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AppleTV complete replacement opinions

Hi and hope all are well today. First, thanks in advance for any / all responses. Second, apologies if this isn’t the best place to ask this question.

I’m curious if anyone, has moved completely from using an AppleTV to something else. Current use case for the ATV is a few streaming apps (Crunchyroll / HiDive, Tubi, etc.) and Apple Arcade (a few casual games).

If you did completely switch, what did you decide on using? Did you go back to buying movies / using a DVD/Blu-Ray player, setup a mini PC and stream from websites / rip music and movies, use a gaming console instead, etc.?

Exploring options and entertaining thoughts for right now. Again, thanks and have a good day / evening.

Edit - 2024/01/01 - Just wanted to thank everyone for the lively discussion and resources (links, recommendations, etc.) related to my question.

Jimmycakes ,

Roku ultra with the memory card. But no one in my household uses apple devices.

randomcruft OP ,

Appreciate the comment. The Roku seems to be pretty popular and luckily it’s just me, so I can experiment.

shrugal ,

I use a Synology NAS + Plex + Chromecast, works great.

randomcruft OP ,

Thank you! I’m going to start looking at the Synology NAS devices. I have one of their routers which I really like so the NAS stuff should be similar (fit, finish, interface, etc.).

Decronym Bot , (edited )

Acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations, contractions, and other phrases which expand to something larger, that I’ve seen in this thread:

Fewer Letters More Letters
AP WiFi Access Point
NAS Network-Attached Storage
Plex Brand of media server package

3 acronyms in this thread; the most compressed thread commented on today has 6 acronyms.

[Thread for this sub, first seen 1st Jan 2024, 07:55] [FAQ] [Full list] [Contact] [Source code]

sparky ,
@sparky@lemmy.federate.cc avatar

Keep your Apple TV and use it as a streaming client for whatever you stand up on the backend. Personally I have a Synology NAS that I love and I use the net to get all my content. Use the net. 😉

randomcruft OP ,

Appreciate your comment, and that seems like a common setup. If you didn’t have the ATV, what would you front end the Plex server with? I have a Synology router and would probably buy a Synology NAS, if I went that route.

pineapplelover ,

I would go with Jellyfin instead of Plex. It’s open source and works great

randomcruft OP ,

Adding that to my to-do list for research, thank you for the post!!

dontwakethetrees ,
@dontwakethetrees@lemmy.world avatar

If you keep using your Apple TV and switch to Jellyfin as a backend, the Infuse application has been amazing. It’s free with a premium version (that does offer a lifetime license).

randomcruft OP ,

Appreciate the details on Infuse. Still looking at all the options, thanks for the response!!

sparky ,
@sparky@lemmy.federate.cc avatar

Actually with a Synology NAS you don’t need Plex, they have a built in equivalent called DS Video with apps for Apple TV, iOS, Android, etc!

I’ve had an Nvidia shield in the past as well and it works reasonably well, but the video experience is definitely better on the Apple TV. The Android boxes make more sense if you want a place to install emulators that also occasionally streams.

randomcruft OP ,

Thank you for this! I’ll look more at the Synology NAS devices and see what that’s all about. I’m probably the other way around, stream more, and emulate once in a while.

InTheEnd2021 ,

I host a Plex server for streaming and my apple TV 4k 2021 would refuse to play high bit rate media. Kept displaying an error message telling me I’ve exceeded the limit. Started searching online and everyone consistently called Nvidia shield pro the best one can buy. Bought it, love it, now have 3. But all I use it Plex. I’ve made my server basically all streaming services combined to one.

randomcruft OP ,

If I may ask, what are you using to host the Plex server? I’ve read about people using NAS devices (Synology, etc. which has Plex available natively) and running a PC with a lot of storage. Appreciate the comment!

eramseth ,

Not sure if it’s a factor for you but roku tries to phone home a lot more than anything else on my network (or perhaps my firewall just catches it more than other devices and apps). Otherwise roku is pretty good.

Nvidia shield tv is better though. It’s the best set top box. Made even better by replacing the default launcher/ home screen (android TV default launcher now has 2/3 or more of the screen taken up by ads or “recommended content” which is just ads).

Osiris ,

ProjectIvy is a great launcher if anyone needs it

randomcruft OP ,

I will give this a look, appreciate it!

randomcruft OP ,

One of the concerns is the current state of “privacy” with these devices. Interesting that you can mod the Shield (as mentioned by a couple of others as well). Good to know, even if I get one just to tinker / experiment. Thank you so much!

chiisana ,
@chiisana@lemmy.chiisana.net avatar

If you have Apple users at home, the integrated experience and the video quality is going to be very hard to match from other platforms. My parents use Chromecast and it takes so many more steps to send content on to their media system. The video quality when casting also suffers a little, though that may be because they’re using cheap ISP router AP combo box, and I’m using Ubiquiti APs instead. Having said that, I do think the A15 processor in the most recent model is an overkill in the graphics performance department, so I wouldn’t completely rule out device capability compared as the cause of video quality difference.

