4th generation Apple TV. Apple TV review (2015): why does a Russian need an Apple set-top box

A sober look at the new Apple.

I didn't buy an Apple TV until it had App Store.

And this is not my story - just a conscious, collective decision of the majority. Until now, the Cupertino set-top box has been a tool for playing movies and music from iTunes. Not more.

For some, this was enough. The rest sat and waited for the Apple TV to turn into something like an iPhone or iPad, only for a TV.

Wait.

How the new Apple TV differs from the old

Let's close this issue right away.

What's great about the new console:

• has an improved, simplified interface and menu;
• supports the installation of applications from the App Store;
• has expanded memory for media files and applications;
• completed with advanced touch panel management.

There are several minor negative differences:

• no optical audio output;
• the body has doubled in height.

If someone found the entire list unimportant, that's fine. The whole point of the next generation Apple TV is in adding App Store support and changing the outdated menu format. All other improvements are derivative.

But the very appearance of applications on the Apple TV set-top box, and from the most successful store in the world, is an unambiguous step forward and a breakthrough, which we have been waiting for five years.

The only pity is that there is nothing to watch there yet ...

The same black, only thick

Many foreshadowed a total redesign of the new Apple TV. They all missed.

4th generation Apple TV - still black boxwith a matte surface and glossy sides. The continuity is almost one hundred percent.

The only difference is in height: whatever you say, you cannot call the new prefix imperceptible, it like two old models! The situation is surprising, given Apple's policy of thinning everything.

The increase in the case is due to the significantly improved "filling", but something suggests that this is temporary. Rest assured that the next generations will get smaller and serve as a mini breakout :)

There are standard connectors on the back, with the exception of one.

• HDMI 1.4
• Ethernet port 10 / 100BASE ‑ T
• USB-C for service and support
• Power port

Connectivity difficulties

Owners of older models will notice the lack of an optical output. Apple decided that there was no future for it - and seriously strained some of the owners of good audio equipment. It is clear that there is a way out: you can find a modern receiver with an HDMI input, through which the sound will go; but this is an additional waste for those who have previously relied on time-tested hi-fi technology.

It's good that we have been in our office for almost a year now, where there is exactly what you need - HDMI input and output. Some are less fortunate.

In the end, it turns out like this. To output audio from Apple TV, you have to choose one of two options:

• or buy a receiver with HDMI;
• or output audio from Apple TV through the TV's AUX-out to the existing equipment.

The last option is bad because your TV is added to the sound processing circuit, which will distort the signal in one way or another. You shouldn't despair anyway: the very fact will be noticed only by audiophiles and purists, the rest will care.

Remote, which is now a gadget

Reminds iPod touch or iPhone, right? That's right: now this is a full-fledged device, and not a block of aluminum with tight buttons.

Inside the console are:

• accelerometer and gyroscopetracking the movement;
• microphonewho listens to what you have to say;
• battery for several months of work;
• lightning connector for recharging the battery.

It looks both stylish and unprepossessing due to the fact that the frontal part is divided into two zones. The bottom is oleophobic coated glass, which, as it turned out,. Wait for leather covers for the remote control, how to drink it :) The habit of keeping the remote control in a bag is a trend again.

Top part - touchpad with a matte, rough to the touch coating. It is also one big button. Accordingly, you need to work with the remote control like this: hold the glossy part in the palm of your hand, and put your thumb on the matte half with which you control the console.

Frankly speaking, I got used to such a system in less than a minute. And that's in hundred- exactly at 100 - times more convenient than the old, "clickable" remote control.

After reading the first reviews, I expected the worst. But in the end I want to say that this is unambiguous the most convenient device for controlling a smart set-top box of all that ever came out. Better only with an iPhone.

The movements are simple: we select the desired menu items with swipes, scroll through the pages, confirm the choice with tapes and clicks. The rest of the buttons work as expected: the menu is like Back, the TV icon is like a key Homeon iDevices. That's all.

You ask how then to play? Fine!

The first time, especially in games, is psychologically unusual: how can you do something when you have only two buttons: back or select? But gestures and accelerometer support really make a difference. As well as the fact that now almost all mobile games have turned into one-button fun.

For five days of testing, I saw nothing on Apple TV that would make me want to take a gamepad or keyboard and mouse. They are simply not needed - in part because Apple is forcing all developers to adapt software exclusively for the original remote. I'll talk about this a little later.

More remote assembled very soundly, has a pleasant weight and fits perfectly in the hand. Say what you like, he is the "face" of the new Apple TV, and she herself is just part of the background. And it turned out superbly, I really don't know what can be added to it.

New interface - another life

But the vast majority of TV set-top boxes, not to mention Smart TVs, slow down or lag on trifles or seriously. The design of their menus and the logic of their work often contradict obvious standards, and it seems software part stuck in a bygone past.

A completely different level. A new Apple TV rides on horseback, which simply has no brakes. Incredibly smooth animation of the menu, beautiful Cyrillic font, the very predictability of work and ease of control of functions. Again, the iPhone user is not surprised, but just look at the Apple TV competitors or turn on Smart Mode on your TV, and everything falls into place.

The convenience of the remote control itself and the way the menu is built around its capabilities play an important role here. Even the little things of animation are thought out: by dragging your finger to the side, you see how the selected menu block "rotates"; scrolling through the lists, the cursor moves softly, as if sticking to the items and "stretching" when you slowly jump back and forth with swipes.

It was for this that at one time we learned to love Apple: beautiful things that any other manufacturer would not give a damn about. Especially in a TV box.

As a result, the 4th generation Apple TV is the most user-friendly set-top box. To use it is one pleasure ... except for one "but".

The onscreen keyboard isn't pretty.I understand why this is done. The touchpad is not very easy to enter text, although in theory it should be easier than on the old remote with a four-way keypad.

But this onscreen keyboard is hell. To be honest: it took me exactly 15 minutes to enter my Apple ID account in the prefix settings. Each letter takes 10 seconds, and if you have complex password... The fact that mobile app A "remote control" for an iPhone, which has a normal QWERTY keyboard, for now. And it is not known whether there will be. In general, we have to do something about this, definitely.

