Features and operation of Apple TV set-top boxes

With Apple TVs, you can turn your regular TV into a Smart device that gives you more functionality. The main target audience of this gadget is brand fans who prefer the convenience of the iOS operating system to all other options. Considering the feasibility of buying it, you should first figure out how the TV set-top box works, how you can use all the available functions.

The Apple TV set-top box for TV is a compact media player that lets you access content stored on online platforms on a large screen. First of all, this concerns the branded cloud service of the brand, the iTunes Store application.

There are a number of reasons why users choose the Apple TV.

• Full integration with iOS devices. Through AirPlay, you can watch and listen to audio and video from any Apple device.
• Choice of regular or 4K version. This is essential for HDR TVs.
• Giving smart functions to TVs without a pre-installed shell.
• Possibility of additional use of Apple functions on Android TV.
• Free access to the already accumulated iTunes library.
• Access to games. A convenient remote control will help you enjoy the process.

In fact, the Apple TV set-top box allows you not only to watch TV channels, but also to use all the possibilities of modern multimedia services completely freely and in good quality. Thanks to the modern technical implementation, problems with reproduction will be minimized. The only limitation concerns the amount of memory. By default, it is small, you have to additionally connect external drives, as well as use cloud services.

The Apple TV set-top box comes in the form of a candy bar with an external control panel that works both as a joystick in games and as a manipulator when broadcasting data from a laptop. Also included is a network cable, a strap and a Lightening wire for the remote control. The capabilities of a device are determined by a set of ports:

• IR;
• Ethernet 10/100 BASE-T;
• HDMI 1.43;
• USB-C.

The set-top box has a built-in power supply and a wireless connection to Wi-Fi. The remote control communicates with the main module via Bluetooth, the IR sensor is needed to adjust the volume level on the TV. The touchscreen on the remote control can not only replace the manipulator, but also be used in games. The touchpad can be tapped or swiped, and the built-in accelerometer and gyroscope help you use the joystick function.

Conventional 4th generation Apple TV set-top boxes have the following set of technical characteristics:

• HDMI 1.4 interface;
• Full HD resolution (1080p);
• operating system tvOS;
• support for MOV, MP4, MP3, WAV, AAC, AC3, JPEG, TIF, GIF formats;
• Apple A8 processor;
• Flash memory 32 or 64 GB;
• dimensions 98 × 33 × 98 mm;
• weight 430 g.

Apple TV 4K is a more advanced option, capable of streaming content in 4K UHD resolution. The built-in set of codecs includes MPEG4, HEVC Main 10, HEVC, H. 264. The model is powered by the Apple A10X Fusion processor, available RAM - 3 GB, Flash - 65 GB. Case dimensions 98 × 35 × 98 mm.

The Apple TV set-top box is connected via the TV's HDMI port or component Ethernet cable.The cords are not included in the delivery set, they must be purchased separately or used already existing ones. The HDMI connection uses a Wi-Fi network as the source of the internet signal. Let's analyze the procedure.

• Connect the set-top box to the TV and power supply. Apple TV 4K requires at least HDMI 2.0 cable.
• On the remote, touch the touchpad. This will enable the device to work in conjunction with the TV.
• Choose a language.
• Start configuration. It can be done from an iOS device or manually. If the user has an iPad or iPhone at his disposal, it is worth starting it automatically. The set-top box will connect to iCloud and perform a quick setup itself. It is important that the main device is updated to the latest version of the operating system and that Keychain Access is enabled in iCloud in Settings.
• Select the "Configure device" item.
• Unlock iPhone, iPad, bring it to Apple TV, after turning on Bluetooth.
• Follow the instructions on the screen.

It is important to know: for auto-tuning on the device with which the set-top box communicates, you need to turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Apple TV can only work on closed networks. The setup will not work when using public or paid Wi-Fi sources.

When you first connect the set-top box yourself without access to other iOS devices, the procedure will be different.

• Insert the power cable plug into the Apple TV case. Use HDMI cable to connect to TV. Connect both devices to the network.
• On the TV, select the appropriate HDMI port as the source. Turn on Wi-Fi or wired your Apple TV to an existing router. The Ethernet input is located on the back of the device.
• Swipe (swipe sideways) on the touchscreen panel of the remote control. The Apple TV Remove menu opens. It will allow you to select the country of use and language. It may also be necessary to confirm the request to activate the voice assistant. In tvOS, it's Siri.
• Select the item corresponding to the manual setting.
• Instructions will appear on the TV screen, allowing you to connect to a Wi-Fi network or router via a cable in real time, enter your Apple ID. If there is no identifier, you will need to create it.
• Choosing a service provider. This option is not available in all countries. Through it, you can watch the content available by subscription, if available.
• From the function menu, if you are using multiple Apple TVs with the same account, select the Shared Home Screen option. This will synchronize data between them automatically. For 4K models, a display test may be requested to check the clarity and picture quality in HDR, Dolby Vision. This parameter depends on the capabilities of the connected TV.
• Complete the setup. After that, the user will have access to the home screen and the AppStore to download the necessary applications.

The Apple TV media player has a wide range of features available. You also need to be able to use them correctly and effectively. First of all, it is worth considering in detail all the features of the set-top box available to its owner.

This technology allows you to quickly synchronize Apple devices with each other using a Wi-Fi connection, regulate file sharing, or create a full-fledged “smart home” system with a single control center. And also AirPlay is used to broadcast screen mirroring from a mobile device to a display / TV connected to a set-top box for viewing mail, video, chatting in instant messengers, viewing information in a browser.

For Apple TV media players, the official Apple app store has a wide selection of available programs and services that are relevant specifically for watching online content. Among the available application options, the most interesting are the proprietary services KinoPoisk, ivi, Netflix, Amediatekathat allow, if you have a subscription, to view content from your own library of services.

Like other media players, Apple TV can act as a set-top box. The desktop is standard for iOS, all icons are signed. Entering text and navigating through the menu is carried out using the remote control. The keyboard is only on-screen, on the touchscreen. The problem is solved by integration with iPhone, iPad via the Remote application. Here you can add an external wireless keyboard or use your smartphone for typing or playing like a joystick.

With the help of Apple TV series devices, the user can easily watch videos and listen to music from the iTunes Store, Apple Music directly, without a smartphone or tablet. The application interface adapts to the size of the diagonal of the TV screen. It is worth noting that films from the corporate library can be rented or purchased with the option of downloading to external media.

Family Sharing makes it easy for you to share content. Listening to music tracks from iTunes is also possible with connection to the owner's own music library.

In order for the songs to be simultaneously available on both TV and mobile devices, you need to enable "Sharing" in the settings. By installing Apple Music, you can enjoy the multimillion-dollar collection of the best songs. In addition, the device can play live Internet radio stations from around the world, with over 200 options available, including the Beats 1 native broadcast frequency. Using iCloud cloud storage is another way to watch content on Apple TV. Here you can view your home archive or subscribe to updates from other users to see new photos and other content uploaded by friends and acquaintances.

This function is provided by the attachment. You can download a convenient program - there are several of them in the application catalog. The sound quality in karaoke mode is noted as high. In general, the function will be more useful for those who like vocal exercises and singing with friends.

Siri in Apple TV consoles is still not Russified, but it supports English controls. For people with disabilities, there is VoiceOver with voice over of the menu list, the ability to change font or image sizes, contrast, and subtitles.

For information on how to set up Apple TV and which programs to install, see the following video.