Hey I'm new the forums but not Apple. I have been debating and thinking about an apple tv. recently, i have been building my home theatre up and have been thinking about apple tv 2.0. is it really worth it? can you guys give me some pros about it? how is the HD resolution on it? I just got a 52 Sony XBR LCD so was wondering if this would be good to get. thanks !
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Help: Is Apple TV really worth it?
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One Word
No !!!
There are other devices out there which will do a better job and limit you to their locked down software. There is a cool device called Mediagate MG-25 which is small uses any 2.5 Laptop harddrive and sells for under 100 bucks with the the hard drive. It does include cables remote everything except the HD, they also make other models which have 802.11N wireless and use any 3.5 SATA drive.
The AppleTV is Cool but is Awkward, if I knew the limitations I never would have bought it. The upside it is somewhat easy to use, after completing a software upgrade it gave me a ton of connectivity issues, Dealing with Apple's lack of support made me want to use the damn thing as a Frisbee for my dog
Sorry if I am not 100% pleased with this device
No !!!
There are other devices out there which will do a better job and limit you to their locked down software. There is a cool device called Mediagate MG-25 which is small uses any 2.5 Laptop harddrive and sells for under 100 bucks with the the hard drive. It does include cables remote everything except the HD, they also make other models which have 802.11N wireless and use any 3.5 SATA drive.
The AppleTV is Cool but is Awkward, if I knew the limitations I never would have bought it. The upside it is somewhat easy to use, after completing a software upgrade it gave me a ton of connectivity issues, Dealing with Apple's lack of support made me want to use the damn thing as a Frisbee for my dog
Sorry if I am not 100% pleased with this device
One Word:
YES !!!!!
The apple tv is a great way to both enjoy the media you already have on you're computer, and to rent movies without leaving the couch.
The picture quality of hd rentals looks great on my 110" front projection in 720p (way better than dvds, with comparable sound).
The interface is BEAUTIFUL.
tv is to digital cable PPV what OSX is to Linux, better looking, easier to use, and well though out.
As long as you have fast internet and wierlese G or N,tv all the way.
YES !!!!!
The apple tv is a great way to both enjoy the media you already have on you're computer, and to rent movies without leaving the couch.
The picture quality of hd rentals looks great on my 110" front projection in 720p (way better than dvds, with comparable sound).
The interface is BEAUTIFUL.
tv is to digital cable PPV what OSX is to Linux, better looking, easier to use, and well though out.As long as you have fast internet and wierlese G or N,
tv all the way.Haha Frisbee for dog haha. Thanks for the response
One Word:
YES !!!!!
The apple tv is a great way to both enjoy the media you already have on you're computer, and to rent movies without leaving the couch.
The picture quality of hd rentals looks great on my 110" front projection in 720p (way better than dvds, with comparable sound).
The interface is BEAUTIFUL.
As long as you have fast internet and wierlese G or N,
Cool, thanks for the response. I have DISH HD DVR and can order movies thru that. Do you think with AppleTV I have more movie options?
If you watch Video Podcasts, or plan on renting movies from iTunes, then the Apple TV is definitely worth it. If you would like to listen to music you purchased from the iTMS w/o using your computer, it is also a very elegant solution.
The key is that you use iTunes and media from the iTunes music/video store. The people who aren't happy with the Apple TV are looking for something OTHER than all of this. They don't like iTunes, or they want to get media from other sources, etc. That may work (like ripping DVD's or transcoding other videos), but it certainly complicates things.
In it's simplest form, the Apple TV is a way to enjoy media from iTunes on your TV.
That works for me, so I am quite happy with it.
The key is that you use iTunes and media from the iTunes music/video store. The people who aren't happy with the Apple TV are looking for something OTHER than all of this. They don't like iTunes, or they want to get media from other sources, etc. That may work (like ripping DVD's or transcoding other videos), but it certainly complicates things.
In it's simplest form, the Apple TV is a way to enjoy media from iTunes on your TV.
That works for me, so I am quite happy with it.
As of now, no. There are only a few hundred movies for rent, and even fewer in HD, but that number is climbing steadily, and should outpace the cable companies within the next few month. It will take a while before it can rival the selection of netflix or your local blockbuster though.
YES
I have an Apple TV even though movie rental isn't available in Canada yet. I never really used to listen to music as I didn't want to sit in front of my Mac to do so, now I listen to it a lot from the comfort of my living room through my speakers. I have lots of content in iTunes that I stream to the Apple TV so no lack of what to view. I also have a BluRay player and an HD PVR but it seems that I use the Apple TV a lot. Really happy I got it.
I have an Apple TV even though movie rental isn't available in Canada yet. I never really used to listen to music as I didn't want to sit in front of my Mac to do so, now I listen to it a lot from the comfort of my living room through my speakers. I have lots of content in iTunes that I stream to the Apple TV so no lack of what to view. I also have a BluRay player and an HD PVR but it seems that I use the Apple TV a lot. Really happy I got it.
Apple has many more movies to order than Dish DVR
Yes you can and it works beautifully. I have mine connected by HDMI. In fact, you can just choose the output from any iTunes and stream directly to your receiver without touching the
TV remote.
I also have the Dish HD DVR and appletv. You asked if you would have more movie options and for now I'd say no but I think that will be changing much like there was a limited amount of music offered when ipod/itunes was released. I've looked at the Dish selection and it's Ok. The appletv device is pretty great in my opinion for what I need it to do...mainly streaming music, photos and sometimes a rental. The selection sucks but this will change.
I would say yes.
I purchased the ATV on a whim and it has worked out to be one of the most used components in my home theater system. I rent movies, purchase music and when I'm bored, it's fun just to surf YouTube for free.
