Apple TV, what is it good for? Need help in deciding

[lisamel]

Hi!
My dad started asking me about the Apple TV and I dont really know what it does.
Some people say its similar to the Windows Media PC? Is it possible to record live TV etc?
Or is it only possible to rent movies from iTunes?
Would be very nice if someone could explain to what it actually does

Many thanks
Lisa

 

[RumMunkey]

Here.

 

[OlBlueHair]

In a nutshell it is an iPod for your TV.

That is to say, every song, tv show, movie or video on the hard drive of your computer can be streamed to the TV so long as the computer is on running iTunes.

You can also put as many of those files that will fit on the atv and turn the computer off and watch anytime you want.

Finally, you can rent and purchase movies on the atv.

Bottom line - if it's on your computer it's on tv.

 

[MikieMikie]

OlBlueHair failed to mention all of your photos as well as home movies, too.

 

[mchalebk]

If you have a lot of media on your computer in iTunes, AppleTV is great for getting it to your home theater system. I've been using my computer as a music server for years. Now with my 160GB AppleTV, my computer doesn't have to be on to listen to music. As a bonus, my digital photos from iPhoto are used as a screensaver. My wife can watch her horse show videos without swapping out DVDs, too.

Now, with the addition of iTunes movie rentals, the AppleTV probably has more appeal for the average person. I suspect, however, that it'll be a couple of years before things really get worked out to the point where you won't want to rent DVDs (it's certainly going to be a while before I dump my NetFlix subscription).

 

[/"\/oo\/"\]

OlBlueHair failed to mention all of your photos as well as home movies, too.

also failed to mention that the videos have to be in a fairly specific format to play on the tv (without hacking, of course)

 

[nlivo]

Apple TV, what is it good for?

Absolutely nothin'!!!!!

I couldn't help myself, nah, I love my appletv.

 

[kbunch]

Now, with the addition of iTunes movie rentals, the AppleTV probably has more appeal for the average person. I suspect, however, that it'll be a couple of years before things really get worked out to the point where you won't want to rent DVDs (it's certainly going to be a while before I dump my NetFlix subscription).

I originally purchased it for JUST this purpose, renting movies via ATV. Since the rentals have gone live neither my wife or I have had the desire to go to the video store. Why when we can look at and pick a movie wtithin 5 minutes and start watching it. Also no return trip to the damn movie store to return the movies and the late fees.

ATV cannot be used as a DVR, but the point of the ATV is to get away from content being given to you by the cable company. After March Madness is over I plan on canceling my cable because I get everything I want to watch from iTunes. You can also get really great HD video podcasts on the ATV as well. I also love the ability to use my ATV as a remote speaker. In iTunes you can tell it to play the music through the ATV instead of your computer.

 

[OlBlueHair]

also failed to mention that the videos have to be in a fairly specific format to play on the tv (without hacking, of course)

For which there are very simple free programs that enable you to encode the video to the correct format with one or two clicks.

 

[lisamel]

But it wont record live TV?
I live in Norway, so I dont know if I will be able to rent any movies off iTunes? I opened the US store and there was a small selection, but I have a feeling you have more if you actually are in the US?

 

[MattG]

But it wont record live TV?
I live in Norway, so I dont know if I will be able to rent any movies off iTunes? I opened the US store and there was a small selection, but I have a feeling you have more if you actually are in the US?

Nope...Unfortunately Apple has not implemented TV recording functionality.

 

[northy124]

For Legally Renting HD Movies Otherwise Get A Mac Mini And Download Some MKV's (HD Video) From Anywhere Online. (Norway Can Legally Download Copyrighted Stuff Via Newsgroups Or Forums Or Is That Holland)