This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Watching Apple TV
Apple was one of the first companies to offer a streaming media player, in the form of its Apple TV device. Apple TV is a smallish set-top box that connects to your TV via HDMI. It works pretty much like competing streaming media players, but it has a definite Apple feel to it.
Some of this Apple feel is seen in the unit’s remote control, which lets you operate the unit by pressing physical buttons or issuing voice commands. The voice control is provided via Apple’s Siri intelligent assistant.
Another unique feature of Apple TV is the way it interfaces with other Apple products. You can stream photos, music, or videos you’ve stored on your Apple iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer to your Apple TV using Apple’s Airplay functionality. It’s easy.
Apple TV is also unique in offering access to the iTunes Store. This makes it easy to rent or purchase movies for streaming that aren’t available from other streaming services.
Comparing Apple TV Models
As of early 2019, Apple offers two Apple TV models, both set-top boxes. The basic Apple TV box is 1080p HD and offers both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity; it sells for $149 USD. The higher-priced Apple TV 4K unit adds 4K Ultra HD, HDR, and Dolby Atmos sound for $179 USD. There’s also a version of the 4K unit with additional built-in storage; this sells for $199 USD.
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These prices make Apple TV the most expensive streaming media players out there. But if you have other Apple devices and want to share content among them all, the higher price might be worth it.
Table 6.2 details the differences between the two Apple TV units. Learn more at www.apple.com/tv/.
Table 6.2 Comparing Apple TV Models
|
Apple TV |
Apple TV 4K |
|---|---|---|
Voice-controlled remote with Siri |
Yes |
Yes |
1080p HD |
Yes |
Yes |
4K Ultra HD with HDR |
No |
Yes |
Dolby Atmos sound |
No |
Yes |
Built-in storage |
32GB |
32GB, 64GB |
Wi-Fi |
Yes |
Yes |
Ethernet connection |
Yes |
Yes |
Price (USD) |
$149 |
$179 (32GB), $199 (64GB) |
Using Apple TV
When you first connect and turn on your Apple TV box, it leads you through an on-screen setup process. This includes connecting the device to your existing Apple account, so it can share content with your other connected Apple devices.
The Apple TV remote differs a bit from the remotes from the other streaming players. Instead of physical buttons, the top part of the remote has a kind of touch pad. Swipe your finger up or down to scroll or move the onscreen focus up or down; swipe left or right to scroll or move the onscreen focus left or right. You also can press on the top, bottom, left, or right edge to move the focus in that direction. Press in the middle of the touch pad to make a selection; this is essentially the “enter” key.
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The bottom part of the remote has physical buttons. The Menu button essentially functions as a “back” button to move to the previous screen. The TV button opens the TV app. (More on that later.) The Microphone button opens Siri for voice commands. The Play/Pause button does what you would expect; the + (up) and ” (down) buttons raise and lower the volume.
Featured programming appears at the top of the home screen. The first row of tiles beneath that is called your Top Shelf, five tiles for Apple TV’s most-used features. From left to right you find tiles for TV, the App Store (to install new apps for additional services), Movies for purchase in the iTunes Store, TV Shows for purchase in the iTunes Store, and Music from iTunes. Swipe the touchpad left or right to select a tile.
Scroll down to view your installed apps for streaming services. Select a tile to open that app/service.
Select the Settings tile to configure Apple TV settings.
Select the Search tile to search for content across your apps and in the App Store.
Select the App Store tile to search for and install apps for additional streaming services.
Select the TV tile to open the TV app.
The TV app consolidates content from across all the streaming apps you’ve installed. Select the Watch Now tab to view selected content by genre—Sports, News, TV Shows, Movies, and the like.
Scroll down to the Browse by Category section to view programming in selected categories—TV Shows, Movies, Kids, and Collections.
Within a category, scroll down to browse by genre. Select a genre to view related content.
You see all TV shows or movies within that genre. Select a tile to view that particular program or movie.
Apple TV shows what streaming services offer this particular movie or TV show. Select Open In to select your desired streaming service and begin playback.
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