TV take 2 = non-smokerC'mon "H""D" rentals ain't gonna safe that thing. The major flaw of it is that it's freaking tied to iTunes!
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Goodbye Apple TV, Playstation 3 rules!
- Thread starter petvas
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TV take 2 = non-smokerC'mon "H""D" rentals ain't gonna safe that thing. The major flaw of it is that it's freaking tied to iTunes!
I don't leave my TV on all the time when I listen to music. If I'm listening on shuffle then I just turn the TV off. Or if I'm listening to a long album, such as a Grateful Dead show, I'll turn the TV off. I do leave the TV on sometimes, but not all the time.
Regards,
Michael
The AppleTV is an airtunes device that shows up as a speaker output for any attached iTunes. I frequently use is it w/o the TV and stream audio through it from any machine in the house. In fact you could even still use remote buddy for this if you wanted. (you do have to keep one of your machines running for this to work)
For the record - I do agree with you that the hardware in the mini could make a great media center, but the UI isn't as 'remote friendly'. When OSXBMC is a bit more mature, I may give it a try.
1) i have both. comparing a dvd (regular) played on the ps3 vs ATV HD content, ATV wins, easily.
2) comparing blu ray to ATV is like comparing scuba diving to snorkeling. similar, but very different.
3) the UI for ATV is the big winner. the WAF (wife acceptance factor) is high with the ATV. getting her to use a game controller to play a dvd or blu ray, i always get a funny look. its just nice that anyone in the family can over and intuitively figure out how to play a movie on the ATV. when i want to push blu ray through the system with uncompressed PCM bitstream and 1080p content, i can easily do it to my hearts content. when others want to watch movies, i don't get technical support questions from my family on how to get things to play.
4) if you're streaming 1080p or copies of blu ray, my bet is that you'll end up spending more money and time on storage for your copies than you would if you bought the blu ray disks themselves. about 30GB per copy from my friends who use anydvdHD.
5) no streaming issue at my house at all. just let itunes run on the main computer and stream away from my NAS.
ATV wins, hands down. its meant for a certain purpose. if your expectations are higher (1080p, uncompressed audio), you need to purchase a different piece of hardware.
so, i agree with the OP. PS3 is capable of much better quality, audio and video. but UI, ease of use, its quality is better than regular DVD, its perfect for what it promises. comparing ps3 to atv is like comparing a ferrari to a lexus. ATV is beyond a fantastic daily driver.
2) comparing blu ray to ATV is like comparing scuba diving to snorkeling. similar, but very different.
3) the UI for ATV is the big winner. the WAF (wife acceptance factor) is high with the ATV. getting her to use a game controller to play a dvd or blu ray, i always get a funny look. its just nice that anyone in the family can over and intuitively figure out how to play a movie on the ATV. when i want to push blu ray through the system with uncompressed PCM bitstream and 1080p content, i can easily do it to my hearts content. when others want to watch movies, i don't get technical support questions from my family on how to get things to play.
4) if you're streaming 1080p or copies of blu ray, my bet is that you'll end up spending more money and time on storage for your copies than you would if you bought the blu ray disks themselves. about 30GB per copy from my friends who use anydvdHD.
5) no streaming issue at my house at all. just let itunes run on the main computer and stream away from my NAS.
ATV wins, hands down. its meant for a certain purpose. if your expectations are higher (1080p, uncompressed audio), you need to purchase a different piece of hardware.
so, i agree with the OP. PS3 is capable of much better quality, audio and video. but UI, ease of use, its quality is better than regular DVD, its perfect for what it promises. comparing ps3 to atv is like comparing a ferrari to a lexus. ATV is beyond a fantastic daily driver.
You can buy a remote for the PS3 that will allow you to control all of its functions. It is actually a very good remote, easily equal to the AppleTV remote.
The problem is that AppleTV is meant for a certain purpose, but is so limited outside the US that it cannot even achieve this purpose. You can only pay so much for a fancy UI, and I really don't think that it offers much more in terms of UI anyway. PS3 with Medialink can view previews of videos, album covers, photos etc.
I think at some point tv shows will be purchasable through the PS3 and maybe movies (although this would conflict with Sony's plan for Bluray succession to DVD).
