Considering an AppleTV -- HD questions

[CMD is me]

I'm thinking about getting an AppleTV primarily to watch our edited HDVs (also need to get a HD camcorder). Which is a better set up: larger 160gb model, a hard-wired external USB2 HD (which you could get a 250gb for about the same difference), or an external HD on an Airport network?

I have a 500gb FW800 but its used for my main computer. I'd LIKE to be able to move the AppleTV between 2 TVs but not a requirement.

Thanks.

 

[Donz0r]

Well if you want to hook up an external HD directly to your Apple TV you'll have to hack it.

I've found that having an external hooked up to the computer that's streaming to the Apple TV works very well. All of your files are located in one place. It'd also be very easy to move your Apple TV then. Streaming HD wirelessly works great, but fast forwarding/rewinding a streaming HD movie isn't as smooth.
You could just use your 500gb firewire 800 external to store your HD movies, as long as they're in an itunes recognizable format you can stream them to the Apple TV.

 

[CMD is me]

Well if you want to hook up an external HD directly to your Apple TV you'll have to hack it.

Oh. Then what is the USB2 port used for?

You could just use your 500gb firewire 800 external to store your HD movies, as long as they're in an itunes recognizable format you can stream them to the Apple TV.

Sounds like a simple plan.

No issues with stream large files across the house? The base station is on 1 end of the house and the TVs on the other (and down a floor).

 

[Donz0r]

Oh. Then what is the USB2 port used for?



Sounds like a simple plan.

No issues with stream large files across the house? The base station is on 1 end of the house and the TVs on the other (and down a floor).

I have the same setup, I watched Transformers in 720P HD, it's a 5.5GB .mov file, it takes a minute to start streaming, I'd suggest pausing the movie for a few minutes at the beginning, and then playing it.

You can also manage what is stored on the actual Apple TV from your iTunes, so if you want to be FF/RW a lot, you can pick a certain movie(s) or whatever in iTunes and have it sent to your Apple TV's HD.

The usb port doesn't have a purpose to the end-user, except hacking.

 

[flyingscott]

What I do...

I bought the smallest available at the time (40gb it think)... and store nothing on it, other than rented movies.

I highly recommend just using it to stream content from your main machine. That way you can just use iTunes to manage everything in one spot.

I use wireless (G no less) as well and have no issue streaming movies... the biggest lag is actually when it connects to my library after sitting for a few days.

I look at the Apple TV as just an "access point" of sorts to interface between my HDTV and Mac... but has the ability to rent as well.

It works out well for home movies shot in HD as well... in fact, I will probably hold off a long while before getting a BluRay burner because it works so well.

Ever since my Apple TV came around, my PS3 is collecting dust.

The TV is a no brainier at the price point in my mind... that is, if your are into multimedia and such.

 

[mchalebk]

Oh. Then what is the USB2 port used for?

For the consumer, nothing. supposedly it can be used for maintenance purposes. It is not known if Apple has any plans to make the port available for add-on storage or any other purpose.

As far as whether you should get the 40GB or the 160GB version, it depends on how you want to use it. I wanted my music, photos, some home videos and, eventually, some movies to be available without having to have my computer on, so I went with the 160GB version. If you don't mind leaving your computer on, the 40GB version will probably work for you.

 

[CMD is me]

I wanted my music, photos, some home videos and, eventually, some movies to be available without having to have my computer on, so I went with the 160GB version.

Pretty much how I plan to use it. Any idea how much space a 60 minute HD iMovie takes up?

My laptop is always on, but will ATV wake it up and does the lid need to be open?