ATV2 and IOS 4.2

[celo48]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_0_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Mobile/8A306)

I was never interested in Apple TV until I found out Plex can be installed after a jailbreak. Since I will be going back and forth to the States, this is a huge plus for me. I know the OS is same/similar to Iphone's but I do not know if the coming 4.2 ios upgrade applies to ATV2. If so, I am sure there will be some wait until jailbreaking the new software. 

So, the question is should I rush and buy the ATV2 or the 4.2 won't affect it?

Thanks!

 

[gcmexico]

just hacked Apple TV 2 and installed Plex...it's awesome, I never thought I would see the day, that my plex movie files would play through an Apple TV...I will never update the software for the my new Apple TV 2...only after the jailbreak comes out for it...Apple TV 2 and Plex WELL WORTH IT!!

 

[celo48]

gcmexico,

Thanks for the reply.

Actually, I read it more about the Plex tonight. It seems like you MUST run a server (say your Mac) to be able to run Plex on Apple TV, correct?

I do not like that I do not want to run another computer to be able to use Plex.

Are you also able to watch TV shows, etc. on Plex on your Apple TV or just the movies/video files on your Mac?

Thanks!

 

[chapindad]

gcmexico,

Thanks for the reply.

Actually, I read it more about the Plex tonight. It seems like you MUST run a server (say your Mac) to be able to run Plex on Apple TV, correct?

I do not like that I do not want to run another computer to be able to use Plex.

Are you also able to watch TV shows, etc. on Plex on your Apple TV or just the movies/video files on your Mac?

Thanks!

Plex has to be running all the time for it to work. Plex transcodes the different video formats to one that appletv can use. The Plex media server runs in the background on the Mac so you can do other things on the Mac. It just needs to on. But then to can stream to all your iOS devices.

 

[celo48]

Plex has to be running all the time for it to work. Plex transcodes the different video formats to one that appletv can use. The Plex media server runs in the background on the Mac so you can do other things on the Mac. It just needs to on. But then to can stream to all your iOS devices.

Still though, you have to be running a computer to be able to watch Plex on Apple TV. If they at least made it where an external HD is connected and watch it, then it would be different. Also as far as I understand, you CANNOT use Video Plug-ins like you use Plex on your Mac, such as Hulu, etc.

I thought about getting ATV1 and run Mac OSx but I read that it is not that good with few problems because of old hardware in the first gen ATV. I would still get the ATV1 and use XBMC but there is no Hulu either on XBMC or Boxee. Plex has it all (at least for now).

Search continues but I just do not want to cash out $700 for a Mac Mini to be able to do what I want.

 

[wodeh]

There must be an AppleTV update coming soon- as AirPlay Video seems to be MIA from the iPad 4.2 - Existing Apple TV combo. Audio works as expected, though.

I don't mind leaving my iMac on, it gets left on 24/7 anyway, to serve content to the Apple TV. But for many others out there, the sooner the likes of Buffalo can produce a new or updated LinkStation with iTunes fakination and support for the AppleTV 2... the better!

There's probably never going to be the capacity to connect an external hard drive directly to the AppleTV. But network hard drives will certainly be on the table. The connect-an-external-hard-drive idea breaks down hopelessly as soon as you have more than one ATV, anyway. Keeping hundreds of gigs of content in sync is not fun.

 

[drewc1138]

gcmexico,

Thanks for the reply.

Actually, I read it more about the Plex tonight. It seems like you MUST run a server (say your Mac) to be able to run Plex on Apple TV, correct?

I do not like that I do not want to run another computer to be able to use Plex.

Are you also able to watch TV shows, etc. on Plex on your Apple TV or just the movies/video files on your Mac?

Thanks!

Well, with the new Apple TV, you MUST run your Mac to be able to stream content anyway.

 

[celo48]

This is what I want:

Be able to watch Hulu, Netflix and listen to Pandora. It looks like only Plex has the Hulu for now. XBMC and Boxee had to remove it. However, who knows when will Plex stop Hulu too.

Three kinda solid options for this without running any extra computer at all:
1- Roku XD|S - Hulu Plus ($10 a month), Netflix, Pandora, can attach a USB drive but cannot handle all sorts of files.
2- Mac Mini with Plex can do all too but still in the air for future use of Hulu, can attach a USB drive. Can handle all sorts of files.
3- Apple TV 1st Gen but same problem. No Plex for it. Only XBMC and/or Boxee, can attach USB drive. Can handle all sorts of files.

I think my search makes me lean towards to Roku the most.

Roku can also do 1080p which others cannot. Only XMBC installed machine can do with a trick I think.

Roku $99
Mac Mini $700
Apple TV1 used $75

Anybody wants to convince me otherwise? Please try to do because I am not 100% convinced myself about buying the Roku because of the $10 monthly Hulu fee and not be able read all sort of files but this may be possible later...

 

[pirateRACE]

If you want Hulu, Roku is probably the best option. I don't need it, but i do miss Pandora from my Roku I sold. Hopefully 4.2 will be out soon and i'll be able to enjoy Pandora and other stuff (hulu+) via AirPlay.