Based on my readings, I think most recent high end nVIDIA Shield Tv Pro is the only closest in terms of raw performance and even then it may be a bit behind. Tegra X1+ found in the Shield Pro is on Maxwell architecture, which is older than GeForce 1080 series’ Pascal architecture, if I’m not mistaken. This would date it to around 2015-ish; whereas the previously mentioned A15 processor in most recent version of AppleTV 4K was introduced in 2021 with iPhone 13 series.

randomcruft OP ,

And with my luck, the day I buy a Shield is the day they announce a new one :) Luckily it’s just me, so I’m the only to complain if I do something dumb, ha! I’ll start keeping an eye on the Shield, as I’m not in a rush to buy / change.

Appreciate the device info and response!

plz1 ,

ATV is the only box I recommend. I’m anti-Google, don’t trust Amazon (and now their service is going to do ads on a paid Prime membership), and Roku has major privacy issues at least in the past. Curious why you’re seeking an alternative to Apple.

Squizzy ,

Their box UI is poor, typing sucks and you can’t just close an app or turn off the box. It is a really annoying piece of tech to use.

flames5123 ,

Huh? Use the remote app on your phone. It automatically pops up like a notification when there’s a text box on the screen. So easy. You can turn the box off by holding the power button for a few seconds. To close apps, you double tap the TV button and then it’s an iOS like interface that you scroll over and swipe up on the ones you want to close.

The UI is very minimal and the same across most all apps, so it’s easy to learn and use. It may be missing some power features, but most things are accessed via clicking of just holding.

wreckedcarzz ,
@wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world avatar

use the remote app on your phone

Take a second and just let it sink in how fucking stupid that sentence is. Why do I need an application on my phone to use my device efficiently? Why doesn’t the remote have T9-like keys, or voice input? Hell, they invented the click-wheel, come on.

“your new garage door opener uses a pin. since the fob doesn’t have numbers, you just need to unlock your phone and type your pin in that way instead!” would be DOA with the first review. Why is apple getting a pass here?

(I’ve never used the atv, just seen it used by others, and text input wasn’t something they needed)

prettybunnys ,

It does have voice input.

wreckedcarzz ,
@wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world avatar

There’s no obvious buttons on the remote, so I had no idea it was an option.

prettybunnys , (edited )

You keep saying stuff and it keeps getting worse….

imgur.com/a/5F4X6ew

DrinkMonkey ,

I’ve never used the atv

We can tell, because…

Why doesn’t the remote have T9-like keys, or voice input?

It absolutely has voice input.

For passwords, copying and pasting my long, unique, complex passwords from my phone is way easier than any T9 input would ever be.

I have used numerous smart TVs native systems, Google TV boxes, and the NVIDIA Shield. I could not tolerate the UI paradigms or THE FUCKING ADVERTISEMENTS on literally every other system. It is repulsive.

Bonus points to the NVIDIA Shield for being alone it it’s ability to do Atmos from my own media files, though…

wreckedcarzz ,
@wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world avatar

It’s almost like I said I’ve never used one, how mind-blowing. Your deduction skills are truly unmatched.

I went looking at the product page and saw no button for voice in any of their images. I guess you have to hold something for a few seconds, but as a new user, I’d never know it was there.

Also, plex and a few others offer the options to type, scan a qr code, or visit a url and sign in to validate the user. I guess if you’re stuck with typing as your only option, fine, use the app. Still not what I’d call a good user experience.

prettybunnys ,

99% of apps on Apple TV have the same kind of login option.

If they don’t, it’s on the app developer to implement.

Maybe you ought to take the stance of not talking about something you’re unfamiliar with. Every thing you’ve pointed at has been wrong.

You’re not a fan of Apple, that’s your stance, you’ve made it clear, just stop there.

DrinkMonkey ,

99% of apps on Apple TV have the same kind of login option. If they don’t, it’s on the app developer to implement.

The exception to this that I run into regularly is connecting to a local media server, say through Infuse (seems to handle some codecs better than Plex, and has few if any audio sync issues, though I recommend pointing Infuse at a Jellyfin instance so your library’s metadata doesn’t get cleared and need to be re-indexed on the Apple TV somewhat regularly).

