Apple TV2 what do I do with it!

[T4LFR]

Got ATV2 as a gift for Xmas.

Other than renting films / streaming and mirroring my iPad/iPhone on the TV screen I can't work out anything else that it is of use for...

Would someone like to let me know if I am missing something before I eBay it. (ungrateful I know!)

 

[LostSoul80]

It's a media centre.
We'll see new apps with the next release hopefully, but I don't see other uses other than enjoying your movies and music with it.

 

[Brigrat]

Got ATV2 as a gift for Xmas.

Other than renting films / streaming and mirroring my iPad/iPhone on the TV screen I can't work out anything else that it is of use for...

Would someone like to let me know if I am missing something before I eBay it. (ungrateful I know!)

Renting movies and shows, buying movies and shows, listening to iCloud stored music, Streaming, Home Sharing from you Mac, plus airplay...that's about it...were you expecting it to sprout wings and transport you around the galaxy???

 

[Nychot]

To increase its capabilities simply jailbreak it and get more movies etc. but thats all it really does just like the roku and other media streamers. I have roku and bought a jailbroken new atv2 and will but the atv3 for another room. Mainly for netflix amazon prime etc

 

[paulrbeers]

I use mine for playing music off my itunes server, renting/downloading movies and/or tv shows (from my itunes server), netflix, and the big one: Airplay. I can share what's going on my iPad with anyone in the room. It's $99, what do you expect it to do?

 

[EmmEff]

If you don't know what to do with it, then eBay it... it's obvious you don't get the purpose of the device. No harm, no foul. It's just not for you.

 

[bbapps]

Hmmm, thought this thread was about what to do with old ATV2 when the ATV3 comes out... Thinking I'll jail-break it or brick it (e.g. one of the two).

 

[T4LFR]

I do actually understand what it is, was wanting to know if it did anything more than the tech that I have that already streams, shares, dloads movies etc. guess not...

Thx for the replies...

 

[Sedulous]

Got ATV2 as a gift for Xmas.

Other than renting films / streaming and mirroring my iPad/iPhone on the TV screen I can't work out anything else that it is of use for...

Would someone like to let me know if I am missing something before I eBay it. (ungrateful I know!)

As others have noted, the ATV2 is a media hub + Airplay. I think Airplay is a wonderful feature. The rest is basically a nice streamlined way to view media on a TV through a better than average interface.

 

[nfl46]

I use mines for tv shows, live sporting events, movies, mirroring, and FREE cable.

 

[triptolemus]

Atv2

I use mine to stream music from my Mac throughout the house. $99 is well worth this feature alone for me. Beats the hell out of running speaker wires or audio system cables all over the place. Having the same song streamed and synced up on three systems is nice.

 

[Devie]

I used mine all the damn time! Never rented anything from the Apple store though. Just with movies/tv shows I have. Put them into the Movies section of iTunes, format it very nicely, make all TV shows have their own playlist, use iPad/iPhone to control anywhere in the house.
Using it for music during a party was amazing, outside with the BBQ going, sick of this song, just whip out the old iPhone and change it.

The only stupid thing with it is no NAS support, which is driving me insane on how to best combat it, yes could JB but then I lose a lot of the features I like :/

 

[RonsMac]

Kinda feel like I'm in the same boat. Jailbroke my ATV2 but never got Hulu going. And my unit never goes to sleep now. I don't use iTunes on my computers so just using the ATV2 to get to the internet.
Seems like a lot of work to find things on the network sites that are longer than a few minutes. And are free. Have found a few video podcasts that are interesting.
Is there anyway to turn the menus from icons to a list that can be sorted in different ways? Like if I go to CBS I could see what shows are an hour or whatever. TIA.

 

[CocoaPuffs]

The only stupid thing with it is no NAS support, which is driving me insane on how to best combat it, yes could JB but then I lose a lot of the features I like :/

What features do you lose? Don't assume something without actually doing your research.

 

[KylePowers]

Going along with the OP in a sense, is there anything an Apple TV can do that having a 360, PS3, iMac (via HDMI), and iPhone (via Digital AV Adapter) can't do? I typically use my 360 for Netflix and my iMac for Hulu/CBS/iTunes/etc.

 

[Nukemkb]

No value to it just sitting around...use it or sell it!

 

[CocoaPuffs]

Going along with the OP in a sense, is there anything an Apple TV can do that having a 360, PS3, iMac (via HDMI), and iPhone (via Digital AV Adapter) can't do? I typically use my 360 for Netflix and my iMac for Hulu/CBS/iTunes/etc.

Of course not, but then again, most people don't have an iMac as entertainment center.

 

[JayInNJ]

I use mine to exclusively stream movies from my iTunes library (all rips from DVD collection) and stream Netflix. Have one in my son's room and the basement home gym. Well worth the $99. I also have a Roku in the playroom for just streaming Netflix. Got it many years ago, otherwise would have liked to have an Apple TV there too (since it is missing the iTunes streaming function).