The main menu is designed in much the same way as on old Apple TVs - only the background is now white, for which my eyes say a big thank you. Large "blocks" at the top are OS sections: music, App Store, iTunes with movies, photo stream. The rest at the bottom are movies and apps downloaded from the App Store.

The music player is great. Functionality music player the new Apple TV is very happy, and so is the interface: it is immediately clear that it was developed initially with an eye on users Apple Music.

The interface is very beautiful here, even (in my opinion) better than in the built-in player for iOS. All the features of Apple's streaming service are fully represented, you can manage lists, create new ones, find cool tracks in selections and playlists ... in general, a blessing for those who listen to music from TV or through home speakers.

The smallest changes have been made to the iTunes movie store interface. Bright colors come in handy here as always. I noticed that special actor cards appeared.

I don't remember that they were on previous versions of Apple TV, but I know why they were added - for the special Siri function to work, showing the actors and films in which they were filmed upon request.

Cool screensavers. There are some interesting functions in Settings, one of them concerns desktop screensavers... The fact is that after 5 minutes of inactivity, Apple TV starts playing videos from different parts of the world, taken by Apple itself from a drone. They look just gorgeous (60 frames per second), instantly create a mood in the room.

But the main feature is different: new videos are downloaded to the STB automatically and regularly (the frequency can be changed). As a result, on your TV video screensaver changes every day... I had a gorgeous nightlife London and a funky canyon. You really have to see it live, you can't explain it in words - the very little thing that distinguishes Apple from the rest.

I will not talk about how to watch videos and listen to music on the new Apple TV - the playback function has not changed in any way from the previous model, you can still play your home collection or the library of purchased iTunes content. Let's move on to why we are going to buy a set-top box. Or were going to.

Apple TV games that don't exist

This was the disappointment of the century.

I've waited years for Cupertino to add app support to their consoles. Unpacking the box, I imagined how I would launch it now, or, I’m chasing a still excellent one.

I end up playing on a 48-inch TV and thinking.

So, at the time of this writing, there are no smart games on the Apple TV. There is not a single greatest hit that could be called "console" at a stretch. The exception is Transistor, which is not to everyone's liking.

Of the interesting things -,. And ... everything? Okay, pretty boring. Also re-released. Anyway, on home page some kind of gaping void, and some toys there are duplicated in blocks.

That is, it turns out that Apple even could not fill the main page... I had to use the same thing several times.

The frustration increases when you open your shopping list. It only shows apps and games from your collection that are already compatible with the new Apple TV. In my account with a 7-year history and several thousand purchases for iOS, there were only 9 applications and games.

The verdict is: apple TV has nothing to play right now... There is not a single project yet that could sell this console. An omission that would never have been made by a company like Sony or Microsoft - it shows firsthand how Apple lags behind the leaders of the video game market in its own sense.

What's next?

There is hope for the future. That by the beginning of next year the best games and unique projects will come to the console, using the capabilities of the console and its remote control to the fullest. But so far it is not worth guessing, and the reason for this is striking: Apple has put a spoke in its own wheels.

Under the terms of cooperation, developers of software and games for iOS do not have the right to add functions and capabilities to them that cannot be played through the included Apple TV Remote. And it only has one button.

Do you see where I am leading? It turns out that the creators of any serious, hardcore toys automatically remain overboard: either you have one button + accelerometer, or goodbye.

Thus, until this restriction is removed, cool games such as GTA, the same Max Payne, will not appear in the App Store for Apple TV. Nothing serious at all. Apple's motivation is clear: they want no one to have to buy anything extra to play any games from the store. They are focused on pure casual.

Personally, I believe that calculation is wrong... One-tap games (and others with such a remote control cannot be done) will very quickly bore their audience, which sooner or later will return to iPhones and iPads - it is more convenient to suffer from nonsense with them, plus you can take it with you. And in the end, everyone will lose.

If Apple were more cunning, it would, on the contrary, have allowed requiring a gamepad. That would sell a bunch of accessories. And on the console there would be cool projects that are difficult or inconvenient to play from an iPhone. Such would inevitably give an additional impetus to the sales of such consoles and, as a result, stimulated the same casual players.

In short, until this stick is removed from the wheels, I would not count on the gaming future of the Apple TV.

By the way. There are no Russian streaming services on the new Apple TV yet... But there will be one day. Where will they go.

Siri, why are you so

If you turn on the Russian language in the STB settings, siri voice assistant won't work... Some kind of pure idiocy (), when on Russian iOS the same assistant has full functionality. Thanks, Apple.

You can, of course, turn on English, be a true gadgetoman and improve your language skills by chatting with overseas Siri. It is also an option. But uncomfortable. You watch a film in Russian - and what to ask then? Some kind of light Android brain is here, unfortunately.

In the end: why you should buy Apple TV

Impression contrasting... The new set-top box was conceived (and expected) as a ticket to the future for Apple TV - a kind of full-fledged entertainment center with games, modern applications, the largest catalog of music and movies.

As a result, she good for all reasons except the main one... Great interface. Awesome remote. Great reserve for the future.

But there is nothing to play and run. The best toy is an arcade game two years ago. AND best app - a selection of culinary video recipes. Everything else will have to wait for about six months, and without guarantees that the situation will dramatically improve.

As a result, now her worth buying if:

• you want it all, because Apple;
• you are ready to wait for Apple to grow wiser and allow gamepads;
• you're just ready to buy and wait.

But you shouldn't buy if:

• you just watch movies from iTunes;
• you have everything very tightly tied to the optical output.

The new Apple TV 2015 is an immature product that not enough was enoughto instantly bring the market to its knees. If Cupertino does not abandon it the way they abandoned the App Store for Apple Watch, in six months we will see a completely different picture. And then let's go to the shops.