Maybe you ought to take the stance of not talking about something you’re unfamiliar with. Every thing you’ve pointed at has been wrong.

On the internet?? 🙃

prettybunnys ,

Yeah but again that is on the app creator not the Apple TV.

Apple implementing a really nice keyboard using your phone to work around the app developer being lazy should be considered a bonus not a “well why didn’t they do this other thing” which is what I’m saying.

DrinkMonkey ,

I don’t see how an app developer could really work around this, if I’m inputting a server address and password for an SMB share. For everything else, sure. I agree that the Remote app’s copy/paste functionality for these elements is literally the best possible solution.

prettybunnys ,

I’m kinda drunk given its New Year’s Eve but I am 99% sure I could find and implement a QR code based authentication method in short order if I tried.

Plex does it, everyone else does it, in this day and age there’s no reason why you can’t generate a token and then a uri and then a QR code if you are able to handle the rest of it.

Again, how is it on Apple or any vendor for that matter, to be on the hook for them?

if they really wanted they could use Apple based oauth

For arbitrary text input id ask you to point at any other remote / UI that handles this limitation better.

DrinkMonkey ,

This all makes sense to me if there is a server side component to the app. But with Infuse, there isn’t, and I can’t figure out where the QR code is taking me to “authenticate” on my own, locally hosted SMB server? Not a biggie - typically only need to do this once per server, and the Remote app works fine for me.

For arbitrary text input id ask you to point at any other remote / UI that handles this limitation better.

I think you think you’re talking to someone else? I agree with you.

wreckedcarzz ,
@wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world avatar

To the contrary, I own two older Macs and like some of their software/services enough to pay for it as a subscription; I’m not the one making bold assumptions here, at least not without saying I’m not fully aware. You, on the other hand…

godzillabacter ,

All remote based typing is awful, T9 included. I can’t speak for everyone, but I can type with swipe gestures on a virtual keyboard via remote faster than I can input T9 text. I’m unaware of any stock remote for a device with a full keyboard. I would argue Apple has text entry perfected at least as well as any other major manufacturer. You have virtual keyboard entry, solid voice-to-text, and it can be configured to push a notification to your iOS device when you enter a search bar which will auto-open to the remote app and pull up the keyboard. Because of this feature passwords can also be autofilled from Keychain to make logins easier.

You may personally prefer T9, but I’ve never seen anyone in the last decade input anything into a TV via T9. And you’re asking why it doesn’t have voice input, when it does. You admit to having never used an Apple TV yourself. I hate the idea of app-only interfaces features, but this isn’t a case like that. Maybe you should understand the features of a product before you call it “fucking stupid”.

wreckedcarzz ,
@wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world avatar

I mean I’d rather have a mini qwerty keyboard included for this purposes, but companies won’t spend any money they don’t have to, so I figure T9 is a happy medium. For when you just need to type a few characters to get to what you want.

I stand behind the idea that I need an app in place of an input method “fucking stupid”, regardless though.

dontwakethetrees ,
@dontwakethetrees@lemmy.world avatar

Guess what? An ATV natively supports keyboards and game controllers over Bluetooth. So for someone who doesn’t have an iPhone (the remote app is baked into iOS unfortunately) and reeeeeally hates tv remote typing and voice inputs, a mini keyboard is a viable option.

You really didn’t do any research before making so many hot takes.

wreckedcarzz ,
@wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world avatar

That’s cool, really, and they should promote that feature.

But as I’ve stated elsewhere in this thread, no I didn’t, and said as much - just looking at the product images, as any typical potential customer would. But you’d know that if you read the comments, so…

Squizzy ,

I hope the close app tip works, but I don’t have an iPhone and my remote doesn’t have a power button.

I appreciate it though because closing an app is necessary sometimes and was quite annoying.

brettvitaz , (edited )

You close apps by double tapping the TV/control button then swipe up, similar to other iOS devices. It’s rarely necessary but super easy.

You turn the Apple TV off by tapping the TV/control button and selecting power off.

Typing sucks on all remotes but having an iPhone nearby allows you to use the phone’s keyboard.

Squizzy ,

Oh thank you I googled this last week and got nowhere! I have the 4k Gen 1 box if that helps

harsh3466 ,

I don’t know why you’re getting downvoted to hell. The Apple TV ui used to be really nice, but when they launched Apple TV+, it turned into this garbage interface that’s terrible to navigate with an absolute garbage remote that took them years to fix (butterfly keyboard anyone?)

(I say this as an Apple user.)

prettybunnys ,

How did it change when they launched appletv+?

Which remote is better?

harsh3466 ,

this remote is better than the hot garbage touch panel remoteThis is the remote that replaced the hot garbage touch panel remote.

