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My Dilema (need opinions)

M

MotionxxUSxx

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 1, 2007
408
5
Decided on getting an apple tv, I've got $130 in credit (iphone credit plus an additional $30 off).

Do I just get the 160gb apple tv (399 - 130 = $269)

or

refurb 40 gb apple tv + AirPort Extreme Base Station with Gigabit Ethernet (this will replace my b/g netgear router) (249 - 130 + 179 = $298)

or a 3rd option go with the 40gb and get a cheap wireless b/g/n router (249 + 70 - 130 = $189)

If I go with option 2 or 3, I will just stream my content.

Would appreciate any opinions. Is the airport extreme worth it.
 
i would go with opetion 2 & get the 40 gig, Streaming is sooooo easy and flawless that i have 0 media on my apple tv itself. I havnt had any issues at all streaming HD (720p) on a G network....But im gonna upgrade in the near future to the N anyway (just to be current with technology) :)
 
I agree. I only sync my photos and some music to have album covers for screensavers. The 160GB one is not really any more valuable than the 40GB one for most uses.

I really like my Aiport Extreme (n), even though it has some glitches every now and then. Wireless-N rules.

If you live in an apartment building or other place where there's a lot of wireless traffic, I'd suggest you buy the Airport Extreme and set it to accept Wireless-N ONLY and operate on the Wireless-A band, rather than on the B/G band. The reason is that there is very little traffic on that band, even in a crowded area, and your N speeds will be as good as they possibly can be.

Then, if you have a Wireless-G router (or can spare a couple bucks to buy one off here or eBay), hook it up to the Airport Extreme and use it (in gateway-only mode) for the devices that can't do Wireless-N. That way you get all the benefits of Wireless-N AND the compatibility. Can't lose, really.
 
It all depends on what your primary purpose for the :apple:TV is. In my case, I want all of my music and everything from iPhoto and Podcasts all synced.

I want all films and TV shows streamed.

I opted for more space as I have a lot of music and desire a higher audio quality than low-bandwidth MP3.

-- Mikie
 
Wait?

I would wait a couple months to see if Apple is going to do anything with the AppleTV to make it more attractive by Christmas.

For example... if they suddenly started offering video rentals, a software update and maybe a $50 price drop, it could become a big Christmas item.
 
Streaming is an OK solution, but it isn't everything. I can only speak for streaming on a G network, but it sometimes has it's issues. Usually I can stream fine, but last night it just didn't want to keep up. It would take several minutes to buffer enough to start playing, and then it would stop after a few minuites and repeat the buffering process. Maybe a neighbor was causing some interference on my network or sometihng, but it is something that can happen. Explaining to my 3-year-old that "It's not working because, well, Daddy doesn't know why" can be tough.

Also consider some of the negatives to streaming:
  • The host computer must be awake and iTunes must be running.
  • Skipping ahead to a chapter will cause it to re-buffer - sometimes this can be slow and tedious.
  • Scanning (FF) through video may not work well if enough content hasn't buffered.
  • You can't stream photos (which may be fine, since you can sync them).
I will be upgrading to an N network soon, so hopefully this will mostly be resolved.

Oh yeah, I would go for option 2. With an N network, I think 40GB will keep you happy for a while.
 
macfaninpdx said:
Streaming is an OK solution, but it isn't everything. I can only speak for streaming on a G network, but it sometimes has it's issues. Usually I can stream fine, but last night it just didn't want to keep up. It would take several minutes to buffer enough to start playing, and then it would stop after a few minuites and repeat the buffering process. Maybe a neighbor was causing some interference on my network or sometihng, but it is something that can happen. Explaining to my 3-year-old that "It's not working because, well, Daddy doesn't know why" can be tough.

Also consider some of the negatives to streaming:
  • The host computer must be awake and iTunes must be running.
  • Skipping ahead to a chapter will cause it to re-buffer - sometimes this can be slow and tedious.
  • Scanning (FF) through video may not work well if enough content hasn't buffered.
  • You can't stream photos (which may be fine, since you can sync them).
I will be upgrading to an N network soon, so hopefully this will mostly be resolved.

Oh yeah, I would go for option 2. With an N network, I think 40GB will keep you happy for a while.
Click to expand...


If I get the N router and the 40gb atv, if someone else is using the host computer for internet surfing while streaming video to the atv, will performance on both tasks be compromised?
 
MotionxxUSxx said:
If I get the N router and the 40gb atv, if someone else is using the host computer for internet surfing while streaming video to the atv, will performance on both tasks be compromised?
Click to expand...
No, neither will be compromised (unless they quit iTunes, or restart the computer).
 
I have 40gig Apple TV (bought it the day it was released) and Apple Airport "N" router (also bought on the same day). And it works flawlessly. I ONLY stream. There is nothing on the the AppleTV hard drive. No problems streaming. No hiccups. I also d/l tv shows, surfing internet at same time,without any problem. My only complaint is if you want to fast forward or rewind, it has to rebuffer, but small price to pay. The router is also pretty good. I hooked up a 750g hard drive to it, and now all my Macs and PC (1 Macpro, 2 laptops) use the same itunes library. So it has worked out for me very well.
 
ps...instead of buying a referb for $249. i got a brand new, still sealed in the box 40 gig :apple:tv on ebay for $210 including shipping. just got to search around. then just use your credit on the airport extreme at the apple store. just a thought on how to save a few bucks :)
 
Go for the 40gb and the router... thats the set up i have and i exlusively stream... we also tend to have a laptop surfing at the same time and have never had a hiccup.
 
I have g and I stream. My PC server is hard wired, though, into my wireless gateway/router in the same room. Streaming is fast enough for me.

Just try it first with the :apple:TV and see how you like it... then, update your wireless if you need to. Unless you want to store everything on your :apple:TV, the 40Gig should be good enough.
 
I just ordered the refurb apple tv for 249 and the extreme base station for 179, after my 100 off and 30 coupon, the total came to 317 including tax. Not to bad. I'm really betting on the fact that apple will eventually add more hd content as well as movie rentals.

Thanks to everyone for their help and opinions.
 
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