Apple TV

[ghost1000]

I've had an old model Apple TV for years. Works great - even just having youtube videos on your big screen is a great feature. The video podcast section has a TON of great free content available as well.

I've hacked it in the past to add Boxee which adds a ton of the same streaming features as the consoles have, but never ended up using them much.

I purchased one of the new ATVs for the bedroom and it is a worthy improvement - a tiny tiny box that is easily hidden - no wall wart power supply as well. It is simple, elegant and easy to use. It will be interesting if the rumors of the app store for it come true.

I have an Xbox360 streaming Netflix on our main system - and a Wii - but the aTV interface is much easier to use for the family.

I wouldn't recommend the Xbox as a Netflix/streaming box unless you already own one or will primarily be using it for gaming. Just the cost of one year of Xbox Live (required to stream Netflix) and a remote control (using controllers works but it is a little awkward as they turn off after inactivity) would equal the cost of a Roku box or AppleTV.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

I have an Xbox360 streaming Netflix on our main system - and a Wii - but the aTV interface is much easier to use for the family.

I wouldn't recommend the Xbox as a Netflix/streaming box unless you already own one or will primarily be using it for gaming. Just the cost of one year of Xbox Live (required to stream Netflix) and a remote control (using controllers works but it is a little awkward as they turn off after inactivity) would equal the cost of a Roku box or AppleTV.

The Playstation 3's Netflix interface is much better than the Xbox 360's, plus no subscription is needed. I have the TV-like remote for the PS3 for when I play Blurays, and its works great with Netflix as well.

 

[OKW Lover]

In the evening we've been enjoying watching re-runs of our favorite TV shows instead of the current garbage they've been showing. Went through the entire earlier seasons of Bones and now working on season 3.5 of Eureka.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Just getting our feet wet with Apple TV, but so far we love it.

This was my Christmas present and the other day, John tells me that I have to pick out something else because this is now his present.

 

[OKW Lover]

Just getting our feet wet with Apple TV, but so far we love it.

This was my Christmas present and the other day, John tells me that I have to pick out something else because this is now his present.

That's kind of the way it is for us. I got it for my Birthday in early November, but Val is the one that always uses it. I may have to get a second one for the TV in the living room.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

Just getting our feet wet with Apple TV, but so far we love it.

This was my Christmas present and the other day, John tells me that I have to pick out something else because this is now his present.

So what makes it good for you? I don't have any iTunes tv shows, so just wondering just what the Apple TV does that makes it a "must have". A lot of the streaming content on the web is US only (Hulu, Pandora etc.) and not too sure whether th Apple TV is any better than what I currently have.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

So what makes it good for you? I don't have any iTunes tv shows, so just wondering just what the Apple TV does that makes it a "must have". A lot of the streaming content on the web is US only (Hulu, Pandora etc.) and not too sure whether th Apple TV is any better than what I currently have.

For us, we really like the ability to use Apple TV as a hard drive. We moved all of our iTunes stuff onto it, so we can literally play our entire music collection on the surround sound system in the living room, as well as our home movies.

 

[DisneyKevin]

So what makes it good for you? I don't have any iTunes tv shows, so just wondering just what the Apple TV does that makes it a "must have". A lot of the streaming content on the web is US only (Hulu, Pandora etc.) and not too sure whether th Apple TV is any better than what I currently have.

I've purchased a good deal of content through iTunes to use on my ipad.

Apple TV allows me to watch what's on my ipad, listen to music, looks at photos...all of the stuff that's integrated with iTunes and my iMac.

Also, the integration of Netflix with the TV and two iPads is brilliant.

With the Remote app, I can run Apple TV, iTunes, Netflix, etc right from the iPad.

Besides that...it's simple to work...and it's $99.

These things have made it a winner in our house.

If you have other ways of doing that, then this is not a "must have" item.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

I've purchased a good deal of content through iTunes to use on my ipad.

Apple TV allows me to watch what's on my ipad, listen to music, looks at photos...all of the stuff that's integrated with iTunes and my iMac.

Also, the integration of Netflix with the TV and two iPads is brilliant.

With the Remote app, I can run Apple TV, iTunes, Netflix, etc right from the iPad.

Besides that...it's simple to work...and it's $99.

