just bought a apple tv2

[gdeusthewhizkid]

Just finished buying myself a new TV2 and wow. Apple does it again. I have a ps3 with netflix integration but this apple tv is so easy to use. Netflix looks better on the apple tv. SO does youtube. I was hesistant on buying TV since it came out but after reading the reviews on macrumors and seeing the 100 buck price tag. This purchase became a no brainer. Very happy with it.

 

[Meever]

If you're one of the target customers (someone who exclusively uses itunes and owns a mac and you really want something to get your media from your computer to your TV) then the Apple TV is perfect.

Unfortunately I have more half a dozen formats floating about and converting them through handbreak was painful (quality deterioration, bigger file size, missing subtitles, etc, etc).

 

[From A Buick 8]

Just finished buying myself a new TV2 and wow. Apple does it again. I have a ps3 with netflix integration but this apple tv is so easy to use. Netflix looks better on the apple tv. SO does youtube. I was hesistant on buying TV since it came out but after reading the reviews on macrumors and seeing the 100 buck price tag. This purchase became a no brainer. Very happy with it.

+ 1 for loving it. The wife said today that our current TV set up is the most user friendly we have ever had.

Netflix + youtube+ podcast + our media through iTunes, and everyone is very happy.

 

[onlymybiribiri]

I really like the Apple TV but I am hesitant to buy one since I have quite a few different formats on my computer. I really don't want to take the time to convert them all. Right now I stream to my PS3 but I am not a big fan of this solution. I am considering buying a WDTV but am also considering JB'ing an Apple TV. Please let me know how you like your Apple TV as you use it more.

 

[ptaylor9]

+ 1 for loving it. The wife said today that our current TV set up is the most user friendly we have ever had.

Netflix + youtube+ podcast + our media through iTunes, and everyone is very happy.

+1 here too.
My girlfriend basically loves it because now we can stream all our photographs to the tv when people come round, much better than sitting round a 13" macbook.

 

[gdeusthewhizkid]

I really like the Apple TV but I am hesitant to buy one since I have quite a few different formats on my computer. I really don't want to take the time to convert them all. Right now I stream to my PS3 but I am not a big fan of this solution. I am considering buying a WDTV but am also considering JB'ing an Apple TV. Please let me know how you like your Apple TV as you use it more.

Well this past sunday I sat around and really played. I rented a new episode of "No ordinary family" which looked great. I have it connected wirelessly to my bedroom lcd and it never glitched once. Im a little upset that i can't rent episodes of "Smallville" & " Supernatural" my other two favorite shows. Even youtube streams clearly almost HD quality unlike my ps3. I also like the airplay feature with the pictures. Im going to pick up another TV for my studio for clients when they are waiting in the lounge for their sessions to start.

 

[gdeusthewhizkid]

what's the best media server solution strategy since i have a ton of media on my itunes but i want to set up a mac mini with a external drive and leave that quietly stored away someplace. can anyone direct me to a link on macrumors or any other website. I want to have simplest but most effective strategy for this.

 

[KeithJenner]

what's the best media server solution strategy since i have a ton of media on my itunes but i want to set up a mac mini with a external drive and leave that quietly stored away someplace. can anyone direct me to a link on macrumors or any other website. I want to have simplest but most effective strategy for this.

If you are happy leaving the Mini on then just transfer your iTunes library to the external and then use the Apple TV.

To transfer your library, assuming it will all fit on one HDD, just open iTunes, go to preferences and in the "advanced" panel enter the location you want to use.

Then, on the "File" dropdown, select "Library" and then "Organise Library". Finally, tick "Consolidate Library" and hit OK.

Leave it for a while to transfer all your files across to the External. Your Apple TV will still see the library fine and the Mini can just chug away in a corner.

If you don't want to keep the Mini on the Apple TV isn't the answer. If the library won't fit on one external then you will need to turn off the "Keep Media folder organised" box in iTunes preferences and place the files yourself. That's what I do and it works fine.