What is Apple TV? It is worth noting that many who have even seen and touched this box have no idea about its functional features and capabilities. Some people think that this is some kind of set-top box, others that it is a player for playing various multimedia files.

In short, both are right. Apple TV is a truly versatile device that helps you solve a variety of tasks.

What is Apple TV for?

In simple and accessible language, Apple TV is a device that is designed to broadcast data from various resources to the screen, including iTunes and other sources.

It is worth noting that thanks to Apple TV, it is possible to turn the simplest TV into a real smart device. Among others, there are several main advantages:

• There is always access to the highest quality video on special resources.
• There is an opportunity to get access to a huge number of trailers, music, clips.
• With this set-top box, you can display any images and videos from your smartphones and other Apple devices on the TV screen.
• The set-top box has a function for displaying images from a drive, as well as for storing any information. However, you can just pay to watch the video and not store it on your device.

Displaying an image on a TV via Apple TV

Thanks to the ability to receive a WI-FI signal, you do not need to use wires, which greatly simplifies the work with the device. For full functioning, you only need to install special software, as well as synchronize the set-top box with your TV. To use the device, you can use a regular remote control.

How do I connect Apple TV?

Connecting the device is quite simple:

• You just need to connect the set-top box to the TV using a special cable.
• Then you need to connect your Apple TV to your network and make the necessary settings.

• After you connect to the internet, you will be able to use iCloud.
• All other actions (control, selection of modes, functions) will be clear to every owner of Apple TV and Apple devices.

In addition, you can always connect (using a fiber optic cable) an audio system to improve the sound.

Are you ready to ditch cable TV and get rid of the ad flow? With Apple TV, you can rent or buy high quality movies, listen to podcasts, watch Netflix, Hulu, sports channels, view photos and listen to music from your computer, all from the comfort of your couch. Learn how to set up and use your Apple TV in this article.

Steps

Part 1

Apple TV connection

Unpack Apple TV. Install it next to the TV, you will also need an outlet nearby and if you have a wired Internet, then a network cable.

• Don't stack Apple TV on top of any other tech, or stack anything on Apple TV either. Doing so may overheat the equipment and cause signal interference.

1. Connect the HDMI cable. Connect one end of the cable to your Apple TV (the connector on the back of the box) and the other to your TV.

   • Note: This article describes a direct connection to a TV. If you are using a receiver, refer to the instructions for use. The receiver will be the intermediate link between the Apple TV and the TV.
   • Apple TV has TOSLink digital audio output. If you are using this standard, connect one end of the cable to the Apple TV output and the other to the TV input.

2. Connect the Internet cable. If you have a wired internet, connect it to your Apple TV.

   • Apple TV has built-in 802.11 Wi-Fi that you can connect to a wireless network.

3. Plug in the power cord. After connecting all cables, plug the Apple TV into power.

   Turn on your TV. Plunge into the world of Apple TV! On the TV remote, switch to the HDMI input to which your Apple TV is connected.

   • If this is your first Apple TV connection, the setup screen should appear. If it does not appear, make sure the cables are connected correctly and the correct source is selected.

   Part 2

   Set up Apple TV

   1. Understand the Apple Remote. All operations will have to be carried out using this remote control.

      • The black ring is used to move the cursor up, down, right, left.
      • The gray button in the center of the circle is used to select.
      • Pressing the "Menu" button brings up a menu or returns to the previous screen.
        • Press and hold the "Menu" button to return to the main menu.
        • Press and hold the "Menu" button while watching a movie to access subtitles.
      • The "Play / Pause" button is only used for pause and play.
      • Press and hold the Menu and Down Arrow button to reset Apple TV. During the reset, the status light on the STB should blink.
      • To create a pair between the remote and the set-top box, press and hold the "Menu" button to the right for 6 seconds. This will allow you to control the set-top box only from this remote control and disable other remotes.
      • There is a free app on the App Store called "Remote" that shows you all the features of the Apple Remote. If you have an iPhone or iPad, this is a great addition to your Apple TV.
      • Apple Remote not is versatile. To change the volume of the sound on the TV and other functions, you will have to use the remote control from the TV or receiver.

