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Apple TV 3. What to expect?

Itv said:
any thoughts of WHEN the AT3 will be introduced?
Click to expand...

Well, the ATV2 was introduced in September 2010, so my guess is that if they do update it this year, it will be at the standard media event. But if the speculation is correct and that the iPhone 5 won't be selling until Q4, maybe they don't announce much of anything else.

---

For me, the one thing really holding me back from buying the ATV2 is the lack of local (or attachable) storage. I have all my movies and TV on an external, and streaming OTA to a JB ATV2 seems like a lot of fuss, plus Plex needs to stream from a server...since I finally gave up my home iMac and am strictly using an MBA, that's a bit of a hassle. Theoretically, I could plug the external into my Airport Extreme and use XBMC, but I really like Plex.

The one thing I really want is to be able to plug an external HD into the USB port (and have Plex use THAT as the media server).

A boy can dream...
 
Cable Box input

AlthoughI would love to be cable box free - it isn't realistic for me. I hate switching inputs on my TV from HDMI 2 (cable box) to HDMI 3 (Apple TV) and back to HDMI 2 whenever I want to watch from the other device.

I would love to have an HDMI input into the Apple TV that would make my cable box another source from within the Apple TV itself!


Thoughts?
 
ms7u said:
AlthoughI would love to be cable box free - it isn't realistic for me. I hate switching inputs on my TV from HDMI 2 (cable box) to HDMI 3 (Apple TV) and back to HDMI 2 whenever I want to watch from the other device.
Click to expand...

Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote. Pricey, but well worth it to not have to deal with all that mess. Let me remote handle it for you. :)
 
ms7u said:
AlthoughI would love to be cable box free - it isn't realistic for me. I hate switching inputs on my TV from HDMI 2 (cable box) to HDMI 3 (Apple TV) and back to HDMI 2 whenever I want to watch from the other device.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure why it is a big deal to switch inputs. With games, DVD players, cable boxes, ATV and such, switching inputs is not something that you will be able to get around.

Harmony remotes with the macros take care of everything with the push of a button.
 
Good (macro-capable) universal remotes from Universal Remote Control also handle switching inputs just fine. I've had ours programmed for years so that when you enter whatever mode you seek (TV, DVD, AppleTV, etc.) you can click a "setup" button to set everything up for that mode. One click does it all on one remote that runs everything.

Also, if you use a receiver, you can generally pump your video to the TV via one HDMI cable and always leave the TV on the same input setting. However, this still involves switching at the receiver, which is what that "setup" button does on the remote.
 
ms7u said:
AlthoughI would love to be cable box free - it isn't realistic for me. I hate switching inputs on my TV from HDMI 2 (cable box) to HDMI 3 (Apple TV) and back to HDMI 2 whenever I want to watch from the other device.

I would love to have an HDMI input into the Apple TV that would make my cable box another source from within the Apple TV itself!


Thoughts?
Click to expand...

If you can put up with the slow interface, it sounds like the functionality you want already exists in the Tivo Premiere.
 
mstrze said:
I guess 2013 if you go by the previous frequency of ATV updating. ;)
Click to expand...
I think (and hope!) it maybe different this time round. ATV1 was bascially a slimmed down computer with moving parts, but the ATV2 is bascially an iPhone4 with a few additional outputs.

For Apple to update the ATV once the iphone5 with the A5 chip arrives would be very simple given that they already have the design. All they would need to do is replace the A4 with the A5 and hopefully add in more RAM (ATV2 only has 256 MB RAM).
 
I think no major hardware change is coming soon (or needed really..)

With the new cloud services coming soon, your home sharing problem is solved.. Just take the ATV@ with you wherever you go, connect to a network, and voilá.. your media is streamed to you, with no need for your laptop, desktop, etc...Yes, you'll need a solid connection for the streaming, but most homes with HDTV's should have them.. Although 1080p would be nice on a local network, it could be a real headache when streaming from the cloud.

So it's all software really.. And even Mr. Jobs has said that the app store for the ATV is eventually coming (probably sooner than later, yay!):D

So i guess I would enjoy seeing iCloud integration, App store, and local 1080p..

And as for Facetime on the ATV2, really??? Are't there enough devices to this from?? I barely use it as is...
 
Visualiser

I would like it to be able to show apple visualiser when I am playing my music. This would need some graphics capability but it is available on competitor music streamers such as xbox and I get bored looking at the album cover. This would make this so much better. In the UK we need to have the BBC iPlayer because we don't get netflix.
 
I think ATV will get the features that Apple were always planning for it over the next few months once iCloud and iOS5 appear. Why?

- Currently ATV is basically only able to work independently of your Mac when renting movies through iTunes on the ATV. With the predictions for iCloud, the ATV should in theory get access to all of the media you've purchased through iTunes from the internet, without any need for your Mac to be turned on. For me, that will make a massive difference in usability.