Before tv+, the Apple TV was a platform with apps for the services you wanted to use. It was simple and intuitive. Want to watch Netflix, open the Netflix app.

Then with tv+ they turned the whole thing into this inception bullshit. Sure you still have apps, but you also have tv plus with apps inside the app and obfuscation as to what’s watchable and what isn’t without subscribing to whatever rando service.

I used to love Apple TV. It just worked. For reasons unrelated, around four years ago we switched to Roku. Well, now, on our tcl Roku tv, which is only four years old, the Roku software runs like hot garbage.

We still have an Apple TV, (4K, dunno which one exactly, but around 6 years old). So instead of buying a whole new tv, which other than Roku’s garbage software, is a perfectly functional tv, I decided to hook up the Apple TV.

I wasn’t thrilled about the idea of using that trash touch panel remote that came with it, but was kinda excited to get back to the clean ui that I remembered.

That’s when I discovered all this inception bullshit. And Apple’s new inability to recognize that I’m logged in to my Apple/iCloud account on the Apple TV device. It kept prompting me to log in every five minutes or so, but then when affirming I want to log in, it would tell me I can’t log in, EVEN THOUGH I WAS LOGGED IN ON THE APPLE TV.

After 20 minutes of that bullshit I tossed the Apple TV back in the box it came from and installed Kodi on a raspberry pi. That’s my new smart tv box.

prettybunnys , (edited )

This is so wrong it is unhinged.

AppleTV+ is a subscription service to Apple content.

It’s a separate app, you don’t even need to have it installed.

You’re saying this new app and service they added, which don’t change the interface at all, has somehow ruined the interface?

What does the changed remote have to do with anything?

The center of the directional pad works like the old panel remote and they added the circle everyone complained about them removing.

And wtf does the butterfly keyboard have to do with the remote?

chiisana ,
@chiisana@lemmy.chiisana.net avatar

FWIW, I think there is a slow push towards a consolidated “TV” experience which may or may not have started as result of Apple launching Apple TV+. Sometime over the last several years, there have been a push towards consolidating the streaming content into one place, so users would theoretically get a unified search and viewing experience. I think the most recent version of tvOS even did away the iTunes Store in favor of having that integrated directly in the TV app.

However, I said may or may not have started as result of Apple TV+ service because that seems like a consistent trend across the board. Even in Plex, I do a search, I get a bunch of content that they’re trying to redirect me towards (Plex’s own FAST TV service, and maybe even purchase else where if memory serves).

None of these negates what you’ve said though. It has nothing to do with TV+ service, and dude could’ve just ignored the TV app and used the Plex app if that’s their streaming source. In fact, Plex cannot integrate into the TV app because Plex cannot provide searchable metadata about content on your server to Apple in a unified fashion — vaguely recall reading something about Apple requires app to give one search end-point that will return one search result to Movie X, and there’s no way for Plex to differentiate my version of Movie X on my server from your version of Movie X on your server. So even the whole TV app thing is kind of moot.

harsh3466 ,

All of your points are great, but don’t consider that I was an Apple TV+ subscriber, so I needed the tv+ app.

Jellyfin is one of my streaming sources, and I was intending to use the Swiftfin app on tvOS, along with tv+ app and apps for the other services I subscribe to. With Kodi I’m now just hitting my local library directly, and using the Kodi add ons for the other services I subscribe to.

harsh3466 , (edited )

@prettybunnys, yeah, I was being hyperbolic and overly dramatic in my previous comment.

However, what is true in my experience (which I know is not everyone’s experience) is that:

  • The Roku software on my four year old tv is now unusable. It is slow, routinely locks up and freezes in playback and/or navigation, necessitating a replacement smart tv solution of some sort.
  • I thought that solution could be the Apple TV 4K I already have.
  • The Apple TV 4K has a number of software and hardware issues that make it unusable for me.

Those issues include:

