From 9to5Toys.com:
Update (1/11 2:00pm): With the release of tvOS 9.2, Apple has officially added support for Bluetooth Keyboards on Apple TV. You’ll find our top-picks below.
The new Apple TV is now available for pre-orders with the first units set to ship on Friday. Apple has introduced a number of features to its new streaming device, including an App Store, a fresh remote with Siri built-in, universal search and support for MFi gaming controllers. However, the fourth generation Apple TV is pretty light on included accessories. It doesn’t even come with an HDMI cable.
Head below for all the must-have controllers, add-ons and accessories to take full advantage of Apple’s latest release.
Keyboards:
While text entry is expected to be easier with Siri built-in, sometimes a keyboard is just simpler. The fourth-generation Apple TV now supports the use of Bluetooth Keyboards. There are a number of options out there on the market, but here are some of our favorites:
- Anker Bluetooth Ultra-Slim Keyboard: $16
- Low profile Keys
- Three months of battery life with two AAA batteries
- 18-month warranty
- Logitech K480 Wireless Keyboard: $37
- Support for up to three devices
- Cradle for Apple TV remote, iPhone, iPad
- Single dial switch to go from device-to-device
- Logitech K810 Wireless Keyboard: $80
- Support for up to three devices
- Backlit Keys
- Aluminum finish
MFi Apple-Certified Gaming Controllers:
The Apple TV has a new App Store with games and other titles that require more input than the usual directional pad. While Apple is pushing the SteelSeries Nimbus, cross compatibility is expected, but not yet confirmed, with existing controllers. There is only support for one Siri-connected remote at a time, so if you’re wanting to play multiplayer games, you’ll need another controller. To fully enjoy games like Manticore Rising, Shadowmatic, Guitar Hero Live and others we recommend the following options:
- SteelSeries Nimbus: $50
- Apple TV-specific controls
- Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity
- 40-hour battery life
- SteelSeries Stratus: $58
- 10 hour battery life
- Familiar console-style design
- Available in white or black
- Also available in a larger size
- HORI HORIPAD Wireless Gaming Controller: $80
- Dual analog buttons, eight face/shoulder buttons and directional pad
- Up to 20 hours of battery life
- Includes USB charging cable
- Mad Catz C.T.R.L.i Mobile Gamepad: $48
- Up to 40 hours of gameplay with AAA batteries
- Accompanying iOS app
- Adjustable iPhone holder
HDMI Cables:
It’s pretty disappointing that Apple still isn’t including an HDMI cable with its Apple TV. One of the standout features of this new device is CEC support, which allows users to control their HDTV and other devices through a HDMI cable. Not all HDTVs support this, you’ll want to grab a HDMI 2.0 cable to be safe, which includes support for 4K, ethernet and an Audio Return Channel. Don’t be fooled by expensive cables, these options from Amazon will do.
We also recommend grabbing a HDMI switcher for your setup. Many HDTVs only offer three to four HDMI inputs. By adding a switch, you’ll have plenty of room for any other additions.
MFi Lightning Cables:
Thankfully Apple does include a Lightning Cable for recharging the included remote. The bad news? It’s not very long. No one wants to walk up to the TV while the remote is charging. Grab a cable with extra length to keep yourself locked on the couch.
- 6-foot Lightning Cable: $8
- 10-ft. Braided with Lightning cable + microUSB connector: $18
- 15-foot Lightning Cable: $13
Developers and those with early access to the latest Apple TV OS will want to grab a USB-C cable for diagnostics and programming. We recommend this six-foot cable, which is going to give you plenty of room to operate.
Another nice way to charge your Apple TV Remote is with the Twelve South Hi-Rise Lightning Cable Dock. It elevates your remote and provides a nice home with a elegant design. More information here in our review of the previous generation model.
HDTVs:
If you’re still rocking a standard definition television, it’s time to upgrade. If you have a 720 or 1080p set from a few years back, there are likely some features you’re missing out on. Here are a few of our favorites, with CEC compatibility, to take full advantage of the new Apple TV. Below you’ll find some of our favorite options.
- VIZIO E50-C1 50-inch 1080p Smart LED HDTV: $528
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Three HDMI inputs
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Sony KDL50W800C 50-inch 1080p Smart LED HDTV: $698
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Four HDMI inputs
- 120Hz refresh rate
- LG 65LF6300 65-Inch 1080p 120Hz Smart LED TV: $1,398
- webOS 2.0
- Three HDMI inputs
- 120Hz refresh rate
Other Important Apple TV Accessories:
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This is a pretty helpful list – though I have to ask, what value might a smart TV offer someone who is planning to purchase the new Apple TV? Seems like you’d either want one or the other. I know smart TVs don’t cost significantly more than normal models, but it still seems like an extra expense if you’re going to use the Apple TV for apps and content.
Pretty much all of the good TVs picture quality wise are smart TVs. Smart TVs will go away again eventually I think. Once boxes like the Apple TV become popular enough for TV manufacturers to get rid of the smart features. However, smart TVs may be the only ones that get valuable firmware updates that help the TV.
I have noticed that most of the TVs on the market right now are smart TVs. However, the “smart” tag still seems to carry a $100+ premium. Since I know I’m never going to use the “smart” features, that would be a waste of money for me.
I’m actually going to be hooking the new ATV up to a 10-year-old, 32″ 720p Sony Bravia, but I’m hoping to replace that with a 48″ 1080p model in a few months. :-)
I needed to upgrade my living room tv a few months ago and ended up with a higher-end 40″ Samsung Smart TV (if you buy a Smart TV be sure to buy one with the extra RAM. I had to return the 1st one I bought because it was slow and clunky), even though I have an Apple TV and Roku. It wasn’t worth the extra money and I very rarely use the “smart” features. I am very happy with the tv overall and the picture quality, however.