OK. In your original post, you said you had an Apple TV since day 1, so you probably got the 40 GB one and your post says 160GB. So did you upgrade or just trying to justify your purchase with a lie?
PSP instead of Ipod video to
... on paper the PSP is better at video (other than storage capacity) than current gen Ipods, I have a gen 5 Ipod and a PSP and find that the PSP is very niggly over the mp4 settings and the interface is not in the same league as the Ipod.
So similar story, I prefer the ease of using the Apple products over Sony.
... on paper the PSP is better at video (other than storage capacity) than current gen Ipods, I have a gen 5 Ipod and a PSP and find that the PSP is very niggly over the mp4 settings and the interface is not in the same league as the Ipod.
So similar story, I prefer the ease of using the Apple products over Sony.
Absolutely correct, by definition anything above 480p is High Definition.
However, that doesn't determine the quality of the HD picture, only that it is, by definition, an HD picture.
Blu-Ray still has a higher bit-rate and thus displays a much better quality High Definition picture.
OK. In your original post, you said you had an Apple TV since day 1, so you probably got the 40 GB one and your post says 160GB. So did you upgrade or just trying to justify your purchase with a lie?
I bought the 40Gb model and then sold it to buy the 160GB one...
That is an excellent point. Living in the US, I was able to replace my cable subscription with an AppleTV+iTMS w/o a negative impact to my viewing habits or favorite shows (other than BSG starting this week
). This has lowered my monthly bills enough that the AppleTV has literally paid for itself. The income recovery made getting one an easy decision.Have you ever found yourself watching a movie on TV with commercials even though you have the DVD on the self? That is the dis-advantage of physical media. BD is great for those times when you dedicate a block of time to watching a movie, but I find for casual viewing I wont get up to put in a disc. A BD player may compliment my home theater setup, but just can not replace the AppleTV yet.
PS3 is a great mediacenter
I too have to agree with the OP. I think the PS3 is a better buy than the AppleTV for several reasons, even leaving out the fact that the PS3 plays games. I have recently purchased a PS3 but I did a lot of research before making my final decision on the PS3.
These are the things that I think are wrong with the AppleTV. If Apple were to change these things it would make it a much better product.
1. Movie rental time limits - 24 Hours once you hit play.
2. Limited video codec support.
3. Non user upgradeable storage. Either internally or externally via USB.
4. No web browser.
The one thing that the AppleTV has going for it is the killer GUI. The PS3 in combination with MedaiLink from Nullriver or Tversity for PC makes the PS3 a killer Mediacenter for your big screen TV. If you can get used to the PS3 GUI, which you can change with a Mac OS theme you will probably like it as a mediacenter. We reviewed the MediaLink software in this episode of our podcast.
http://www.techcritiques.com
I too have to agree with the OP. I think the PS3 is a better buy than the AppleTV for several reasons, even leaving out the fact that the PS3 plays games. I have recently purchased a PS3 but I did a lot of research before making my final decision on the PS3.
These are the things that I think are wrong with the AppleTV. If Apple were to change these things it would make it a much better product.
1. Movie rental time limits - 24 Hours once you hit play.
2. Limited video codec support.
3. Non user upgradeable storage. Either internally or externally via USB.
4. No web browser.
The one thing that the AppleTV has going for it is the killer GUI. The PS3 in combination with MedaiLink from Nullriver or Tversity for PC makes the PS3 a killer Mediacenter for your big screen TV. If you can get used to the PS3 GUI, which you can change with a Mac OS theme you will probably like it as a mediacenter. We reviewed the MediaLink software in this episode of our podcast.
http://www.techcritiques.com
^I didn't realize you couldn't extend the hard drive space on an TV with a USB hard drive. That's disappointing indeed. I suppose that makes the 40gig model less attractive.
Have any of you who purchased the 40gig model found that you wished later you had gotten the 160gig? For those who own both theTV and PS3, is the 40gig model sufficient? I'm thinking of buying an TV this week, and any advice would be appreciated.
TV with a USB hard drive. That's disappointing indeed. I suppose that makes the 40gig model less attractive. Have any of you who purchased the 40gig model found that you wished later you had gotten the 160gig? For those who own both the
TV and PS3, is the 40gig model sufficient? I'm thinking of buying an TV this week, and any advice would be appreciated. 
Apple TV is fine but obviously can't compete with the quality of a blu ray player.
