I cant see much advantage in having an apple tv

[julianna1973]

Anything i buy on itunes etc, i use on my iphones & ipods or else sometimes sit at the computer to watch. Which i enjoy doing. As for renting films, i have a good online dvd rental package which gets posted to me. Also my cable company has an extensive on demand system available.

What would i be missing? I love apple products & i guess im just looking for a new product to buy. Of course i want to get something i would use & not just for the sake of buying apple.

 

[pagansoul]

I use TV because I have an extensive ripped library of my DVDs and CDs and don't care to go through putting in disc. Yes I can just sit at my computer, I have a nice 24" monitor but sometime I like to sit in my media room with my 32", nice cozy chairs and good sound. I don't really use iTunes to rent but it's a nice option. If you don't or can't have cable TV it's also a good option. It sure is cheaper than cable if you are not into watching commerical riddled shows.

All I can say is if cable is your thing, you do not need TV but if you have or are starting your own collection of CDs, DVDs, Photo and/or Video collection it's a great way to sort your stuff. It's also nice to view your flickr and youtube accounts and those of your friends. Add-ons are Hulu or Boxee if you like standard TV on demand.

 

[Much Ado]

Living rooms are more comfy and sociable than studies.

 

[paduck]

Kids can easily destroy DVDs. They have a tougher time with the Apple TV (I do have two remotes though, just in case).

The other point, already made, is that a TV is a better place to watch your media than your computer screen.

 

[dmm219]

there are certain things that are always better in the living room, and certain things that will always be better on the PC.

TV, Movies etc belong in the Living room, plain and simple. Watching video content on a PC has never, and will never be popular.

VTC, picture viewing and music also work really well in the Living room. ATV gives you all of that, with the best interface out there. (except the VTC...now THAT would be awesome...)

Stuff like web browsing however, well ALWAYS be more suited to a computer than the living room.

Imagine having all of your movies, tvshows, music and pictures ondemand at the touch of a button in your living room. No dvds to deal with, find or lose. Imagine renting a movie directly on your TV. No running to the store and no waiting for in in the mail or dealing with a DVD player.

And in my case, it makes very good financial sense...as I save about $100 a year as opposed to having cable...no commericals...and EVERYTHING acts like a DVR...i can pause stop, rewind...whenever.

I have been very impressed with me ATV...i was skeptical when I bought it. I know think its one of the best products apple makes...

 

[juanster]

it's true it wouldn t make much sense to someone like you, since you enjoy watching things on your computer monitor. but if you want to watch a movie with a bunch your friends or a date, what would you do then? get chairs for each one and sit in front of the computer? I'm not saying you can't, that's what I do right now...but that is the main reason I want an ATV, we instead could just sit in the living room upstairs and watch whatever movie i want from my mac..it's kind of awkward to bring a date over and her sit by you in a different chair in front of the comp with wine or something, it just not the same, i mean it works still, but a lot more work to make it work lol

 

[Chris Rogers]

And in my case, it makes very good financial sense...as I save about $100 a year as opposed to having cable...

Only $100/year $8.33/mo ???? Are you missing a zero?

I'd be saving over $700 When I ditch them after football season.

 

[Kusanagi6913]

I just got an TV this X-mas-- few days ago and I'm loving it more than a fat kid loves cake. There are some issues to be sure but let me describe why it rocks to me:

1. Cable--I'm not a hater of it..I actually love news channels, BBC and so on but honestly--in this economy, having cable and losing just under a grand a year for content that you either can get for free (local sports, nationally broadcast sports) or online (ala--most shows nowaways--be it Hulu, bit-torrent or far more bootlegged means) is just CRAZY or wealthy if u got it. Bottom line, there is nothing with my TV I can't do without cable. Likewise, I find the quality of the video (with HDTV and HDMI) to be superior to my local cable provider--frequent outages, old PVR box which would act up around 85% of capacity, missed recordings, you name it.

2. TV is for the living room. I can respect you watching TV in your room or study on your computer set-up. I do the same occassionally thanks to my study/ zen room and it even has a couch for long-form movies that I had wanted to enjoy. But, at the end of the day--girlfriends, family visits or just buddies coming over for a drink--they will not be in my office huddled around a computer screen--they will want to sit in a living room like normal people on two couches, love seat not stepping over research materials and books and watching a big screen experience. There's no comparison. If you live with a roommate and simply do not or cannot enjoy a living room then I understand--but if you have a house or live alone--then your watching tv on the computer and thinking it replaces an TV is mistaken.

