Another 'new to Apple TV' question

[kraftwerk]

Having only just got to grips with iCloud, Match, Home Sharing etc - all of which has been a revelation to me - I'd like to take the plunge and go for Apple TV. I've seen it in action but now that I'm looking to buy one, my main question is what is the advantage of having a jailbroken device?

I'm in the UK, if that makes a difference.

 

[chenks]

you can't jailbreak the current appletv, so if you are buying a new one you can forget about that.

if you want to jailbreak you'll need to buy a second hand 2nd gen appletv, and you'll pay over the odds for it.

 

[kraftwerk]

you can't jailbreak the current appletv, so if you are buying a new one you can forget about that.

if you want to jailbreak you'll need to buy a second hand 2nd gen appletv, and you'll pay over the odds for it.

Fine, and thank for the response, but my question is what does a jailbroken unit do for me that a non-jailbroken unit doesn't?

 

[chenks]

Fine, and thank for the response, but my question is what does a jailbroken unit do for me that a non-jailbroken unit doesn't?

if all your content is already in itunes and appletv compatible then it probably won't add anything useful really.

if you're wanting to play content that is outwith the supported spec of the appletv then jailbreaking will allow you to do that (via third party apps like xbmc etc).

i've dabbled with jailbreaking a few times, but i just never seen the point of it, but then again all my content is already appletv compatibile.

 

[orestes1984]

Fine, and thank for the response, but my question is what does a jailbroken unit do for me that a non-jailbroken unit doesn't?

A jailbroken AppleTV can run Plex/XBMC and all its plugins which can be nice, the other advantage used to be Hulu/Netflix and the NBA software, but you can run that on an Apple TV3 now.

The disadvantages of an Apple TV2 are that it only supports 720p but it depends on the size of your TV. Anything less than 40" you will not notice the difference between 720p and 1080p unless your one of the rare few that sits within 2metres of your TV set. 1080p on sets that small is a gimmick.

so:

Apple TV2:

+ More front ends (Plex/XBMC) and associated plugins.
+ Does not require an iTunes server and can access files off any drive/device.
- Does not run 1080p.

Apple TV3:

+ 1080p.
- Can not be jailbroken.
- Requires an iTunes server to function.

If you've got a lot of MKVs and VOB folders you will need to remux into MP4s and you can't be bothered remuxing them for iTunes then go with an Apple TV2. Otherwise if you've got MP4s and you plan to rent/buy movies then go with an Apple TV3.

 

[kraftwerk]

Great stuff, many thanks for the responses.

 

[Panch0]

Apple TV3:

+ 1080p.
- Can not be jailbroken.
- Requires an iTunes server to function.

ATV3 doesn't require an iTunes Server to function. It can get content directly from the iTunes Store. It only requires a computer running iTunes to access media that is housed on that computer. In the US, we can get all iTunes music through Match, most TV episodes and movies purchased through iTunes, Hulu+ and Netflix all direct from the internet with no local iTunes required.

Not sure which services are available in other regions.

 

[orestes1984]

Sorry you're right, I should say requires an iTunes server to access your own content, but still, if you want to download movies its pretty useless without a server. Here in Australia without a US account, Hulu/Netflix the local iTunes store is pretty spartan so I'm used to downloading.