These things have made it a winner in our house.

If you have other ways of doing that, then this is not a "must have" item.

Thanks for the info Kevin. Since I'm not a big iTunes purchaser I guess it's not for me, but I'm glad it works for you.

 

[dpic]

I use a Roku, but it's pretty much the same as Apple TV. We love it! Also, I built a media computer for the TV room. We stream through that, watch Blu-Rays/DVD, and we have a projector. A good projector is MUCH cheaper than a good TV, and it's hard to beat a 100" picture.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I use a Roku, but it's pretty much the same as Apple TV. We love it! Also, I built a media computer for the TV room. We stream through that, watch Blu-Rays/DVD, and we have a projector. A good projector is MUCH cheaper than a good TV, and it's hard to beat a 100" picture.

What kind of resolution do you get with that?

 

[IbeAbitGOOFY]

Just getting our feet wet with Apple TV, but so far we love it.

This was my Christmas present and the other day, John tells me that I have to pick out something else because this is now his present.

I got one from my DW in December for my birthday. I love the ability to stream my iTunes through my home theater system. I also like the fact that I can rent from Netflix as well.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

We have one of the old AppleTV things, it is cool to have the iTunes stuff hooked into the surround sound system. I know it's silly but it just seems the music is better when you have the artwork of the music on the TV screen while it is playing.

Also, if you have an iPhone, (probably iPod touch too) there is an app that will let you control the AppleTV from your phone. On the old AppleTV it worked, I would assume it would work on the new ones too.

 

[Annette_VA]

I got one for DH for Christmas. We are loving it!

Controlling it from your iPhone is pretty sweet. We have it set to show our photos while we listen to music. I could sit there all day and watch our old photos come up.

 

[Paul in CT]

I bought the ATV a few days ago. I had a little trouble setting it up due to my firewall, but after one adjustment, it worked great for about an hour until I programmed my iPod Touch as a remote. As soon as I did this, it could no longer access my iTunes or photos. My library no longer shows even though I have "sharing" on both. I spent about 4 hours trying to resolve the issue, but to no avail. I called Apple support, but they are closed for the holidays. Everything else works fine, i.e., access to podcasts, Netflix, etc., but my main interest is sharing my iTunes library and photos on my TV. It is very strange that the ATV remote now works on my MacBook if I use it too close to my computer.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

I bought the ATV a few days ago. I had a little trouble setting it up due to my firewall, but after one adjustment, it worked great for about an hour until I programmed my iPod Touch as a remote. As soon as I did this, it could no longer access my iTunes or photos. My library no longer shows even though I have "sharing" on both. I spent about 4 hours trying to resolve the issue, but to no avail. I called Apple support, but they are closed for the holidays. Everything else works fine, i.e., access to podcasts, Netflix, etc., but my main interest is sharing my iTunes library and photos on my TV. It is very strange that the ATV remote now works on my MacBook if I use it too close to my computer.

The AppleTV remote will totally make my MacBook do stuff too! It can be a bit irritating at times.

 

[mommyceratops]

Whoa! Totally techno dummy here...
This sounds awesome though! I am going to have to look into it.

 

[OKW Lover]

The AppleTV remote will totally make my MacBook do stuff too! It can be a bit irritating at times.

Go to System Preferences>Security>General and check "Disable remote control infrared receiver".

 

[Bornteach]

We got one from Santa and we LOVE it! It is like constantly have a hotel TV at your fingertips but it is dirt cheap!

 

[Paul in CT]

I bought the ATV a few days ago. I had a little trouble setting it up due to my firewall, but after one adjustment, it worked great for about an hour until I programmed my iPod Touch as a remote. As soon as I did this, it could no longer access my iTunes or photos. My library no longer shows even though I have "sharing" on both. I spent about 4 hours trying to resolve the issue, but to no avail. I called Apple support, but they are closed for the holidays. Everything else works fine, i.e., access to podcasts, Netflix, etc., but my main interest is sharing my iTunes library and photos on my TV. It is very strange that the ATV remote now works on my MacBook if I use it too close to my computer.

I called Apple support yesterday. After an hour on the phone with them, still "no joy" sharing from my MacBook. They are referring the problem to their engineers who will call me back today or tomorrow. Until then......