A question I get asked a lot on the Northern Beaches and North Shore: if you’ve got Foxtel iQ4 or iQ5, do you actually need a smart TV, or a smarter one, on top of it? My answer is almost always no. The Foxtel box now covers nearly everything most people want, and it’s fast […]
Author Archives: That TV Guy
Most of the TVs I mount go up without any drama. But every so often, a job reminds me why getting it right the first time matters, and why DIY TV wall mounting can end in disaster. The 26-Inch TV That Took Years to Fall Years ago, a customer on the Northern Beaches called me […]
Streaming TV Services Setup, TV Advice & Tips
Slow Smart TV or Wifi Dropping Out? Why a Streaming Box Beats Replacing the TV
A slow smart TV is one of the most common problems I see on the Northern Beaches and North Shore. A TV that’s a few years old starts struggling. Apps take ages to open, the menus feel sluggish, or the wifi stops connecting reliably. Yet the picture itself is usually still perfectly fine. It’s the […]
Streaming TV Services Setup, TV Advice & Tips
Is an Apple TV Worth It? Apple TV vs Built-In Smart TV Apps
![When I set up TVs across the Northern Beaches and North Shore, one question comes up all the time. Is an Apple TV worth it, or are the apps built into a new smart TV good enough? That means Samsung's Tizen, LG's webOS or the Google TV built into a Sony. Built-in apps have improved a lot over the years. Even so, a dedicated box still tends to win in a few areas that matter: speed, sound and how well it holds up over time. Apple TV vs Smart TV Apps: Speed and Menus The first thing you notice with an Apple TV is the speed. TV makers put most of their effort into the screen. So even on a premium 4K TV, the chip running the apps and menus is often fairly modest. That's why a new TV can feel snappy out of the box, then start to lag after a year or two of app updates. An Apple TV runs on the same type of chip Apple uses in its iPhones. The new Apple TV 4K, for example, has an 🟢[A19 chip]. As a result, the menus tend to stay smooth and apps open quickly for much longer. Picture and Sound for North Shore Home Theatre Setups Picture quality is closer than most people think. Both an Apple TV and a good smart TV can stream in 4K with HDR. One difference is that Samsung TVs don't support Dolby Vision. They use HDR10+ instead. An Apple TV supports both, so it works with either kind of TV. Sound is where things can differ more. Some built-in apps, especially on older or budget TVs, don't pass surround sound like Dolby Atmos to a soundbar as smoothly. An Apple TV tends to handle these formats more consistently. Keep in mind the sound still passes through the TV to the soundbar, so the TV's 🟢[eARC port] matters too. Newer flagship TVs often handle this fine on their own. One Remote, Every TV in the House If you've got different TV brands around the house, each one has its own menus and remote. For example, you might have an LG in the lounge, a Samsung in the bedroom and a Hisense in the rumpus room. Putting an Apple TV on each screen gives every room the same menus and the same remote. So anyone in the house can pick up a remote and know how to use it straight away. The Apple TV remote can usually turn the TV on and off and change the volume too. When Your TV's Built-In Apps Are Enough Is an Apple TV worth it if your TV is brand new? Not always. If you mainly watch free-to-air plus one or two apps, the built-in apps will often do the job. The same goes if you have a Foxtel iQ4 or iQ5. It already has most of the streaming apps people want, and it's fast and responsive. Apple TV or Google TV Streamer? If you do add a box, the right one usually depends on your phone. An Apple TV suits a home with iPhones and iPads. A Google TV Streamer is a good fit if you use Android or Google Home. The current models of both have an Ethernet port, so they can plug straight into the modem if the wifi is patchy. If your TV is already struggling, I've also written about 🟢[fixing a slow smart TV] with a streaming box. Is an Apple TV Worth It for Your Northern Beaches Home? So, is an Apple TV worth it? If you're dealing with slow menus, crashing apps or patchy sound through a soundbar, it's a simple upgrade that fixes most of it. If your TV is new and does everything you need, you may not need one yet. Either way, I'm happy to give you an honest opinion. I can set up the box, connect your soundbar and sign you into your apps. Get in touch through the 🟢[contact page] or send a message to book.](https://tvinstallationsnorthernbeaches.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/apple-tv-vs-smart-apps-northern-beaches.jpg)
When I set up TVs across the Northern Beaches and North Shore, one question comes up all the time. Is an Apple TV worth it, or are the apps built into a new smart TV good enough? That means Samsung’s Tizen, LG’s webOS or the Google TV built into a Sony. Built-in apps have improved […]
Customer Jobs, TV Wall Mounting
LG 55” TV Wall Mount in Willoughby, North Shore: Bracket Fitted to Built-In Cabinetry
This TV wall mount in Willoughby was a little different to most. Instead of a plain plasterboard wall, the family’s new 55-inch LG went into a custom built-in unit. It had a TV niche, shelving on both sides for photo frames and cabinets running underneath. So it needed a bit more checking before the drill […]
TV Advice & Tips
OLED vs QLED: Which TV Is Best for a Bright Room on the Northern Beaches or North Shore?
Living on the Northern Beaches or North Shore often means open-plan rooms, big windows and plenty of coastal light. That’s great, until your TV turns into a mirror. So should you pick OLED or QLED for a bright room? Here’s how the two compare, plus a few mounting tips I’ve picked up fitting TVs in […]
Walking into a big electronics showroom can throw off your sense of scale. Screens look enormous lined up under bright lights. Yet a size that felt “too much” in the shop often looks just right once it’s on your lounge room wall. So if you’re wondering what size TV you need, here’s what I’ve learned […]
Customer Jobs, TV Wall Mounting
TV Replacement in Chatswood, North Shore: New Swivel Bracket, Sonos Playbar Reconnected
This TV installation in Chatswood was in an upstairs kids’ playroom. It’s a fun little room tucked under the roofline, Lego bin in the corner and all. The old TV had died, so the job meant a new TV, a new bracket and the whole setup done again from scratch. The family also wanted their […]
Customer Jobs, TV Wall Mounting
Mounting a TV on VJ Panelling in Warriewood, Northern Beaches: Finding the Hidden Studs
I recently mounted a 65-inch Sony onto a VJ-panelled feature wall in a new-build Warriewood townhouse, on the Northern Beaches. Putting a TV on VJ panelling catches installers out if they haven’t worked with this wall type before. Why a TV on VJ Panelling Is Tricky in Northern Beaches Homes On a normal plasterboard wall, […]
This TV installation in Terrey Hills started with an 18-year-old 46-inch Sony. The family had finally retired it, and a new 65-inch LG OLED and a matching soundbar were taking its place. The old TV had done well to last that long. However, the cabinet underneath told its own story. It held an Apple TV, […]