Fourth generation 2015 model

The history of the Apple TV set-top box, designed primarily for streaming content from the Apple ecosystem, in particular movies and TV series, as well as online video to your TV screen, began almost nine years ago. In early autumn this year, the company introduced the fourth generation of this device. For those who do not follow this topic, our reviews of past versions of the console: the first, second, third, may be useful.

If the third generation differed little from its predecessor, then in the fourth one can note significant changes. The most significant of them is the emergence of the possibility of installing additional software on the set-top box, which significantly changes not only the set of its functions, but also the positioning of the model. In this article we will get acquainted with the new product and see what new it can give users.

Testing used device part number A1625 and 64GB flash memory. The official cost of the version with 32 GB of memory is 13 390 rubles ($ 149 in the US), and the modification with 64 GB of memory is offered for 17 990 rubles ($ 199 in the US). Note that the previous generation is also presented in stores and its cost is noticeably lower - only 5990 rubles ($ 69 in the USA).

Delivery set and appearance

The box comes in a larger box than its predecessor. Its color is unexpectedly black, in contrast to the packaging of most mobile devices from this manufacturer.

The box contains a player network cable power supply, remote control, Lighting cable and some flyers.

Among the additional accessories for this device, the company has a branded strap for the Remote Loop ($ 12.99). The official store in the USA also has wireless joystick SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Gaming Controller ($ 49.95).

The appearance of the model has changed little compared to the third generation. In fact, the only noticeable difference is the increase in body height from 23mm to 35mm. At the same time, the projection has not changed - it's the same square with a side of about 10 × 10 centimeters and rounded corners. So if you put the devices on top of each other, there will be a perfect match. In addition, the weight has grown - from 256 g to 424 g.

The body is made of black plastic. On the upper side it is matte with a glossy company logo and the word "tv". The sides are glossy. The bottom is made of soft-touch material.

On the back are all connectors - HDMI, Wired RJ45, service USB-C, power cable inlet. As we can see, the additional digital audio output has been reduced.

A single indicator is installed on the opposite side. It has a white glow and is almost invisible during operation. The IR receiver window does not stand out in any way. Formally, to control the system with a standard remote control, it is not necessary to provide line of sight, since a wireless radio channel via Bluetooth is provided. But the IR receiver can be used with other remotes to expand the command set.

The remote control has changed a lot in this generation. Now it is a multifunctional device that supports not only infrared communication channel, but also Bluetooth.

The dimensions of its body are 38 × 124 × 6.3 mm. The device is non-separable, since power is supplied from the built-in battery. According to the company, its charge with daily use is enough for "months". Just for him, the Lighting cable is included.

The lower body is made of aluminum. The manufacturer's logo stands out in the center. The front panel is divided into several zones. The matte top is a pressure-sensitive touchpad. It contains the hardware buttons "Menu" and "Home". Nominally, the panel supports four gestures for navigation in the set-top box menu, and the developers third-party programs can receive more accurate information about the user's actions.

Below we see volume control buttons, Siri call and "Start / Pause". Around them and on the rest of the panel, a glossy plastic finish is used.

On the upper end of the remote control there is an IR transmitter window, and on the opposite side there is a Lighting connector for charging or a branded strap. The latter is a strip of leather with a ring. It is fixed in the connector using special latches.

At the top of the remote, there are microphones on both sides for the Siri system. Note that the remote is equipped with a built-in gyroscope and accelerometer, which will be in demand in games and some applications.

Hardware Features

The fourth generation of the Apple TV set-top box differs significantly from its predecessors in terms of hardware. CPU this model is the dual-core Apple A8, which can be found in the iPhone 6/6 Plus and other devices. In addition to improving the overall performance, we also note the presence of the PowerVR Series 6XT GX6450 graphics unit. This allows us to say that the model is able not only to act as a receiver and decoder of a video signal, but also to deal with its own resource-intensive tasks, for example, games. The increase in volume also contributes to this. random access memory four times compared to the previous two generations - up to 2 GB. The configuration of flash memory has also changed - now the user can choose its volume from the 32 or 64 GB available at the time of preparation of the material.

In addition to a 100 Mbps wired network, the device is equipped with a dual-band wireless controller supporting 802.11a / b / g / n / ac protocols. At the same time, the adapter apparently has two antennas, so at 5 GHz the maximum connection speed is 867 Mbit / s, which will be more than enough for any compatible content in the vast majority of cases. But work on 2.4 GHz is provided only at a connection speed of 144 Mbit / s due to the usual limitation on the channel width. Additionally, there is a Bluetooth 4.0 controller for connecting a multifunctional control panel and other devices.

The documentation states that in addition to the standard remote control, you can additionally connect two MFi certified (Made for iOS) wireless devices or one such device and one audio device. Unfortunately, we didn't have any compatible control devices, but wireless headset Nokia has successfully worked with Apple TV, including outputting audio to headphones and receiving Siri commands through a microphone. We even came across fitness apps that supported the display of heart rate information on the TV screen from an Apple Watch connected to an Apple TV.

Despite the widespread use of ultra-high-definition screens in their computers, 4K support in this the Apple generation TV was not implemented. So users will be limited to 1080p and can only rejoice at the introduction of support for Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 versus DD 5.1 soundtracks in previous versions, but we would not consider this a significant improvement, given the possible sources of content.

Apparently, the device supports HDMI CEC, so you can turn on and off the TV in sync with the sleep mode of the set-top box, which allows you to do without a TV remote control.

Perhaps the only thing that can be considered a step back in the characteristics is the lack of a separate digital audio output. With past generations of set-top boxes, you could use a dedicated receiver connection to listen to music without turning on your TV. However, such a scenario can be launched now via HDMI, so in this case we are talking more about removing the outdated interface than about reducing capabilities.

We also note the presence of a built-in 11W power supply. This is roughly double the third generation and is probably the reason for the increased height of the player. But given the differences in hardware described above, this is quite expected.

A new version of Apple TV is running operating system tvOS, which is based on iOS. At the time of the announcement, the version was 9.0, and we carried out testing with version 9.1 (13U85).