  • That touchpad remote. My butterfly keyboard mention is referring to the fact that Apple is well known for standing ground for years on their dumber hardware decisions. The touchpad remote was the default and only remote you could get for an Apple TV for six years (2015-2021). The butterfly keyboard was the only keyboard option on MacBooks for five years (2015-2020). The Magic Mouse with a charging port on the bottom is still the default Magic Mouse you get with a Mac. The Magic Mouse was also introduced in 2015 (going on nine years now).
  • The login issue I mentioned is the biggest software issue. Despite being logged in to my Apple/iCloud account in tvOS, it prompts me for a tvOS login roughly every five minutes. When I attempt to log in with the prompt (remember, I am already logged in) it tells me I can’t log in. I attempted to resolve this and gave up after 20 minutes of searching and troubleshooting. I pulled the plug because it shouldn’t take nearly half an hour to try to log in to software you’re already logged into.
  • As @chiisana .net mentioned, The TV+ app is trying to be the hub for tv watching, which from a user perspective is confusing. tvOS is the hub, with the apps, and tvOS is still there. I think it’s safe to say that Apple would prefer all Apple TV+ users to use Apple hardware so Apple can have all the monies. With that in mind they probably designed the tv+ app to be its own hub (where within that app you can watch stuff from [insert streaming service]’s content without leaving the app) to try and poach TV+ subscribers on non Apple hardware. From the company’s perspective that makes sense. (Make people think all they need is Apple TV+, and hey, next streaming device we buy might as well be an Apple one.) That doesn’t make my user experience any better. For me at least, it makes it worse. I wanted the simplicity of tvOS as the only hub. (Editing to add that you do need to have the tv+ app installed if you’re a subscriber, which we were until recently.)
  • This is preference, and likely something I could have disabled had I gotten past the login issue, but I personally don’t like the bouncy, sticky, wiggly bits they added to tvOS and tv+ to accommodate the touchpad remote.

Edit: also added comment attribution to chiisana.

WeirdGoesPro ,
@WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Who is typing on an Apple TV? The microphone works really well, and is designed to be the primary choice for searching.

Squizzy ,

I dislike voice search and how would I use the mic for websites, emails, logins and passwords?

Telodzrum ,

Brah, how often are you logging into services on your set top box?

emils ,

I’m curious why you would trust Apple and not the others you have listed. All of them will do literally anything to just earn more money and exploit you as much as possible.

plz1 ,

Apple is the least terrible of my list.

utubas ,

Apple, the company that has by far the worst anti-consumer practices when it comes to technology and is actively lobbying against you being able to own your products?

the_q ,

Based on what metric? Because Apple says so?

BobaFuttbucker ,

Because Apple doesn’t rely on selling or advertising your data as a business segment. That alone makes them the lesser evil.

Still an evil, just less.

the_q ,

A trillion dollars is hard to make without selling data, but fair enough.

BobaFuttbucker , (edited )

Then it shouldn’t be difficult for you to provide me with some examples, considering the other listed companies literally do it openly as a major part of their revenue stream.

We should absolutely be upset with the shit Apple is doing, but right now you’re just being contrarian with a false argument.

the_q ,

Go to Google and search for “is Apple selling data”. Have fun reading about how, yes they have been caught doing it in the past and are still being suspected of it. You’re naive if you think just because it isn’t public knowledge yet that one of the cruelest companies on the planet isn’t in to some other nefarious crap.

BobaFuttbucker ,

I did what you said, and found this article that goes into what Apple does collect, compared to what Google collects, and confirms that no, Apple is not selling your data.

fossbytes.com/apple-data-collection-explained/

So I guess that means you’re wrong?

Maybe next time argue with facts and not feelings.

the_q ,

I’m not the one going to bat for a trillion dollar company simply because they said “trust me, bro”.

Even if you it opt out on Apple devices they continue to gather data. Why do you think they do that? Fun? They just collect it like Pokemon?

There only “feeling” I have is pity for naive users such as yourself. As long as Tim Cook keeps telling you it’s safe you can rest easy knowing you’re 100% not being lied to.

BobaFuttbucker ,

lol I give you a source that refutes your “Apple bad” argument and you have to resort to going after me personally because you have nothing left.

The data collection you mention is device and usage stats, which basically everyone collects. But that was never the issue, which was selling user data for profit. The source I provided compares what Apple and Google collects and determines Apple does not do this.

You can also look up revenue streams for both companies and clearly see that while Apple does not consider this as a revenue stream, it makes up a significant portion of what Google brings in every year. At that point I think you just have misdirected anger.

the_q ,

You know what? You’re right. Everything I said was wrong. Apple is a wonderful company that doesn’t do enough “bad” to be considered as such. How foolish of me to think otherwise. I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive such a foolish, moronic soul as mine for not understanding just how amazing Apple is. In fact, I’m going to dump all my open source software, my phone and everything else I own that can be replaced by an Apple product so that I too may live in the same walled paradise you and billions of other users do! Thank you so much for showing me the way!

BobaFuttbucker ,

Dude, get ahold of your emotions. 😂

the_q ,

Do you have a hard time recognizing emotions? Might need to get checked for autism.

BobaFuttbucker ,

I’ll do that just as soon as you show me something definitive showing that Apple has an entire revenue stream based on selling user data that isn’t reported.

WeirdGoesPro ,
@WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

It isn’t that hard when you convince a globe that your luxury phone is the only status symbol that matters.

