Apple TV vs. Roku

[Napoleon Lopez]

chris From what i read on reviews Apple blocks certain ipad apps like hbo 2 go etc from mirroring since it competes with them. Which makes no sense, since i think they would sell more if they didn't do that. But i have netflix already. So i would be happy with streaming or mirroring safari, facebook, twitter, instagram etc to the tv. I know games are hit and miss but those other apps and maybe like espn radio, spotify would be a reason i would keep the Apple tv and get an ipad.

 

[Santa]

I've only tried using AirPlay and the app blocks it. If I recall, I ended up with audio and no video. It makes no sense that it's not allowed. HBO GO has a ROKU app, so why not allow it on the Apple TV via iPad using AirPlay?

Wow. I've never tried it. I just assumed it would work. Shows what I know.

 

[Europa]

chris From what i read on reviews Apple blocks certain ipad apps like hbo 2 go etc from mirroring since it competes with them. Which makes no sense, since i think they would sell more if they didn't do that. But i have netflix already. So i would be happy with streaming or mirroring safari, facebook, twitter, instagram etc to the tv. I know games are hit and miss but those other apps and maybe like espn radio, spotify would be a reason i would keep the Apple tv and get an ipad.

Are you sure it blocks mirroring? I know AirPlay is blocked on that app (not Apple's fault), but mirroring should still work.

 

[chris]

Are you sure it blocks mirroring? I know AirPlay is blocked on that app (not Apple's fault), but mirroring should still work.

I haven't tried it with mirroring.

One thing I wish Roku had was a Slingcatcher app. We have a Slingbox in our basement that is connected to our TiVo. I'd like to have the Roku access and watch that TiVo in a room where we don't have a cable box. Neotv has it.


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[Europa]

Looks like Apple TV will get HBO Go by mid-2013. I'm going to order HBO soon. Getting pretty excited for Game of Thrones season 3.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/01/31/apple_tv_may_start_carrying_hbo_shows_in_2013.html

 

[chris]

Starting today, HBO will support AirPlay to Apple TV using HBO Go.

 

[raqball]

I gave my Apple TV to my brother because I grew tired of its limitations.. I'm now back again (# 3) to the Roku.. LOL

 

[Santa]

I've got to say. I spent $40 on a roku for my daughter and I've been very impressed. Simple to use. Good picture.

That said, she doesn't have any Apple products, so things like airplay aren't helpful for her.

 

[richardya]

I bought Roku two years ago and eventually gave it away and now I bought another one, the $99 one.

I hate it. Absolutely hate it.

The thing has the worst software I have ever seen. It literally feels like a college kid wrote the software. Every time you press a button you have a ~full second pause before it responds. Even the remote buttons are poorly made. For some reason the picture quality is terrible, horrible. The same content and apps look better on the Apple TV on the same TV using the same WiFi.

A great example of why I hate this product is Angry Birds. The controls are fine, the game works fine. BUT. The game looks like the Roku is using a VideoOut cable from 4inch-screen phone to a TV. And this is a featured app. The private channels are worse. The private channels are the reason I bought it, CNN Int, Al Jazeer and Aereo. They ALL look terrible.

Errors. There are always errors. I don't use Netflix or Amazon on the device but the other stuff always has issues and just does not buffer well. Again, the same content on the same network on the same TV work fine on the Apple TV.

The Apple product is so much more satisfying. The device response is instant, everything looks beutiful. It is easy and intuitive to navigate. Air Play is great. If you have mirroring from a mac it's even more content. If you live in the Apple ecosystem I really think it is a must-have device.

It's a shame because some of the developers did a nice job with what tools they had.

 

[raqball]

I bought Roku two years ago and eventually gave it away and now I bought another one, the $99 one.

I hate it. Absolutely hate it.

The thing has the worst software I have ever seen. It literally feels like a college kid wrote the software. Every time you press a button you have a ~full second pause before it responds. Even the remote buttons are poorly made. For some reason the picture quality is terrible, horrible. The same content and apps look better on the Apple TV on the same TV using the same WiFi.

A great example of why I hate this product is Angry Birds. The controls are fine, the game works fine. BUT. The game looks like the Roku is using a VideoOut cable from 4inch-screen phone to a TV. And this is a featured app. The private channels are worse. The private channels are the reason I bought it, CNN Int, Al Jazeer and Aereo. They ALL look terrible.

