Why you need an Apple TV set-top box and how it works. Apple TV Network Media Player Apple TV

Overview of the Apple TV (fourth generation)

Contents of delivery

  • Prefix
  • Network cable
  • Remote control
  • Lightning cable
  • Documentation

We deal with the new Apple TV set-top box, not updated, but new - yes, you can still rent a movie for the evening, but you can also install karaoke if you wish and sing on TV, or play, or watch Comedy Club and the series "Fizruk" ...

Positioning

When you tell or show someone the capabilities of Apple TV, they can immediately object, they say, because advanced modern TVs have all this and without any set-top boxes, there are Smart TV, Android TV and other shells that can make it possible to play or buy movies in third-party services . All this is so. But there are at least a few reasons to buy an Apple TV:

  • If you have a perfectly good TV, but without any shells.
  • If you have a perfectly good TV, there is a shell, but it does not suit you.
  • If you have been using iTunes for a long time, there are hundreds of movies, music albums in the library and you would like to easily run all this content on your TV, rent movies.
  • If you want to play games on your TV, but you have never done it and there are doubts about the convenience of this process, then you should definitely try Apple TV.

There are other reasons too, but they might seem a bit far-fetched - I would recommend the Apple TV to anyone who loves OS X and iOS and wants something equally sleek and thoughtful for the biggest screen in the house. I would recommend Apple TV to girls, it has been empirically established that they instantly master the remote control, programs for the set-top box, start watching TV shows - I don’t know how it would happen with Android TV. Maybe so, maybe not. I would recommend the Apple TV for family entertainment, the game of chicken may seem cruel, but there are other games out there. For example, Shadowmatic perfectly develops spatial thinking, but Asphalt does not develop anything, but it’s very cool to drive in turns.

In general, I would recommend everyone to try the updated Apple TV, it’s a pity that you can’t rent it. Well, prices in Russia are now cruel. When you remember how much the old Apple TV cost, a tear of nostalgia immediately appears. Okay, let's not be sad, but rather let's see what the updated console is.

Design, construction

It’s a pity that Apple forgot to put an HDMI cable in the kit, I seem to have a lot of cables at home, but they all turned out to be occupied - they could well not be stingy, it’s not very expensive (to put it mildly). The kit includes a remote control, a network cable, a set-top box, a strap for the remote control is inserted into the Lightning connector, and you also need to buy it separately. But in the kit there is a Lightning cable for charging the remote control, yes, there is now such a plug. As you can see in the photo, the branded iPhone stand can also be used for the remote control. The operating time of the remote control is several months when used in normal mode, which is good, you don’t need to think about the state of the battery all the time, you don’t need to buy batteries, the built-in battery will probably work for several years. I must say right away that many existing joysticks can be used with Apple TV, in a couple of days we will post a video review where we try to connect and use one of them - go to this material, there will be a video.



Accordingly, this gives hope for the emergence of many other accessories for Apple TV, such as small keyboards, advanced joysticks and who knows what else. If tvOS continues to develop, the developers' imagination should be enough for the most unprecedented add-ons. After all, there are already good races, the already mentioned Asphalt, so why not make some simple steering wheel? Racing after all good, bright. The branded remote can be used, but not very convenient. I note that you need to hold it by the tips and imagine that this is not a remote control, but a steering wheel, turn from side to side - the car is moving. You need to get used to it, but then everything will turn out naturally and easily. The touchpad also requires getting used to, but then rewinding in films is a pleasure, it is very easy to choose the right moment, quickly rewind to the right place, step back, repeat - easy, elegant, great! But at first, typing on the virtual keyboard makes you wince. Out of habit, you skip letters, move your finger faster than necessary, miss, miss again, but damn you! Little by little he manages to get used to it. Then, I also found another problem at the very beginning, Apple TV is demanding on the quality of Wi-Fi. We tried to use "Iota" - it was not possible to log into the account, we tried to connect to the iPhone operating in modem mode - nothing happened either. The set-top box connected to the home access point instantly, and you can find it (the point) on the TV screen or configure it using the iPhone, put it on the Apple TV, and voila, the settings are transferred. Well, then only the remote control will help you, the plump black box can be hidden away.





Compared to the previous version, the set-top box has become larger, the connector for connecting an optical cable has disappeared, but everything else remains the same. Here is the complete list of connectors and more:

  • HDMI 1.43;
  • Supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac with MIMO technology;
  • 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port;
  • IR receiver;
  • USB-C for service and support;
  • Built-in power supply.

If you suddenly want to take screenshots, then you need a USB-C to USB cable, connect it to your MacBook Pro, turn on QuickTime Player, and the image from the TV appears there. Unfortunately, I did not find such a cable, so I shot it with a camera. I repeat, a detailed video about the menu, applications and more will soon appear.

