Apple TV Take 2 is now LIVE!

[srexy]

Can someone give a detailed post on how to add a radio feed into a playlist and then share that on the tv?

I've added several to a playlist and then checked the tv - the playlist is there but the message claims "there are no songs in this playlist" (or words to that effect)

I tried adding a single radio station to a playlist and got the same result.

I'm streaming my iTunes from a PC via an AEBS. Do I need to sync in order to get this to work?

Any help appreciated - I'm greatly looking forward to internet radio in my sitting room via the tv!

 

[macUser2007]

Eh, I returned my AppleTV a week ago.

Anyway, at $4 per rental, with an only 24hrs window, this thing is for suckers.

I know it's not Apple's fault, but the greedy studio bastards', but this model is not going anywhere.

Say NETFLIX. Real Blu-Ray and HDDVD rentals at home, 3 at a time, plus UNLIMITED Watch Now streaming, with an increasingly better selection and at increasingly better streaming quality. All for a monthly fee equivalent to the price of four 24hr rentals from Apple.

 

[matticus008]

#1 What the hell is going to happen to all the movie I already own am i suppose to dump them and buy new ones from the apple store

Well, you see, once an AppleTV enters your house, all your DVD players and/or hard drive ripped films magically stop working. They should probably advertise this feature more.

#2. NetFlix rental content

I think we're heading toward Netflix streaming rentals, but it's a complicated process to negotiate with all the other parties. Netflix is developing a box to do this--they'd be wise to approach Apple (or vice versa) about a plug-in like the YouTube and Flickr ones. It would only increase sales for both companies.

Bring movie out of the theatre quicker than DVD and put them on my AppleTV or skip the theatre all together

Dream on, my friend.

#6. I want to play games on it. – emulators would be nice
#7. USB should be able to be used for - keyboards, cameras, etc..
#8. I want to browse the internet, google maps or earth would be nice
#9. Basically i want to make this a product i want to use everyday instead of now and then.

Then buy a Mac mini. It's exactly what you're looking for PLUS a DVD player.

I do think that apple will eventually give these away, or almost. with a netflix subscription plan, and library, and a free unit, like DVR, this would take over.
I see it!

There's no such thing as free hardware. Either the subscription rates rise to cover the cost or you have to buy one outright. If it's built into the subscription, count on it being more expensive as a result--and on continuing to pay that inflated rate long after the box is paid for.

When people talk about Apple giving away something like the AppleTV so they can sell the content they're forgetting one thing: Apple makes very little money on the content. The content is how apple sells the hardware, not the other way around.

Exactly. Motorola doesn't give away its cable boxes, either. People don't seem to realize that their "free" DVR box actually costs them about $250 a year--and they're $400 devices. Those "free" boxes are a huge cash cow.

 

[srexy]

Then buy a Mac mini. It's exactly what you're looking for PLUS a DVD player.

OT but...

Hahaha - I was this close to buying a MacMini at Xmas but held off until the keynote speech. I'm glad I did because there was no upgrade to the Mini and then Take2 was announced.

The way I look at it - regardless of the faff ripping and encoding for an tv, the $ difference - which would be anywhere from $350-$550 depending on model + the extra keyboard/mouse necessary - would buy a hell of a lot of DVD's/HD's or rentals.

I bought a refurb 40gb tv and am using some of the savings to upgrade an old PC to be a large Raid5 Media Server.

The tv satisfies all of my wants for my Living Room/HT - photos/music/movies, the rest is gravy. Admittedly it'll take some effort on my part to make it all work seamlessly but for a $200 cost of entry - I'll just suck it up.

 

[mwp98223]

I know us Apple product users have a ton of loyal programmers out there looking for an opportunity to make a name for themselves. Here is an opportunity. Apple is losing its vision. I want to begin of list of hacks that we as AppleTV owners would like create in order to make the AppleTV what it needs to be to gain real world exposure.

#1 What the hell is going to happen to all the movie I already own am i suppose to dump them and buy new ones from the apple store - to that i say, FU Apple.

