Everything Apple (the Mac heads thread)

If you’re getting a new tv it’s probably likely you can AirPlay from a device. Apple TV is also quite a big unit and not really sure what it offers that a smart tv doesn’t (I’m sure others can chime in).

It won’t spy on you and you can play Strava on jt

Annoyingly our receiver/amp is too old to have EARC so can’t send atmos signal back from the tv to the receiver. As such we need a streaming device plugged into the receiver so it can send 4K to the screen and atmos to the speakers.

To upgrade the Nad receiver to EARC compatibility would cost £1250 (the motherboards can be swapped out) which is almost half the cost of replacing and upgrading to the current Nad equivalent receiver.

So this is more about finding the streaming device with best sound/picture/user interface.

I have an Apple TV - when I bought it it looked like the only thing that did all the tv.
It’s not that big. It’s nice to pair two HomePods to it for movie nights.

Does zwift well.
Just wish the cheap switch controllers i bought the kids for Christmas would pair properly so they can play arcade on it.

Ah then ignore my comment!

I think the firesticks are more discreet than the Apple TV and you should still be able to airplay to a new tv.

We do also have one in the nursery and I don’t mind it.

Just read that Amazon prime video will start showing ads soon, unless you pay a premium. Not sure how it impacts a fire stick, but for these kind of reasons alone, I’m sticking to Apple TV

Just read that Amazon prime video will start showing ads soon, unless you pay a premium.

Won’t that be the same situation if you watch anything on Prime though Apple TV?

Yeah good point

On anything android, your data is the product and the reason they’re cheaper.

That is reason alone to stay well clear of them.
The shit UI and cheap SOC is the nail in the coffin.

Avoid them at all costs.

If you're looking at apple TV budget then the equivalent android device is the Nvidia shield pro which is equally powerful.

Obviously if you're happy with the apple ecosystem then you're probably best with the apple TV but if you want more customisable options then you need to look at android.

USB ports, custom launchers, able to sideload apps, Chromecast, etc give far more options if that's what you want.

Hooray! I just paired my cheapo controller.
For casual “fucking die you fucking fuck” type shooting games what’s good in the Apple world on the tv?

Apple TV is miles quicker than my (older) 4k fire stick. Also my switch pro controllers pair fine with Apple Arcade?

I kind of wish I could buy a decent non-smart TV and just choose my smart add-on device. In this case an ATV. Or at least turn off the smart manufacturer bullshit.

I am invested in the Apple eco system*

What happens if you just disconnect the telly from t'interweb?

If you don’t connect the TV to wifi/internet, then this is what you end up with. I only do our TV through the Apple TV box, nothing direct through the TV at all.

Zero broadcast? How did you watch the King's Speach (2023, not 2010)?

IPlayer live viewing? Not that I did, but my aged parents insist on watching broadcast news when they stay over and that’s how we do it. AppleTV does everything on our telly, no aerial and we avoid any of the tv functionality beyond input switching.

Wait till your interweb goes down.

AskMe how I know this.

(Since dec 17 and counting)

kings speech… they still doing that then? thought after Liz croaked, they’d start to ditch the unnecessary ramblings. Yep I know, anti monarchy thread >>>>>>

No broadcast TV as such. Plenty of options for streaming basically anything you’d care to watch including ‘on air’ with varying levels of faff.

It's very difficult to get a good Freeview box nowadays. Options are really limited.

All this.

You've got to compare like for like. The fire stick on one of the Amazon sales is absolutely amazing VFM, especially if you can be arsed with a bit of customisation. Ours was £30 and has been great for 3yrs with a dumb TV. YouTube with no adds, all the apps, torrents (although that's broken on mine now). Only in the last few weeks is the voice control button going...which I'm 99% sure is our eldest's fault more than the remote.

However, ages ago when I last used a Apple TV it was a much nicer experience with less fucking about to set up. (albeit limited quite quickly as they stopped supporting YT with whatever gen it was - so I'd never trust it to be a long term product, but what is?).

I'd say if;

1. a smart TV isn't an option,
   
2. you're already in Apple, and
   
3. Your not the sort of person who fucks about with side loading apps, adding vpns, kodi, etc.
   ... Then definitely get the Apple TV.
   
   

Plus the remote is nice.

If you want YouTube on Apple TV, Yattee is your friend.

In the last week my iPhone SE has periodically been refusing to load non commercial sites, exempting this one.
Tried with Chrome and Safari so far, no dice.
Any ideas?
Works on a couple of local unit radio sites.

OH's new job has given them a macbook. They've pretty much exclusively used windows.

Does anyone have any good guides / Mac for dummies type links?

Also their current external keyboard is a dongle affair. Any compatabile budget wireless mouse and keyboard combos people suggest? They're not remotely fussy.

Cheers.

Can't recommend a guide but key things to work out / get familiar with are:

1. Keyboard shortcuts
   
2. Trackpad gestures
   
3. Workspaces / desktops - having a good setup of multiple desktops makes productivity much easier
   
4. Optional but a mouse with at least configurable buttons for desktop switching & expose (show all open windows)
   

Also their current external keyboard is a dongle affair. Any compatabile budget wireless mouse and keyboard combos people suggest? They're not remotely fussy.

If they're not fussy - does it have to be wireless? Or could they just keep on using their existing keyboard /mouse (maybe just need 1-2 USB-C adapters like these) ?