3. Feature-set is actually very impressive on the TV and I find myself USING my TV more and watching stupid programs less.
*So, with Youtube--I can show friends Jizz in MY Pants--without having to go into my study, load up my Mac Mini or fire up my Macbook--I can just pull it up and have it stream.
*I can cook in the kitchen while watching a hi-def chef podcast or catch a good news program (like To the Point) to get an in-depth view of issues while folding clothes, putting together some furniture or doing something constructive as opposed to the Al Bundy sit and gawk at a cable channel that you regret watching almost immediately but can't find anything else on and get sucked into wasting time with. Trust me--most podcasts are childish but with content from HBO CNN, CBS, MSNBC and more--it's becoming far more engaging than anything on regular TV ('cept sports)
*The pictures feature in hi-def is amazing. It sounds stupid and for the last year I harped on how trivial it sounded and how little it would matter to me should I get an TV--well, simply put, it's my favorite feature on the damn thing. For kicks, try pulling some high def wallpaper of cities, plants, forests, mountain views, anime, whatever and load it onto the TV--whenever you turn on the TV it's there--flying around in hi-def splendor and should you want to watch a slideshow with your pics, those pics or any pics--your music plays and the ken burn effect kicks in and it really is just an amazingly fun experience.

4. The bad---well, there are a few minor ones--nothing to make me regret my gift but nonetheless, silly things that Apple should and could fix (I refuse to believe a major electronics company selling hardware for $200+ has the nerve to call something just a 'hobby'.)
*The podcasts do not update nearly as quickly as they should. I do not want to load my Mac Mini's iTunes with all of the Podcasts I listen or watch daily (many being videos) just so the damn thing syncs with my TV--it's 10:55pm and the latest Rachel Maddow (which aired at 9pm) is not on my ATV's Podcast page yet. WHY??? Apple needs to fix this--the TV should be having podcasts, new movies, new music and everything new refreshed and 'pushed' like the mobileme to the system on an every 15 minute or atleast hr basis.

*There should really be a purchase of Boxee--TV is free--period. Apple's desire to corner the digital purchase space is well and good but certain programs should be made to TV as a one-time Podcast watch with commercials and if you want to own it..you can buy it.

*Prices for rentals and movies are beyond ridiculous. I should never pay $14.99 for a movie that on the DVD has featurettes, commentary, trailers and so on. I could see $9.99 for new release and $6.99 for catalog titles (1Yr or more) likewise--rentals for films that I have to watch in one day--is $.99 (think Red Box) for everyday I choose to own it without deleting it and HD $1.49 ($2 again--just seems like a gouge--quality should be damn near blu-ray and it's not--I love my TV but it's not Blu_ray).

Likewise, given how cool and efficient the lil box is--howabout some light apps? I'd love to get weather apps like from my iPhone and/or the UNO game or Pool Adrenaline could easily be handled on a TV with multiple people (apple could sell extra remotes) for a quick and fun casual game.

All in all--don't diss the TV--it's awesome.

 

[Turmoil]

Anything i buy on itunes etc, i use on my iphones & ipods or else ...

No worries, don't buy one

 

[starkruzr]

The advantage is in the iTunes/AirTunes/etc. integration, really. Add in the hacking and it's a phenomenal device, IMO.

 

[julianna1973]

I just got an TV this X-mas-- few days ago and I'm loving it more than a fat kid loves cake. There are some issues to be sure but let me describe why it rocks to me:

1. Cable--I'm not a hater of it..I actually love news channels, BBC and so on but honestly--in this economy, having cable and losing just under a grand a year for content that you either can get for free (local sports, nationally broadcast sports) or online (ala--most shows nowaways--be it Hulu, bit-torrent or far more bootlegged means) is just CRAZY or wealthy if u got it. Bottom line, there is nothing with my TV I can't do without cable. Likewise, I find the quality of the video (with HDTV and HDMI) to be superior to my local cable provider--frequent outages, old PVR box which would act up around 85% of capacity, missed recordings, you name it.

2. TV is for the living room. I can respect you watching TV in your room or study on your computer set-up. I do the same occassionally thanks to my study/ zen room and it even has a couch for long-form movies that I had wanted to enjoy. But, at the end of the day--girlfriends, family visits or just buddies coming over for a drink--they will not be in my office huddled around a computer screen--they will want to sit in a living room like normal people on two couches, love seat not stepping over research materials and books and watching a big screen experience. There's no comparison. If you live with a roommate and simply do not or cannot enjoy a living room then I understand--but if you have a house or live alone--then your watching tv on the computer and thinking it replaces an TV is mistaken.