The remote control itself is a complex device. There is an IR sensor for controlling the volume on the TV, and Bluetooth 4.0 for communicating with the set-top box, Lightning for charging, an accelerometer and a gyroscope, a glass touch pad, you can not only move your finger on it, but also press it. In some games, there's a difference between swiping in the center or swiping in the edge and that's where the emphasis is; impressions after working with the touch surface - as after using other Apple technology, such as iPhone or iPad.


Operating system

The capabilities of the operating system in the future are very good, but even now the device is not perceived as something unfinished, raw, neither I nor those to whom I gave the prefix to try it had such a feeling. On the contrary, the thing is perceived extremely positively. If you already had an Apple TV and you are used to renting movies there, then you can do it here too, only along the way you can install RuTube, watch Dances or TV shows, many people like Comedy Club - you can watch Comedy. There are also 2x2, only the choice of series is limited. I personally am waiting for the Amediateki application to calmly watch new series of my favorite TV series, films on TV - by the way, there is a very good selection of movies, there are many things that you will not find anywhere else. The choice of applications is already great, here you have The Nat Geo TV, and HBO NOW, and news, and YouTube - you know, you can hang out there for a day if you wish. All applications are reminiscent of counterparts for iOS, that is, these are video directories, choose and watch. The quality is good, I use Apple TV with an old Samsung TV, except for Full HD, there is not much to boast about.








Yes, if suddenly there are karaoke lovers among you, there is karaoke here. I myself am not a fan, but I was told that karaoke works effectively here, and it is better for fans of this business not to talk about such an opportunity for Apple TV. And for singing there is not one, but several programs.

If a soundbar or other speaker system is connected to the TV, you can listen to purchased music or use Apple Music, which is great when meeting with friends. A TV in the living room, a table in the living room, everything is logical - especially since music can work in a number of applications. Listening to Igor Nikolaev and playing Crossy Road is possible. True, in some programs this cannot be done, either this is a bug, or voice acting will be possible everywhere.



Yes, I can't help but notice that there is also Mixcloud, a program with mixes, different music formats - it's quite possible to listen for days on end, without stopping.


That is, if earlier Apple TV was limited to the music you bought (I exaggerate, but nevertheless), now there are no boundaries. The entire iTunes library is at your disposal thanks to Apple Music, there are applications like MixCloud, there are catalogs of Internet radio stations for Apple TV.

Moving on to films, all purchased films are available for download and viewing, some can be rented. Contrary to popular belief, this does not apply to all tapes - for the most part, new items can only be bought, no rental. For example, now "Everest" is sold for 349 rubles in HD, 199 rubles in SD, it's better to take it in HD, but it's even better to raise your ass from your chair and walk to the cinema. Here, Everest is much better to watch than at home. But "Agents of A.N.K.L" can already be bought for 349 rubles, and rented for 99 rubles - a good offer.






Either way, iTunes prices are reasonable, and if you're buying an Apple TV, you should be prepared for paid content. I know that most of the readers are already used to paying for books, music and films, but, nevertheless, there are those who do not understand where the money goes and why you need to pay for "air". This is always a personal choice of everyone, and we will not discuss the topic of paid content here, I will only note that in Russia people still show unexpected enthusiasm for services - there are much more of those who want to receive a quality service and are ready to pay for it. In the case of iTunes on Apple TV, there are no questions about the service itself, the previously purchased movie was downloaded in a minute, the quality is excellent, and the sound too. If you slide your finger down on the touchpad, the audio menu will appear, where you can select the audio track, subtitles, through which device the sound will be played.

As in the case of the previous set-top box, it is possible to transfer pictures to Apple TV from the device, the quality is so-so. Tried to transfer the image from MB Pro.

In addition to programs, audio and films, there are also games. And here, besides Crossy Road and Asphalt, there are also Shadowmatic, Rayman, Manticore Rising, Guitar Hero. I suppose it will be possible to separately write about a dozen good games for Apple TV at the end of the month, but in the meantime I will say that the programs are sensible, they are interesting to play even for me - most of the things here are arcades, but this does not detract from their merits. In the same Crossy Road, it's great to play in a company when everyone around is trying to tell you to snatch the remote control to play on your own.










And so, now imagine that all this is on your TV. It has become much more functional, don't you think? Yes, I used to be able to easily buy Interstellar and watch it with my family while relaxing after a busy day. But now there is an easy, understandable and simple access to programs of very different directions and with a variety of content - we can already not only choose Interstellar, but also watch the latest episode of Dances, if we feel like it. And there is no need to carry a laptop, transfer an image from an iPad or iPhone, or complicate life in other ways.