- We need to be able to manage our current content
- Include PG-13 - R system so we can tie the parental feature in with our current content.
- Current content needs to be categories so UI doesn't load 300 MPG4 in one instance

#2. NetFlix rental content - It would be freaking awesome if i could connect my Netflix subscription to watch movies on AppleTV or apple needs to come up with a similar solution.

#3. Bring movie out of the theatre quicker than DVD and put them on my AppleTV or skip the theatre all together

#4. when are going to allow people to freely write code for IPhone, AppleTV and etc.

#5. Takes to long to connect to my shared Apple Library

#6. I want to play games on it. – emulators would be nice

#7. USB should be able to be used for - keyboards, cameras, etc..

#8. I want to browse the internet, google maps or earth would be nice

#9. Basically i want to make this a product i want to use everyday instead of now and then.

If you are out there listen apple we are talking are you listening?
Don't be another Microsoft or Vista failure.

Perhaps a macmini would work for you instead.

 

[matticus008]

The tv satisfies all of my wants for my Living Room/HT - photos/music/movies, the rest is gravy. Admittedly it'll take some effort on my part to make it all work seamlessly but for a $200 cost of entry - I'll just suck it up.

As well it should. As I've previously said, an AppleTV costs less than the remote control in many "high end" setups--including my own. I love my AppleTV--frankly, I bought it for music only, since it was the best and just about the cheapest solution for replacing a CD changer. An iPod and an output cable just doesn't cut it. It was worth it for that alone.

I don't really understand people that want the AppleTV to be full-blown computer, or to singlehandedly replace everything in their living room (again, something that a full-featured computer would be better suited to do). There's already a product that does that. A Blu-ray player, which does nothing more than play BD discs, is $450+. An HDTV DVR cable box to buy outright is $500+ (look at HD Tivo prices, which are even higher). Add another $500 for massive storage and general purpose computing features. As for digital delivery of 1080p, Blu-ray quality files, there's nothing in the world that even comes close--buy a Blu-ray player! A $229 box is not going to replace $1300-1500+ of equipment, and more importantly, I don't know any owners of high-end systems who would want it to.

 

[srexy]

As well it should. As I've previously said, an AppleTV costs less than the remote control in many "high end" setups--including my own. I love my AppleTV--frankly, I bought it for music only, since it was the best and just about the cheapest solution for replacing a CD changer. An iPod and an output cable just doesn't cut it. It was worth it for that alone.

I don't really understand people that want the AppleTV to be full-blown computer, or to singlehandedly replace everything in their living room (again, something that a full-featured computer would be better suited to do). There's already a product that does that. A Blu-ray player, which does nothing more than play BD discs, is $450+. An HDTV DVR cable box to buy outright is $500+ (look at HD Tivo prices, which are even higher). Add another $500 for massive storage and general purpose computing features. As for digital delivery of 1080p, Blu-ray quality files, there's nothing in the world that even comes close--buy a Blu-ray player! A $229 box is not going to replace $1300-1500+ of equipment, and more importantly, I don't know any owners of high-end systems who would want it to.

I think the other "tipping point" for me was hooking up my MBP to my 50" plasma panel. Much as I thought web browsing would be cool - it just plain sucked.

The Mac Mini's specs aren't any better currently so the chance of it performing better didn't seem worth the gamble.

 

[aperez]

messed up 5.1 sound

I was wondering if anyone has had the same problem I had. I rented Super Bad in HD. My receiver indicated I was getting 5.1 DD but the channels were all messed up. The "center" channel was actually my left surround and my "left and right" channels were used as surround info. My right surround wasn't working at all. anyone encountered this?

 

[matticus008]

I think the other "tipping point" for me was hooking up my MBP to my 50" plasma panel. Much as I thought web browsing would be cool - it just plain sucked.

Be sure to use the PC input on the TV (on my Samsung, it is markedly better than an HDMI input) and to choose an appropriate resolution. I assume that a 50" plasma is 720p, so you'd want to set it to 1280x720.

That said, it's not a question of specs, but you're right that an HDTV makes a generally poor computer monitor, especially for web browsing.