Errors. There are always errors. I don't use Netflix or Amazon on the device but the other stuff always has issues and just does not buffer well. Again, the same content on the same network on the same TV work fine on the Apple TV.

The Apple product is so much more satisfying. The device response is instant, everything looks beutiful. It is easy and intuitive to navigate. Air Play is great. If you have mirroring from a mac it's even more content. If you live in the Apple ecosystem I really think it is a must-have device.

It's a shame because some of the developers did a nice job with what tools they had.

I'd say you have a bad Roku because all 3 that I have had are fast and snappy..

My Apple TV rebooted far more than my Roku did and as far as the remote goes, I think most people loathe that pure junk of a remote that Apple includes.. The Roku one is not much better, that I agree with.

As far as angry birds goes, the game included for free is the SD version. You have to buy the HD version if you want it..

Angry Birds, or any game for that matter, is non existent on the Apple TV..

I've had 3 different Roku's and have had none of the issues you write about..

Yes some / most of the private channels are SD but that's not Roku's fault. Try writing the developer of the channel and ask if they can add an HD stream / channel..

While some / most private channels on the Roku may be in SD, at least you can get them. Good luck with that on an Apple TV..

My .02

 

[richardya]

I'd say you have a bad Roku because all 3 that I have had are fast and snappy..

They are not snappy.

A TV esperiance must be snappy, imagine changing cable channels and waiting between channels.
There are submenus on both systems. A typical example is:
Home Screen ->Channel -> Show ->Epsisode
You simply can not press back, back to and have it be snappy. It loads something each step. It is much slower on the way down then on the way down the menus.

I will actually post a video of what I mean to clarify.

 

[raqball]

Ok....

Well I've had both 3 different times over so I guess I just like slow then... LOL

 

[AmandaKess]

Apple tv 2...jailbroken..xbmc with icefilms. Winner hands down.

Wow, I didn't even think about the fact that you could jailbreak an Apple TV. The possibilities...

 

[raqball]

XBMC is nice but it also has issues. On any given day a certain channel may work and on another day it won't. It's kind of a crap shoot so to speak.

Another issue is that most channels are SD quality.. Or at least they were when I had it. Maybe they have improved?

The cost may also be prohibitive to some as most 1st and 2nd Gen Apple TV's sell for almost $200.

 

[AmandaKess]

XBMC is nice but it also has issues. On any given day a certain channel may work and on another day it won't. It's kind of a crap shoot so to speak.

Another issue is that most channels are SD quality.. Or at least they were when I had it. Maybe they have improved?

The cost may also be prohibitive to some as most 1st and 2nd Gen Apple TV's sell for almost $200.

I think we're a few years and a few versions away before it becomes totally practical or competitive, but the future of the technology is really exciting.

 

[chris]

Nice addition to Roku for iOS app. Version 2.3 offers support for streaming videos using 'Play On Roku' from camera roll in iOS to Roku player.

 

[4U2NV]

Is the ATV 3 jailbreakable yet? I did see a jailbreak on one website but couldn't tell if it was legit.

 

[liberated]

Is the ATV 3 jailbreakable yet? I did see a jailbreak on one website but couldn't tell if it was legit.

Sadly it is not, JB for ATV seems to be dead in the water.

 

[chris]

Looks like the ATV 2 is going for $250 on eBay. That's crazy. Wondering if I should:

• a. Sell my ATV2 and get 2 ATV3
• b. Jailbreak my ATV2

I'm warming up to Apple TV, although we still use Roku more often. It doesn't help that my remote was non-responsive yesterday. That's tonight's project - bring my ATV2 remote back to life.

 

[liberated]

Looks like the ATV 2 is going for $250 on eBay. That's crazy. Wondering if I should:

• a. Sell my ATV2 and get 2 ATV3
• b. Jailbreak my ATV2

I'm warming up to Apple TV, although we still use Roku more often. It doesn't help that my remote was non-responsive yesterday. That's tonight's project - bring my ATV2 remote back to life.

I say sell it at that price while you can. If the ATV3 is Jailbroken, those prices will drop fast.