Is Apple TV needed for a TCL Roku tv?

Dec 5th, 2020 4:27 pm

#1

ausername [OP]: Member; May 2, 2014; 314 posts; 86 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 5th, 2020 4:27 pm

An Apple TV box is connected to a (non-smart) TV to provide access to Netflix. Said TV will be replaced by a TCL Roku, and I believe that Netflix will be accessible from this built-in Roku software.
What benefits will the Apple TV provide to this new TCL TV? Is it even worth continuing to use the Apple TV?

i dont know much about smart tvs, apple tvs, etc.

any help is appreciated. thanks

Share:

Dec 5th, 2020 5:16 pm

#2

Dhanushan: Deal Addict; Jun 20, 2020; 3396 posts; 2986 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 5th, 2020 5:16 pm

Using Netflix on your TCL TV

Welcome to Netflix on your TCL TV! Use this article to learn about Netflix features and how to set up and sign out of your account. If you’re unsure if your device supports Netflix, follow the steps in the “Set up Netflix” section to attempt to locate the Netflix app.

https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23928

Dec 5th, 2020 5:40 pm

#3

audit13: Deal Expert; Feb 24, 2003; 17242 posts; 3493 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 5th, 2020 5:40 pm

Is it the 4k Apple TV box? If not, it won't add much other than allowing you to access the extras from movies in your iTunes library.

Dec 5th, 2020 7:15 pm

#4

ausername [OP]: Member; May 2, 2014; 314 posts; 86 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 5th, 2020 7:15 pm

audit13 wrote: ↑ Is it the 4k Apple TV box? If not, it won't add much other than allowing you to access the extras from movies in your iTunes library.

its not the 4k apple tv box. and itunes is not used nor has any media been purchased/downloaded from itunes.

Dec 5th, 2020 7:50 pm

#5

audit13: Deal Expert; Feb 24, 2003; 17242 posts; 3493 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 5th, 2020 7:50 pm

ausername wrote: ↑ its not the 4k apple tv box. and itunes is not used nor has any media been purchased/downloaded from itunes.

No point keeping the apple tv. I would use the built in apps.

Dec 5th, 2020 11:51 pm

#6

gumby_ng: Sr. Member; Mar 8, 2004; 535 posts; 311 upvotes; Kanata

Dec 5th, 2020 11:51 pm

Eventually the apps on your TV will no longer get updates. An external stick or box will tend to get updates for longer.

Dec 6th, 2020 5:17 am

#7

fergy: Deal Addict; Sep 27, 2006; 3634 posts; 689 upvotes; Not so easy there Ma…

Dec 6th, 2020 5:17 am

gumby_ng wrote: ↑ Eventually the apps on your TV will no longer get updates. An external stick or box will tend to get updates for longer.

Roku will push updates just like they do with their streaming sticks. Only a high end Roku stick might get longer support because the higher end hardware may be a bit more future proof.

Dec 6th, 2020 12:51 pm

#8

doradxplorer: Sr. Member; Oct 1, 2009; 545 posts; 236 upvotes; West coast

Dec 6th, 2020 12:51 pm

Do you have subs to Apple tv? That's the only reason I can think of if you want to keep it plugged in. Other wise save electricity or place it on another tv that doesn't have access to Netflix.

Dec 6th, 2020 12:57 pm

#9

sumtimw0ng: Deal Addict; Aug 25, 2015; 2455 posts; 1040 upvotes; Montreal, QC

Dec 6th, 2020 12:57 pm

gumby_ng wrote: ↑ Eventually the apps on your TV will no longer get updates. An external stick or box will tend to get updates for longer.

but by then, you just get the latest stick/box. no need in keeping the one you have now as that one will also become obsolete

Dec 6th, 2020 2:52 pm

#10

kramer1: Deal Addict; Apr 29, 2018; 1040 posts; 631 upvotes; Vancouver

Dec 6th, 2020 2:52 pm

Stick to your AppleTV. Built-in TV softwares are very insecure and should not be connected to the internet. Plus they are often slow

Dec 6th, 2020 3:09 pm

#11

fergy: Deal Addict; Sep 27, 2006; 3634 posts; 689 upvotes; Not so easy there Ma…

Dec 6th, 2020 3:09 pm

kramer1 wrote: ↑ Stick to your AppleTV. Built-in TV softwares are very insecure and should not be connected to the internet. Plus they are often slow

OP is talking about a Roku TV and that platform is pretty locked down and secure. Roku pushes updates and provides those updates for a long time.

Dec 6th, 2020 3:12 pm

#12

kramer1: Deal Addict; Apr 29, 2018; 1040 posts; 631 upvotes; Vancouver

Dec 6th, 2020 3:12 pm

fergy wrote: ↑ OP is talking about a Roku TV and that platform is pretty locked down and secure. Roku pushes updates and provides those updates for a long time.

This is the latest vulnerability I have seen - https://securityledger.com/2020/11/secu ... smart-tvs/ - While it is not Roku related, who knows what the TV manufacturers did.

Why bother taking the risk, when the OP has a secure option?

Dec 6th, 2020 3:16 pm

#13

audit13: Deal Expert; Feb 24, 2003; 17242 posts; 3493 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 6th, 2020 3:16 pm

If the Apple TV is 1080 and the Roku TV is 4k, I'd use the Roku apps to get 4k Netflix, iTunes, and Prime.

Vulnerabilities may be in every TV OS, just hasn't been found or exploited yet.

Dec 6th, 2020 3:48 pm

#14

bubaglobalj: Sr. Member; Dec 8, 2017; 517 posts; 240 upvotes

Dec 6th, 2020 3:48 pm

I have this exact setup and I prefer using my Apple TV, because the TCL doesn't have bluetooth, and I like to hookup my wireless headphones to the TV. I also prefer the layout and functionality of the apple tv over roku, which to be fair is not bad either. I also buy movies on iTunes, so I need it for iTunes Extra.

Edit: I should add that I have a 4K apple TV. I wouldn't use my apple TV otherwise.