 

[harpoon]

I've been on the fence with buying a Mini or aTV, the dealbreaker for me isn't the usual codec stuff but the fact that I have to have a computer sitting there running iTunes for it to really get my library (40 or 160GB won't do the trick, I have a pile of stuff).

If the aTV could plug in an external drive I'd be sold, and I'm not looking forward to mucking about with screen size with apps on a Mini but I think that's my ticket now.

aTV 1.1 can take a USB drive, but according to the wiki you have to do some kung-fu to reenable it when you reboot so that's not an option.

Too bad, but I bet by June or so that Apple will have some of these concerns (along with music video playlists let alone playlists that shuffle!, proper access to one's own content in the 'my movies' section) sorted.

 

[ActionJax]

Can someone give a detailed post on how to add a radio feed into a playlist and then share that on the tv?

I've added several to a playlist and then checked the tv - the playlist is there but the message claims "there are no songs in this playlist" (or words to that effect)

I'm not using AirTunes, and what you did above should work as long as you force the TV to sync using iTunes. I was having the same problem you described, but clicking "Sync" in iTunes fixed it. It's almost as if the radio station playlist didn't sync correctly when iTunes automatically synced (sunc? ) the TV.

Adding internet radio stations to playlists is not the most elegant solution, but I'm thrilled that Apple enabled internet radio streams on TV.

 

[NYCAVS]

Advice please!!!!

I'm considering going down to the NYC/5th Avenue Apple Store (? today vs weekend) and picking up the apple TV (hopefully w/ Take 2 already loaded). My debate is between that and the mac mini (which I wouldn't actually buy now and would wait for an update--- hopefully soon!). As I see is... the apple TV is cheaper and gets me the ability to rent HD movies (although 720p for now...) but doesn't really allow one to easily play lots of own's own video content. The mac mini is more expensive, obviously more versatile given its a full fledged computer, and gives the ability to play most of one's own video content.

A few specific questions... do people think that the restriction of HD rentals to apple TV will persist (possibly for licensing reasons) or might it be temporary (perhaps to give apple TV sales a boost?)?

Do people think the apple TV and frontrow interfaces will remain separate or will they one day merge?

Does one option have more ability to use content (video, music, pictures, etc) from a variety of computers around the house versus the other?

My main setup is a Pioneer Elite 50 (1080p) plus 5:1 surround. I have a 7/07 MBP running 10.5.2 I will likely be buying a timecapsule to use as a wireless n router (currently have Linksys G) and to use as backup... currently using Lacie 500. I am thinking of eventually buying a MacPro. I want to control the apple TV (or mac mini if that is the choice and if it is possible) with a Harmony 1000 remote. I have a HD video camera that can record 1080i. Have no idea what format it saves it in but do want to have access to view these videos obviously. Also, if using the mac mini... anyone with experience using DVI to HDMI with separate optical out sound?

Thanks for any advice.... would especially appreciate whatever imlucid can share on this...

 

[FreeState]

do people think that the restriction of HD rentals to apple TV will persist (possibly for licensing reasons) or might it be temporary (perhaps to give apple TV sales a boost?)?

Doubt it - I believe it is the studios making this work the way it is - thats why you don't see HD for sale as well. That may change in the future, but I doubt the HD files will ever be playable on anything but AppleTV (just my hunch).

Do people think the apple TV and frontrow interfaces will remain separate or will they one day merge?

I think they will remain seperate - Front Row is for content on your machine - while AppleTV has become more rental oriented - I don't see that changing - all the rental stuff is already in iTunes, don't see why they would spread it out. If it is changed I don't see that happening until 10.6 IMO.

Does one option have more ability to use content (video, music, pictures, etc) from a variety of computers around the house versus the other?

As long as you have your content on the same network it should be accessible one way or another, AppleTV however makes it easy to get to anything in an iTunes library, less experienced computer users may have a problem learning were it all is with the Mac Mini (for files that are not playable in iTunes).