Connection and configuration

To get started with the player, just connect the HDMI cable to your TV or receiver and provide power. Recall that Apple TV players have a built-in power supply and an ordinary thin cable to the outlet, which allows you to minimize the number external elements... It is also advisable to connect a wired network, since Wi-Fi is often difficult to call well suited for high-definition video broadcasts. The boot time of the console is less than 30 seconds.

When you first turn it on, you will be prompted to specify the interface language and country (Russian and Russia are present in the lists). Then there are two possibilities - to configure the rest of the parameters via a mobile device with iOS 9.1, or specify in manual mode.

In the first case, you need to turn on the Bluetooth controller on the iPhone or iPad and bring it to the player. Once your device is found, you will be prompted to transfer data over wireless networks and your Apple ID account. The second scenario involves entering the required data from the on-screen keyboard.

For more detailed setting there is a familiar gear icon in the menu, behind which you can find eight groups of pages with parameters and a button for switching to sleep mode (it can also be activated from the remote control).

The first one is the most numerous. Here you can clarify information about the device (including the state of memory with the ability to uninstall programs), set the language, region, time, screen saver and sleep mode, enable parental controls, specify the settings for processing confidential data, enable Siri.

Unlike its predecessors, the fourth generation supports the use of standard iCloud, iTunes and AppStore accounts. Additionally, interaction with Game Center and "Home Collection" has been implemented. Providing an Apple ID allows you to watch movies and listen to music from the store, install additional programs, and interact with the company's cloud services. Note that here we are talking about the accounts of Apple itself. In the case of working with applications where required own registration, this information will be indicated in them.

Sound system settings include the choice of audio output (recall that it is allowed to work via Bluetooth, as well as broadcast to other receivers via AirPlay), multichannel sound mode, sound effects and clicks. The language of the audio track and subtitles is also indicated here. Unfortunately, in this case, it is not possible to understand how to work with multichannel sound. However, most potential users do not need this information. We only note that during the tests on trailers, our receiver wrote about receiving multichannel PCM sound, so it is likely that digital tracks are unpacked in the set-top box itself and it will not be possible to display the original DD track.

As for the video output, you can adjust the resolution (including "computer" options), color space, as well as display test images to check overscans and colors.

Like its predecessors, the new product supports AirPlay technology for broadcasting media and desktops from mobile devices and apple computers... In the settings, you can choose the name of the set-top box, enable the mode of viewing content from iCloud, set an access password.

For the standard remote control in the menu, you can adjust the speed of movement along the touch panel. Support for the Remote for iOS program has also been preserved. Additionally, the user can program their own IR remote controls using the learning mode. The basic set includes four navigation buttons, confirmation and a menu call. And in the additional set there are nine more items, including playback control.

So if functions such as rewind or skip to the next record are important to you, then you can easily add them on any, including universal, IR remote control. In our opinion, it is a very good solution - on the one hand, the laconic standard remote control is retained, and on the other hand, there is a possibility to “add buttons”.

On the same page, interaction with equipment via HDMI is configured and one more interesting function - transfer the volume control to other devices. In this mode, you first teach the player two signals from the standard remote control of your TV or receiver, and then when you press the corresponding hardware buttons on the Apple remote, it controls the equipment through its IR transmitter.

In the "Programs" section there is a switch point automatic update programs, as well as some individual settings. In particular, for the basic programs "Music", "Movies and TV Shows in iTunes" and "Computers" you can select the repeat mode during playback, video format and playlist filter.

Network connections are configured in the section of the same name. Here you can specify the parameters of wireless connections, configure IP addresses, and also find out the status of the current connection to the network. notice, that wireless adapter turned out to be very good - in one of the points of the apartment he “saw” more than forty networks, which indirectly testifies to his sensitivity. In this case, switching to a wired connection occurs automatically when the corresponding cable is connected.

The "System" section contains items for updating the firmware, resetting and rebooting the device, as well as electronic versions of documents.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, the user will not have to deal with the set-top box settings for a long time and many parameters can be left in the "Auto" position.

STB interface

The touch panel is used to navigate the STB menu. The Menu button returns to the previous level, and the Home button returns to start screen devices.

It includes a context block with trailers, recently viewed content and other similar information. Below it are the icons of the applications installed on the device. Out of the box, there are only basic programs: movies, TV shows and music from iTunes, App Store, photo gallery, search, computers and settings.

There is no possibility of grouping icons in the current software version. However, you can change the order of the icons and display the most commonly used programs above. Pressing "Play / Pause" in edit mode can delete the application and all its data. Recall that in the settings section, you can specify the amount of built-in flash memory occupied by programs.

With the first three points, everything is standard - they contain content purchased in the corresponding store. The App Store on Apple TV has its own catalog of programs, later in the article we will see what is interesting there. Photo Gallery lets you access your albums in iCloud. The search works in the company's stores, its information catalogs (for example, it allows you to find artists), catalogs of installed applications (for example, it can find one series in different sources), but not its own library. Computers lets you access your home media collection on your iTunes-installed computer, including photos, music, and videos.

As for Siri, at the time of writing, it did not work with Russian. To use it, just press and hold the microphone button on the remote control.

In general, the control system turned out to be quite convenient, although of course you will have to get used to the "blind" use of the touch-panel for navigation.

App Store

For prefix used special applications and its own App Store. Although, of course, given the proximity to the iOS models, the developers will probably not spend a lot of time adapting their programs if they are, in principle, interesting for a scenario with a TV and a remote control. The actual buying process is no different from other options in the Apple ecosystem.

The only remark may relate to the convenience of finding and obtaining information about programs - the catalog is available only from Apple TV, but not from a computer. Also, don't forget about the tricky typing of text fields using the virtual keyboard. Note that when using an account from a different region, some text fields of the interface may use a language different from the settings of the STB itself.

The catalog has a familiar design with lists of the most popular applications, categories, a section of purchased programs and search. There are seven main categories - Games, Education, Entertainment, Health & Fitness, Lifestyle, News, Sports. However, the section of purchased programs also contains Music, Photo & Video and Utilities. It seems that the system automatically offers you programs already used on other devices, if there is a version for Apple TV.

