Apple TV

[Sweetpeamd]

Kevin has mentioned on the podcast that he really likes his Apple TV. I am trying to decide if it would be a good gift for my parents. They already have On Demand and DVR through their cable provider. My dad has an iPhone but he doesn't ever download music, movies or tv from iTunes. Would there be any uses for the Apple TV for them?

 

[vwlfan]

I too am interested in Apple TV per Kevin and John's plaudits. I have read via Cult of Mac that it will be upgraded pretty soon. I am going to wait on that. And does this sound like waiting on the next iPhone?

 

[OKW Lover]

If you have netflix streaming you can use the AppleTV to watch on your HDTV.

 

[PeterPan09]

If you have netflix streaming you can use the AppleTV to watch on your HDTV.

I started doing that just recently. I had been using my PS3 but the picture quality from the Apple TV is much better.

 

[chirurgeon]

So what difference would there be between Apple TV and Roku?

Kim

 

[sayhello]

So what difference would there be between Apple TV and Roku?

Kim

Apple TV is iTunes-centric. It will only play stuff off of iTunes from your PC, it doesn't have as many apps or streaming sources as Roku, Apple TV does not play cable channels, it only works with a TV with an HDMI connection (Roku allows composite video connections).

Sayhello

 

[robertgp124]

If you are tied into the Apple ecosystem, the AppleTV makes a lot of sense. And if you aren't a member of Netflix, it makes sense too. You can rent a lot of stuff (movies, tv shows) via AppleTV and you don't have to have Netflix. If you have Netflix, the interface is really very nice.

I have an AppleTV and the interface is really quite simple and elegant. I switch the TV to the AppleTV input and I can use either the remote it came with or my iPod or iPhone as a remote. I like it. There are a number of outside subscriptions available - I think to MLB (don't quote me on that) NHL, NBA.

Roku is cheaper (I think there is a $49 unit) and features the ability to get into a lot of different online channels. Most of the content that is available via the AppleTV (except iTunes stuff) is available on the Roku box. One website that I read regularly reviews the Roku stuff - zatznotfunny.com - and you might want to check it out.

On certain cable systems you can view HBO content (with a subscription) on Roku - I don't believe Comcast allows it based on what I've read.

Hope that helps.

 

[papertraveller]

I just bought Apple TV for DH for his birthday ... wasn't sure if he would like it, but he loves it.
We use it for pretty simple things. We stream music from the computer through the TV speakers, we show all of the family photos on the TV, and so far we've watched just a couple of movies (we had uploaded the digital copies to iTunes). It was easy to set up.

Think of it more as a device to tap content that is stored elsewhere ... not sure it would add anything extra for the OP's parents.

 

[DisneyKevin]

We use Apple TV to watch pretty much everything but regular TV.

In the last few weeks we have watched full seasons of TV shows that we didn't catch when they were on TV.

We rent new movies through iTunes and Amazon.

It's some of the best $99 we've ever spent.

I apologize...I have no experience with Roku.

 

[CastawayJP]

Does anybody know how well Apple TV works overseas? I know that we won't be able to stream from Netflix, but would we only be able to watch content that we pay for on iTunes?

 

[sayhello]

Does anybody know how well Apple TV works overseas? I know that we won't be able to stream from Netflix, but would we only be able to watch content that we pay for on iTunes?

As far as I can tell, you can play anything on your PC's iTunes. Anything you play from the iTunes on the Apple TV, I believe, has to be paid for. (I haven't found anything free except for things like trailers and previews. If I'm wrong about this, I will be very happy to find that out!) You can also play stuff from your iPod Touch or iPad if you have "Home Sharing" turned on. But that has to be initiated from the iPod or iPad, Apple TV doesn't seem to recognize them as "Computers". I don't have an iPhone, but I imagine it works the same way.

There are a few other streaming apps like YouTube, MBA, Flickr & Vimeo, but I haven't played with those much. Don't know how they'd work overseas.

Sayhello

 

[jns]

Can 3d movies be downloaded to watch on a 3D TV via Apple TV

 

[sayhello]

Can 3d movies be downloaded to watch on a 3D TV via Apple TV

That's a good question. I checked a couple of films that I know came out in 3D, like HP7.2 and The Green Lantern, and the option to stream 3D is not listed on my Apple TV. I would think if it *was* possible, they'd sell it, but that's just a guess on my part. I'm not sure that the Apple TV can handle the resolution for 3D. This may be an Apple question unless someone out there *has* successfully streamed 3D...

Sayhello

 

[Revan]

Roku is cheaper (I think there is a $49 unit) and features the ability to get into a lot of different online channels. Most of the content that is available via the AppleTV (except iTunes stuff) is available on the Roku box.

Another big reason to go Roku is that it works with Amazon Prime's video service too, not as many offerings as Netflix - but another option.