- One thing that's been expected is apps on ATV, and iOS5 might be the logical time to introduce those. Again, the ability to have a decent BBC iPlayer app, for example, will make it great.

David
 
Bring back analog audio out so I can listen to music streaming from my computer on my deck (Zone 2 on my receiver) without having to use an optical to analog converter!

And no my receiver does not convert digital to analog for zone 2 (most don't)..... and the ones who do need to be listening to the digital source on the main zone in order to do the conversion.... Analog is still useful in this world of digital!
 
These ideas came to me the first day I started using atv2

The obvious:
A5/6
1080p
App store

More specific:
Just enough interal storage for apps. 8gb is plenty for the apps you actually use. I'm most interested in EyeTV (with live or no transcoding). NullRiver MediaLink works okay on PS3, but bad interface (only alpha list of recorded files, no live)

HDMI-CEC, (AnyNet, HDMI control, etc.) Power tv on with atv power, and atv power on when input selected. And the little atv remote is cute and all, but my tv remote is more ergonomic and it has volume control.

BLUETOOTH!!!!! I'm surprised no one has mentioned this! Make that stupid little remote bt, (now hard to aim but could be perfect for your pocket (dj from anywhere). Imagine the possibilities with a bt keyboard and mouse or magic Trackpad!!! Apple tv 1 made your tv and iPod with video, Apple tv 2 makes it a rental/ streaming device... Apple tv 3 could turn your tv into an iPad!!! with iOS safari, mail, etc. Those interactive kid's books would be fun, tooled for gestures on the Magic Trackpad.

I haven't hacked my atv, but I've heard there are apps that let you interface with your iPhone, etc. What if (without jail breaking) there were games that would use the iPhone to control games on your tv. Multipayer with personal info on iPhone. Yeah, just like ps3 and psp, but with 99c games of the month.

DLNA or whatever is needed to play files from a NAS instead of running iTunes on a running puter.

I, like previously mentioned by others, would love the ability to expand via USB. Tv tuner, HDD, webcam. USB Blu-ray drive support would be nice, but BD still isn't supported on full OSX, so keep dreaming for BD on atv.

FaceTime would only make sense with a hardwired external camera, but Apple would only allow it to be an apple cam. Best if it had built in hardware for compression, but if the iPhone can do it, the atv-a5 should be able to handle sd FaceTime. Or just plug in a Kinect! Voice command would be welcome with the webcam, "open Netflix", etc.

I agree that it should have analog audio out. (headphone plug) As mentioned, good for zone 2.

MULTIPLE HOME SHARING!!!!! And TEMPORARY SHARING!!!! FML entering in an apple id with that remote is a pain in the ass! (bt kb!) more important: most homes have more than one apple ID in it, and what if a friend comes over? (first Apple needs to create, then) Allow Quick Share, enter a 4 digit code: slideshow! Video! Music! (I'm happy even if it bans drm'd content, and allows personal photos and videos)
 
DurfDiggler said:
MULTIPLE HOME SHARING!!!!! And TEMPORARY SHARING!!!! FML entering in an apple id with that remote is a pain in the ass! (bt kb!) more important: most homes have more than one apple ID in it, and what if a friend comes over? (first Apple needs to create, then) Allow Quick Share, enter a 4 digit code: slideshow! Video! Music! (I'm happy even if it bans drm'd content, and allows personal photos and videos)
Click to expand...

Airplay covers this already.
 
Apple TV 3

cootersgarage6 said:
What are you expecting form the 3rd Generation Apple TV. Personally, I think they need to add some type of hard drive, because it's ridiculous that you have to have your computer on the same network, and you can't close the laptop if you are on one, so the remote starts screwing with the Mac and the Apple TB, and also iTunes must be on at the same time when on the Apple TV is on.. I think that they should add a hard drive back to it so that it could function some-what with this...
Another question is, why did the first Apple TV have a Intel Chip in it.? Lol

Also, what's this talk about the Apple TV app store?
Click to expand...


You arent thinking .... Dont you see why the "cloud" is so important. Adding a HD is BACKWARDS compatablitiy. No matter what size they add, its too small for most of us. The "cloud" is always on, and can mirror whatever we deem important, so all of our apps or music, movies, photos, docs, and games are available to us immediately.

The only bottleneck....and there is always a bottleneck somewhere.. is the true internet connection. If Apple mirrors my drives they will find over 1 TB of Springsteen live shows alone.

Being from the 70's, I am one of the people who dont understand why my kids
(AGES 27,24,17) love their music, dont dont give a damn how it sounds. They have no interest in my $400. Senheiser earbuds. They are perfectly happy with their $15.00 purple colored buds with animal patterns on them.
They couldnt care less about FLAC vs. Mp3. :(

just a thought

Mike S
New Jersey shore
 
AirPlay vs Home Sharing

KeithJenner said:
Airplay covers this already.
Click to expand...

Airplay works for iPhone and iTunes, but what about iPhoto? Is that built in with iPhoto 09? I only have 08 or whatever is second to latest.