Performance and Specifications

The prefix is ​​available in two versions, 32 and 64 GB, as I understand it, Apple made a version for those who install a lot of applications, and a version for those who install the main one and calm down, will not experiment. Of course, there is a difference in price, 13,990 and 17,990 rubles. As far as I heard, there is currently a limit for the size of applications, it is 200 MB, in the future it may be removed. A lot could change for Apple TV in the future. For example, now the desktop repeats the design of the first Apple TV, although it would be better to emphasize the continuity of tvOS and iOS and allow the user to simply put all the icons on the desktop, if they want to add widgets there, as in Android - now the navigation is frankly stupid, go to the desired item the first time i still can't do it. You will definitely go somewhere in the wrong place, there is also a remote control that “helps”, an extra movement, and immediately somewhere left the desired menu item. While the search for Siri in Russian does not work, that's when it appears, it will be of help.

Apple, as always, took care of people with disabilities. Press the Menu button three times, and VoiceOver turns on, voicing menu items, here is a list of all Accessibility items:

  • Voiceover;
  • Increase;
  • Bold font;
  • Increase in contrast;
  • Reduced movement;
  • Support for closed captioning and subtitles for people with hearing impairments;
  • Keyboard shortcuts (I don't quite understand about this).

A little about video and audio formats:

  • H.264 video up to 1080p, 60fps, High or Main Profile level 4.2 or lower;
  • H.264 video, Baseline Profile 3.0 or lower with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 ​​kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov formats;
  • MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640x480 pixels, 30 fps, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 ​​kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4 and .mov formats;
  • HE- AAC (V1), AAC (16 to 320 kbps), Protected AAC (for iTunes Store files), MP3 (16 to 320 kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3 and 4) ), Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV, Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Plus 7.1.

Let me remind you once again that Apple TV is sensitive to the quality of the Internet connection, you can connect to the network both via Wi-Fi and using an Ethernet cable, this method seems to me an anachronism. Although you can retort - the speed and reliability of the cable connection is higher. Well, if you don't mind another cable in the living room, it's up to you.

The heart of Apple TV is the A8 processor with 64-bit architecture, the set-top box works quickly, the transition from section to section is fast, the only shortcomings are the lack of thumbnails for some movies on the main page, but this is already a tvOS problem. For all the time of use, there were no crashes of applications, I would like to get some kind of intelligible menu of running applications, as in iOS.








conclusions

Let me remind you that the price is 13,990 and 17,990 rubles, a good gift for the New Year and for any other holiday. The whole family will be able to use Apple TV, and there is something to do for dad, mom, and kids. I hope, albeit somewhat chaotically, told about the main features of this interesting device. I remember how they “broke” the first Apple TV, used it to watch movies, after so many years in the living room there is a device completely in the spirit of the century - everything is on the network, and it’s a sin not to use it. If you want to upgrade (sorry) your TV, Apple TV will do just fine.

P.S. As promised, I will write about the programs and games used on Apple TV separately.

Equipment from a well-known American brand is always in demand, which is not surprising. After all, it combines original design and an unlimited range of functionality. Now let's figure out what Apple TV is and how it works. As a result, each user will understand whether it makes sense to spend money on purchasing this gadget.

What is Apple TV

In short, Apple TV is a device designed to broadcast media content from the iTunes Store and other online services to the TV screen. Why do users buy this gadget? Apple TV will turn the most ordinary TV into a smart device. Additional functionality that will be available to the user immediately after connection:

  • access to a library of high-quality video content stored on special resources;
  • broadcasting multimedia content to a TV screen from smartphones, tablets, players, and other devices running Windows and Mac OS operating systems;
  • access to an impressive repository of audio tracks, podcasts, images, video games.

The Apple TV set-top box works on the principle of streaming media content. The latest models of devices of this type have a limited amount of internal memory. Therefore, content must be stored in the cloud or on removable storage media: flash drives, external hard drives.

To watch a movie or series, it is not necessary to buy content. The "Rent" function is available to users. Therefore, your balance will be charged solely for viewing. This is a good way to save money.

The gadget is equipped with a built-in adapter for wireless Internet connection. Therefore, after connecting the set-top box, the user will be able to connect the TV to a wireless home network, even if it did not initially support Wi-Fi. Additional wires, adapters or adapters are not required to set up the connection.

Apple introduces a lot of useful technologies into the work of its devices. For example, AirPlay, with which you can quickly set up the synchronization of the TV with a computer or laptop. The control will be carried out by a remote control, which is included in the basic package of the set-top box. The remote control can also be used as a computer mouse.

