Streaming Services.
Premium:
Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, HBO Now, Showtime, CBS, WWE Network, MLB.TV, MLS, UFC, NBA 2015-16, NHL, NFL, Tennis Channel Everywhere, iTunes
Other:
YouTube, Flickr, iTunes Radio, Beats Music, Watch ESPN, NBC, Watch ABC, Fox Now, FX Now, USA Now, Showtime Anytime, Watch Disney, Watch Disney XD, Watch Disney Junior, Vimeo, Crackle, Vevo, and more
Description. Apple TV's small, square black enclosure is among the tiniest (less than 4 inches across each side and less than an inch high) of the players we've tested. Beyond its diminutive size the box is fairly nondescript, with the bitten-apple logo embossed on the top of the unit. The rear panel contains a power-cord receptacle, one HDMI input, an Ethernet jack, and an optical digital audio output. The silver Apple TV remote is one of the smallest we've tested, with a circular navigation control and just two buttons.
Setup. This player is generally easy to set up thanks to an onscreen setup guide. All the connections are well labeled, so you can easily see where to connect the HDMI and other cables. The player automatically scans for available WiFi networks, but it doesn't supports WPS connections that let you pair the device without entering a password. We found updating the player's firmware was easy thanks to automatic prompts.
Ease of use. For everyday use the box is generally easy to use:
Interface. The main home screen uses graphic tiles for all the available apps and content, which can be customized so favorite apps are easier to access.
Remote control. The provided remote is very simple, with few buttons. The buttons' size and labeling are all good, though it might be difficult to use in a room with low light conditions. You can download an iOS app on a mobile device to control the player, and use the phone or tablet's QWERTY keyboard to enter text, making it easier to enter passwords.
Picture quality. This player supports 1080p output. In general we found the streaming picture quality to be very good, better than standard DVDs but not quite as sharp or detailed as from a Blu-ray disc. However, the quality of the video that you'll get is largely dependent on the speed of your wired or wireless network. (We tested all the players using a wired Ethernet connection.)
Audio. This player will output multichannel digital audio via its HDMI and optical outputs.
Connections. It has a good number of connections, including one HDMI output, an optical digital audio output, and an Ethernet port. It has built-in dual-band WiFi, but lacks any USB or memory card slots (so you cannot connect an external hard drive), as well as DLNA support. In order to play music and movies from a home computer network, your PC or MAC needs to have iTunes with "HomeShare" activated, and all photos need to be uploaded to "Photo Share". Also, it supports Airplay, which allows you to mirror the screen of your iPhone, iPad, or Apple computer or laptop on your TV, via the player.
Miscellaneous. While this box does not have a traditional standby mode, it does have a sleep mode that will reduce the power consumption after a certain amount of time.
Firmware Version. All players are evaluated using the latest firmware version available at the time of testing.
Firmware version for the Apple TV (3rd Gen) is: 7.2 (7512)
About Firmware Version. Our test results are valid for the version of firmware indicated above. If your player's firmware differs from the one shown you either have an older or a newer version of firmware. Manufacturers may periodically upgrade the players’s firmware to enhance operation, fix bugs, or add features. Firmware upgrades may be downloadable directly to your player via a wired or wireless network, USB port, or memory card, depending on your player’s capability. You can check your player’s firmware version, or upgrade to the latest firmware by pressing the menu button on your remote and navigating to the appropriate submenu, typically under settings. Consult the user manual or manufacturer’s website if further guidance is needed.
