My TV streaming setup is always in a state of continued evolution, but I thought I’d share with you what I’m using now day-to-day. I’m currently using two devices—the Nvidia Shield TV, which I’ve relied on for nearly a decade, and the Apple TV 4K. They both serve different purposes in my home, and I’ve found them indispensable for various reasons. You can see more in my latest video.
Many people ask why one would need a separate streaming box if their smart TV already has built-in apps. In my case, I have an LG OLED C7 from 2017, which, while offering incredible picture quality, has become unreliable for streaming from its built-in apps. Over time, the apps either crash or are no longer supported, making it necessary to add external hardware. That’s where the Nvidia Shield and Apple TV come into play.
For the hardcore media enthusiast in me, the Nvidia Shield TV remains essential. I run a Plex Media Server with high-end media ripped from Blu-ray discs, and the Nvidia Shield is the best device for preserving that same high-quality playback experience. It supports Dolby Vision HDR and lossless audio modes that are crucial for home theater setups, and despite being old hardware, it’s still the only reliable option for this purpose.
But I use the Apple TV 4K for everything else. I opted for the 128GB version with an Ethernet port because I prefer a wired connection for reliability over Wi-Fi. An additional feature of this model is its ability to act as a hub with devices that support Matter standard for home automation.
What really sets Apple TV apart for me is the user interface. Unlike other platforms that bombard you with ads and trailers, Apple has a welcome uncluttered interface. When it loads up you get your apps and that’s it.
I positioned the Apple Photos app in the first app position, and my home screen welcomes me with an automatically rotating selection of family photos from my iCloud Photo library when I turn it on.
The Apple TV 4K’s integration with the broader Apple ecosystem is one of the key reasons it stands out as my daily driver. If you’re already using Apple products, the experience becomes seamless and incredibly intuitive. For instance, when I put in my AirPods, the Apple TV immediately recognizes them and prompts me to connect for private listening.
The integration also extends to my iPhone and iPad. I can use my phone as a remote, which is particularly useful when entering passwords or searching for content. Instead of laboriously typing using the on-screen keyboard and remote, a notification pops up on my phone, allowing me to type quickly and efficiently. This extends to password management as well – when prompted for a password Bitwarden comes up as an option on the phone just like it does in other apps. I can autofill them when required, saving me the trouble of manually entering long, complicated passwords.
Apple TV is about the only streaming box on the market that properly handles 24p content, which is crucial for anyone who wants their movies and shows to play back as the creators intended. Most films and many TV shows are shot at 24 frames per second, and enabling the “match frame rate” setting on the Apple TV ensures that your television switches to this 24p mode whenever you’re watching such content. Apple TV handles this frame rate switching across nearly all apps, making it one of the most reliable streaming devices for those looking to preserve the original look and feel of their media. Compared to other devices, like the Nvidia Shield, which only supports 24p in select apps, Apple TV’s near-universal support is a major advantage for enthusiasts.
While the Apple TV excels in many areas, gaming isn’t one of them. Despite having the hardware capability with its A15 chip, there isn’t a robust selection of console-like games, although limited emulation support for retro games have started to appear. Apple TV’s restrictions on file management also make it less ideal for storing and running these emulators long-term.
All in all, the Apple TV has become my go-to for streaming, particularly because of its reliable 24p support, clean interface, and seamless integration with my Apple devices. While it may not replace the Nvidia Shield for Plex enthusiasts, it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for a powerful and user-friendly streaming box for everything else.