I find all the talk of Apple TV and iTunes Movie rentals to be mute since I live in the UK and I'm still waiting to be able to rent movies... The only selection I see is for pathetic TV shows with a handful of titles...
I know its all licensing and politics but would be nice to get offered the same selection as Americans enjoy maybe then i could consider my options but if you live outside of America, stick with the PS3.
I find all the talk of Apple TV and iTunes Movie rentals to be mute since I live in the UK and I'm still waiting to be able to rent movies... The only selection I see is for pathetic TV shows with a handful of titles...
I know its all licensing and politics but would be nice to get offered the same selection as Americans enjoy maybe then i could consider my options but if you live outside of America, stick with the PS3.
Most of these recommendation don't consider what the AppleTV was designed for (however there are hacks to provide EVERYTHING on your list). The sad fact is that it is not meant as a media hub, but rather an end point for iTunes to get to your TV. It is basically a media streamer and with this in mind the HDD little more then a cache used more to improve performance of wireless playback and provide functionality from laptops when lid is closed. With intelligent sync rules, a larger HDD provides very little for most users. As for codec support, in roughly the same as iTunes. I'd love to see iTunes support DivX, but it don't think it ever will. Apple is looking at a purchase model for content via iTMS and may view DixV as an 'enabler' for 'alternative' distribution models.
. As for the Web access, this seems to be a stretch to find things not to like. The internet is so easily accessible these days, that viewing it on the TV feels like a gimmick. If browsing from your living room is something that is important to you, do yourself a favor and get a laptop like an eee pc for this, you'll find it a MUCH better experience then using your TV.Movie rentals should be longer then 24 hour, but the PS3 doesn't support rentals in any fashion today.
It's not the UI, it's the user experience that is compelling. For example, if there is a new TV series I want to watch, I can be viewing the first episode in 30 seconds and never moved from my couch. It required no forethought. New episodes are downloaded automatically and I can quickly see which ones I have viewed in the past.
Think of it this way. The AppleTV is trying to replace your cable box, not your DVD player.
BTW - I'll check out your podcast tonight
I have both and while I love the way Blu-ray looks, the convenience and UI of the Apple TV are the reason why I've started transferring all my content to it.
I think that there is a place for both in my home, especially when there is still limited content on Blu-ray. When I want to enjoy a movie that I don't own or can't rent on Blu-ray, I can enjoy it without getting up from my couch on the Apple TV.
I think that there is a place for both in my home, especially when there is still limited content on Blu-ray. When I want to enjoy a movie that I don't own or can't rent on Blu-ray, I can enjoy it without getting up from my couch on the Apple TV.
Have any of you who purchased the 40gig model found that you wished later you had gotten the 160gig? For those who own both the
I bought a 40gb when Take 2 got announced and I've never regretted it.
It depends on how you want to use it - I have all of my data on a NAS drive so it makes a ton of sense to leave iTunes running the entire time. The only thing I sync to my AppleTV are my photos and only certain ones to be honest.
I would have regretted buying the 160gb more to be honest.
I own all 3 but they all have different uses.
360 = great gaming machine with a great social aspect.
PS3 = great gaming machine with a fantastic blu ray player.
AppleTV = Excels in what I needed it for - getting media into my bedroom.
I keep the 360/PS3 in the living room where they belong. I have both Connect360 and Media Link and use them for looking at photos or streaming music into the living room.
The AppleTV I keep in the bedroom which has been a wonderful solution for having music and tv shows/movies to watch before going to bed.
When I want to watch a 'real' move I track down the Blu Ray version if applicable and I watch it in the living room with the 50" SXRD and 5.1 surround system.
When I want to watch old episodes of Buffy or X-Files then I watch them in the bedroom on the AppleTV on a 42" Panny Plasma.
It really depends on what you are looking for. All 3 machines have their pros and cons but it would have been stupid for me to buy a 2nd PS3 or 360 to have in the bedroom. Which is why I haven't bought a 2nd AppleTV to have in the living room. Although if I was going to buy a 2nd of any machine it probably would be the AppleTV.
360 = great gaming machine with a great social aspect.
PS3 = great gaming machine with a fantastic blu ray player.
AppleTV = Excels in what I needed it for - getting media into my bedroom.