About the exact amount available applications difficult to judge, but there are no empty spaces on category pages, although in most cases, almost everything fits on one page. Perhaps only Games and Entertainment can boast of a great variety. The games even have additional subsections (puzzles, "one-button", races). But user ratings are currently few, which further complicates the choice of programs.

Working with multimedia

At first glance, little has changed with the official way of working with multimedia. You have access to photos, as well as music, films and TV shows from the cloud of your account. Additionally, you can access your local iTunes library on your computer by setting up Home Sharing. Of course, the computer must be turned on for it to work. Access to the iTunes store is integrated into the system, so purchasing recordings is very easy.

In the store's catalog you can find many online services, including those that were on the previous version of the console. While the clients themselves are usually free, a subscription may be required to use them. In addition, some of them do not work in our country. The last problem can sometimes be solved using VPN, but it's still not very convenient. And anyway, advertising screensavers can be found in free broadcasts.

The list of supported formats has changed towards improving the quality - now 1080p60 video with H.264 codec and profile up to HP or MP level 4.2 can be decoded, versus 30 fps and profile 4.0 in the third version of the console. A quality transition to 4K this time did not happen, although information about the preparation of the fifth generation of the device slipped in the news in the next quarter. HE-AAC (V1) and Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 have been added in audio formats.

AirPlay support, including streaming music, video, and desktop from compatible Apple devices, has not gone anywhere. You can try this option for viewing non-native formats and media sources, but it is much more convenient to use third-party programs that are present in the Apple TV app store. We will not pretend to full overview useful utilities, but we will briefly describe some of them that have free versions.

The first one we came across was the HD Player. It allows you to load media files of various formats into the memory of the set-top box from a computer through a browser, but a license to view FullHD files costs $ 0.99. Since he does not know how to work over the network, there is no special sense in the program, in our opinion.

The next option is infuse ~ an elegant video player for all your media. IN free version support for popular formats and codecs is implemented, and as a source they can serve as common network foldersand DLNA server. However, if you plan to use DD and DTS soundtracks, you will need the PRO version, which costs $ 9.99 and has several additional functions... The utility supports switching audio tracks, as well as displaying subtitles. However, it also copes with the BD file format.

Another program with an unusually long name, Video Player for Many Movies Formats From NAS Media Server also supports standard network folders and HD video formats in MKV and MP4. This player is able to decode AC3, but there is no choice of audio track and subtitles.

OneVideoLite is also capable of providing media library access over the network using a variety of protocols, including SMB, AFP, and DLNA. All popular video file formats are supported. At the same time, the utility is more similar to a media player in terms of interface design and capabilities. The latter include the choice of audio tracks (DD is output in unpacked 5.1 format, DTS cannot be called workable in the current version of the program) and subtitles. But for full support HD video, including 720p, will need to pay $ 2.99 for the full version of the utility. The Lite version will help you assess the need for this action, providing 2 minutes of work for such files.

For some users, the most convenient at the moment for the scenario of watching videos without being tied to the Apple ecosystem may be choosing a client-server solution from Plex, especially if they already use it (for example, to organize storage of their own videos and photo album). This media server can be run both on a regular PC and on many modern network storage devices. The Plex client is a free download from the App Store and you can access all of your recordings.

However, it should be noted that all the programs mentioned at the moment do not provide the comfort expected from a rather expensive household media player during operation. The interface often slows down, control is inconvenient, there is no "omnivorous". And when it comes to providing a certain format for content, then no one bothers to stop at a fairly convenient and universal mp4, which can be integrated into iTunes without any problems.

Games

We should also say a few words about games. Remembering mobile devices on a similar platform, we can say that the device considered in the article is capable of "pulling" fairly complex and beautiful projects.

However, there is one difficulty here - the overwhelming majority of mobile games are designed for use with touch screen... Adapting to the console's remote control or gamepads may not be as easy as you'd like. In addition, the selection of compatible controllers is currently limited.

Nevertheless, in general, this scenario, in our opinion, has great potential. Especially if Apple can provide perfect compatibility and plug-and-play customization of gamepads in arcade projects, and this is quite within its power. Well, it would also be nice to solve the issue of multiplayer game on one panel (recall the current restrictions on connected external devices). Of course, there is no serious competition for traditional consoles and even more for gaming PCs on this platform, but who knows ...

Currently of interest are arcade games with simple controls such as Rayman, traditional Asphalt races, and some one-button projects and puzzles.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the updated version of Apple TV brought the device to new level... The ability to install programs in combination with a more powerful hardware platform changes a lot in the set-top box. However, the new product is offered at a significantly higher price, so the question of its advantages over the previous generation is not so straightforward.

There are many factors to consider when assessing the attractiveness of such an acquisition, including the availability of other Apple solutions and the active use of the company's media services, the desire to access certain streaming providers and the interest in games.

If the question of price is not worth it and the above amounts are for new gadget do not bother you, then, of course, another new, beautiful and interesting toy with a cool remote control and a favorite logo deserves a place in your home.

For those who don't own Apple devices, buying an Apple TV remains controversial. On the other hand, it is this fourth version of the console that is fully capable of fully functioning without the presence of smartphones, tablets or computers of the "fruit" company.

Today we would not recommend considering this solution as a universal media player for a file library stored on a home network drive. Formally, the situation may change with the release of the corresponding software, however, it may be easier, faster and cheaper to choose a device from the numerous players on the market based on other operating systems.

But the game scenario has good prospects, but everything will be determined by the projects available for this platform.

We invite you to watch our Apple TV video review, which clearly shows the use of the remote control for games, and the design of the new product is compared to the previous generation Apple TV.

Judging by the comments on our site, not all readers have already purchased a new one. Someone uses older models of the set-top box, while others do not have a TV set-top box from Apple at all. Maybe not all modern products Apple really deserves everyone's attention, but the new Apple TV definitely deserves it. This article will list the nice little things that make Apple's console special. Unfortunately, not all of the above can be used by Russian-speaking users, but tvOS is developing very, very quickly.