I bought the walnut remote stand from this list because I tend to loose Apple TV controllers. It matches my wooden Navitech Apple Watch stand and will look nice on the end table. I’ll eventually get sucked back into Guitar Hero, too.
This is why Apple should make a really nice dumb TV display.
Yeah. I thought they would make new Cinema Displays which would be redesigned to fit more into the TV looking design with very slim bezels and sell them as just a fantastic display.
A TV should only be a great display, it should not be anything else. I don’t think it should even have built in speakers. I think they should just come with a separate, cheap soundbar. The best TV would be incredibly thin, and 100% bezel free, so it is just picture, edge to edge hung on the wall.
The TV is fed it’s content from a set-top box, which is relatively cheap, as the Apple TV is, and is updated frequently to further empower the display to do more. No one wants to buy a new expensive TV yearly, it doesn’t make sense for the TV to be a computer because computers are outdated quickly. The set-top box is the computer because it’s much cheaper and can be updated while you keep the TV for years.
Don’t make the assumption that because the TV has a Netflix logo in its marketing material that you don’t need an AppleTV. It wasn’t true with the last gen that it is 3 years old, and lightyears from true with the new AppleTV.
Most LG tv’s sold in the US are made in Mexico where third party factories are treating workers very poorly and LG is not doing much to fix the problem.
The TV’s have a great picture. I have 2 LG tv’s, one is is a 42″ web is tv and other 55″. Both are great tv’s.
Iworking conditions at any electronics make won’t be the best in the world.
Foxconn had to instal suicide nets to prevent iPhone worked from dying.
I thought the New Apple TV did not support bluetooth or wired keyboards?
Bluetooth, yes – wired, no.
Did you try because cult of macs review says it does not
Actually it doesn’t support keyboards at all.
What makes people believe the keyboard isn’t supported? It has Bluetooth. And apple tvs have been supporting keyboards for a few years now.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202670
No wireless keyboards of any type (with an actual ATV4 from the local Apple store, I can confirm this). Let me tell you, this SUCKS. With Apple Remote (iOS App) I could let it go, but man, it’s horrible entering passwords if you use real passwords in a password manager (i.e. 1Password) when you only have the touch remote!
I think the apple TV serves as an accessory for a TV, not the other way around…
It shouldn’t be so much an accessory as a TV should be a display, and useless without an Apple TV, and an Apple TV should be a computer and useless without a TV.
I am looking forward to the Bluetooth speaker support.
4K is marketing BS. Not of the cable companies are broadcasting in 4k yet [if ever], so there’s a lack of 4k content. Resolution is not the ‘leap forward’ we need…. and as a writer on CNET noted, to gain any benefit of 4k you’d have to be sat really, really close to the screen. Really close. At normal viewing distances, it isn’t discernible from 1080p. Whereas, OLED for television is something completely different. That is the way forward.
I think resolution helps with perceivable things beyond pixels. Like you may not be able to tell the difference pixel-wise, but the colors may be better, which you would perceive. I forget what things benefit beyond definition.
the best accessory to the Apple TV is another device that can actually play moves at their native (and intended) frame rate of 24 fps. It’s a joke that this $150-$200 device still does not support 24Hz video output.
“It doesn’t even come with an HDMI cable.” Does the Amazon Fire TV come with an HDMI cable? Do any of the Roku models come with an HDMI cable? Did the previous generations of Apple TV come with HDMI cables? No? Then why does it matter if this one doesn’t? This is at least the third article that I’ve read whining about that. Buy a $3 cable off Amazon and quit whining.
The new Apple TV doesn’t support keyboards.
Apple TV is compatible with Bluetooth keyboards. Compatible with Magic Keyboard and Apple Wireless Keyboard (2011).
I kinda wish Apple has offered these during the checkout process instead offering me HDMI cables and iTunes Gift Cards. I completely forgot about the controllers.
They should not include an HDMI cable because everyone’s application is different. Why charge people for a cable they may never use? Some people require a longer HDMI cable to reach their TV or AV Receiver.
Would anybody be able to point me in the right direction?
I want a TV/monitor that looks great. 1080 minimum and I’d quite 3D too.
CEC is must, so turning on/waking the AppleTV wakes the TV/Monitor.
I don’t want any of this other smart TV crap/software, literally all I will be using is the AppleTV for my viewing.
What kind of monitor/TV should I buy?
When you say TV/Monitor it sounds like perhaps you’re unfamiliar with the difference between the two. TVs are not meant to be computer monitors. Pixel size is simply too large.
You’re not going to find a decent TV on the market that doesn’t advertise itself as a Smart TV. Just ignore all that.
Look for anything that has a native resolution of 1920 x 1080, with a refresh rate of 120 Hz.
Look for anything with CEC support and Dolby Digital over Digital Audio Out.
Ignore anything charging more for 3D or 4k.
Can’t go wrong within the Vizio line of TVs.
Thank you for that :)
Yeah, I didn’t know if there was a difference or not. I was wondering if I could just use a monitor as a TV if I didn’t want any of the Smart TV stuff. I would like CEC though!
Does the Smart TV stuff actually slow the usual usage down in any kind of way?
They do look good, but I remember reading a couple of months ago that they track what you’re viewing!?
http://www.batblue.com/tv-manufacturer-vizio-tracks-user-viewing-patterns-habits/
Thanks a lot for your advice, I’ll take a look!