{"id":313,"date":"2020-11-04T10:29:19","date_gmt":"2020-11-04T10:29:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/idguk-mw-3506577"},"modified":"2020-11-04T10:29:19","modified_gmt":"2020-11-04T10:29:19","slug":"best-apple-tv-alternatives-of-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.amobil.online\/best-apple-tv-alternatives-of-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Apple TV alternatives of 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a wide range of media streamers available in 2019, making it tough to decide which you should buy \u2013 especially if you\u2019re not a fan of the Apple TV<\/a>, our preferred media streaming device.<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t worry; we at Macworld UK explain the kind of things you should be looking out for when buying a media streamer, along with our suggestions of the best alternatives to the Apple TV available on the market today.<\/p>\n

What is the Apple TV, and why might I want something else?<\/h2>\n

The Apple TV is Apple\u2019s own set-top box running tvOS<\/a>, Apple\u2019s dedicated TV operating system, found on the fourth- and fifth-generation Apple TV. It brings with it a range of enhancements compared to older generations of Apple TV, including its own dedicated App Store filled with streaming services, apps and games, and access to Siri via the touch-enabled Siri remote.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a great upgrade for existing Apple TV owners on the whole, but some people aren\u2019t fans of the Apple TV. But why? If you\u2019re an audiophile, you probably already know that both the Apple TV and Apple TV 4K<\/a> lack an optical out port, despite featuring it in older streamers.<\/p>\n

Rather obviously, there\u2019s no support for Google Chromecast, although it does offer AirPlay capabilities for iOS users.<\/p>\n

Also, the fourth-gen Apple TV is capped at 1080p unless you want to pay up an additional \u00a330 for the Apple TV 4K, making an already expensive media streamer even more pricey, especially when compared with the competition.<\/p>\n

Sure, the 4K-enabled Nvidia Shield TV may cost a similar price, but it offers both a remote and a game controller in the box \u2013 Apple doesn\u2019t make its own MFi game controllers for Apple TV games<\/a>, so you\u2019ll have to buy one separately.<\/p>\n

What should I look for in a media streamer?<\/h2>\n

Here are points that you should consider when looking to buy a media streamer in 2019:<\/p>\n

Apps and streaming services<\/h3>\n

The most important thing to consider when buying a new media streamer is the apps and streaming services available. Not all media streamers are created equal \u2013 some will offer a wide range of catch-up TV apps while others are limited. If catch-up TV is the reason for buying a media streamer, you might want to take a look at this run down here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Device<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

All 4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

BBC iPlayer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

My5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

ITV Hub<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

UKTV Play<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Now TV<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Apple TV <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Roku<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Amazon Fire<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Google Chromecast<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

 <\/td>\n\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

PS4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

 <\/td>\n <\/td>\n\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Now TV Box<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

YouView<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Sky <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Virgin Media<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

BT Vision <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Xbox <\/span>One<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

 <\/td>\n\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Freesat<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 Y<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Freeview Play<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Y <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

For more information about watching catch up TV on the Apple TV read this: How to watch live and catch up TV on Apple TV.<\/a><\/p>\n

Resolution<\/h3>\n

Resolution is also important with the rise in 4K TV sales \u2013 4K users want to get the most of the 4K display, and although most offer the ability to upscale 1080p to 4K, it\u2019s not the same as a native 4K input.<\/p>\n

So, if you\u2019ve got a 4K TV, look out for 4K-enabled media streamers like the Nvidia Shield, 4K Now TV Box, Chromecast Ultra and the Xbox One S. If you\u2019ve still got a standard Full HD (1080p) TV, you don\u2019t really need to pay the extra for 4K support as it won\u2019t be noticeable on your TV.<\/p>\n

Design and ports<\/h3>\n

Design is another important thing to consider when buying a media streamer, as it\u2019ll more-than-likely be visible next to your TV. Media streamers come in all shapes and sizes, from small USB-sized dongles that stay hidden away to small boxes and even consoles, depending on what you want from it.<\/p>\n

Consider where the media streamer will \u2018live\u2019 before buying an oversized media streamer that\u2019ll clash with your TV setup.<\/p>\n

Controllers<\/h3>\n

Some media streamers offer more than just TV streaming. The Nvidia Shield TV can be used to play both Android games and PC games via the company\u2019s GeForce Now streaming service, and it comes with both a remote and a game controller in the box.<\/p>\n

The Apple TV and other Android-based media streamers also offer gameplay capabilities, but only come with a TV remote in the box. Those interested in using those media streamers for gaming will have to fork out more money for the controller, so be prepared for that additional cost or try and find a media streamer that comes with a remote and a controller.<\/p>\n

Do I need a set-top box?<\/h3>\n

Finally, you should ask yourself \u201cDo I need a media streamer?\u201d because chances are, the answer is no. If you\u2019ve got a smart TV, you should have access to most, if not all, on-demand streaming services without a media streamer \u2013 just connect your TV to the internet via Wi-Fi and you should be able to stream via the built-in apps.<\/p>\n

If your TV isn\u2019t smart, chances are you\u2019ll be using either Sky, BT or Virgin Media for your TV subscription. If that\u2019s the case, you should be able to access on-demand streaming services via the boxes (TiVo, Sky Q, etc) provided when you signed up. If you haven\u2019t got smart capabilities built into your TV, call your TV provider and inquire about an upgrade.<\/p>\n

\n

Nvidia Shield TV <\/h4>\n

\"Nvidia <\/a> <\/p>\n