Analyzing the features of the Apple TV, you can not ignore the performance. UHD and Full HD content plays without any delay. Multi-channel sound will make watching movies even more intense. 8 GB flash memory acts as a buffer for streaming data. The devices in question are equipped with a powerful Apple A5 processor.

Connection process

Modern TV models are equipped with an HDMI interface, through which the set-top box is connected. The cord is not included in the basic package of Apple TV. There is an alternative way to connect equipment - a component cable.

Connect the set-top box to a power outlet using the power cable, and then connect it to the TV with a component or HDMI cable. The initial synchronization setting is carried out by the remote control. Connect to your home Wi-Fi network to sign in to iCloud. If you haven't created a profile before, register a new account.

Subsequent settings are carried out according to the same principle as in the case of other gadgets from Apple. To achieve the purest sound while watching movies or listening to music, you can connect an audio system. Acoustics is connected by fiber optic cable. Insert the plug into the interface marked "Toslink".

Use as a TV set-top box

The device operates under the iOS operating system. The desktop of the set-top box is practically no different from the iPod or iPhone. Practice shows that users have no problems with an intuitive interface. All desktop icons are signed. The only inconvenience is text input from the remote control. It does not have a keyboard. Therefore, typing is carried out by selecting letters on the joystick, the keyboard is displayed.

There are several ways to solve the problem described above. You can connect a wireless keyboard or smartphone to the set-top box. Previously, on the iPhone, iPad, you need to install the Remote application. You can download this software from the Apple Store. What else can this app be used for? In addition to entering text, you can use your smartphone as a game joystick.

Movies music and photos

Extended functionality is a significant advantage, but most often the Apple TV is used to listen to music and watch movies from the iTunes Store, Apple Music, and other services. Owners of this device have access to a store with Russian-language films. The interface automatically adjusts to the size of the TV.

As mentioned earlier, users will be able to purchase films, as well as rent them (viewing will be available for 2 days). Renting is the best solution that allows you to watch new films in excellent quality online at an affordable price. By activating the "family sharing" feature, you will have access to content that has been purchased by your family members.

You can download online movie theater apps from the Apple Store to watch movies for free. Music songs are played from the iTunes library. Activate the Sharing feature to use iTunes on your laptop, tablet, smartphone, and TV at the same time.

The Apple Music service allows you to transform the set-top box into a player with a multimillion-dollar library of musical compositions. Users will be able to collect their own collection of hits. The set-top box can also be used to listen to the radio. In total, more than 200 radio stations are available, including Apple's signature frequency - Beats 1. Broadcasting 24/7, tracks from the best DJs, current music, expert opinion when choosing songs - this is not a complete list of the advantages of this radio station.

The Apple set-top box allows you to watch movies, photos and home videos from iCloud cloud storage. Subscribe to updates from other users to see the latest photos of your friends and acquaintances.

Why Apple TV is better than analogues

If we compare Apple TV with gadgets, set-top boxes and game consoles, then all these devices provide a narrower range of functionality. An easy-to-use touchpad gives you access to Apple-branded services that maximize your options.

Many are wondering if Apple TV is really much more efficient than Smart TV? In terms of functionality, the set-top box loses a little to “smart” TVs. However, if we evaluate the price / quality ratio, then here Apple TV is the undisputed winner. It is cheaper to buy a set-top box and connect it to a TV than to upgrade and buy new equipment. We are talking about savings in the amount of 20-30 thousand rubles.

Many providers offer their own set-top boxes to their customers, which provide access to exclusive content, as well as expand the functionality of the TV. A subscription for 1 month will cost much more than the price for a particular movie or series. Keep this feature in mind as it is a great opportunity to save money. There will be no charge for inactivity.

An additional advantage will be the availability of other equipment from Apple: iPhone, iPad, iPod, etc. Convenient Wi-Fi synchronization makes sharing files between all your devices even easier. Additional wires and cables are not required. Separately, it is worth noting that games are available on Apple TV. A tablet or smartphone can act as a joystick.

Note.

The Russian SMART-TV market is "resting".

The fourth version of Apple's multimedia set-top box was introduced in September last year. It would seem that the engineers of the company from Cupertino, especially for the Russian user, can come up with something new and pleasant for the user? Our market is already full of "smart" TVs.

But Apple wouldn't be Apple if it didn't. one of the best recreational combines in the world. Below is a list of reasons why you'll love the 4th generation Apple TV.

1. If you like a concise interface

Modern SMART-TVs have good functionality, but in terms of convenience, most of them leave much to be desired. It is especially sad from the logic of the software of such “smart” TVs presented on the Russian market.

At the same time, the Apple TV software interface is fast and intuitive, without causing difficulties and questions. Most apps are similar to their iOS counterparts. Even a child will figure it out, no more “abstruse” Korean interfaces.

