4 ms·

But if I had to recommend just one, it would be the new Apple TV. It’s the first of the streaming media players that not only makes television easier but seems

But if I had to recommend just one, it would be the new Apple TV. It’s the first of the streaming media players that not only makes television easier but seems to expand the possibilities of what television can be. Reading this comment makes me realize that it's somewhat silly that we don't consider consoles in this competition. For instance, consider the capabilities of my PS3: - plays PS3 games (far more graphically intensive than most app store games) - Runs Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Plex (among others) - Limited support to allow apps controlled via smartphone (Youtube is the only one I can think of at the moment) - Physical controller - Can read and play some video files from a USB stick. - Can play files from DLNA devices and possible other servers via either Plex or PS3 Media Server PS3 is what I've got, so I'd be curious is someone could compare it to PS4 or XB1. And keep in mind as well that I'm not saying everyone should rush out and buy a PS3/PS4/XB1 to watch Netflix. I've still got an HTPC and a Chromecast. I'm merely pointing out that if it's good enough for what most people use their Roku for, it would be worth mentioning, given that a good number of people already have one solely for gaming.

strictnein 11y ago
Yeah, Xbox One and Xbox 360 can do most/all of that as well. Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, etc. SmartGlass app for your mobile devices, plus any computer with Windows 10 can can control any Xbox One including streaming games (which works fine, if you're not playing a twitch based shooter (works poorly with Black Ops 3, works fine on Titanfall)).
akandiah 11y ago
> Reading this comment makes me realize that it's somewhat silly that we don't consider consoles in this competition. For instance, consider the capabilities of my PS3: As good as it is, I wouldn't compare it to a PS3 for its media capabilities. The PS3 runs very loud when the room temperature gets above a certain threshold, has a very clunky interface and the smartphone support is mediocre at best. My biggest complaint is the interface when it comes to using my PS3 as a media-centre. Having a dedicated remote doesn't even help with navigation as the amount of content increases.
- jhallenworld 11y ago
  I used PS3 for this until I got a Roku. The lack of a fan in the Roku is a huge advantage. Also the PS3 game controllers are annoying due to limited battery life. There are other controllers, but they don't work as well (for example, missing the PS button to force exit an application). BTW, it helps to take the PS3 completely apart and clean out all the dust. The fan then doesn't run as fast.
seivan 11y ago
Does your PS3 have IR to be able to control the TV volume and turn the tv off? Easiest one of Apples coolest feature or I am probably easily impressed as I haven't touched the TV area for a long time.
- realityking 11y ago
  Are you sure that's running over IR and not HDMI-CEC? The PS3 slim and super slim have HDMI-CEC support, the old fat model does not.
  - seivan 11y ago
    I am only guessing, but yeah. It won't lower the volume if I am in the other room. You can still see the Apple TV light blinking (since it uses Bluetooth) but the tv-light won't blink unless the remote is used in the same room with no (massive) obstruction in between. Which I am pretty impressed over, but then again I've only recently started to look into the TV-space media. I've had 2009: Apple Mini with XBMC and rTorrent 2011: Roku with a harddrive 2015: Chromecast So far the Apple Mini was awesome but Apple TV kickass.
donkeyd 11y ago
I'm really interested in the graphics that can be supported by the new Apple TV. Currently PS3 games are at the maximum of what the hardware supports. Apple TV games aren't even close yet, so I wonder what can be done with the Apple architecture.
bunnymancer 11y ago
And also costs almost 10 times as much...
saturdaysaint 11y ago
I've got a PS4 and a new Apple TV. Apple TV is our default choice, unless we want to watch Amazon, mostly just due to the ease/elegance of interaction. -The PS4 controller is clunky and not particularly intuitive. The new Apple TV's remote is already second nature and much easier to operate one handed (unless you get PS4's heavily panned media controller). -The Apple TV remote controlled my receiver's volume with no setup. The PS4 media remote has been panned for being horrible at pairing with receivers/tvs. -The PS4's app store is basically a buggy and poorly organized webpage. It fails to display anything at odd times, requiring random reboots of the whole system. The ATV app store is arguably Apple's best yet - it surfaces tons of great content and has almost instant checkout/download. -HBO Go will not work with PS4 via Comcast/Xfinity (not Sony's fault, but that doesn't help me with my Silicon Valley fix). -ATV and PS4 are about equally fast and both do a good job at holding background apps in memory for an impressive amount of time. I really enjoy the PS4 - nothing on Apple TV will compete with Bloodbourne/Fallout in the foreseeable future - but I'm more excited in some ways by what devs are going to do with Apple TV. It's exciting to me that startups will be able to create living room experiences of all types (arguably including games!) with better tools a with a lot less permission required than ever before.

