? You can pop in airpods and route the audio from the TV directly to them, so people around you don’t have to hear you watch your spicy dramas or Fast and Furious 32

But being an extension of an iphone and the apple ecosystem has some downsides too. The features I just said, maybe in a little too much detail, are exclusively on iOS. You don’t get access to these features if you own an android device you’re forced to use this terrible keyboard interface on the Apple TV and you can’t “cast” from it because android devices don’t have AirPlay. This device is truly for the Apple users out there.

Let's talk App Store. Obviously this device syncs with your Apple Account giving you access to all the music, movies and apps you’ve purchased with your Apple Account but it also lets you download TV OS versions of your favorite apps and streaming services that just aren’t available on the default smart TV UI. Just for example. I watch a decent amount of anime, and while everyone knows Crunchyroll is the largest and typically the go-to for most anime, there’s also HIDIVE, which is a little more niche but has some shows Crunchyroll doesn’t have. And on Samsung/LG smart TVs, there’s no app for it with really, only mobile, tablet, game console, and streaming device support. So a streaming box gives you more flexibility there. But the same can’t be said about non-streaming apps on the Apple TV. Besides some of the good mobile game titles available on Apple TV, the Apple TV has a very weak library of apps. And some of the most useful ones aren't being updated anymore. So I don’t recommend you get this if you were thinking about using it for apps, which is tragic because I could see a really cool use for it, like a dashboard view of your home, upcoming appointments on your calendar, whatever.

[jamesm]

To change the keyboard layout: Go to Settings>General > Keyboard Layout > Grid

[haydenfgood]

I never considered the idea of Apple TV due to my Vizio tv just having the apps. But I kinda got tired of how Vizio tv runs so I decided to try an Apple TV out. Turns out I really did love it and it doesn’t have a lag to it like the tv does when loading or using apps.

[toddcastaldi]

I just wish it had a Safari app. It would be a no-brainer for me with a browser.

[GravityVT]

You forgot to mention it’s the best way to stream due to Dolby vision and atmos support. Developers also optimize their iOS apps better than the built in tv apps

[udaysampath]

If your ps5 is heating up your room when it’s just streaming Netflix, your ps5 is broken bruh

[sp-vtje]

All TVs. No matter how fancy or expensive they are, they all have a crappy, laggy smart tv "os".

[TofDonato]

What security cam do you recommend for apple homekit?

[Redridge]

5:30 Just got an Apple TV 3rd gen and I do not have a UI screen that looks like the iPhone

[seannightwal]

Had a Samsung Smart TV since 2017 and been using the default TV UI and Disney+ doesn't even load properly.

Put in an Apple TV 4K and it's all smooth and the 7-year old TV looks brand new.

[centermass]

The reason I’ve went to Apple TVs is because the built in streaming devices in some tvs just don’t work anymore because they’re too laggy. The YouTube app on one of my Roku TV literally won’t load some videos. If you’re in the Apple system this is a nobrainer. Your movies, Apple Music, AirPod support and screen mirroring more than justifies it.

[wifi-YT]

Great video, thanks! At 1:50 you say that if you have the 128Gb version, it comes with an Ethernet port allowing Apple TV to become an Apple home hub. Doesn’t the 64Gb version (without Ethernet port) also allow for using Apple TV as an Apple home hub, via Wi-Fi? Or does home hub option require ethernet connectivity?

[MonSlothity]

How did you even manage to get it finger printy

[Total-Solutions]

I’ve had the Apple TV for many many years. I do not understand why people don’t buy them and they’re not used or popular. I have several connected to different TVs in the house. The guest account, press hold the home button and you can add multiple users. There is so much built-in even connecting to your network computers as well. You have to go in and be quite highly technical to use everything but it is a joy to use.

[brillantesdv]

Can you watch MKV or MP4 files from a home server on VLC or KODI? My Nvidia Shield is going on 9 years old. Looking at replacements if it ever just stops working.

[milospavic]

Can you tell me if the series Harlots is available in 2160p HDR or dolby vision?

[crash-view]

I see the Apple TV replacing the switch in being the basic console. It already has simple games like family trivia.

[thejasontlewis]

Since the AppleYV allows multiple users now, couldn't you set up a "guest" mode if you don't want guests having full access? I haven't tried it, but was just thinking.
Also, I lost my 2nd AppleTV remote in my couch weeks ago and have been suffering with Sony's implementation of Android TV since then. It's no better than any of the rest. I didn't know about the "find your remote" feature. Thanks!

[debojitmandal]

can in use it any android tv from chinese vendors like hisense or xiaomi or tcl

[jherigleaton]

I tried them all. Apple TV is my final stop. Love it!

[purrlumen]

i still use the nvidia shield tv pro, just because its one of the stronger tv boxes android has and just feels the most stable and fastest. also the 4k support feels more nice, using stremio mostly and browser search for some anime websites. it even can host its own plex server which is nice, as i connect it to my nas since then i can also use its hard drive. its a nice but old device, but its so flexible i like it. i feel like apple tv lacks to much features overal like browser support and airplay doesnt cut it for me, since it will degrade streaming website performance. its not the same at that point i rather connect a hdmi to my laptop much rather and use my laptop as a home cinema/gaming device, makes no sense to buy anything if its lacking too much features