And again, atv only allows one Home Sharing account at a time.
 
Dimwhit said:
I don't think we'll see a hardware update to the ATV anytime soon. Just software. It's a streaming device, and I suspect Apple will keep it that way, so there just isn't much that needs to be added.
Click to expand...

The AppleTV 3 will have the Apple A5 chip in it this fall and probably 16 GB of flash storage or more...for the same $99 price...

The Apple TV app store will be announce by end of year...maybe in June...
 
DurfDiggler said:
The obvious:
A5/6
1080p
App store

More specific:
Just enough interal storage for apps. 8gb is plenty for the apps you actually use. I'm most interested in EyeTV (with live or no transcoding). NullRiver MediaLink works okay on PS3, but bad interface (only alpha list of recorded files, no live)

HDMI-CEC, (AnyNet, HDMI control, etc.) Power tv on with atv power, and atv power on when input selected. And the little atv remote is cute and all, but my tv remote is more ergonomic and it has volume control.

BLUETOOTH!!!!! I'm surprised no one has mentioned this! Make that stupid little remote bt, (now hard to aim but could be perfect for your pocket (dj from anywhere). Imagine the possibilities with a bt keyboard and mouse or magic Trackpad!!! Apple tv 1 made your tv and iPod with video, Apple tv 2 makes it a rental/ streaming device... Apple tv 3 could turn your tv into an iPad!!! with iOS safari, mail, etc. Those interactive kid's books would be fun, tooled for gestures on the Magic Trackpad.

I haven't hacked my atv, but I've heard there are apps that let you interface with your iPhone, etc. What if (without jail breaking) there were games that would use the iPhone to control games on your tv. Multipayer with personal info on iPhone. Yeah, just like ps3 and psp, but with 99c games of the month.

DLNA or whatever is needed to play files from a NAS instead of running iTunes on a running puter.

I, like previously mentioned by others, would love the ability to expand via USB. Tv tuner, HDD, webcam. USB Blu-ray drive support would be nice, but BD still isn't supported on full OSX, so keep dreaming for BD on atv.

FaceTime would only make sense with a hardwired external camera, but Apple would only allow it to be an apple cam. Best if it had built in hardware for compression, but if the iPhone can do it, the atv-a5 should be able to handle sd FaceTime. Or just plug in a Kinect! Voice command would be welcome with the webcam, "open Netflix", etc.

I agree that it should have analog audio out. (headphone plug) As mentioned, good for zone 2.

MULTIPLE HOME SHARING!!!!! And TEMPORARY SHARING!!!! FML entering in an apple id with that remote is a pain in the ass! (bt kb!) more important: most homes have more than one apple ID in it, and what if a friend comes over? (first Apple needs to create, then) Allow Quick Share, enter a 4 digit code: slideshow! Video! Music! (I'm happy even if it bans drm'd content, and allows personal photos and videos)
Click to expand...

Voice command is coming in IOS5...Apple TV 3 will have it.
 
DurfDiggler said:
Airplay works for iPhone and iTunes, but what about iPhoto? Is that built in with iPhoto 09? I only have 08 or whatever is second to latest.

And again, atv only allows one Home Sharing account at a time.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure for the need for multiple home sharing, as everyone in a household can use the same account for home sharing, even if they have their own iTunes account. I suppose that this could be an issue if people wouldn't want their iTunes account password to be known by others, but in that case a separate iTunes account could be set up just for home sharing.

I don't think that Airplay works with iPhoto, but it does with the photo Apps within iOS devices. I haven't done anything with photos on my Apple TV, other than set up a photo screensaver, but aren't slideshows done via home sharing as well. If you have everyone sharing using the same account then wouldn't it work like that?

Personally, I don't think that the Apple TV needs much more functionality with regards to streaming of media from various sources (either with home sharing or Airplay). The problems seems to be more lack of understanding by users than lack of functionality. Simplification of how it works would be better than added features in my opinion.
 
NHL Center Ice and NFL streaming services would be nice. I'd also really like Sirius/XM and Pandora support w/out hacking.
 
My hopes (all of which should be easily doable - just depends on Apple's vision of the roadmap/future for the device):

- A5 (obviously, may give it a bit of a performance boost)
- 1080p output (even if the iTunes content is only 720p, this prevents quality degradation from double-scaling, where SD content and menus get upscaled to 720p on the device, and then re-scaled by the TV which is likely at 1080p natively - for Pete's sake, even the iPad outputs 1080p)
- App Store (could be seriously game changing with the right initial showcase apps, even if Apple develops them internally)
- cloud storage of iTunes catalog/library (I'm not even concerned about cloud storage of the content, although in some cases it may be handy - I just want to be able to run an Apple TV without having my computer running 24/7, the content can live on a network shared drive, an obvious Time Capsule cross-sell opportunity)
- FaceTime integration via AirPlay and/or USB camera/mic would be a cool bonus
 
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