• If you have missed any phrase or important moment in a movie or video, you can rewind or fast forward 5 seconds with one touch of the remote control. You just need to tap on one of the top corners of the remote.
• Siri can also help with this problem. So far this does not work in Russian, but in supported languages \u200b\u200byou can ask: "What did he just say?"
• You do not need to use the remote that comes with the box. You can use the previous generation remote control or the universal infrared remote control. You can add a new remote control in the settings.
• In the same settings of the connected devices, you can connect Bluetooth headphones or wireless speakers.
• Apple TV automatically goes to sleep, but you can manually put the box to sleep by holding the Home button on the remote.
• To access additional options when watching a video, such as subtitles, parts, audio settings and more, just swipe down on the remote while watching the video.
• If suddenly it seemed to you that the remote control from the new Apple TV does not listen to you well, there is a calibration function in the settings of the connected devices.
• Apple TV has a multitasking menu just like the iPhone. Just like on the iPhone, you just need to press the Home button twice to switch between running apps.
• With the same gestures as on the iPhone, you can close the running application. You just need to press Home twice and make a swipe up.
• In your account settings, you can turn off the password prompt when making purchases. This will be useful for those who control Apple TV exclusively with the remote control. Entering a password from the remote is very inconvenient.
• Siri is able to understand quotes from popular movies and include the corresponding movie. The phrase "may the force be with you" should work.
• Pressing the Play button four times in the Software Update settings menu gives you access to hidden settings for Apple employees and developers.
• You can turn on the screensaver without waiting for it to turn on automatically. To do this, just press the Menu button while on the home screen.
• If you press the Play button four times in the About device settings menu, you can activate the demo mode. This mode is intended for demonstration of the set-top box in stores.
• Restarting your Apple TV is easy. It is enough to simultaneously hold the Home and Menu buttons.
• If you have a huge library of movies in AVI and MKV formats, you can install the VLC player on the set-top box and watch whatever you want.
• You can also install Beamer on your Mac and stream any video to Apple TV.

Based on materials from Business Insider

At the recent WSJDLive conference, Tim Cook officially announced that pre-orders for the new Apple TV will open on October 26th. In connection with this event, many users of previous generations of consoles asked a reasonable question: is it worth buying a new product? The answer, as always, lies on the surface.

Prices

Apple TV 3G, presented back in 2012, did not disappear into oblivion, but remained in free sale at a price of $ 69. A kind of budget option for those who are not interested in Siri Remote and games on a set-top box. In turn, Apple TV 4 will be available for $ 149 for the model with 32 GB of internal storage and $ 199 for the 64 GB version.

App Store

Perhaps the most significant difference between the old and new generations of consoles is the presence of its own App Store for tvOS. Apple said the apps will significantly expand the functionality of Apple TV. From now on, the owners will have access to live broadcasts of TV channels and various streaming video services, including domestic ones: Apple is negotiating with representatives of the Russian video services ivi.ru, Okko, Amediateka and others. In addition, the games are expected to attract a much larger audience of users.

Apple TV Remote

The rethought set-top box also acquired a new remote control called the Apple TV Remote with built-in microphones and a touch panel. With it, you can control the device by means of voice commands, and the touchscreen allows you to navigate the menu more comfortably. Moreover, the remote control can be turned into an impromptu gamepad, which is now a must.

Universal search and Siri

4th Generation Apple TV enables multi-platform search across a variety of third-party services and apps, including iTunes, Netflix, and Hulu. Thanks to Siri, the user can find out in what year a particular film was released, rewind playback forward or backward, clarify the last phrase said by the actor, and much, much more.

Resolution

Despite the fact that the new set-top box has the technical ability to support 4K (2160p) format, it is disabled at the software level. Therefore, in this case, there is parity between the third and fourth generation. Both consoles support Full HD 1080p.

Frame rate and audio channels

As for the maximum frame rate per second, the Apple TV 4 boasts support for the now common 60 fps. Supported audio formats include HE-AAC (V1), AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), protected AAC (from the iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3 and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV and, Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Plus 7.1.

Apple TV 3G plays video at a maximum rate of 30 frames / sec. But with audio channels the situation is approximately the same, except for the lack of support for 7.1-channel sound. But it has an optical audio output.

Hardware

Another significant difference between the two generations of consoles is the processing power of the processor. So, Apple TV 4 is equipped with a 64-bit Apple A8 chip, and the third model is content with the outdated 32-bit A5 in every sense. However, it should be noted that the A5 still copes well with all tasks, but the extensive functionality of the new set-top box turned out to be very demanding on resources.

Interfaces

In this case, no surprises, but some differences do occur. Apple TV 4 announced support wi-Fi networks 802.11ac (MIMO) and Gigabit Ethernet. In addition, the manufacturer has equipped a set-top box for the 2015 model year infrared port, HDMI, Bluetooth 4.0 and USB-C, but the latter is for service only.

Apple TV 3 is equipped with the old version of HDMI, optical audio-out (which is not new), as well as Wi-Fi 802.11n, Ethernet, Bluetooth 4.0 and Micro-USB.

Interestingly, the new Apple TV does not support external keyboards, which its predecessor did just fine. In addition, the lack of an optical output can negatively affect the interest in buying music lovers and lovers of crystal clear sound.

What to choose?

Perhaps, Apple TV of the previous generation can be bought by those (if you have not already done this) who do not care about the presence of a built-in store of applications, games and all sorts of "gadgets" in the form of Siri and universal search. For such users, it will be enough to play multimedia content from a home media library and stream content from an iPhone and iPad.

The novelty is intended for those who are interested in the idea of \u200b\u200bapplications and games on Apple TV, voice assistant, a new, more convenient remote control and 7.1 audio format. The only drawback of Apple TV 4 for the Russian-speaking user is the lack of Siri support and, as a result, all the advantages of voice control.