   2. Connect to a wireless network. Using the prompts on the screen, select in the network settings. If your wireless network is hidden from others, then enter the name of the network. After selecting the network, enter the password (if any) and save the settings by clicking on the "Done" button.

      • If you are not using DHCP, then you will have to enter the IP address, subnet mask, router address and DNS.

   3. Configuring Home Sharing. Use Home Sharing to access music and video files on your computer.

      • Configuring Home Sharing. From the main menu go to Settings and select "Home Sharing". Enter your Apple ID and password.
      • Set up "Home Sharing" in iTunes. From the File menu, choose Home Sharing\u003e Include Home Sharing. Enter the same Apple ID and password you use on your Apple TV.

   Part 3

   Enjoy the content

   1. Watch a huge number of movies! With iTunes on Apple TV, you have access to the latest movies in 1080p (v3) high definition or 720p (v2). You can watch the movie, rent it or purchase it for your collection.

      • While virtually all of the content on iTunes is viewable, many movies cannot be rented in the first weeks after their release. They can only be purchased, but later it will be possible to rent them. Sometimes films are only available for rent or purchase.
      • Selected TV shows are only available for purchase, although you can subscribe for the entire season. The current TV series on iTunes is usually delayed by a day or two from regular broadcast.

   2. Display mode from your iOS devices. With AirPlay, you can play movies and photos stored on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch on your TV. You can also use your TV as a giant screen for your iPhone 4S or iPad.

   3. Use Home Sharing. With this feature, you can view and play your entire iTunes library, as well as all playlists, and even use the Genius feature. You can view your photos using iPhoto on your computer, or simply transfer your photos to display on Apple TV Home Sharing.

      • To access music, movies, photos, and videos on your computer, go to Computers from the Apple TV main menu. Any type of content available on the computer will be displayed on the TV.
      • To access the whole music stored in iCloud using iTunes Match, click the orange Music button on the home screen.

Appliances from a famous American brand are always in demand, which is not surprising. After all, it combines an original design and an unlimited range of functionality. Now let's figure out what the Apple TV is and how it works. As a result, each user will understand whether it makes sense to spend money on purchasing this gadget.

What is Apple TV

In short, Apple TV is a device designed to broadcast media content from the iTunes Store and other online services to the TV screen. Why do users buy this gadget? Apple TV will turn the most ordinary TV into a smart device. Additional functionality that will be available to the user immediately after connecting:

• access to a library of high-quality video content, which is stored on special resources;
• broadcasting multimedia content to the TV screen from smartphones, tablets, players, as well as other devices running Windows and Mac OS operating systems;
• access to an impressive repository of audio tracks, podcasts, images, video games.

The Apple TV set-top box works on the principle of streaming media content. Recent models of this type of device have a limited amount of internal memory. Therefore, the content must be stored in the cloud or on removable media: flash drives, external hard drives.

You don't have to buy content to watch a movie or TV show. Users have access to the "Rent" function. Therefore, the amount will be charged from your balance solely for viewing. This is a good way to save money.

The gadget is equipped with a built-in adapter for wireless Internet connection. Therefore, after connecting the set-top box, the user will be able to connect the TV to a wireless home network, even if it did not initially support Wi-Fi. No additional wires, adapters, or adapters are required to set up the connection.

Apple incorporates many useful technologies into its devices. For example, AirPlay, with the help of which you can quickly set up the synchronization of the TV with a computer or laptop. The control will be carried out by the remote control included in the basic set-top box. The remote control can also be used as a computer mouse.

Analyzing the features of Apple TV, performance cannot be ignored. UHD and Full HD content plays without any lag. Multi-channel audio will enhance your movie viewing experience. An 8 GB flash memory acts as a buffer for streaming data. The devices in question are equipped with a powerful Apple A5 processor.

Connection process

Modern TV models are equipped with an HDMI interface, through which a set-top box is connected. The cord is not included in the basic set of Apple Teavee. There is an alternative way of connecting equipment - a component cable.