Apple isn’t perfect, but the premium you pay on their devices does mean that they wrap the data mining bat in some padding first before they beat you over the head with it. Microsoft and Google just keep adding more nails.

BobaFuttbucker ,

Do you have any examples beyond your own preconception?

If Apple were secretly doing this without user consent this would be a pretty huge liability for them.

WeirdGoesPro ,
@WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Well, I worked for them for quite a while and never saw or heard anything that suggested a large scale data collection program existed beyond the usual analytics that people can opt out of. I’m on a plane, so I don’t have the time to do a deep dig at the moment, but for a quick anecdotal test, I’d say you could just open the menus of a Microsoft computer, Google computer, and Apple computer, and tell me who seems to be shoving more targeted ads down your throat.

Sure, if you use their Apple TV streaming service or other equivalent media thing, I’m sure they collect data, sell, and use it, but that is a far cry from some of the really invasive moves we’ve seen from companies that produce ad supported hardware/software.

The contents of my computer should be mine because I straight up own it. If I’m connecting to a subscription service that I don’t own, then I have a slightly lower expectation of total privacy.

BobaFuttbucker ,

Agreed with the main points you said. It’s one thing for a company to collect hardware data and usage stats for their services but to compare Apple to the likes of Google and Roku which make a majority of their profit on collecting and selling data, then there needs to be evidence of data collection beyond that.

WeirdGoesPro ,
@WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

I think you may have misunderstood me. I’m saying that Apple isn’t as bad as Roku, Google, or Microsoft. They collect some data, yes, but it seems to be reasonable by comparison.

I think we might be vigorously agreeing with each other in a circle, lol.

BobaFuttbucker ,

lol yeah that’s what I was agreeing with you on 🤣

WeirdGoesPro ,
@WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

It was a pleasure talking with you, BobaFuttbucker. Thanks for being cool. 🙂

BobaFuttbucker ,

Samesies my dude

circuitfarmer ,
@circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

Because Apple doesn’t rely on selling or advertising your data as a business segment.

I find this very hard to believe.

BobaFuttbucker ,

I’m happy to be proven wrong, but need a little more than some anon’s vague doubts first.

circuitfarmer ,
@circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

So you don’t have a source either? ;)

BobaFuttbucker ,

For your own argument? No, I won’t prove your points for you.

If you believe Apple is doing something, I await evidence they are until shown otherwise. If you’re just flipping that logic around to shirk this, then you’re not actually trying to converse in good faith here.

If you want a source for my argument, here you go: fossbytes.com/apple-data-collection-explained/

circuitfarmer ,
@circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

Hey there ya go! Providing a source for the argument you made first! Thanks.

BobaFuttbucker ,

You could also just look at the revenue streams reported by each company and see that most other tech companies make a majority of their money on what Apple has been accused of doing.

BobaFuttbucker ,

Your turn ;)

BobaFuttbucker ,

Also you could just……review their public financial statements and compare to other tech companies. Google is very much an advertising company, and it’s a huge part of their reported profits. The fact that you could ignore that and think Apple is worse simply because you feel like they are is just a silly debate strategy.

lolrightythen ,

Yeah, I tend to think the first one to posit a statement should also be the first to supply evidence

circuitfarmer ,
@circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

Exactly. Not sure why it would be on me for refuting a statement.

Apple doesn’t rely on selling or advertising your data as a business segment.

That was a claim offered without evidence.

AtariDump ,

lemmy.world/comment/6326127

AtariDump ,

“We provide some non-personal data to our advertisers and strategic partners that work with Apple to provide our products and services, help Apple market to customers, and sell ads on Apple’s behalf to display on the App Store and Apple News and Stocks. For example, we may share non-personal data about your transactions and viewing activity, as well as aggregated user demographics such as age group, gender (which may be inferred from information such as your name and salutation in your Apple ID account), and region, to Apple TV strategic partners, such as content owners, so that they can measure the performance of their creative work, meet royalty and accounting requirements, and improve their associated products and services.”

