Early thoughts on Apple TV

[Michael CM1]

Got one of these a little over a day ago. So far, it has pretty much met my expectations. I would say exceeded if not for the funky syncing with iTunes stuff. We have 2 computers, and it's hard for me to grasp how the relationship works between the 3.

The best part is the ability to watch all that junk sitting on a couple of My Books on a big HDTV. Everything looks pretty darn good on it so far (although I haven't tried some older 320x240 iPod rips). I'd say it's about 95% DVD quality. Everything seems to be streaming pretty well except for at a few points (HD trailers!), but that may be a network issue.

I'll move on to my complaints now:
1) No playlists! OK, If I want it to keep playing every episode of Seinfeld Season 3 until it's over (or heck, repeat it), I can't do that on Apple TV. BOOO. This thing should be able to do just about anything iTunes does. Speaking of which...

2) Add Bluetooth so we can use wireless keyboards! I hated setting the thing up using the remote. Unless your e-mail address is abc@aol.com, it takes forever to type stuff in. Luckily you don't have to do it often, but this option would be nice if you have a wireless apple keyboard. Perhaps some sort of iPod Touch/iPhone control could be worked on in the future.

3) Make working with iTunes easier. I usually get all the Apple stuff quickly, but I still can't figure out about 10 things relating to ATV and iTunes.

That's what I think so far. Haven't watched any rental movies on it yet (nah, just about 10 on a computer), but that will change soon. I think I'm gonna need one at every TV soon.

 

[OlBlueHair]

I don't understand what you mean by playlist? Are all your seinfeld episodes ripped and tagged as movies so they are sitting in the movie section alphabetically? Because if you tag your tv shows they show up in speparate categories in the tv section which is basically a playlist in order by season.

And using the remote to enter your email like one time...big deal. It'd be more work to walk into the other room, grab a keyboard and pair it to the atv in my opinion.

What can't you figure out (the ten things?) Let us know here and we can help you.

 

[pjac]

Having a keyboard would however be great for searching (e.g. iTMS, or YouTube). Plus the Apple Bluetooth keyboards have the standard media player keys so it should work out OK as a single point of control.

 

[DataThief]

I think hes talking about the lack of video playlists (that everybody has been complaining about since the first unit shipped). Its amazing that I can play my music from one song to another without touching the remote once the playlist is started, but I cant do that with all my music videos or tv shows. I like to have it on and playing music during parties, would also love to play the music videos. Maybe some day Apple will get it togeather.

 

[Michael CM1]

I don't understand what you mean by playlist? Are all your seinfeld episodes ripped and tagged as movies so they are sitting in the movie section alphabetically? Because if you tag your tv shows they show up in speparate categories in the tv section which is basically a playlist in order by season.

And using the remote to enter your email like one time...big deal. It'd be more work to walk into the other room, grab a keyboard and pair it to the atv in my opinion.

What can't you figure out (the ten things?) Let us know here and we can help you.

I've gotten the videos pretty much worked out. I figured out how to get them in order (by using the "Episode Number" in the file info). But the "playlist" issue still exists. There is no way to keep playing videos after one is over like you would want to a music album. This is borderline stupid if you have ever used a digital media player of any kind before. I have no idea why this SIMPLE feature isn't on the device. Of course some DVD manufacturers are still dumb enough to not include a "Play All" function, so I guess the same people are behind that wisdom.

The other stuff confusing me is setting up connections between Apple TV and computers. I think I have it now where the iMac stuff is what you get for "My Music" and "My Movies", etc. I just wish it was simpler than spending 20 minutes trying to pair a machine 2 rooms away. I'm basically spoiled at how well the iPod works, and I think Apple TV should basically be a big iPod with an Internet connection.

I still think a bluetooth keyboard would make some things a lot easier. However, I doubt this will be added since I think they're really trying to make it a living room device. But...that...doesn't...mean...the...setup...isn't...slow...as...poo!

 

[Michael CM1]

I think hes talking about the lack of video playlists (that everybody has been complaining about since the first unit shipped). Its amazing that I can play my music from one song to another without touching the remote once the playlist is started, but I cant do that with all my music videos or tv shows. I like to have it on and playing music during parties, would also love to play the music videos. Maybe some day Apple will get it togeather.

In honor of Ed McMahon's birthday, YES! YOU ARE CORRECT, SIR!