2. If you are tired of complicated SMART-TV remotes

No matter how hard Japanese and Korean engineers try, they fail to make an equally convenient remote control for SMART-TV, which is in the box with Apple TV.

A convenient touch panel with a matte surface allows you to control the set-top box with simple swipes, familiar from iOS devices. The minimum number of buttons completes the picture.

In addition, the remote has an accelerometer and a gyroscope, which diversify the gameplay.

The remote control itself is charged via a Lightning cable (included), no more buying batteries. On a single charge, the battery will last several months.

3. If you consume licensed content

Are you a longtime iTunes supporter with a large database of purchased movies and music? Apple TV pulls up all previously purchased media content without any problems. You can also easily and conveniently rent movies and series. No torrents and pirates, everything is transparent and convenient.

It's time to get used to paying for the content you consume. Russia has long been on its way to a civilized media market.

Buy Apple TV and accessories:

  • for 32 GB for 13,990 12,990 rubles.
  • for 64 GB for 17,990 rubles.
  • remote control Apple TV Remote for 5,890 rubles.

4. If you are a music lover in life

The set-top box of the company from Cupertino allows you to conveniently listen to music through a proprietary application. Apple streaming service with cool playlists, new albums and interesting selections on board.

Plus, you can easily connect wireless speakers via Bluetooth to the set-top box. Convenient and logical solution.

For those who like to sing themselves, you can download the corresponding applications with the karaoke function. What Russian does not like to sing after or during a noisy feast?

5. If you want to show off your photos or videos

Apple TV's built-in Photo Gallery app lets you access your iCloud albums. It's one thing to show guests captured screenshots from an iPad (even the Pro version), quite another on a 55-inch TV. In all colors and details.

You can create a slideshow or screensaver from the selected photos.

6. If you want entertainment

The App Store on Apple TV boasts its own catalog of games and apps.

Gamers will find something to play, fans of various videos, TV shows and bloggers' creativity will install RuTube, Youtube applications, TV series fans will find branded applications of ivi.ru and Amediateka video services.

All in all, Apple TV is a fun way to spend an evening with family or friends.

7. If you are a TV series fan

The presence of applications of the most important players of Runet to provide access to huge databases of films and series is undoubtedly pleasing. This allows you to comfortably watch the best Russian and foreign TV shows on the day of the premiere (season or series).

How about watching Game of Thrones in the original with subtitles?

8. If you are a game lover

All gamepads marked MFI (made for iPhone) can be connected to Apple TV 4. Simultaneous operation with multiple Bluetooth controllers is supported.

In other words, you can conveniently "hack" into various video games. Yes, of course, most of them are casual, but even they allow you to have an interesting time.

9. If you have your own movie database

If you have a large collection of films on your computer, you can broadcast it to a TV without any problems (read without copying to “flash drives”). Just set up Home Sharing to access your local iTunes media library on your computer.

In other words, you can stream the screen with sound from your computer without any problems.

Decision for many years to come

It would be nice if Apple removed certain software restrictions (for example, the size of the downloaded application should be no more than 200 MB). Then developers would easily fill the App Store with interesting and useful applications. I am sure that future tvOS updates will expand its capabilities.

The Russian user is still forced to wait for the localization of Siri. I think it's also a matter of time.

In general, the main chips are in perfect harmony and work with the Apple ecosystem. We received one of the most advanced and convenient set-top boxes on the Russian market. Apple TV 4th generation is a great multimedia solution for the home for many years with blackjack and updates.

On November 1, the streaming video service Apple TV+ launched with several exclusive series. All of them are available under a single and, moreover, inexpensive subscription: 199 rubles per month. And owners of the iPhone 11 (any version) will be able to use Apple TV + for free for a whole year. We don’t know whether it will become a serious competitor to Netflix, but we answer the main questions about the service itself.

Where and how to watch

Most importantly, to access the service, you need to install the latest version of the Apple operating system. In the case of the iPhone, this is iOS 13, on the iPad - iPadOS, on computers - macOS Catalina, on Apple TV - tvOS 13. Without an update, alas, nothing will work.

In our review of macOS Catalina, we told you that instead of the previous iTunes application, there are now three applications, one of which is Apple TV. This is where you need to subscribe. Same for all other devices.


However, it is important to understand that this application is not only for Apple TV +, but for all video content from the former iTunes store. Therefore, in addition to subscription series, there are also individual films for a fee, and your library, which includes past purchases of movies in iTunes. The screenshot below shows several Apple TV+ projects (they have the corresponding icons), but there is also The Lion King (it is not related to the service, it must be bought) and Mad Max (it has already been bought and is also not associated with Apple TV+). The Up Next menu is what we've already started watching (whether it's from Apple TV+ or not, or whether it's on this device or another).