3. Feature-set is actually very impressive on the TV and I find myself USING my TV more and watching stupid programs less.
*So, with Youtube--I can show friends Jizz in MY Pants--without having to go into my study, load up my Mac Mini or fire up my Macbook--I can just pull it up and have it stream.
*I can cook in the kitchen while watching a hi-def chef podcast or catch a good news program (like To the Point) to get an in-depth view of issues while folding clothes, putting together some furniture or doing something constructive as opposed to the Al Bundy sit and gawk at a cable channel that you regret watching almost immediately but can't find anything else on and get sucked into wasting time with. Trust me--most podcasts are childish but with content from HBO CNN, CBS, MSNBC and more--it's becoming far more engaging than anything on regular TV ('cept sports)
*The pictures feature in hi-def is amazing. It sounds stupid and for the last year I harped on how trivial it sounded and how little it would matter to me should I get an TV--well, simply put, it's my favorite feature on the damn thing. For kicks, try pulling some high def wallpaper of cities, plants, forests, mountain views, anime, whatever and load it onto the TV--whenever you turn on the TV it's there--flying around in hi-def splendor and should you want to watch a slideshow with your pics, those pics or any pics--your music plays and the ken burn effect kicks in and it really is just an amazingly fun experience.

4. The bad---well, there are a few minor ones--nothing to make me regret my gift but nonetheless, silly things that Apple should and could fix (I refuse to believe a major electronics company selling hardware for $200+ has the nerve to call something just a 'hobby'.)
*The podcasts do not update nearly as quickly as they should. I do not want to load my Mac Mini's iTunes with all of the Podcasts I listen or watch daily (many being videos) just so the damn thing syncs with my TV--it's 10:55pm and the latest Rachel Maddow (which aired at 9pm) is not on my ATV's Podcast page yet. WHY??? Apple needs to fix this--the TV should be having podcasts, new movies, new music and everything new refreshed and 'pushed' like the mobileme to the system on an every 15 minute or atleast hr basis.

*There should really be a purchase of Boxee--TV is free--period. Apple's desire to corner the digital purchase space is well and good but certain programs should be made to TV as a one-time Podcast watch with commercials and if you want to own it..you can buy it.

*Prices for rentals and movies are beyond ridiculous. I should never pay $14.99 for a movie that on the DVD has featurettes, commentary, trailers and so on. I could see $9.99 for new release and $6.99 for catalog titles (1Yr or more) likewise--rentals for films that I have to watch in one day--is $.99 (think Red Box) for everyday I choose to own it without deleting it and HD $1.49 ($2 again--just seems like a gouge--quality should be damn near blu-ray and it's not--I love my TV but it's not Blu_ray).

Likewise, given how cool and efficient the lil box is--howabout some light apps? I'd love to get weather apps like from my iPhone and/or the UNO game or Pool Adrenaline could easily be handled on a TV with multiple people (apple could sell extra remotes) for a quick and fun casual game.

All in all--don't diss the TV--it's awesome.

Ok im very interested...so one more question, How easy is it to switch between tvs?

 

[chimpboy74]

I've just ordered an eyetv to go with atv. That way I can get tv shows through the atv too.

 

[dmm219]

Only $100/year $8.33/mo ???? Are you missing a zero?

I'd be saving over $700 When I ditch them after football season.

I budget about $600 a year for tv show purchases off of itunes...so yea, I save about 100.

 

[haoqfu]

I use TV because I have an extensive ripped library of my DVDs and CDs and don't care to go through putting in disc. Yes I can just sit at my computer, I have a nice 24" monitor but sometime I like to sit in my media room with my 32", nice cozy chairs and good sound. I don't really use iTunes to rent but it's a nice option. If you don't or can't have cable TV it's also a good option. It sure is cheaper than cable if you are not into watching commerical riddled shows.

All I can say is if cable is your thing, you do not need TV but if you have or are starting your own collection of CDs, DVDs, Photo and/or Video collection it's a great way to sort your stuff. It's also nice to view your flickr and youtube accounts and those of your friends. Add-ons are Hulu or Boxee if you like standard TV on demand.

i agree that have ripped dvd & cd on appletv is gonna save you hassles from switching dvd from time to time. however, when blu-ray becomes a standard, i doubt it is going to be as easy to rip blu-ray as to rip a dvd..

 

[wwooden]

Ok im very interested...so one more question, How easy is it to switch between tvs?

What do you mean by "switch between tvs"? The AppleTV is just like any other input device to your set, just have to switch to the right input for it to show up.

 

[rhett7660]

when blu-ray becomes a standard, i doubt it is going to be as easy to rip blu-ray as to rip a dvd..

I don't. Look at what we had to do back in the day with regular cd's and dvd's. Now they are easy as pie to rip. Just give it some time it will get a lot easier.

 

[dmm219]

blu-ray becomes a standard, i doubt it is going to be as easy to rip blu-ray as to rip a dvd..

