Apple TV Pros and Cons

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As for me. the biggest con is that Apple TV OS at this time only allows renting shows and movies, but not purchasing it.
 
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I can buy or rent movies from iTunes with Apple TV. However. sometimes movies can only be rented at first until after a certain date and then they can be purchased. I currently have over 200 movies. Some I purchased through iTunes but most were purchased via Apple TV.
 
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Advantages
* AirPlay with iOS devices
* tvOS is a huge improvement
*Allows third-party apps

Disadvantages
* Half-baked Siri
* Not enough content yet
*Bluetooth remote needs work
 
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If they ever provide a proper remote the Apple TV might become viable. I have one but never use it because of the remote.

Until then, I will stick with my Roku Express, which is much easier to use and does all I want it to do, including Apple TV.

I have the free sub to Apple TV+ but I never use that, so as soon as it expires next month that will be cancelled.

Netflix and Amazon will be fine thanks.


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Slydude

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If they ever provide a proper remote the Apple TV might become viable. I have one but never use it because of the remote.


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Just curious as to what you don't like about the remote? I haven't used mine in some time because I'm using a third-party remote that controls multiple devices.
 
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A third party one might help. Which one do you use please?

I don’t like the touch sensitive area.


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I have been using a Logitexch remote to control the Apple TV. I think the model I have is the Harmony 950 or its predecessor https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/harmony-remote-950?crid=60

The Harmony 665 is cheaper and would probably also work. Logitech Support + Download

I've also used some of the cheap third-party remotes that you can get at big box stores. You need one that can either learn remote commands or run the routine that allows the Apple TV to learn buttons from the remote. I forget exactly where that option is in the software.

Edit: The thing I have noticed is that the IR blaster on the Logitech remotes seems to be weaker than some others. That makes it necessary to make sure the remote is pointed at the gear it's going to control.

Edit 2: At one point Apple shipped a series of Macs that were capable of receiving an IR signal from a remote (circa 2008) those remotes also work with the Apple TV. At least it works with the third-generation model.
 
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chscag

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At one point Apple shipped a series of Macs that were capable of receiving an IR signal from a remote (circa 2008) those remotes also work with the Apple TV. At least it works with the third-generation model.

I still have one of those.

There's an outfit in Canada that will sell you a USB dongle along with software that you can attach to your current Mac and then be able to use that old Apple IR remote.

However, I'm not sure that particular software will work with Catalina. I think it's 32 bit.

I just dug out my dongle: It's called "Manta - TR 1" and attaches to a USB port. The folks in Canada who sell it and the software are "TwistedMelon.com".
 

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I still have one of those.

There's an outfit in Canada that will sell you a USB dongle along with software that you can attach to your current Mac and then be able to use that old Apple IR remote.

However, I'm not sure that particular software will work with Catalina. I think it's 32 bit.
You're right. The software, or some of its components, is indeed 32-bit.
At this time, if you need Mira in your workflow, it's recommended you avoid updating to the new OS. We're working on something and will provide more information as it becomes available.
https://twistedmelon.com/mira/

That statement is from October 2019 and I didn't see anything on their site suggesting a replacement product has been developed.
 

chscag

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Yeah, it's too bad because the remote worked great with iTunes and videos. It now resides along with other outmoded Apple and computer stuff.

I just a bit ago dug out my old A 1243 Apple full keyboard with built in USB 2 hub to see if it still works. And it does although I don't like too many wires on my desk and the keyboard does take up more room. I attached a mouse and printer to it and they worked okay.
 
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However, I'm not sure that particular software will work with Catalina. I think it's 32 bit.

I just dug out my dongle: It's called "Manta - TR 1" and attaches to a USB port. The folks in Canada who sell it and the software are "TwistedMelon.com".

It seems no Catalina support:
Oct 7 2019
Toronto, Canada
Mira doesn't support MacOS 10.15 Catalina
MacOS 10.15 has removed core frameworks that Mira relies on for functionality. Mira will not function in MacOS 10.5 Catalina.

While some applications may be made to support Catalina with a slight tweaking and recomplication for 64bit, Mira's functionality is not so straight forward as it makes extensive use of APIs and Frameworks that are no longer avauilable with the latest OS. Some of these have direct replacements while others do not.

PS: Thanks for the link Charlie.
It seems odd that it was also a Canadian Toronto company that started the remote hardware/software that was bought out and used by Logitech.


- Patrick
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@chscag My 2008 MB Pro has that IR functionality built into it. I had f0orgotten about that until we got the ATV (3rd gen). At some point, I read/remembered the remote that came with my Mac and decided to see if it would work with the ATV. Lo and behold, it did.

That machine still runs, but it's getting a bit long in the tooth. Since it''s in the living room, a few feet from the couch, I might press it into service to run iTunes from the couch. Thanks for reminding me of that option.
 

chscag

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That machine still runs, but it's getting a bit long in the tooth. Since it''s in the living room, a few feet from the couch, I might press it into service to run iTunes from the couch. Thanks for reminding me of that option.

It also works with iDVD and the older DVD player. Of course iDVD and the old player were killed off by Apple several versions ago, but if you still have an old copy and not running Catalina it will still work. iDVD and the old player were 32 bit.
 

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I still have both of those things on that machine. It no longer has the original DVD drive, but I have an external burner that I can attach as needed. Interestingly enough, I bought a new Blu-Ray burner recently because I thought the old one was failing. I've got more troubleshooting g to do, but it's starting to look like the new burner does not play nice reliably with Catalina.
 

chscag

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Well, hang on to your sombrero because Apple today sent out Big Sur beta 11.01 to developers. Seems as though Big Sur has still got a lot of things to be worked out before its release sometime before the end of November.

I have a feeling that dealing with Catalina is going to be easy when compared to Big Sur.
 
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Slydude

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I haven't been on the Beta as much as I usually do. Originally, I had intended to push out more instructional videos by now (those are on Catalina). My recent detour to the ER, along with a few other issues, has meant that new videos haven't come as fast as I'd like.

Long story short, I haven't been on Big Sur as much as I've been on other betas.
 
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My recent detour to the ER, along with a few other issues, has meant that new videos haven't come as fast as I'd like.


I'm sorry to hear you needed to visit the ER Sly and I hope they got everything sorted out and fixed whatever was wrong.

Not always the best place to be, but always good to have it available when needed.

Take care.


- Patrick
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Slydude

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Minor accident a few weeks ago that resulted in a somewhat nasty bump on the head. Flipped out of my wheelchair, going down a ramp, and got a nasty bump on the noggin. Rumor has it that I was either:

1. Testing to see whether Newton's third law of motion remains in force (it does).
2. Testing the parking lot (i.e., could the pavement withstand a blow from my hard head).:)

In either case, SWMBO has decided that any future such experiments will dictate that I not leave the house without a crash helmet.
 
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n either case, SWMBO has decided that any future such experiments will dictate that I not leave the house without a crash helmet.

Probably quite a good precautionary measure!!!

I hope there wasn't too much damage done to the parking lot paving. Maybe they should start using the asphalt mixture with shredded used tire bits.


- Patrick
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Slydude

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