Connect the set-top box with the power cable to the outlet, and then connect it to the TV with a component or HDMI cable. The initial sync setting is done with the remote control. Connect to your home Wi-Fi network to log into iCloud. If the profile has not been created previously, register a new account.

Subsequent configuration is carried out in the same way as in the case of other gadgets from Apple. To achieve the clearest possible sound when watching movies or listening to music, you can connect an audio system. The acoustics are connected with a fiber optic cable. Insert the plug into the interface marked "Toslink".

Use as a TV set-top box

The device operates under the iOS operating system. The console's desktop is almost the same as an iPod or iPhone. Practice shows that users have no problems with an intuitive interface. All desktop icons are signed. The only inconvenience is entering text from the remote control. It is not equipped with a keyboard. Therefore, typing is carried out by selecting letters on the joystick, the keyboard is displayed on the screen.

There are several ways to solve the problem described above. You can connect a wireless keyboard or smartphone to the set-top box. The Remote app must be installed on iPhone, iPad beforehand. You can download this program from the Apple Store. What else can this application be used for? In addition to entering text, you can use your smartphone as a game joystick.

Movies, music and photos

Advanced functionality is a significant advantage, but most often the Apple TV set-top box is used to listen to music and watch movies from the iTunes Store, Apple Music, and other services. The owners of this device have access to a store with Russian-language films. The interface automatically adjusts to match the diagonal of your TV.

As mentioned earlier, users will be able to purchase films, as well as rent them (viewing will be available for 2 days). Renting is the optimal solution that allows you to watch new films in excellent quality online at an affordable price. By activating Family Sharing, you will have access to content that has been purchased by your family members.

You can download online movie theater apps from the Apple Store to watch movies for free. Music tracks are played from the iTunes library. Activate Sharing to use iTunes on your laptop, tablet, smartphone, and TV at the same time.

Apple Music service allows you to transform the set-top box into a player with a multi-million dollar music library. Users will be able to collect their own collection of hits. The set-top box can also be used to listen to the radio. In total, more than 200 radio stations are available, including Apple's proprietary frequency - Beats 1. Broadcasting in a 24/7 format, tracks from the best DJs, current music, expert opinion when choosing songs - this is not a complete list of the advantages of this radio station.

The Apple set-top box allows you to watch movies, photos and home videos from iCloud cloud storage. Subscribe to updates from other users to see the latest photos of your friends and acquaintances.

Why Apple TV is better than analogues

If you compare Apple TV with gadgets, consoles and game consoles, then all these devices provide a narrower range of functionality. An easy-to-use touchpad provides access to Apple branded services that maximize the range of options.

Many people wonder if Apple TV is really much more efficient than Smart TV? In terms of functionality, the set-top box is slightly inferior to smart TVs. However, if you evaluate the price / quality ratio, then Apple TV is the undeniable winner. It is cheaper to buy a set-top box and connect it to the TV than to upgrade and buy new equipment. We are talking about savings in the amount of 20-30 thousand rubles.

Many providers offer their customers their own set-top boxes, which provide access to exclusive content and enhance the functionality of the TV. A 1 month subscription will cost much more than the price of a specific movie or TV series. Keep this in mind as it is a great savings opportunity. No fee will be charged for inaction.

An additional advantage will be the availability of other technology from Apple: iPhone, iPad, iPod, etc. Convenient Wi-Fi sync makes sharing files between all devices even easier. No additional wires or cables are required. Separately, it should be noted that games are available on Apple TV. The joystick can be a tablet or smartphone.

Note.

Previously, updates appeared infrequently, but in recent years the models have changed twice. The reason for this was the emergence of UHD and HDR.

New technologies

4K TVs have become the standard. Decent UHD models are available for under $ 1000 today, and many of them support HDR (high dynamic range). Both technologies are essential for visual perception. 4K is clearer than HD, but HDR is a huge leap forward. Colors become more vivid, extra brightness and more contrast appear, which gives the image a great cinematic appearance.

Apple TV 4K supports both the entry-level HDR10 standard and the more impressive Dolby Vision technology, which should keep the box relevant for at least the next few years.