You are way ahead of yourself. Right now, this is a BIG if. Even though BR won out against HDDVD, its fairing horribly against standard DVD. BR sales this season have been terrible compared to standard DVD's. As long as BR discs cost almost 3 times a standard DVD (while production costs are virtually the same=ripoff), people will not adopt BR for the marginal improvement in clarity on most sets (50in and below).

BR is still something only videophiles want, not the mainstream public.

 

[julianna1973]

What do you mean by "switch between tvs"? The AppleTV is just like any other input device to your set, just have to switch to the right input for it to show up.

I just meant how easy was it to set up on one tv but then move it into a different room. Is it wireless so i can hook it up to multiple tvs?

 

[juanster]

oh yes it's wireless, just grab the piece couple cables and hook up to the next tv, as long as the tv in the next room still gets wireless signal you ll be good to go...I don't think it ll be much of a problem, unless your house is huuuuuge

 

[rhett7660]

I just meant how easy was it to set up on one tv but then move it into a different room. Is it wireless so i can hook it up to multiple tvs?

You still have to hard wire the apple tv to the computer. It can stream via wireless if that is what you are asking. But you still need cables to the tv.

 

[colinmack]

You are way ahead of yourself. Right now, this is a BIG if. Even though BR won out against HDDVD, its fairing horribly against standard DVD. BR sales this season have been terrible compared to standard DVD's. As long as BR discs cost almost 3 times a standard DVD (while production costs are virtually the same=ripoff), people will not adopt BR for the marginal improvement in clarity on most sets (50in and below).

BR is still something only videophiles want, not the mainstream public.

Exactly.

Most people don't care about the incremental quality improvement (and I think the industry picked a poor time to have a pissing contest, they may have missed a window for consumer adoption)...I know more people that have turned to downloading than have moved to Blu-ray. Besides, even if it did become the de facto standard it would be just as easy to rip, so centralizing your home content is just as relevant.

I'm now 6 months and counting without cable...the Apple TV is fantastic, and has been a complete replacement for TV/movie content for myself and half a dozen other friends/family (who saw the setup and were convinced on the spot).

Throw in TED, VisualHub/Handbrake, some crafty AppleScript, a bunch of network hard drive space, AirTunes, and a few weekends to rip your CD/DVD library - and you have a seamless home content ecosystem that is a huge improvement over the 'old-school' model

 

[rhett7660]

Exactly.

Most people don't care about the incremental quality improvement (and I think the industry picked a poor time to have a pissing contest, they may have missed a window for consumer adoption)...I know more people that have turned to downloading than have moved to Blu-ray. Besides, even if it did become the de facto standard it would be just as easy to rip, so centralizing your home content is just as relevant.

I'm now 6 months and counting without cable...the Apple TV is fantastic, and has been a complete replacement for TV/movie content for myself and half a dozen other friends/family (who saw the setup and were convinced on the spot).

Throw in TED, VisualHub/Handbrake, some crafty AppleScript, a bunch of network hard drive space, AirTunes, and a few weekends to rip your CD/DVD library - and you have a seamless home content ecosystem that is a huge improvement over the 'old-school' model

We love the apple tv for this reason. My only limitation is disk space right now. I am curious how much space do you have and how you have it setup.

 

[colinmack]

We love the apple tv for this reason. My only limitation is disk space right now. I am curious how much space do you have and how you have it setup.

I have a 1 TB Time Capsule, with an extra 1 TB drive attached to it - I use TED/Transmission/VisualHub and some AppleScript to fully automate the entire end-to-end download/conversion/copy/tag process, including folder management and adding to iTunes, getting show info/titles from the Internet, setting cover art, etc... we basically get up every morning and new TV shows are on the Apple TV, it's better than a PVR

Everything goes by default to the main TC drive, and once on a while I manually archive older stuff to the second drive, but I generally leave it available in iTunes. We follow maybe 15-20 shows regularly, including a few where we've kept entire multi-season archives, as well as 300-ish movies, a few hundred albums...so it's a fairly good sized media library, with loads of disk space still available.

 

[Hawkeye411]

Anything i buy on itunes etc, i use on my iphones & ipods or else sometimes sit at the computer to watch. Which i enjoy doing. As for renting films, i have a good online dvd rental package which gets posted to me. Also my cable company has an extensive on demand system available.

What would i be missing? I love apple products & i guess im just looking for a new product to buy. Of course i want to get something i would use & not just for the sake of buying apple.

I know that many love their apple TV but I don't quite get it either.

Cheers.

 

[Chris Rogers]

I budget about $600 a year for tv show purchases off of itunes...so yea, I save about 100.

OH, OK I see what you're saying

You still have to hard wire the apple tv to the computer. It can stream via wireless if that is what you are asking. But you still need cables to the tv.

Am I missing something here? My Mac has NEVER been connected (DIRECTLY) to my Apple TV