I have rented a couple of HD movies and shot them up on my 106" 720p DLP projection system. They look almost as good as Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Not quite as good but definitely good enough for HD viewing.
It's a nice little piece of hardware. If nothing else, you can always return it if you don't like it.
I purchased the ATV on a whim and it has worked out to be one of the most used components in my home theater system. I rent movies, purchase music and when I'm bored, it's fun just to surf YouTube for free.
I have rented a couple of HD movies and shot them up on my 106" 720p DLP projection system. They look almost as good as Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Not quite as good but definitely good enough for HD viewing.
It's a nice little piece of hardware. If nothing else, you can always return it if you don't like it.
Apple TV beats cable/satellite for HD rentals (better video and audio quality -- see the comparison at AppleInsider.com).
It does a hell of a lot more than just movie rentals. I'm moving my entire DVD collections to my media server and it streams all my music too. The SD and HD podcasts provide all kinds of cool content to enjoy too.
It does a hell of a lot more than just movie rentals. I'm moving my entire DVD collections to my media server and it streams all my music too. The SD and HD podcasts provide all kinds of cool content to enjoy too.
Oh yeah, forgot about that one. Loading a DVD collection onto the ATV is also another great feature.
I wouldn't give it back if Steve Jobs came to my house and begged me for it.
I have my DVD collection on it, as well as my music, my photos, and some really cool, HD Podcasts.
I have yet to rent anything on it. Then again, I didn't buy it as a rental device -- I bought it as a media extender.
I have my DVD collection on it, as well as my music, my photos, and some really cool, HD Podcasts.
I have yet to rent anything on it. Then again, I didn't buy it as a rental device -- I bought it as a media extender.
My #1 issue on
If They added a blu-ray drive to the
Not sure I get this. With my Comcast service, PPV is easily $1-$3 more per movie than Renting on AppleTV. And it has the same 24 hour limit..so I don't see how cost would be an issue...
Only that you cannot select which output is used for sound, which means that if you connect it via optical to your receiver and via hdmi to your tv the tv will also output sound. It annoys the hell out of me especially since I am using it mostly for music.
If you use iTunes to manage your media and have a fast network (802.11G at least, preferably 801.11N or Wired) then definitely worth it and a great way to watch your content on the big screen.
If the answer to the above questions is no, then probably not so good for you
If the answer to the above questions is no, then probably not so good for you
Yes. As someone elegantly pointed out above...it does what it says it does, and it does it well.
I have converted my entire DVD collection to mp4 and love the fact that all my movies are a click away. The HD resolution is pretty good, only does 720p though I believe? I haven't rented any HD movies so I'm not sure...but I think so.
In the end though...I suppose it depends on what you want to do with it, that will determine whether it's a good purchase for you.
I have converted my entire DVD collection to mp4 and love the fact that all my movies are a click away. The HD resolution is pretty good, only does 720p though I believe? I haven't rented any HD movies so I'm not sure...but I think so.
In the end though...I suppose it depends on what you want to do with it, that will determine whether it's a good purchase for you.
It's worth it
I have had the ATV for two weeks, and can say that it is absolutely worth it.
I have a 37 inch 1080p LCD, and am happy.
Quality of picture is very good for movies and TV shows. HD content is pretty close to the same quality as HD format DVD. If you're not a purist, than I think you'd find the quality very good as well.
For photos, the quality is amazing, whether they're the photos on the hard drive of the ATV or even if they're coming from a .mac or flckr account. The photos provide the best overall quality compared to other media on ATV.
Youtube quality is bad, but youtube quality is bad no matter where you watch it.
Podcasts vary, but overall quality of video podcasts is good.
Mostly, I really appreciate having all that media at my fingertips. I love being able to rent a movie or purchase a TV show or music video right from my couch.
I haven't had any problems with downloads.
My only real complaint is that I wish you could buy movies directly on ATV since I have young kids, and they can watch the same movie endlessly. So I'd like the option to buy and watch it immediately rather than have to buy it on my mac, and transfer it to ATV.
Overall, I'd give it a 8 out of 10.
Good luck
I have had the ATV for two weeks, and can say that it is absolutely worth it.
I have a 37 inch 1080p LCD, and am happy.
Quality of picture is very good for movies and TV shows. HD content is pretty close to the same quality as HD format DVD. If you're not a purist, than I think you'd find the quality very good as well.
For photos, the quality is amazing, whether they're the photos on the hard drive of the ATV or even if they're coming from a .mac or flckr account. The photos provide the best overall quality compared to other media on ATV.
Youtube quality is bad, but youtube quality is bad no matter where you watch it.
Podcasts vary, but overall quality of video podcasts is good.
Mostly, I really appreciate having all that media at my fingertips. I love being able to rent a movie or purchase a TV show or music video right from my couch.
I haven't had any problems with downloads.
My only real complaint is that I wish you could buy movies directly on ATV since I have young kids, and they can watch the same movie endlessly. So I'd like the option to buy and watch it immediately rather than have to buy it on my mac, and transfer it to ATV.
Overall, I'd give it a 8 out of 10.
Good luck
How many DVD's do you own? I have over 500 and doubt I could fit all of them on an
tv.tv rentals costs $1.99 - $4.99 depending on new releases, SD, HD, etc. Comcast, which I have, costs generally $2.99 - $3.99, SD or HD. Where are you that Comcast costs so much?Thanks for the reply's guys, I was wondering I have some old video footage on VHS and have converted that to make it be viewable on a DVD. My question is, can I upload any video footage I have directly to my Apple TV so I can watch it directly from there? Thanks