All in all, yes, Apple is generally better than other Big Tech companies (cough, Meta, cough cough, Amazon, cough Samsung), when it comes to privacy. They seem to do a better job at collecting less data, probably because they aren’t trying to sell as many ads as Google and Facebook – yet.

foundation.mozilla.org/en/…/apple-tv-4k/

————

Roku’s data sharing is vast, which is, unfortunately, too common in the streaming TV space. Automatic Content Recognition or ACR is the way Roku and others try to identify every show you watch whether it be streaming, cable, broadcast on an antenna, or even the DVDs you watch. They collect all this data to target you with new shows, and allow you to be targeted with lots of ads from lots of places. It’s a lot of data collection and you should opt out. Note when you opt out of ACR, a Roku spokeswoman said, “Opting out of ACR does not affect collection of information about the use of Roku streaming channels.” So yeah, they’re still collecting data on you, just a little less.

foundation.mozilla.org/…/roku-streaming-sticks/

———-

Of course, Google uses your personal information to sell those targeted, personalized ads you see all over the place like in your Gmail, in your favorite Solitaire app, on partner websites, and on YouTube. Yup, the ads are everywhere. Google does say they won’t use things like your religious beliefs or health information to show you ads…although we just have to trust them on that. I’m sure we’ve all seen ads based on sensitive things about us that felt pretty creepy. And Google says they won’t use content from your Google Drive, Email, or Photos to personalize ads. We sure hope not.

Google also says they can collect a good bit of information on your child if they use Google services, including services managed by parents through Family Link for children under 13. The data they say they can collect on your child includes location data, voice and audio information, what apps and devices your child uses, and your child’s activity within Google’s services. And then they say they can use that data to “provide recommendations, personalized content, and customized search results.” Yes, Google is going to push content to your kid basd on their online activities. Google does say that they, “… will not serve personalized ads to your child, which means ads will not be based on information from your child’s account or profile. Instead, ads may be based on information like the content of the website or app your child is viewing, the current search query, or general location (such as city or state). When browsing the web or using non-Google apps, your child may encounter ads served by other (non-Google) ad providers, including ads personalized by third parties.” Parents, if you plan to let your kids use Google’s services, it’s good to do some research beforehand.

…mozilla.org/…/google-chromecast-with-google-tv/

———-

It’s a matter of who sells the least amount of data. Seems to be Apple.

circuitfarmer ,
@circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

Seems to be that way. I agree with your insinuation that “they aren’t trying to sell as many ads as Google and Facebook – yet”. I don’t see any special ethics beyond keeping their brand loyalty afloat.

AtariDump ,

Not my insinuation; it’s Mozilla’s.

gravitas_deficiency ,

Ok, let’s say that’s true. Which of the alternatives do you genuinely think are better?

circuitfarmer ,
@circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

Fallacious question. In real life there can be no good options. That doesn’t mean we should support one for being less bad.

Fizz ,
@Fizz@lemmy.nz avatar

If there can be no good options then you have to support the less “bad” option.

TORFdot0 ,

Apple is a hardware company first, not an advertising and services company like Google and Roku, and not a literal massive online retailer like Amazon.

Apple TV is the only one that doesn’t have ads on its home screen. I use an Apple TV to play all my physical media that has been ripped to mov and re-encoded with handbrake

kerrypacker ,

Apple is a fashion company.

randomcruft OP ,

Thank you for the comment. I should’ve provided more context in the original post. Without getting too deep, I’m starting to reconsider my personal views on privacy, content ownership (vs. streaming), where / how I spend my money, etc.

I’m in the Apple ecosystem but wondering if going back to open source, purchased media (music, movies, etc.), donating to projects, etc. is “better”. Which is highly subjective and personal, of course.

The reason for the question was to see what other folks may be doing.

chiisana ,
@chiisana@lemmy.chiisana.net avatar

If privacy is the concern, you should really read the breakdown from Mozilla someone shared. Can’t miss it, large wall of text in this thread. Apple ecosystem is much better than others in the privacy department. The other players are much worse when it comes to personal data collection and selling.

randomcruft OP ,

Yup, I did go down the rabbit hole and read the links and stuff. Interesting reading and something to consider. I guess it’s back to a non-networked DVD/Blu-Ray player and get stuff from the local library or Craigslist :)

chiisana ,
@chiisana@lemmy.chiisana.net avatar

Also aim for non-networked TVs or they might be doing ACR and phoning home, even if you’re watching your own physical content. A former coworker on ad selling side mentioned before ACR on smart TVs, companies like Nielsen and alike would track content using digital fingerprints hidden in the overscan part of your TV. So there’s all sorts of creepy tracking tech all over.

randomcruft OP ,

Yeah, a sad side effect of the subscription/advertising economy. Current TV has as much of that turned off, that I can find at least. Although I haven’t gone full “remove everything from the network”, yet 🙂

geekworking ,

I have had various sticks and Roku highest end models and then got the latest ATV with hard wire port that adds Dolby vision and high frame rate HDR. I have a 2022 high-end TV.