The device has got everything you can expect from the next generation of Apple TV box. It is faster, more stable and smarter than previous versions, has a rich ecosystem of applications and is easy to use.

However, if you recently purchased a high-quality smart TV from a leading manufacturer, it is only reasonable to wonder what an Apple TV is and is it necessary. After all, newer models have their own interfaces and applications. The Apple TV seems less appealing in this case, but it still has many features that even the best HDR 4K TVs lack.

Design and specifications

Apple TV is a neat little black box. It has the same dimensions as the previous model and looks almost identical except for the narrow air vents around the base. This is often a sign of a fan, and in fact the Apple TV comes with a unit that keeps the device cool during stress. However, don't worry: according to user reviews, the cooling system is very quiet. Not the slightest buzz or whistle is heard. However, this means that it is necessary to take into account the placement of the attachment - it must be away from carpets or dusty areas so that the ventilation holes remain free and clean.

The need for a fan is driven by the impressive performance of the Apple TV 4K. The box features an A10X Fusion chip, the same as the fantastic 10.5 "iPad Pro and the latest 12.9" tablet model. They are true computing monsters in a compact form, like the Apple TV 4K, driven by the need to upscale content. In addition, the console launches applications and games without any problems, it is very responsive.

The device is equipped with HDMI output and Ethernet input. Of course, you don't have to connect it to the Internet via a cable. The set-top box supports dual-band Wi-Fi, which does its job well even when streaming HDR 4K video.

Wireless performance will vary depending on distance from the router, network settings, and even home design. According to user reviews, the device works more reliably than Chromecast 2 at a distance of 15 meters.

The Apple TV box comes with 32GB or 64GB of storage. Since most of the content is likely to be streamed over the web, it doesn't make much sense to pay the extra $ 20 for a larger option unless you intend to install dozens of games at once.

Apple TV: what is Siri remote?

This is the remote control of the set-top box, in the design of which the manufacturer invested a lot of effort. Even the first model of the console had an excellent remote control, and now this is still true. The only minor difference from the original is the white ring around the Menu button, which makes it more visible and makes it easier to distinguish the buttons by touch.

The remote is thin and light, has 6 buttons and a touch-sensitive touchpad. It also features an accelerometer and gyroscope for pan and tilt controls, but these are mostly used in games - the functionality is similar to the Nintendo Wiimote. The remote control is charged via the Lightning cable and works autonomously for 6 months.

Navigating the menus with the remote is confusing, so Siri is more useful here than on the iPhone. By pressing the dedicated Siri button, you can ask her what the weather will be tomorrow, or find out the name of the actress while watching a movie. In this case, you can satisfy your curiosity without being distracted from watching TV, since the answer is superimposed on top of the image.

Siri makes it much easier to find what you want in streaming apps, or return to watching something unfinished. The annoying thing is that search doesn't work in all apps - you can easily find what you're looking for in Netflix and iTunes, but iPlayer or Now TV content isn't showing.

Siri help is convenient, but not unique. Many smart TVs such as Amazon Fire TV with GLE Alexa, Nvidia Shield TV, and Roku Streaming Stick Plus offer similar voice command functionality. Nevertheless, Apple's solution is one of the best, not least because using the assistant does not distract from your viewing.

In addition, the remote can turn on the TV and adjust the volume using the IR emitter, if it is compatible, of course.

How do I connect Apple TV?

Setting up a set-top box for iPhone owners will not be difficult. All you have to do is turn on Bluetooth, put your phone next to it and leave. Wi-Fi and Apple ID settings are automatically synced so you can launch apps in minutes. In the future, you can use your iPhone as a second remote or keyboard for input.

Everyone else will have to fiddle with the remote by entering their username and password using an annoying onscreen keyboard. This can be done by voice using Siri, but not everyone dares to pronounce such information even in the privacy of their own home.

At the final stage of connecting the Apple TV, the system will ask whether to enable HDR if there is a compatible TV. The device knows which HDR version is in use and will automatically install the correct one. You just need to turn on the TV and everything from menus to apps and videos will enchant you with enhanced colors and contrast. 4K is always on, meaning content that is not UHD is automatically upscaled. However, this is not always for the best.