All this is true for mobile devices. Although on the iPhone at first it may seem that TV + filled literally everything. But it is worth scrolling below - and there will already be ordinary films from the store.

An important point: through your Apple ID, information about your views is synchronized across all devices. So you can start watching on your smartphone, then continue where you are on your laptop, and end up on your Apple TV media player. In addition, on any of the devices, you can download the series and watch it offline.

True, it is worth considering that each series can "weigh" several gigabytes. And, for example, an hour and a half documentary film "Queen of Africa" ​​- more than 7 GB. Therefore, downloading may not be the most rational solution. Rather, it is for those who want to take a few episodes on a trip or like to watch TV shows on their way to work or home.

What to watch

But what is the content itself? What is the range of films and series? So far, at the start, the choice is very small: one documentary is the already mentioned "Queen of Africa"- and seven series, each of which has several episodes available (at least three).


Interestingly, the series are completely diverse and designed for different audiences. "Morning Show" is an up-to-date drama about a popular TV presenter (Jennifer Aniston), whose partner on a TV show was accused of sexual harassment. Spectators are waiting for the behind the scenes of the world of TV, intrigue and total cynicism. "For the sake of all mankind"— a story about an alternate reality where Soviet cosmonauts landed on the moon and the space race continued. "See" is a spectacular post-apocalyptic saga starring Jason Momoa. According to the story, after a global epidemic, only two million people survive on the planet, and they lose the ability to see, and progress is gradually forgotten, so that a century later, humanity is thrown back into the Stone Age.

"Ghost Messages"- an adventure story about a schoolboy whose parents work in a bookstore, and all sorts of miracles begin to happen there, while the boy, meanwhile, tries to solve his problems in a new class. If "The Morning Show" and "See" are aimed at an adult audience, "Ghost Messages" will be of interest to viewers of middle school age. And older guys, teenagers, may be interested in the series "Dickinson"- an ironic costume tape about the 19th-century American poet Emily Dickinson. The main role here is played by Haley Steinfeld, known for the films "Iron Grit" by the Coen brothers and "Bumblebee". And, in fact, this is a typical teenage drama about rebellion against adults and their environment, trying to find themselves and conquer the world. The actors, however, overact, but, in general, it is suitable for senior school age.


There are also two projects for very small ones: "Helpers" and "Snoopy in Space". In the first one there are puppets in the spirit of Sesame Street and real actors, in the second everything is drawn. It is difficult for me to evaluate them, but my seven-year-old son was skeptical about both series: even for younger students, they are already boring. But “Helpers” is so far the only project on Apple TV + with full-fledged Russian dubbing. All other Russian-speaking viewers will have to watch with subtitles. Even Snoopy in Space.

Perhaps, of all that is now presented in Apple TV +, the most impressive work is "Queen of Africa". This is a truly magnificent documentary about a herd of elephants, which their leader - the elephant Athena - leads through the vast African expanses in search of a better habitat.


On the one hand, there are amazing wildlife shots here - from huge elephants, which you can see in every detail (it's impossible not to fall in love with them), to tiny East African frogs, praying mantises, chameleons and other inhabitants of the jungle. On the other hand, this is not just a documentary in the spirit of Animal Planet, but a touching story, a whole drama with many branches and bright characters.

What's under the hood

All content presented in the service is played in 4K. Moreover, if the Internet connection is not fast enough, then the quality is automatically reduced. If you download an episode to your computer, it will be located at the following location: Macintosh HD/Users/username/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/TV Shows/series name/season number/episode file.


If you're downloading a movie (there's only one on Apple TV+ for now, but there will be others later), the address will be slightly different: Macintosh HD/Users/username/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/Downloads-TV/movie name . And here's what's interesting: the file format is now HLS Video. It is not played by any player except Apple TV +, and we were not even able to get information about the resolution, codec and other parameters - neither by built-in, nor by third-party tools.

The HLS Video file can be opened as a package and its content is quite interesting. Inside there are a huge number of folders, but almost the entire volume is the first. It contains a lot of approximately identical files with the .frag extension.

Apparently, those of them that weigh 10-15 MB are just pieces of video. And the rest is auxiliary files. Another folder contains a similar number of many times smaller files: apparently, this is sound. Why the files in the remaining folders are needed is a mystery.

Please note that some movies previously purchased from iTunes still download in the good old M4V. The screenshot below is the Cristina Barcelona Wiki file that was uploaded right at the time of writing this article.


But, for example, the latest "Mad Max" is also in HLS Video. It can be assumed that this is a file format designed specifically for 4K content.

