Published 2024-12-30
Started 2024-12-27
tag(s): #reviews
Santa got me an Apple TV 4K. Here's some background on why I wanted it and my initial impressions.
It's one of those "pick the lesser evil" things, for me.
I value repairable, free (as in freedom), consumer-friendly devices. None of the Apple
products fit that description.
But the alternative, in the smartphone space, is Android devices, which means contributing to the Google advertising, anti-privacy complex. So I ended up with an iPhone.[1].
In the smart TV department, I was very happy with my first LG TV, webOS based. So much so that
when we got a second TV I went with the same brand.
However this second, newer TV, was never as responsive as the original one. And it prompted me
so many times for updates that seemed like downgrades, making the TV slower
and slower.
To add insult to injury, the original TV eventually got a "major update" that gave it the same
look and feel of the newer one, so it is also a slow mess.
Here once again I run into the challenge of picking the lesser evil. A Roku might be cheaper,
but they act more as an ad company than a streaming one. Changing TVs is out of the
question[2]. Amazon Fire? Worse than Roku.
The AppleTV probably tracks the same amount of information as the others, but at least it
isn't sold to third parties. Small consolation, I know.
I gotta be honest, it's been pretty darn good. The software is responsive and smooth. The
remote wakes the TV via HDMI, and I easily added 5.1 volume control just following a wizard.
So I only need that one remote at hand, instead of two.
Another great feature is syncing my headphones over Bluetooth, and using them instead of the
speakers. Great for night watching.
I cannot use Airplay from my Linux laptop, of course. But after installing VLC in the AppleTV, I can connect to it from the laptop and upload a file to watch. It isn't as seamless as Airplay, and maybe over time I find myself plugging the laptop to the TV again, but it is a good alternative.
A friend is visiting, and he suggested we tried Steam Link to stream either of our Steam Decks
to the TV, and it worked pretty seamless (some occasional hiccups, but nothing major). I
didn't even know how to use Steam Link, but between this and the VLC thing I already feel the
AppleTV is a big upgrade over the regular webOS experience from the LGTV.
I understand the device supports picture-in-picture for MLS Season Pass, I'll test that in
February/March when the season starts[3].
There's also gaming support, using Bluetooth, which led to a conversation where I learned and
noticed a few things...
First, I found out gamepads are cheaper than I knew, even ones supporting relatively advanced
features.
Second, I realized some modern mobile games are actually pretty decent experiences. My initial
reaction to "you can play iOS games in your AppleTV" was "can't justify buying a pad for Angry
Birds", but there's a ton of known/popular games available. Just outdated assumptions from my
end.
Third, I learned the official Apple store sells Sony PS5 gamepads.
Finally, I got the impression that with Apple Arcade, you could be having a poor man's version
of Xbox Gamepass on your TV.
Overall, even with my ideological reticence to the little box, I find it really nice and I am happy with it. I also feel the remote's design, and the dictation thingy with Siri, are growing on me.