My main setup is a Pioneer Elite 50 (1080p) plus 5:1 surround. I have a 7/07 MBP running 10.5.2 I will likely be buying a timecapsule to use as a wireless n router (currently have Linksys G) and to use as backup... currently using Lacie 500. I am thinking of eventually buying a MacPro. I want to control the apple TV (or mac mini if that is the choice and if it is possible) with a Harmony 1000 remote. I have a HD video camera that can record 1080i. Have no idea what format it saves it in but do want to have access to view these videos obviously. Also, if using the mac mini... anyone with experience using DVI to HDMI with separate optical out sound

All of those are doable either way - with the cravat of the limit on 720p for the home movies. iMove will output a file for AppleTV from those - and if your going the AppleTV route I would suggest backing the original files up to future proof them.

 

[macaco]

streaming take 2 apple tv

this only works if synced if not the playlist containing the radio stations disappears

 

[MikieMikie]

... do people think that the restriction of HD rentals to apple TV will persist (possibly for licensing reasons) or might it be temporary (perhaps to give apple TV sales a boost?)?

If you can see it like this, it'll answer a lot of your questions:
1. Apple delivers content through their iTunes File Server. You feed it content in any way you like. Rip CDs. Rip and encode DVDs. Feed it photos, ringtones, iPod games -- and it distributes them for you. It maintains the relationship between media library and device.
2. Apple is hell-bent on creating and managing devices that hook up to this File Server. iPods. iPhones. iTV (renamed Apple TV due to naming conflicts). iCars (soon to come...)
3. Apple wants to sell devices that the iTunes File Server can feed. The more devices it sells, the better. In order to sell more devices, it needs to keep a large and steady stream of content feeding into the ITMS and, so, your iTunes server.

Do people think the apple TV and frontrow interfaces will remain separate or will they one day merge?

The must remain separate. If Apple blurs this line, they shoot themselves in the foot.

Does one option have more ability to use content (video, music, pictures, etc) from a variety of computers around the house versus the other?

Clearly, as a delivery device whose screen is your TV, the Apple TV is the solution. While a Mac Mini will enable you to see content in a wider variety of formats, it isn't really a satellite device in the same way an Apple TV is.

Apple TV = iPod
Mac Mini = iMac/MacPro

Big difference. You have to decide whether or not you're interested in having a satellite device designed to deliver content to your tv, or if you want a computer directly hooked up to your system. Not an easy decision for some.

 

[dwighteb]

I know us Apple product users have a ton of loyal programmers out there looking for an opportunity to make a name for themselves. Here is an opportunity. Apple is losing its vision. I want to begin of list of hacks that we as AppleTV owners would like create in order to make the AppleTV what it needs to be to gain real world exposure.

#1 What the hell is going to happen to all the movie I already own am i suppose to dump them and buy new ones from the apple store - to that i say, FU Apple.

- We need to be able to manage our current content
- Include PG-13 - R system so we can tie the parental feature in with our current content.
- Current content needs to be categories so UI doesn't load 300 MPG4 in one instance

#2. NetFlix rental content - It would be freaking awesome if i could connect my Netflix subscription to watch movies on AppleTV or apple needs to come up with a similar solution.

<SNIPPED ITEMS NOT PERTAINING TO APPLETV>

#6. I want to play games on it. – emulators would be nice

#7. USB should be able to be used for - keyboards, cameras, etc..

#8. I want to browse the internet, google maps or earth would be nice

#9. Basically i want to make this a product i want to use everyday instead of now and then.

As has been mentioned before, everything you're asking for here can be done, today, with a Mac Mini and a Windows XP/Vista License (Netflix downloads uses WMV11 DRM, doesn't work on Mac OS X to my knowledge) or a Media Center Edition PC. Shoot, drop the Netflix downloads request, and what you want can be done on a PS3 (and you can watch teh blurays from Netflix on the 1080p's!! =P) AppleTV isn't targeted for the above usage patterns - other products fulfill your needs already.

If you are out there listen apple we are talking are you listening?
Don't be another Microsoft or Vista failure.