Strictly speaking, the average user, of course, does not care in what format what is downloaded there, since it was impossible to freely transfer files between devices before: iTunes content has always been well protected from any unauthorized use. But in this case, from the point of view of the researcher, the problem with HLS Video is that we cannot get any information about the video. By the way, on Apple TV during playback, it is impossible to take a screenshot - no matter what device you use. More precisely, you can formally take a picture, but instead of a frame you will see a black screen.


The only way to roughly estimate the bitrate, for example, is simply to divide the file size by the duration of the movie / series in seconds (well, multiply by 8 to get megabits from megabytes). However, it can be seen that the volumes vary greatly. An hour and a half movie is over 7 GB, while an hour-long episode is under 3 GB. In general, everything is very individual.

Subjective impressions of the video quality are very good. In the "Queen of Africa" ​​the picture is simply amazing - it is so detailed and expressive. "Dickinson" and "See" look great. Slightly less impressive are For All Mankind, Ghost Messages and The Morning Show - it's just that the video sequence itself is more boring. But there are no complaints.

In general, we can say that Apple sets new quality standards for streaming services: 4K and no compromises.

How much does it cost and who needs Apple TV +

Apple TV + costs 199 rubles a month in Russia, before that a trial free seven-day subscription is available (but if you don’t like it, don’t forget to cancel it, because after a week the money for the first month will be deducted automatically). For owners and future buyers of the new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch and Apple computers, the service will be free for a year. And you do not have to do anything - the system automatically gives you the opportunity to issue an annual subscription. The service will be free for those who have signed up for an Apple Music student subscription.

But if we still proceed from the cost of 199 rubles per month, is it a lot or a little? It all depends on whether you like at least one of the series presented now in the service. If you find one, the price will be justified. Still, one new movie in iTunes is already more expensive. And here are several episodes. A huge plus is, of course, multiplatform and convenience. Minus - the lack of Russian-language voice acting (except for "Helpers"). But still the cornerstone is content.

True, it will fill up. More films and series are promised in the near future. Of these, judging by the announcement and the names of the creators, the most promising is the thriller "The Servant" by M. Night Shyamalan. The problem with everything else is a clear focus on the American audience and its problems. We've been promised stories like "True Crime Trend Podcasts Taking Over America Seriously Contemplating Media Ethics and the Boundaries of Privacy", "A TV Series Based on True Stories of American Immigrants", "Two Black Entrepreneurs Try to Get Around Race Restrictions 1950- 1990s, providing mortgage loans to African-Americans in segregation-era Texas", "the main character tries to find a balance between the ordinary life of an American teenager and the realities of a traditional Muslim family"...

Is any of this impressive? Would you like to see? Of course, everyone has their own tastes, but for now, I would like to attribute both announcements and projects that have already been released, rather, to the category “you can look at your leisure if nothing more interesting comes up.” However, this is only the beginning. Even at the presentation, the projects of Spielberg and Jay Jay Abrams were promised, and such authors do not exchange for nothing.

In general, if you have Apple devices and you are interested in foreign TV shows, and the prospect of watching with subtitles or in English does not bother you, sign up for a trial subscription and watch at least pieces of Apple TV + projects. Well, the "Queen of Africa" ​​- entirely. And then decide whether to pay 199 rubles or better to wait for a fundamental expansion of the range.

Not everyone knows how to turn your ordinary TV receiver into a smart TV. It turns out that for this it is enough to purchase a special set-top box that can broadcast media content from various external sources to the TV. One such device is the Apple TV. Let's look at what this TV box is, what its functionality is and how to connect it.

Apple TV: basic device information

Apple TV is a streaming media player that allows you to watch videos, listen to music, play games, and use other types of applications from the internet on your TV. Externally, the console is a small (98x98x35 mm) square black box with rounded corners. On the side faces of the case there are HDMI connectors for connecting to a TV, Gigabit Ethernet for wired Internet, and an IR receiver. Your Apple TV comes with a remote control (RC), power cord, Lightning/USB cable to charge the remote, and documentation.

There is no HDMI cable in the kit, which is necessary to connect the set-top box to the TV, so you should take care of purchasing it in advance

Specifications

The hardware part of the "apple" set-top boxes of the fifth generation is represented by a six-core A10X Fusion processor with a 64-bit architecture and a clock frequency of 2100 MHz, a PowerVR GX7600 graphics chip and 3072 MB of RAM. Maximum video resolution: 3840×2160 px. There is support for dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) Wi-Fi 802.11ac with MIMO technology and Bluetooth 5.0. The OS used is tvOS 11.0.