Apple TV (fourth generation) review

Contents of delivery

• Console
• Network cable
• Remote control
• Lightning cable
• Documentation

We deal with new attachment Apple TV, not updated, but new - yes, you can still rent a movie for the evening, but you can also install, if you wish, karaoke and sing on the TV, or play, or watch "Comedy Club" and the series "Fizruk "...

Positioning

When you tell or show someone the capabilities of Apple TV, they may immediately object, they say, because advanced modern TVs have all this and without any set-top boxes, there are Smart TV, Android TV and other shells that can make it possible to play or buy movies in third-party services ... This is all true. But there are at least a few reasons for buying an Apple TV:

• If you have a perfectly good TV, but without any shells.
• If you have a perfectly good TV, it has a shell, but it doesn't suit you.
• If you have been using iTunes for a long time, there are hundreds of films, music albums in your library and you would like to play all this content on your TV, rent movies.
• If you want to play games on your TV, but you have never done so and you have doubts about the convenience of this process, then you should definitely try Apple TV.

There are other reasons, but they may seem a little far-fetched - I would recommend the Apple TV to anyone who loves OS X and iOS and wants something as sleek and thoughtful for the most big screen in home. I would recommend Apple TV to girls, it has been experimentally established that they instantly master the remote control, programs for the set-top box, start watching TV shows - I don't know how this would happen with Android TV. Maybe the same, maybe not. I would recommend the Apple TV for family fun, playing chicken might sound brutal, but there are other games out there. For example, Shadowmatic perfectly develops spatial thinking, but Asphalt does not develop anything, but it is very cool to drive one by one.

Actually, I would recommend everyone to try the updated Apple TV, it's a shame it can't be rented. Well, the prices in Russia are now cruel. When you remember how much the old Apple TV cost, a tear of nostalgia immediately appears. Okay, let's not be sad, but rather see what the updated console is.

Design, construction

It's a pity that Apple forgot to put an HDMI cable in the kit, I seem to have a lot of cables at home, but they all turned out to be busy - they might well not be scruffy, it's not very expensive (to put it mildly). The set includes a remote control, a network cable, a set-top box, a remote control strap is inserted into the Lightning connector, and you also need to buy it separately. But in the kit there is a Lightning cable for charging the remote control, yes, there is now such a plug. As you can see in the photo, the proprietary iPhone stand can be used for the remote control as well. The operating time of the remote control is several months when used in normal mode, that's good, you don't need to think about the state of the battery all the time, you don't need to buy batteries, the built-in battery will probably work for several years. I must say right away that many existing joysticks can be used with Apple TV, in a couple of days we will post a video review where we try to connect and use one of them - go to this material, there will be a video.

Accordingly, this gives hope for the emergence of many other accessories for Apple TV, for example, small keyboards, advanced joysticks and who knows what else. If tvOS continues to evolve, developers' imagination should be enough for the most unprecedented additions. After all, there are already good races, the already mentioned "Asphalt", so why not make some simple steering wheel? The races are good and bright. The branded remote control can be used, but not very convenient. I note that you have to hold it by the ends and imagine that this is not a remote control, but a steering wheel, turn it from side to side - the car moves. You need to get used to it, but then everything will turn out naturally and easily. The touch pad also requires getting used to, but then rewinding in films is a pleasure, it's very easy to select the right moment, quickly rewind to the right place, step back, repeat - easy, graceful, great! But at first, a set on virtual keyboard makes you wince. Unaccustomed, you skip letters, move your finger faster than necessary, miss, miss again, so bless you! Little by little I manage to get used to it. Then, I also found another problem at the very beginning, Apple TV is demanding on the quality of Wi-Fi. We tried to use "Iota" - it was not possible to enter the account, tried to connect to an iPhone operating in modem mode - nothing happened either. The set-top box connected to the home access point instantly, and you can find it (point) on the TV screen or configure it with using iPhone, put it on Apple TV, and voila, the settings are transferred. Well, then only the remote control will help you, the plump black box can be hidden away.

Compared to the previous version, the set-top box has become larger, the connector for connecting an optical cable has disappeared, but everything else remains the same. Here full list connectors and not only:

• HDMI 1.43;
• Supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac with MIMO technology;
• Ethernet port 10 / 100BASE-T;
• IR receiver;
• USB-C for service and support;
• Built-in power supply.

If suddenly you have a desire to take screenshots, you will need uSB-C cable - USB, connect to MacBook Pro, turn on QuickTime Player, and the image from the TV appears there. Unfortunately, I didn’t have such a cable, so I took pictures with my camera. Again, a detailed video about menus, applications and more is coming soon.

The remote control itself is a complex device. There is an IR sensor for controlling the volume on the TV, and Bluetooth 4.0 for communicating with the set-top box, Lightning for charging, an accelerometer and a gyroscope, a glass touch pad, you can not only move your finger on it, but also press it. In some games, there is a difference between swiping in the center or along the edge, and this is the emphasis; the impression after working with the touch surface - as after using other Apple technology, for example, an iPhone or iPad.

Operating system

The capabilities of the operating system are very good in the future, but even now the device is not perceived as something unfinished, raw, such a feeling did not arise either for me or for those whom I gave to try the console. On the contrary, the thing is perceived extremely positively. If you already had an Apple TV and are used to renting movies there, then you can do it here, only along the way you can install RuTube, watch Dances or TV shows, many people like Comedy Club - you can watch Comedy. There are also 2x2, only the choice of series is limited. I am personally waiting for the Amediateki application to calmly watch new episodes of my favorite series, films on TV - by the way, there are very good selection cinema, there is a lot that you will not find anywhere else. The choice of applications is already great now, here you have The Nat Geo TV, HBO NOW, news, and YouTube - you know, you can hang out there for a day if you want. All applications resemble their iOS counterparts, that is, these are video catalogs, select and watch. The quality is good, I use Apple TV with an old Samsung TV, besides Full HD, there is not much to boast about.

Yes, if suddenly there are karaoke lovers among you - there is karaoke here. I myself am not an amateur, but I was told that karaoke works efficiently here, and those who like this business are better off not talking about this feature of Apple TV. Moreover, there is not one, but several programs for singing.