Another Microsoft failure? You mean, like Media Center Edition PC? You know, it's been out since 2002, and it, well, really hasn't sold well. Look, I'm not saying that what you want is unreasonable, but - what you want just isn't marketable - most people don't want a full blown computer hooked up to their TV's. If they did, this MCE would have sold like gangbusters. As of last year, HP _dropped_ the MCE line - yes, that's right, the numero uno PC hardware seller dropped Microsoft's answer to DVR's/PVR's.

I will submit to you that Apple is trying to avoid a Vista class failure with the AppleTV - by not copying Microsoft's failure with MCE.

And to all the folks who want Netflix on the AppleTV - yeah, the whole WMV11 DRM may be a sticking point there. Apple hasn't in the past incorporated other online stores' DRM within their iPod line, and since AppleTV runs MacOS X (10.4.7?), I'm not hopeful on this feature, but hey - I'd love to be pleasantly surprised!

 

[dexsj]

Why HD rentals are limited to AppleTV

I think I can answer a couple questions people have had on this thread.

My home setup uses a DLP DVI projector with a resolution of 1024x768. In between the AppleTV and the projector I have an HDMI to DVI adapter and a DVIDetective (gefen.com) programmed to provide the EDID from a 15" Apple Studio Display. For some reason the projector reports it can project resolutions outside the range it's capable of; the DVIDetective fixes that issue. The AppleTV can work with DVI displays capable of displaying 640x480, 1024x768, and 1280x960 (all 4:3 resolutions).

Because my projector is DVI projector (not HDMI) it doesn't support HDCP. To test a theory, I rented an HD movie and tried to watch it. I suspected that the reason HD movies are only available for rent via AppleTV is because only AppleTV has the circuitry for HDCP. I was right:

So all of you screaming that you can't rent HD movies on your Macs or PCs, it's because iTunes will have to negotiate a HDCP connection with your HDCP-compatible display. Apple's currently shipping displays don't support HDCP nor are there any Macs capable of negotiating HDCP with a display.

The good news is that if you do rent an HD movie and your TV/display doesn't support HDCP, you can fall back to component input and still watch the movie without having to re-download anything.

Finally, if you're upset that your TV shows aren't listed in the order you want them to be, click the right or left button on your remote to change the sort order.

- Dex

 

[rogerm]

this only works if synced if not the playlist containing the radio stations disappears

Is it just me, or has this functionality disappeared with the iTunes 7.6.1 upgrade? Since I installed it, my playlist with radio stations on the Apple TV is empty.

 

[bommai]

Is it just me, or has this functionality disappeared with the iTunes 7.6.1 upgrade? Since I installed it, my playlist with radio stations on the Apple TV is empty.

That is true. That is so bad of Apple. I was about to sell off my SqueezeBox. But now, I will have to keep that for my internet radio. This sucks.

 

[zap2]

Wow...this is SO much nicer then it was when it launched last year!


I do miss how the TV shows were sorted now vs Take 1


But I can ignore that for the things I get in return

 

[rogerm]

That is true. That is so bad of Apple. I was about to sell off my SqueezeBox. But now, I will have to keep that for my internet radio. This sucks.

I actually think that this 'feature' was not planned. The fact that it worked must have been a surprise to Apple. Perhaps it was something that they we looking into for a future release, and then forgot to disable it before the release of Take 2. It felt far from complete, mostly because it only worked when iTunes was running on the computer from which the content was synced, i.e. in a 'stand-alone' configuration, the Apple TV was not able to play internet radio. In that respect, not much has changed, really. It is possible to stream internet radio via AirTunes. I do hope that Apple brings internet radio to the Apple TV in a more 'native' manner, i.e. a way that doesn't require a computer with iTunes running all the time.

 

[mhall]

I was wondering if anyone has had the same problem I had. I rented Super Bad in HD. My receiver indicated I was getting 5.1 DD but the channels were all messed up. The "center" channel was actually my left surround and my "left and right" channels were used as surround info. My right surround wasn't working at all. anyone encountered this?

I had the exact same problem! So far I have not been that impressed with the Take 2 exprience to be honest, I think I might email Apple & see what they have to say.
Glad it's not just me.