Opportunities

In terms of its functionality, the Apple TV can be compared to a smart TV. Among the main functions of the compact TV box are the following:


Additional features worth mentioning are:


What is AirPlay on Apple TV

It is worth dwelling on AirPlay technology in a little more detail, since it can be used to quickly synchronize all Apple devices in the house, establish file exchange between them via Wi-Fi, and even control the Smart Home system through the application of the same name. You can also set up screen mirroring from your iOS device to your TV and view your photos, home videos, emails, IMs, websites, and games on the big screen. In addition, AirPlay allows you to use applications to stream music, podcasts and audiobooks not only to Apple devices, but also to any other speakers that support this technology.

AirPlay lets you display iPad content on your TV monitor

Differences from analogues

Branded TV boxes from Apple are famous for their performance, functionality and ease of use. In addition to these qualities, they have other advantages, for example:


The cons of Apple TV are much smaller. Users most often refer to them as factors such as:

  • higher price compared to analogues;
  • lack of a USB port;
  • incompatibility with Windows and Android devices;
  • lack of 4K support on YouTube.

Approximate cost of the device

The current generation of "apple" set-top boxes are equipped with support for 4K video. The gadgets come in two versions, 32 GB and 64 GB. The cost of Apple TV 4K 32 GB on Yandex.Market - from 11655 rubles, 64 GB - from 12900 rubles. In addition, you can find an older version of Apple TV on sale that does not support 4K video. The cost of such a device will be slightly lower - from 9590 rubles for Apple TV Gen 4 32 GB.

Video: review of the Apple TV 4K

How to connect Apple TV

Set-top box manufacturers have tried to simplify the procedure for connecting Apple TV to TVs, iPhone, iPad, Mac as much as possible.

The procedure for connecting to TV is as follows:

  1. Connect the HDMI cable to the corresponding connectors on the set-top box and TV.
  2. Connect the supplied power cable to the appropriate socket on the set-top box and plug it into a power outlet.
  3. When using wired Internet, connect the provider's cable to the gigabit port on the TV box.

    To connect the set-top box, connect the HDMI, Ethernet and power connectors in series with cables.

  4. Turn on the TV, select the broadcast source "HDMI" in the settings.
  5. Pair the remote with one touch on the touchpad.
  6. After the settings screen appears, select the language and region.

    When you connect the set-top box for the first time, in the "Language" section, select "Russian"

Connecting Apple TV to iPhone and iPad is even easier. AirPlay is used to synchronize both devices. To activate it on iPhone, you need to follow these steps:


On Mac devices, the connection algorithm is the same, the only difference is the location of the AirPlay icon, which on most devices is displayed in the top menu bar. If it is not there, then you can activate the function through the "Control Center", which can be accessed by double-clicking on the "Home" button.

Video: how to connect and set up Apple TV

Features of using the prefix

Using the Apple TV is very easy. After connecting the device to the TV, the user has the opportunity to make further settings in two ways: “Manually” or “Using the device”. The second method is much more convenient, because it allows you to automatically transfer the data you need to set up from an iPhone or iPad. To do this, unlock your iOS device, bring it to the set-top box and follow the instructions on the display. In the absence of an "apple" device, the settings are made manually: information about the Wi-Fi network is entered, the Apple ID is entered. If the set-top box supports 4K video, then you will additionally have to perform a test to adjust the sound and image quality.

You can configure the set-top box's access to Apple services using an iPhone by entering an existing Apple ID (Apple ID) or creating a new one.

Apple TV Apps at a Glance

Over the 12 years of its existence, many different applications have been developed for the Apple set-top box: educational, entertaining, sports, etc. In the official AppStore, any owner of an iOS device will find a program for himself to his taste. Some of the popular apps for Apple TV 4/4K are the following:

  • Plex. A simple and free player that allows you to play video files of various formats both from your home collection and from the iTunes service without conversion;
  • KinoPoisk. An application for cinephiles, where you can rent or purchase licensed films, see movie posters, buy tickets for a movie show, watch a movie online in FullHD;
  • Amediateka. A huge online library where films and series are available for viewing right on the day of the premiere, both in Russian dubbing and in the original language with subtitles;
  • Zova. An app for fitness enthusiasts who want to improve the quality of their workouts. Instructions, tips, videos from the world's top health and fitness experts;
  • kitchen stories. A great helper for those who love to cook. In addition to many video recipes, the application contains many life hacks and recommendations to help improve your culinary skills;
  • Asphalt: Storm the streets. A popular arcade racing game with beautifully detailed 3D graphics and a huge selection of cars and motorcycles;
  • Calm. Online collection of meditation exercises, breathing programs, stretching exercises, relaxing music for healthy sleep and relaxation.

Amediateka is a popular app for accessing the best series, feature films, documentaries and music shows