Sky Stream Puck Vs Apple TV 4K

[pjhaahl]

Does anyone have both a Sky Stream puck and an Apple TV 4K box?

If so how do they compare on app availability and performance? 

[Angel_Aka]

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@pjhaahl wrote:

Does anyone have both a Sky Stream puck and an Apple TV 4K box?

If so how do they compare on app availability and performance? 

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The Apple TV 4K wins on nearly every count IMHO. The only app the Stream puck does better is BBC iPlayer. 

I had both for a period of time and everyone in the family gravitated towards using the Apple box due to its speed and reliability. Nobody watches live TV so there was literally zero need to have a puck too.

App availability is infinitely superior on Apple too due to the fact there is an App Store - so you can choose which apps to download and store on the box itself, rather than having to rely on the server-hosted apps of Sky's choosing. 

Each family member has an AppleID and can switch into their watchlist quickly and easily. The continue watching rail on tvOS is incredibly easy to use, shows can be removed from it with ease and things can be added to watchlists remotely. 

SkyOS on the Stream puck has its place in the market - it's a simple, all-in-one solution (when it works) and is a good enough option for a great many people. Our household much prefer the flexibilty and reliability of tvOS on the Apple TV box though. 

[TimmyBGood]

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@Angel_Aka wrote:

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@pjhaahl wrote:

Does anyone have both a Sky Stream puck and an Apple TV 4K box?

If so how do they compare on app availability and performance? 

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The Apple TV 4K wins on nearly every count IMHO. 

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Given the difference in hardware specification (and cost) one might hope that was the case ; )

[Angel_Aka]

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@TimmyBGood wrote:

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@Angel_Aka wrote:

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@pjhaahl wrote:

Does anyone have both a Sky Stream puck and an Apple TV 4K box?

If so how do they compare on app availability and performance? 

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The Apple TV 4K wins on nearly every count IMHO. 

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Given the difference in hardware specification (and cost) one might hope that was the case ; )

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Indeed. The cost of the Apple TV 4K box has actually dramatically gone up in recent weeks due to the increased cost of RAM. 

This is probably why Sky can continue to manufacture and send out Stream pucks aplenty... because they have no storage and minimal RAM. It's almost like Comcast could see the future with all these extra data farms needed for AI and content distribution requiring as much RAM as possible... hmmm....

[pjhaahl]

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@Angel_Aka wrote:

Our household much prefer the flexibilty and reliability of tvOS on the Apple TV box though. 

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I suspected the Apple TV would provide a better user experience.

Following the recent price rises I figured I'd wait until the next version gets released at the end of the year, compare its specs with the old one, and then decide which one to pick up.

I'm thinking about going with the Apple TV for general streaming and then the Ugoos AM6B+ with CoreELEC to run Jellyfin. I think thats probably the right hardware to cover off every possible need. I guess Iplayer will just have to be one of the few apps that I run from my TV itself. 

[2muchTV]

I've had both and Apple TV 4K was much better (especially when I got a 3rd party remote- can't stand the Apple one). 

When coming to the end of my Stream discount period, I had a Now TV subscription alongside to compare the picture quality of F1 and football. The Apple device was quicker to respond, and indeed the Roku 4K streaming stick was quicker too. 

We found we could easily live with the limitations of Now TV vs Stream and so ended the Stream subscription and watch Now TV on Apple 4Ks, Roku or Firestick devices. 

[Gincap]

I have both and hands down Apple TV is superior in regard to picture quality and sound.  Also it operates from 24HZ up so you receive content at the correct frame rate unlike stream operating at 50Hz only.

Sure the Apple TV is more expensive but you get a lot more for your money as I also run my home system through it for cameras and doorbell no £5.00 per month 24 month contract to operate a doorbell, hmmmm sky!

Every app you need basically available add and remove subscriptions with ease. Sure Now is a stripped down Sky but it carries all major content in UHD and AD free no skipping at a reasonable price. 

The genius search in Apple is outstanding!

Voice works.

Stream is easier for live TV but if you're an on demand viewer the choice is obvious. The TV Launcher on Apple is also well designed and just works.

As stated the only app not up to spec is iplayer but with the brilliant upscale you'll be surprised at the quality especially as iplayer on stream does drop to 1080i making iplayer on Apple the better choice.

If your viewing demands quality picture and sound Apple is the winner.  

[Astongooner]

I have both and the Apple TV is the one I use the most.  

If you mainly watch live TV then the sky puck is great and the picture quality of most channels is superb and generally apart from the problems with the sports channels issues experienced by others it has been reliable for me.

Using the streamings apps on Sky are painful with slow loading  and general minor issues occurring quite frequently whereas Apple loads fast and is very reliable.  I also find the ability to manage my continue watching rail extremely useful on Apple TV and on Sky a constant source of frustration.

Whilst the front screen integration on Sky is great the Apple TV app has improved immensely over the last couple of years and I believe Apple will continue to improve and integrate more in the future .

I do like the ability to cloud record some of the live channels and the playlist function but not enough.

So I will be saying goodbye to Sky in August after four years of Sky Stream.