Best streaming device for Channels?

#4

The best overall device would be the Apple TV 4K, as its interface is the cleanest, and it receives new features and updates to Channels first. It also has ample storage, which allows for a decent live TV buffer.

If you do not wish to use Apple products, the Nvidia Shield is the best Android device. It is responsive, and has hardware/storage features on par with the Apple device. Also, its price is comparable, so it truly is the best comparison. However, its interface/menu is more cluttered if that makes a difference.

If price is your only concern, then your two best options are the TiVo Stream 4K, or an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. Both are roughly on par with one another, including their meager storage space, which equates to a minimal live TV buffer. Also, their interfaces are cluttered, with the Fire TV having the added "benefit" of Amazon ads constantly being shown.

The Apple and Nvidia devices fall within the $150–200 range; the other two less expensive devices are ~$50, but can frequently be found cheaper.

11 Likes
Need help please..I have an old mac and an extended drive..can anyone help me to see if this all work?
#5

The Shield interface is no longer cluttered ... you can just have the ChannelsDVR App if you like on the UI.

Screenshot 2021-04-12 134602
Screenshot 2021-04-12 1346021176×683 1.06 MB

1 Like
#6

Have they replaced the Leanback Launcher? Because the current version of the stock Home on Android still has the giant ad across the top.

I suppose our definitions of "clutter" differ. I consider ads on my Homescreen to be clutter, and I shouldn't have to take additional steps to get an interface free of unwanted advertisements.

1 Like
#7

It is very customizable now.

1 Like
#8

As of this point, the peacock channel is not available in the fire tv play store, the other apps you mentioned are

otherwise, channels client works great on the fire tv, even the cheapest ones

1 Like
#9

theres definately a direct correlation between how much you spend on it and how much garbage they shove down your throat while using it. idk about apple and ads, etc.

#10

Zero ads on Apple. Unless you count the Apple TV + trailers that play silently in the background when you have that app selected.

1 Like
#11

I got hte AppleTV 4k for Channels, and I'm mostly happy with it.

As far as I can tell, Channels isn't integrated with the general voice search. If you press the microphone button when you're within the Channels app search input, it will transcribe your speech so you don't have to "type" in your search. But if you're anywhere else, I don't think your Channels content will come up when Siri searches 'everything'.

Haven't used the other apps you asked about.

The AppleTV remote is kind of slick, but also kind of sucks. There's a swipe pad instead of directional buttons. It works well in some circumstances, poorly in others. The swipe pad is also one big clickable plane, which can be used to send click-fwd/click-back commands, but the clicking is wonky and frustrating especially if you're doing multiple clicks.
The OneForAll URC7935 is a pretty nice replacement remote, except it a.) doesn't have voice control, and b.) is bad at navigating to a distant spot in a long recording (that's the one place the Apple remote excels, but since the UI is built around that swiping control it doesn't give a good substitute for long jumps when you're using a buttons-only remote).
The URC7935 was kind of weird to program, and I was only able to get the home button to act like the AppleTV remote home button by copying it from the Channel Master CM-7000XRC, which I also bought but kind of hate. So all in all far from smooth to get it how I (mostly) like it.

#12

Apple TV is the flagship device that Channels originally started on and is the focus of development. Everything else follows suit after AppleTV versions are deployed.

2 Likes
#13

I'd say Fire cube. I have an Apple tv , Air tv mini and Fire cube and it gives the best performance

1 Like
#14

I have AppleTV and FireTV Cube ... hate the apple TV love the FireTVCube.

1 Like
#15

How about the newer ‘ Chromecast with Google TV ‘ dongle.

So far it has worked well for me with Tablo, HDHomerun, YouTube TV,
etc.

Is this unit in the same category as AppleTV TiVo Stream, etc?
(I just saw the Apple TV app is included on Chromecast)

#16

It’s roughly comparable/equivalent to the TiVo Stream 4K. Slightly different Home Screen, roughly the same hardware/processor/storage, basically the same price, but a couple of additional limitations, (The Chromecast with Google TV (CCGTV) does not support picture-in-picture (PIP), not does it allow for running the DVR server on it.)

#17

What are some of the better options for PIP?

#18
  • Best – Apple TV
  • Better – Nvidia Shield
  • Good – TiVo Stream 4K, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
1 Like
#19

Just got the Apple TV 4K and love it! Works great with my phone as I do not have to put any passwords in. Thanks for tip!

3 Likes
#20

This is going to be personal preference for a lot of it. The interfaces are not exactly the same for Channels on Android/Fire vs. Apple TV. But, the Apple TV gets new features first so that is important. And for me, with a very large library and Kids in the house, the Apple TV has some library organization capabilities that the others don't. At some point that will probably be at parity. The only negative things about the Apple TV are that its expensive for such a long time from release, and its remote has some pretty big pros/cons. We mitigate the remote with a cheap universal and use them both depending on what we are doing (One for All Streamer at ~ $20). I have both Android an Apple TV in the house and much prefer the Apple TV for being really fast, huge buffer, and clean interface with ZERO ads and such.

1 Like
#21

I have been using the Channels app on Chromecast with Google TV with great success. This device is the latest $49 Chromecast). Channels operates very well with Live TV and DVR'd TV and Movies.

#22

I know channels is not making an app for roku but when it comes to a clean U.I..... roku is probably the best. Sometimes they put a small add at the bottom but there interface is similar to apple, most of you'd apps on 1 screen with an add to the left advertising different shows to watch. I use emby & channels so I get my guide through emby but I know from emby forums & here, developing software for the roku player is a real P.I.T.A. I'm hoping in the future roku makes more options available for developers when customizing their software for the device because I think hands down roku has the best U.I. amazons u.u is just way to cluttered with pay for movies & crap. Other then roku, the best U.I is apple tv, but the remote sucks.

1 Like
#23

I’ll throw my vote in for Apple TV 4K. As others have mentioned:

Ads - Apple TV has none. You manage your content and apps as you see fit with no annoying banners or suggestions.

Hardware - most robust option available. Super fast and smooth with constant support and updates.

Ease of Use - I’m in the PRO Apple TV remote club. I love how simple and easy to use it is once you’ve become familiar with the touchpad. The interface is super familiar and very easy for anyone to use. You can put your most used apps on the top row and tuck everything else into a folder. Super easy for the wife and kids to use also.

Channels Server/Client - I have 5 Apple TV’s throughout the house and they all work great together sharing content from the DVR or live TV. It’s also very easy to manage each device with the recent update to control everything from the server settings.

I have a few other clients I use including Android TV, TiVo Stream 4K, and Amazon Fire Stick. I can tolerate them, but really hate the ads and the interface lacks any real organization in my opinion. They are great cheap alternatives for TVs that don’t get much use, but I much prefer the Apple TV as my daily driver.