Apple TV + iPad + Browser?

[xheathen]

Hi everyone,

Just curious if someone knows the answer to this - thus far I can't seem to get a 100% conclusion.

I'm in the midst of deciding if aTV is a good investment, or to get Boxee, or possibly just a media PC.

The main things I'm after are: netflix, browser support, streaming my itunes media (music, movies, etc).

I'm also realistically seeing if we can completely replace our cable. The very few shows we watch seem to be either on Hulu, Netflix or just on like ABC/NBC.com.

The essential questions!
Ok - so you can see what I'd like to do with it - but I can't seem to find out how versatile the aTV is in terms of browser support. Plus I have an iPad, and I'm seeing on the aTV official page on apple.com that it has a remote app via iphone, but it never mentions ipad.

Is there a browser in aTV? And can I tie it to my iPad and use the iPad to visit websites like Hulu or ABC.com and stream the shows I want? Or is it pretty much itunes + netflix only?

 

[mike457]

I believe it doesn't have a browser, unless you're using a patched first version ATV. The iPhone remote app works on the iPad, though it's a little fuzzy. The part about streaming from a website on the iPad to the new ATV is unclear, but I'd bet not. I haven't really seen a detailed explanation of what exactly you can stream.

 

[xheathen]

Man that's a real bummer...

I'll tell you I'm not a huge fan of Boxee's browser either to be honest. I almost feel like the best solution is a bookshelf system like a Zotac + logitech's wireless keyboard remote.

If aTV actually got a browser it would be THE home theater accessory imo.

 

[ovrlrd]

Meh, after using both the Opera browser on the Wii, and the web browser on the PS3 on my HDTV, I can tell you that web browsing on your TV is not at all fun. Even using a Mac Mini hooked up with a Magic Trackpad, it's just not very fun. The only useful purpose is to view flash video, but browsing the internet and reading off the screen is really not fun at all.

I think the AirPlay stuff is a step towards the right direction. If it works with embedded videos (YouTube and HTML5) then that will be more than perfect. You can be sitting there browsing the web on your iPad/iPhone, encounter a video and instantly start playing it on your HDTV.

The concept of having a web browser on your TV needs to die. I can't believe Google TV is going to have one, what a terrible idea.