New Apple TV

[clarkie604]

Thinking about getting an Apple TV for our bedroom.

I already have an Apple TV on our family TV and it works great. We cut satellite and now we watch Netflix, DVDs that I've ripped and handbraked into iTunes compatible files and OTA TV. We very seldom miss satellite (except the DVR).

So now that we are addicted to Netflix we want some sort of Netflix streaming box for our bedroom. I have a couple questions to throw out to all the experts around here:

1. Any thoughts on the possibility of an Apple TV refresh with the coming iPod/iPhone refresh. I haven't heard of anything but thought it might be a possibility - maybe even just an upgrade to the A5 chip, although my Apple TV runs almost perfectly with the current chip. In other words - should I wait to purchase until next month.

2. Are there any attractive alternatives to Apple TV out there. The one thing I would really like to be able to do is to stream from DVD rip VOB folders so that I can skip the handbrake conversion step. I jailbroke my current Apple TV and tried XMBC which does play VOB folders but I need something more reliable - for my kids to use. On the other hand, iTunes integration with the Apple TV is so nice and seamless that I probably wouldn't give that up for VOB streaming alone. Anybody have ideas for an alternative?

Thanks

 

[Che Castro]

Apple tv 2S

With the a5 chip and 1080p

 

[rhp2424]

but I need something more reliable - for my kids to use...Anybody have ideas for an alternative?

I have added a Roku which provides me with Hulu+ and a wealth of free videos from the web that stream through the Roku including alot of great stuff for the kids. There is also the ability to watch Netflix through there, though honestly I still just use the ATV for that. I don't have the most recent Roku, but I can say that more often than I would prefer (maybe a couple times a month, the box doesn't perform as it should. For instance, if you load a video in Hulu or one of the other streaming channels, it will work fine, but when you pause and try to play it again, sometimes it will freeze or the box itself will just randomly restart. Again, the new box has to be better. It has upgraded parts, but I am still satisfied because ultimately these troubles every now and again are still better than paying $70 for cable. This could be a good second option for you.

 

[tripjammer]

You know I am thinking of dumping ATTUverse, and getting another apple TV 2 (or 3) in my bedroom too. I had hulu plus but dumped it...but if the new update to appletV includes HULU plus...i just might get another subscription.

 

[tbayrgs]

Thinking about getting an Apple TV for our bedroom.

I already have an Apple TV on our family TV and it works great. We cut satellite and now we watch Netflix, DVDs that I've ripped and handbraked into iTunes compatible files and OTA TV. We very seldom miss satellite (except the DVR).

So now that we are addicted to Netflix we want some sort of Netflix streaming box for our bedroom. I have a couple questions to throw out to all the experts around here:

1. Any thoughts on the possibility of an Apple TV refresh with the coming iPod/iPhone refresh. I haven't heard of anything but thought it might be a possibility - maybe even just an upgrade to the A5 chip, although my Apple TV runs almost perfectly with the current chip. In other words - should I wait to purchase until next month.

2. Are there any attractive alternatives to Apple TV out there. The one thing I would really like to be able to do is to stream from DVD rip VOB folders so that I can skip the handbrake conversion step. I jailbroke my current Apple TV and tried XMBC which does play VOB folders but I need something more reliable - for my kids to use. On the other hand, iTunes integration with the Apple TV is so nice and seamless that I probably wouldn't give that up for VOB streaming alone. Anybody have ideas for an alternative?

Thanks

I personally doubt there will be a new TV anytime soon, considering the latest version is only a year old and I believe it took over 3 years for them to update the original but as the next Apple iPod/iPhone refresh is likey only a few weeks away, definitely doesn't hurt to wait and see. My guess is we'll seem some changes to the version of iOS that the TV uses (personally hoping for some type of App store) sometime in the near future but that's probably about it.

Also, regarding your mention of missing the DVR functionality--have you ever considered the EyeTV products from Elgato? Their hybrid tuner and software basically turns your computer into a DVR, let's you record programming just like a DVR and convert the video to be pushed out to your TV. No personally experience but it's what I'd probably use if I could convince the wife to ditch DirecTV.

 

[clarkie604]

Thanks for your thoughts. I hadn't thought about Hulu+. What's the difference between Hulu+ and Netflix. Unless it's an incredible service I don't think I'd give up iTunes integration for it.

Considering that the Apple TV 2 runs fine on the A4 chip and 1080p doesn't seem to be an Apple priority (perhaps rightfully so -- almost all my rips are SD and I don't have fast enough download speeds to stream HD), Apple might be focusing on additional software services rather than hardware upgrades. Who knows. I'd love a Pandora app (although Airplaying iPhone -> Apple TV works pretty great already).

 

[clarkie604]

Also, regarding your mention of missing the DVR functionality--have you ever considered the EyeTV products from Elgato? Their hybrid tuner and software basically turns your computer into a DVR, let's you record programming just like a DVR and convert the video to be pushed out to your TV. No personally experience but it's what I'd probably use if I could convince the wife to ditch DirecTV.

I'll have to look into that. My problem is that our main computer is a family computer and I've had problems getting everybody to leave software running like that alone. Maybe it's time to get a dedicated media server desktop.

One of the things that has made me reluctant to go for a DVR on computer system is that I want it to be easy to watch DVRd shows on TV - like, easy enough for my 3-year olds to do it (or my wife). It won't work if I have to find the DVRd file and add it to my iTunes library.

What I would love is a reasonably priced set top box. Like a Tivo that I could afford. I looked into Tivo for over the air when we switched off Dish Network and the monthly fees for OTA Tivo are almost as much as satellite.

 

[marzer]

My problem is that our main computer is a family computer and I've had problems getting everybody to leave software running like that alone.

An easy solution for that one is a dedicated logon and fast-user-switching. Create a user account just for running those types of services, start the shared services and then switch away from that account (without logging out).

 

[rhp2424]

I hadn't thought about Hulu+. What's the difference between Hulu+ and Netflix.

I got Hulu+ for the ability to watch Daily Show, Colbert Report, and a couple of NBC shows directly on my tv that Netflix doesn't carry or carry as they run. Hulu+ gets me those shows the next day after airing. I know I could have compiled something else together, but this was the cleanest solution for me to see exactly the tv I want to see. Added bonus is all the extra features and shows that come with Hulu+ that I can't get elsewhere like other movies that Netflix doesn't carry either. Again, not for everyone, but a combo Roku to get Hulu+ and all the Roku channel options, plus my ATV for iTunes, Netflix and podcasts provides everything I need for now and at only a monthly cost of Hulu+ and the two devices at $99 each.

 

[From A Buick 8]

First no new ATV this year, although I am holding out for a significant upgrade to allow for an App store for the ATV.

Using an EyeTv can work out well as a DVR it even will transcode and move the file to iTunes for you, so about 30 min after the show airs it will be available on your ATV.

Hulu+ has more recent TV shows available, compared to what you can find on Netflix.

If you have JB your ATV you can try Plex in place of XMBC and see if that is easier to run the VOB rips, but like you the ease of use with the iTunes and ATV keeps me encoding with HB.

Instead of JB your could use AirPlay or the Plex app on your iPhone or iPad to play the VOB files.