In the streaming box market, it’s actually pretty decent if you’re an iPhone user. I generally dislike phone control apps, but the control app being on the main menu is nice and responsive. I currently run one through a Marantz sound receiver into a Hue Sync into an LG tv where the only line of sight is to the TV. The Apple TV remote and app will turn all the things and control the volume pretty consistently. If you’re into automation, I’d imagine you don’t mind integrating stuff a little. Homebridge is pretty fast and reliable to setup. Unifi doorbell rings pop up as an overlay on screen (and this can be set to motion on any Unifi camera, just doorbell presses, none at all). There’s a “hot button” that can pull up your HomeKit scenes if you’re using other smart lighting, so you’re not more than about four button presses away from a scene activation. It’s actually pleasantly functional.

I can’t really think of a scenario where external storage right on the streaming box is beneficial in today’s age outside of travel. It lacks that. All the sticks lack that.

I still use a FireTV cube. I don’t have the problem you’re describing. I have no complaints with the device other than an atrocious interface.

I still have a Roku deployed as well. I think the interface is a little bit worse than the AppleTV, and I think both are quite ahead of the FireTV, but I think the FireTV is going for “niche” and I just hate it. But from what I read, I’m pretty far from alone.

Shield interface looks great. I’ve never actually bought/tried one though.

All of those devices will do 4k, HDR unless I’m mistaken. They’ve all also adopted power, volume buttons and CEC control has gotten somewhat better. How nice any of it plays with what you have, I can’t say. I don’t use CEC on my FireTV and never really used its flasher. I always had pretty good luck with Roku. And $70 for their Ultra is a pretty good value if it has all your apps. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad review of the Shield. If I didn’t have an iPhone, I would’ve probably gone with a Shield.

But the wife needed her group texts to be blue, and she likes the AppleTV interface better than the others, and the performance has been acceptable.

ETA- Apple TV and Nvidia Shield both have native Unifi protect apps, too. They’re far more functional than a Viewport (you can scrub the timeline interactively!). Maybe the office needs to buy one to test that winds up in your living room a few weeks later…

This post was edited on 4/13/22 at 8:54 pm