Image quality

Autoscaling looks sharper on one side and provides more detail in dark areas. Better yet, Apple TV provides extra contrast, at least compared to watching it through the Netflix app.

But not everything is so rosy. Better content suffers from distracting blackout around moving objects, as well as blocky artifacts and halos.

Some problems can be circumvented. In Apple TV settings, there are options for changing the resolution, refresh rate, and turning off HDR. Through trial and error, you can find the correct setting for the appropriate source, but then you will need to switch back to 4K HDR for better content. Settings cannot be automatically changed based on image quality.

But all this only applies to low-resolution video. 4K HDR content looks great.

The big advantage of Apple TV is having a video collection in iTunes, as a 4K HDR movie costs the same as its HD counterpart. If you already have a movie in your account, then it will automatically update to 4K HDR. For those who have bought their favorite movies every time they go VHS to DVD and then Blu-ray, this is a great find and reason to start building your iTunes library.

TvOS Store

In 2015, the app store had nothing to brag about. Back then, the system used by the last two Apple TVs was just beginning to evolve, and there wasn't much choice. Much has changed in 2 years and thousands of apps are now available, from games and cooking programs to interactive storybooks and fitness assistants. But there are also glaring omissions. Amazon Prime Video is the loudest of them all, although the manufacturer has confirmed that the app will arrive before the end of 2017. However, there is no such data on Spotify. However, those who wish to see these applications on the screen can broadcast them from their iPhone or iPad.

Games

With the massive graphics power of its A10X chips, Apple TV is a convenient game console. Unfortunately, the remote is not the best gaming controller.

A lot of titles are ported from iOS, which means a lot of platformers and runners. They require precision controls that are nearly impossible to do without. Games that require less precision (like quests) work well. They look great on any 4K HDTV that gets the most out of the Apple TV. Real Racing 3 demonstrates what UHD is all about - they look amazing on the big screen.

To increase manageability, you will have to invest in a Bluetooth controller. The console is compatible with most of them, and this will significantly improve the results in games such as Galaxy of Fire: Manticore Rising or platforming.

The only thing missing in the early versions of tvOS was parental controls. There is now a Restrictions option that lets you control access at the content or application level.

The possibilities of Apple TV are not limited to applications and games. The set-top box is also the hub of the HomeKit smart home control system. For example, you can ask to dim the lights before watching a movie or turn on the security camera at night. The range of compatible products is small, but the list is constantly growing.

Conclusion

One of the best set-top boxes finally got the 4K HDR upgrade it needed. If a smart TV is a little clunky, then for an Apple device user, a 4K box is an essential addition to the home entertainment arsenal.

Apple TV (fourth generation) review

Contents of delivery

• Prefix
• Network cable
• Remote control
• Lightning cable
• Documentation

We are dealing with the new Apple TV set-top box, not updated, namely the new one - yes, you can still rent a movie for the evening, but you can also install karaoke if you want and sing on the TV, or play, or watch the 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 would like to play all this content on 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 too, but they might seem a little far-fetched - I would recommend the Apple TV to anyone who loves OS X and iOS and wants something equally sleek and thoughtful for the largest screen in the house. 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 in turns.

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, which is 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 will 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, typing on the 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 (the point) on the TV screen or set up using an 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 is a complete list of connectors and more:

• 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 you suddenly want to take screenshots, you need a USB-C to USB cable, connect it to your MacBook Pro, turn on QuickTime Player, and an 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 long term, 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 so that I can calmly watch new series of my favorite TV series and films on TV - there is, by the way, a very good selection of movies, there is a lot that you will not find anywhere else. The choice of applications is already great, here you can find 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 brag 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 speaker system is connected to the TV, you can listen to purchased music or use Apple Music, when 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 of music - you can listen to it 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 appears, 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 a dozen good games for Apple TV at the end of the month, for now I will say that the programs are well made, 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 watch the latest issue of Dances, if we 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, your 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 quick, 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 of running applications, like in iOS.

conclusions

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're looking to upgrade (sorry) your TV, the Apple TV is great.

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