If a soundbar or other device is connected to the TV acoustic system, you can listen to purchased music or use Apple Music, while meeting with friends, this is great. A TV in the living room, a table in the living room, everything is logical - especially since music can work in a number of applications. Listening to Igor Nikolaev and playing Crossy Road is possible. True, in some programs this does not work, either it is a bug, or voice acting will be possible everywhere.

Yes, I can't help but notice that there is also Mixcloud, a program with mixes, different formats music - it is quite possible to listen to all day long, without stopping.

That is, if earlier Apple TV was limited to the music you bought (I exaggerate, but nevertheless), now there are no boundaries. The entire iTunes library is at your disposal thanks to Apple Music, there are applications like MixCloud, catalogs of Internet radio stations for Apple TV appear.

Moving on to the films, all purchased films are available for download and viewing, some can be rented. Contrary to popular belief, this does not apply to all tapes - for the most part new items can only be bought, no rental. For example, now "Everest" is sold for 349 rubles in HD, 199 rubles in SD, it is better to take it in HD, well, it is even better to lift the fifth point from the chair and walk to the cinema. It's much better to watch Everest over there than at home. But "Agents of ANKL" can already be bought for 349 rubles and rented for 99 rubles - a good offer.

Either way, iTunes prices are reasonable, and if you're buying an Apple TV, you should be prepared for paid content. I know that most of the readers are already accustomed to paying for books, music and films, but, nevertheless, there are those who do not understand where the money goes and why you need to pay “for air”. This is always a personal choice of everyone, and we will not discuss the topic of paid content here, I will only note that in Russia people nevertheless show unexpected enthusiasm for services - there are many more people who want to receive a quality service and are ready to pay for it. In the case of iTunes on Apple TV, there are no questions about the service itself, the previously purchased movie was downloaded in a minute, the quality is excellent, the sound is also great. If you slide your finger down on the touch panel, the audio menu will appear, where you can select the audio track, subtitle, through which device the audio will be played.

As in the case with the previous set-top box, it is possible to transfer pictures to Apple TV from the device, the quality is so-so. Tried image transfer from MB Pro.

Besides programs, audio and movies, there are also games. And here, besides Crossy Road and Asphalt, there is also Shadowmatic, Rayman, Manticore Rising, Guitar Hero. I think it will be possible to write separately about the top ten good games for Apple TV at the end of the month, for now I will say that the programs are made sensibly, it is interesting to play them even for me - most of the things here are arcade, but this does not detract from their merits. In the same Crossy Road, it is great to play in a company, when everyone around you is trying to tell, pull out the remote control in order to play on your own.

And so, now imagine that all this is on your TV. It has become much more functional, isn't it? Yes, before I could easily buy Interstellar and watch it with my family, relaxing after a busy day. But now there has appeared an easy, understandable and simple access to programs of a very different orientation and with a wide variety of content - we can no longer only choose Interstellar, but also see last issue "Dances", if you feel like it. And there is no need to carry a laptop, transfer an image from an iPad or iPhone, or otherwise complicate life.

Performance and features

The set-top box is available in two versions, 32 and 64 GB, as I understand it, Apple made a version for those who will install a lot of applications, and the version for those who install the basic and calm down will not experiment. The difference in price, of course, is, 13,990 and 17,990 rubles. As far as I heard, now there is a limit for the size of applications, it is 200 MB, in the future it may be lifted. In the future, Apple TV has a lot to change. For example, now the desktop repeats the design of the first Apple TVs, although it would be better to emphasize the continuity of tvOS and iOS and allow the user to simply bring all the icons to the desktop, add widgets there if desired, as in Android - now navigation is frankly stupid, go to the desired item from the first try I still can't. You will definitely go somewhere in the wrong place, there is also a remote control "helps", unnecessary movement, and immediately went somewhere from the desired menu item. While the search for Siri in Russian does not work, when it appears, it will be of help.

Apple, as always, took care of people with disabilities. Press the Menu button three times, and VoiceOver turns on, reading menu items, here is a list of all the "Accessibility" items:

• VoiceOver;
• Increase;
• Bold font;
• Increased contrast;
• Decreased movement;
• Support for closed captioning and closed captioning for people with hearing impairments;
• Keyboard shortcuts (I don't quite understand about this).

A little about video and audio formats:

• H.264 video up to 1080p, 60fps, high or main profile level 4.2 or lower;
• H.264 video, Baseline Profile 3.0 or lower with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 \u200b\u200bkHz, stereo audio in m4v, .mp4, and.mov formats;
• MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640x480 pixels, 30 fps, simple profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 \u200b\u200bkHz, stereo audio in m4v, .mp4 and.mov formats;
• HE-AAC (V1), AAC (16 to 320 kbps), Protected AAC (for files from the iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3 and 4 ), Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV, Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Plus 7.1.

Let me remind you once again that Apple TV is sensitive to the quality of the Internet connection, you can connect to the network both via Wi-Fi and using an Ethernet cable, this method seems to me an anachronism. You can parry, though - the speed and reliability of the cable connection is higher. Well, if you don't mind another cable in the living room, you will.

The heart of Apple TV is the A8 processor with 64-bit architecture, the set-top box works smartly, the transition from section to section is fast, the only drawbacks are the absence of thumbnails for some films on the main page, but here is the tvOS problem. For all the time of use, there were no application crashes, I would like to get some kind of intelligible menu running applicationsas in iOS.

findings

Let me remind you that the price is 13,990 and 17,990 rubles, a good gift for the New Year and for any other holiday. The whole family can use Apple TV, and there's plenty to do for dad, mom, and kids. I hope, albeit a bit chaotic, I told you about the main features of this interesting device. I remember how they “broke” the first Apple TV, used it to watch movies, after so many years there is a device in the living room completely in the spirit of the century - everything is on the net, and it's a sin not to use it. If you want to pump up (sorry) your TV, Apple TV does a great job.

P.S. As promised, I will write in more detail about the programs used on Apple TV and the games separately.