I keep the 360/PS3 in the living room where they belong. I have both Connect360 and Media Link and use them for looking at photos or streaming music into the living room.
The AppleTV I keep in the bedroom which has been a wonderful solution for having music and tv shows/movies to watch before going to bed.
When I want to watch a 'real' move I track down the Blu Ray version if applicable and I watch it in the living room with the 50" SXRD and 5.1 surround system.
When I want to watch old episodes of Buffy or X-Files then I watch them in the bedroom on the AppleTV on a 42" Panny Plasma.
It really depends on what you are looking for. All 3 machines have their pros and cons but it would have been stupid for me to buy a 2nd PS3 or 360 to have in the bedroom. Which is why I haven't bought a 2nd AppleTV to have in the living room. Although if I was going to buy a 2nd of any machine it probably would be the AppleTV.
I've been watching this forum and to me the answer is quite simple...none of the above. Have any of you been watching the progression os XBMC for OS X. I've used XBMC on the regular xbox for years and it's been truly amazing...photos, videos (all formats), cover art, music, games, weather. Best of all...the software is free (although its nice to donate the developer some money for beer). But using it with an old xbox or a new mini is amazing. Plus, it can also handle 1080p rips. Try that with an Apple TV. The link is www.osxbmc.com
Let me know what you all think...I think you'll be impressed.
Let me know what you all think...I think you'll be impressed.
So I checked it out - can you help explain its purpose to me. On one hand it seems like a replacement for front row. So if you have a macmini or a mac to hook up to your TV you just have a better alternative to front row.
And on the hand it looks similar to connect 360 (from the video preview on the site) - streaming video from your mac to your xbox - but taking a second look it just seems like that's a skin that makes it look like the xbox 360s tabs (yuck).
I'm just having a hard time figuring out the usefulness of this program as it seems like for it to be useful you're hooking up a mac- a mac mini say to a television- which isn't that amazing, it just seems like maybe their software is a lot better than front row.
I just picked up a PS3 before I went on this business trip I am on at the moment, so I haven't gotten to play with it yet - but Medialink sure sounds interesting.
I don't have an Apple TV, but I have thought about getting one. But the only reason I'd do so now, would be to rent flicks online. I personally like rarer films so Netflix or Greencine still comes in pretty handy.
Other than the movie rentals, and UI, what's the specifics? They seem both limited to codecs and birates? Can I play HD-res x264 files on either? External subtitles?
It's getting a bit clunky (lot of stuff) around the TV these days...
I don't have an Apple TV, but I have thought about getting one. But the only reason I'd do so now, would be to rent flicks online. I personally like rarer films so Netflix or Greencine still comes in pretty handy.
Other than the movie rentals, and UI, what's the specifics? They seem both limited to codecs and birates? Can I play HD-res x264 files on either? External subtitles?
It's getting a bit clunky (lot of stuff) around the TV these days...
I used XBMC for years on an XBOX and it was simply the best streaming app I've used. Combining a very intuitive UI (as good as the AppleTV but more powerful) with the best format compatibility to be found.
But then came h.264 and things changed. The CPU on the XBOX just couldn't handle it.
I got the AppleTV to replace the XBOX and was initially disappointed since most of my library was not usable. But once I stopped trying to use the AppleTV just as another media streamer and instead as a means of GETTING content, I realized just how well differentiates itself. As I said in a previous post; the XBMC is a VERY well done digital media player, but the AppleTV replaces your cable box with TV subscriptions, movie purchases/rentals, video podcasts realtime/subscriptions...
For my old library, I have either converted it or I use my 360 to for playback. That said, I do have a mini and have been playing with OSXBMC quite a bit.
XBMC is in a different league from the PS3 or 360, but none of them fill the same gap as the AppleTV.
BTW - This may change in the near future. the OSXBMC team is looking at iTunes/iTMS integration...
Yes, it's a replacement for Frontrow. The main advantage of XBMC is that it plays just about everything where as Frontrow has VERY limited codec support. It'll even virtually extract videos from compressed archives and ISO's. It supports multiple audio streams and subtitles too.
This is wrapped in a very good, skinable UI.
But if you don't have an existing library of videos, you may not have a need for more then what Frontrow already offers.
Understand completely...that's why getting this software native to a good mac mini was a good thing.