The video quality is noticeably better. Not sure of older ATV, but this is clearly better than the top end Roku. Also, I’m not sure if it is the same on older tvs

The other thing is that you want to hard wire if at all possible. Even the best wifi can’t touch the reliability of a wire

randomcruft OP ,

Got it, and yes, current ATV is hardwired. Wi-Fi in my home wasn’t too bad, but wired is definitely better. Appreciate the response / thoughts.

ctobrien84 ,

Roku, Playstation, Xbox, streaming device from ISP (like the device from comcast), Fire stick, and I’m sure there are many more. They all do what you’re looking for.

reddig33 ,

Xbox sucks as a streaming box, especially with Plex. If you try to choose something from the watchlist, it can’t send a url to the related streaming app.

robolemmy ,
@robolemmy@lemmy.world avatar

Nvidia Shield Pro with the default launcher disabled & replaced, Plex server. I’m pulling the unused apple TV out of the media setup this week.

randomcruft OP ,

Thanks, this seems like a common theme as well as Roku and Plex. At least you can recoup a few dollars on the ATV if you sell it.

aStonedSanta ,

Preference on a launcher? I’m getting tired of the google ads lol

jackoneill ,

I ran an Apple TV in the living room for a long time to access my Plex server and whatever subscription my wife has this month. As time went on it got more and more glitchy until it came to the point where I had to power cycle the thing every few days. Replaced it with a cheap fire stick, annoyed the crap out of me. Replaced that with a cheap Roku, it was only slightly better than the shitty firestick.

My wife got me the NVIDIA shield pro for Christmas this year, and I picked up the p2920 controller for it. My god this thing is awesome - not only is it the best tv box I’ve ever used, I can use moonlight to play games on my rig or GeForce now to stream games. I highly recommend this thing

NightAuthor ,

Roku really should not sell most of their cheapest options, they’re very bad, while the top of the line Rokus are very solid.

randomcruft OP ,

I’m seeing a few comments on the Nvidia. I know of them, but had not really given them a serious look. Thank you so much!

Bransonb3 ,

I have tried Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast (not the new models with an interface), and AppleTV. So far Apple TV is the cleanest without ads or sponsored content on the home screen.

If you find something better please let me know.

radix ,
@radix@lemmy.world avatar

I like my Roku, but it would be much more annoying without a pihole to block the ads.

AtariDump ,

And telemetry.

wreckedcarzz ,
@wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world avatar

When I switched my family from predatory directv, this was obviously a question I had, and I ended up going with chromecasts (gen 2 and 3/ultra). Once I showed them how to use their phone as the controller, it immediately clicked, which was fantastic. I thought about an atv or an android box, but that would involve multiple profiles and remembering to switch when someone else wanted to use it (android TV boxes have this buried in the system settings; and I’m the only one with an apple account). Ads were a showstopper for me too, so the pictures/art on the cc when idle was great.

Curious why you went the other way :o

AtariDump ,

Because Google is collecting data on EVERYTHING you do.

lemmy.world/comment/6326127

wreckedcarzz ,
@wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world avatar

But as a person who doesn’t use G services (well, Grayjay)… the question still stands

AtariDump ,

You use Google services whether you know it or not.

www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2019/…/amp/

randomcruft OP ,

Understood about the ads / sponsored content. I’ve not used anything but an ATV, but I’ve heard similar (ads, interface, etc.). If I come up with a different solution, I will revive the post and let folks know. Thanks.

JeromeVancouver ,

We have a Roku and host a Plex server. I have never had an apple tv but I don’t think I am missing anything

randomcruft OP ,

Thanks for the reply. Seems Roku / Plex are a fairly common combination.

aStonedSanta , (edited )

Yup. The generic answer. I’d rec a nvidia shield pro. I have two and fucking love them.

Edit: also prefer jellyfin

MrJameGumb ,
@MrJameGumb@lemmy.world avatar

I’ve never used an Apple TV, but my smart TV is a Roku and it does most of the things you’ve described. I use Crunchyroll and Tubi and a few other streaming apps including Apple’s. I use Prime Music and it has like 99% of the albums I want to listen to. Obviously it doesn’t have Apple Arcade, but I mostly just play games on my phone anyway. I even put a Roku box on an old CRT TV that I use sometimes for watching older shows in SD format lol! I don’t know if this is the type of answer you were looking for but I hope it’s helpful.

AA5B ,

As does my fire stick, and even my Vizio smart TV … all except the Apple Arcade

I’ve bent thinking about moving in the other direction. I try to avoid privacy abuse of the SmartTV and Fire Stick is being enshittified, so what should I use? AppleTV seems interesting to try plus games may be fun

randomcruft OP ,

Appreciate your insights on how you use the Roku devices. Understood about gaming, my eyes can’t handle mobile gaming :)

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