strictnein 11y ago

Yeah, Xbox One and Xbox 360 can do most/all of that as well. Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, etc. SmartGlass app for your mobile devices, plus any computer with Windows 10 can can control any Xbox One including streaming games (which works fine, if you're not playing a twitch based shooter (works poorly with Black Ops 3, works fine on Titanfall)).

akandiah 11y ago

> Reading this comment makes me realize that it's somewhat silly that we don't consider consoles in this competition. For instance, consider the capabilities of my PS3: As good as it is, I wouldn't compare it to a PS3 for its media capabilities. The PS3 runs very loud when the room temperature gets above a certain threshold, has a very clunky interface and the smartphone support is mediocre at best. My biggest complaint is the interface when it comes to using my PS3 as a media-centre. Having a dedicated remote doesn't even help with navigation as the amount of content increases.

jhallenworld 11y ago
I used PS3 for this until I got a Roku. The lack of a fan in the Roku is a huge advantage. Also the PS3 game controllers are annoying due to limited battery life. There are other controllers, but they don't work as well (for example, missing the PS button to force exit an application). BTW, it helps to take the PS3 completely apart and clean out all the dust. The fan then doesn't run as fast.

seivan 11y ago

Does your PS3 have IR to be able to control the TV volume and turn the tv off? Easiest one of Apples coolest feature or I am probably easily impressed as I haven't touched the TV area for a long time.

realityking 11y ago
Are you sure that's running over IR and not HDMI-CEC? The PS3 slim and super slim have HDMI-CEC support, the old fat model does not.
- seivan 11y ago
  I am only guessing, but yeah. It won't lower the volume if I am in the other room. You can still see the Apple TV light blinking (since it uses Bluetooth) but the tv-light won't blink unless the remote is used in the same room with no (massive) obstruction in between. Which I am pretty impressed over, but then again I've only recently started to look into the TV-space media. I've had 2009: Apple Mini with XBMC and rTorrent 2011: Roku with a harddrive 2015: Chromecast So far the Apple Mini was awesome but Apple TV kickass.

donkeyd 11y ago

I'm really interested in the graphics that can be supported by the new Apple TV. Currently PS3 games are at the maximum of what the hardware supports. Apple TV games aren't even close yet, so I wonder what can be done with the Apple architecture.

bunnymancer 11y ago

And also costs almost 10 times as much...

saturdaysaint 11y ago

I've got a PS4 and a new Apple TV. Apple TV is our default choice, unless we want to watch Amazon, mostly just due to the ease/elegance of interaction. -The PS4 controller is clunky and not particularly intuitive. The new Apple TV's remote is already second nature and much easier to operate one handed (unless you get PS4's heavily panned media controller). -The Apple TV remote controlled my receiver's volume with no setup. The PS4 media remote has been panned for being horrible at pairing with receivers/tvs. -The PS4's app store is basically a buggy and poorly organized webpage. It fails to display anything at odd times, requiring random reboots of the whole system. The ATV app store is arguably Apple's best yet - it surfaces tons of great content and has almost instant checkout/download. -HBO Go will not work with PS4 via Comcast/Xfinity (not Sony's fault, but that doesn't help me with my Silicon Valley fix). -ATV and PS4 are about equally fast and both do a good job at holding background apps in memory for an impressive amount of time. I really enjoy the PS4 - nothing on Apple TV will compete with Bloodbourne/Fallout in the foreseeable future - but I'm more excited in some ways by what devs are going to do with Apple TV. It's exciting to me that startups will be able to create living room experiences of all types (arguably including games!) with better tools a with a lot less permission required than ever before.