Basic Apple TV & TV Compatibility Question

[reykjavik]

I have an old TV with composite only inputs and just got an Apple TV as a gift. So I figured its worth it for me to upgrade TV's. Someone I know is willing to sell me this tv: http://reviews.cnet.com/direct-view-tvs-crt/samsung-tx-s2783-27/4507-6481_7-31894364.html?tag=specs

Can someone assure me that the Apple TV will work with this CRT TV? On one hand its a 480p, which is the minimum requirement, but its also not a widescreen or HD tv, which Apple says is a requirement. I'm getting a good deal on it, but even at a good deal, its useless if I can't use the Apple TV on it.

Any thoughts?

 

[jeffmorr]

you dont need a widescreen display, it's just better because apple made it to run on widescreen, but you definetly need an HD TV or a tv with a Component connector / a HDMI input

 

[reykjavik]

you dont need a widescreen display, it's just better because apple made it to run on widescreen, but you definetly need an HD TV or a tv with a Component connector / a HDMI input

huh? what if the TV has component input and is 480p but isn't hdtv?

 

[Galley]

It should work.

 

[jeffmorr]

than it will work

 

[gadabout]

if the tv can run in a widescreen mode, then it will work ok. if not, the picture will be stretched/squished looking

 

[reykjavik]

if the tv can run in a widescreen mode, then it will work ok. if not, the picture will be stretched/squished looking

Under the specs it states:
VIDEO FEATURES
16:9 Mode Yes

Is that what you are referring to as widescreen mode?

 

[aross99]

There are a number of standard definition TV's that have Component video inputs. These were originally used for DVD players. When a wide screen signal is delivered on the component video inputs, you will USUALLY get a wide screen image that is letter-boxed on your screen - with black bars on the top and bottom of the screen.

If you set the Apple TV to 480i or 480P, you are telling it that you DONT have a wide screen TV, and it will format the image accordingly.

Since your TV has component video inputs, it should work.

Just don't spent to much money on a non-HD TV. You could get a new 32" Wide screen TV for $700 or less, and you would be in much better shape. 26" for $500 or less.

I understand no everyone has $700 to spend on a TV, just compare what you have to pay for that TV against what you could get for the same price (or a little bit more)...

I wouldn't spend much more than $100 for a TV like that, but that's just me...

 

[reykjavik]

There are a number of standard definition TV's that have Component video inputs. These were originally used for DVD players. When a wide screen signal is delivered on the component video inputs, you will USUALLY get a wide screen image that is letter-boxed on your screen - with black bars on the top and bottom of the screen.

If you set the Apple TV to 480i or 480P, you are telling it that you DONT have a wide screen TV, and it will format the image accordingly.

Since your TV has component video inputs, it should work.

Just don't spent to much money on a non-HD TV. You could get a new 32" Wide screen TV for $700 or less, and you would be in much better shape. 26" for $500 or less.

I understand no everyone has $700 to spend on a TV, just compare what you have to pay for that TV against what you could get for the same price (or a little bit more)...

I wouldn't spend much more than $100 for a TV like that, but that's just me...

Exactly, he's charging me $120. I think thats fair, and I'm really not into TV, I just like all the stupid comedies and movies I've ripped onto my comp and want to watch on my TV. Prior to getting the Apple TV I was using my ipod which was fine to watch on TV, but since I got the Apple TV, I might as well upgrade a bit. I just really want to hold off as much as possible until OLEDs come down in price.

 

[aross99]

Sounds reasonable to me. It should work fine for you then...

 

[reykjavik]

Sounds reasonable to me. It should work fine for you then...

Great, thanks guys!

 

[sandman42]

If you set the Apple TV to 480i or 480P, you are telling it that you DONT have a wide screen TV, and it will format the image accordingly.

This is not quite true. If you set the resolution to 480x you're telling the TV you don't have an HD TV, but the TV will still assume your TV is widescreen. Apple makes it pretty clear on all the spec pages for the TV that it's intended to be used with widescreen TVs only, though they don't say that the TV has to be HD capable. There are widescreen TVs that are Enhanced Definition (480p), and not High-Definition, and the TV is designed to work with them. The TV will not format the output for 4:3 (non-widescreen) TVs no matter what resolution you specify. You can connect the TV to any TV that has component inputs though, and for non-widescreen TVs that have a widescreen mode there shouldn't be a problem (and if they don't have a widescreen mode the image will just be distorted, but visible).

 

[aross99]

Thanks for the correction...

Wouldn't these TV's have the same issue with DVD players that produce a wide screen image though?

I suppose that gets into that "wide-screen" setting on DVD players that must tell it to produce the anamorphic (?) wide screen image that is "squished" when viewed on a TV that can't stretch it back out to the appropriate aspect ratio...

I think what you are saying is that the Apple TV always output's a wide screen image, so if your 480i TV can't recognize this, it will "squish" the image into the 4x3 format of your TV...

 

[PaulMoore]

I tried this on a similar sized Sony 4:3 CRT set since it did have a 16:9 mode. But the Apple TV looked terrible, really poor quality- especially compared to the HD TV channels coming through my cable box. I sent the Apple TV back and figured I'd maybe try one again when I can upgrade to a widescreen HDTV. So... your TV might be different but see if you can try it before you buy both in case you're disappointed.