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Atv vs. Roku
- Thread starter Nychot
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Thanks for the great explaination. I would keep cable for my internet access, and do not know if my local cable company blocks any television signals. Further investigation required.
(Jailbroken ATV has this if you install the Amazon plugin on XBMC.)
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Got that you are not interested, but perhaps for others:
Amazon Prime and Hulu (both free Hulu AND Hulu +) are available on the ATV. All that is required is you jailbreak, install XBMC, and install the Bluecop repository. Instructions on how to do this are in the "How to enable Hulu on Apple TV" thread, here. There is very little risk, no monetary cost, and will probably take less than a half hour of your time.
I've seen several people mention that the only reason they have a Roku is for Hulu+ and Amazon Prime. So, if that is a reason that someone is considering buying a Roku in addition to an Apple TV, there is no need. Apple TV has that covered.
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Linked to devices like those from Elgato and you get an fairly easy ability to record high quality video, have the Elgato software save it in an iTunes/TV file type and even drop it into iTunes for you. See: http://www.elgato.com/elgato/int/mainmenu/products/software/EyeTV-3/product1.en.html It can be a DVR like experience.
ClearQAM still requires a cable connection and often at least some subscription to cable. Some have found that ClearQAM is available even with no subscription to local cable. And some have found that ClearQAM is available with a broadband-only subscription to cable. You'll have to do a little checking in your local market to see if you can fully jettison cable and still get ClearQAM. If not, you might also look into an OTA antenna if you are mostly interested in free local (network) channel HD.
This is exactly what I do. Broadband through Time Warner Cable (I'm in the Los Angeles area). I don't pay them for cable TV, but I get Clear QAM for free, which gives me all the broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS) plus Discovery in HD. I also get some other channels like AMC in SD. I also get good OTA reception, so I could use that as well, but I wouldn't get discovery or AMC over OTA, so I use clear QAM. If I ever want to change ISP's, though, I'd just use OTA.
I use an HD Homerun dual-tuner device to send this signal to my MacBook Pro, which runs EyeTV software. EyeTV software is the "DVR": I use it to schedule the recordings using the same type of TV guide setup you see on a regular DVR, only I can easily type a show name in a search box and click "record all shows". The HD Homerun and EyeTV software are available as a combo package from Elgato for $180. May seem a tad expensive, but weigh that against the monthly cost you are paying for cable/dvr rental and you'll see that it won't be long before the devices have paid for themselves.
After recording, EyeTV exports the show to iTunes so that my Apple TV can see it. Now that recording, sitting on my mac, is available to both the Apple TVs I have in my house (one in living room, one in bedroom). So Apple TV is our new DVR.
Yes, but there's a vast ocean of difference between you saying "You can only get iTunes DRM content on the Apple TV" vs. "iTunes DRM content can only be played on the Apple TV" which is what I believe you meant.
Hence my response. There are people who actually believe that the only thing you can use an Apple TV for is playing iTunes DRM content. I don't wish to let them remain in ignorance.
A.
I really appreciate you making that detailed tutorial on jail breaking, but I think that you can't dismiss the "experience" part of it.
There is a huge benefit to a jailbroken AppleTV Hulu in that it goes around all the "computer only" stuff, but in terms of usability and experience I much prefer that ugly Roku.
I guess the real answer to the Roku vs AppleTV debate is simple. Apple needs to offer Video Apps on aTV.
What is the debate?
If it is really that hard for you to jailbreak and load xbmc + plugins, then buy one that is already set up for you and ask them to put Hulu and Amazon in favorites, and the rest is as simple as scroll and select.
If it is still too confusing for you, then I guess...umm...ask your kid to do it for you.
The roku has was better content. HBO Go, Amazon Video, Crackle and more. ATV had AirPlay that only works on select Apps
As long as you are not trying to play DRM videos from iTunes, there should be no trouble. I've have over 160 films and 700+ TV episodes all ripped from my physical DVD's. I rip them as a MKV and then convert using Handbrake to .m4v so I can use them on my iPad, ATV2 and my Roku. Not had a problem with them on the Roku yet (using Plex on the Roku)
No DRM is involved. As I said before, these are standard .mp4 H.264/aac. The Roku box won't play anything with AC3 audio tracks. It struggles to play any 1080p mp4. I have over 1000 videos and probably 2000 tv episodes. Most will play but some cause Roku to crash for reasons I have not yet discovered. I like Roku, so please don't think I am trying to bash their products.
Just so you know, it is entirely unnecessary to re-encode mkv to mp4 if the mkv rip is already H.264/aac. Simply extract those data streams to a mp4 container.
If you're leaning toward the Roku, consider one of the Sony Internet Media streamers.
The SMP-N100 and the SMP-N200 have most of the same Roku features at the same price but they also have a USB port for plugging in an external hard drive.
I'd actually go for either the Sony BDP-BX18 or the BDP-S185 Blu-Ray players (they're the exact same model spec-wise).
Again, you get all the same Roku and USB features but with a nice entry-level Blu-Ray player thrown in as well.
At Costco, this is even cheaper than the comparable Roku.
The SMP-N100 and the SMP-N200 have most of the same Roku features at the same price but they also have a USB port for plugging in an external hard drive.
I'd actually go for either the Sony BDP-BX18 or the BDP-S185 Blu-Ray players (they're the exact same model spec-wise).
Again, you get all the same Roku and USB features but with a nice entry-level Blu-Ray player thrown in as well.
At Costco, this is even cheaper than the comparable Roku.
I know, just doing it to save space on the hard drives the media is on. Lose a little on the quality, but not enough to bother me.
Have you tried Plex on your Roku? If not, see if that will not correct your replay problems. http://www.plexapp.com/
Not disagreeing with you but just wanted to point out that Roku XS has a USB port.
Um xbmc Eden (in beta) has great Airplay and Airtunes functionality on the AppleTV. Just saying in case no one knows (yet).