Some questions about Apple TV

[Silas1066]

Can I play DVDs on my iMac and have the content redirected to the Apple TV device? In other words, can I throw a DVD into my mac and have it appear on the Apple tv?

Because the device is wireless, are there any problems with performance? Choppiness, freezing, etc.?

Does the Apple TV device interface with the computer (mac) through some kind of LAN connectivity, or do they both use the existing wireless network to connect to each other? In other words, am I going to have to start programming things like WEP keys and SSIDs into the Apple TV to get it to work?

 

[roidy]

Can I play DVDs on my iMac and have the content redirected to the Apple TV device? In other words, can I throw a DVD into my mac and have it appear on the Apple tv?

No.

Because the device is wireless, are there any problems with performance? Choppiness, freezing, etc.?

The device isn't just wireless, you can also use a wired connection. If you choose to use a wireless connection then it depends how good your wifi connection is as to how good your playback will be.

Does the Apple TV device interface with the computer (mac) through some kind of LAN connectivity, or do they both use the existing wireless network to connect to each other? In other words, am I going to have to start programming things like WEP keys and SSIDs into the Apple TV to get it to work?

Yes, the AppleTV connects to your computer over your LAN. Weather you want to connect it wired or wirelessly is upto you. If you choose to connect it wirelessly then like with any other wireless device you connect to your network you will need to enter your wifi securety settings eg WEP key.

 

[ChrisA]

am I going to have to start programming things like WEP keys and SSIDs into the Apple TV to get it to work?

Could you imagine how bad it would be if the answer were "No."?

Then you neighbors could watch your videos or worse, rent video or buy iTunes songs using your account.

You can choose to disable security if you like but then don't be surprised at what happens. Much better to enter those WEP passwords

 

[Silas1066]

So it is basically NetFlix in a box--a device that allows you to purchase movies and television shows through your Mac and send them to a TV.

Apple is brilliant, and I love their products, but I have to wonder who came up with this one.

 

[rayward]

So it is basically NetFlix in a box--a device that allows you to purchase movies and television shows through your Mac and send them to a TV.

Apple is brilliant, and I love their products, but I have to wonder who came up with this one.

Apple TV is an extension of iTunes so, if you rip your DVDs to your Mac, and move the files into iTunes, they become available on your Apple TV. It's a simple, albeit not entirely straightforward process (and the subject of numerous tutorials and discussion threads in here), but the necessary software is well established and free. All you need is the time, inclination and disk space.

 

[roidy]

So it is basically NetFlix in a box--a device that allows you to purchase movies and television shows through your Mac and send them to a TV.

Apple is brilliant, and I love their products, but I have to wonder who came up with this one.

Sure if Netflix allows you to rip and play your own video content or view photos or listen to music or listen to internet radio or watch youtube then it's exactly like Netflix. Seriously what exactly do you want it to do?

 

[viggen61]

So it is basically NetFlix in a box--a device that allows you to purchase movies and television shows through your Mac and send them to a TV.

But it's more than just movies and TV shows. Anything (except apps) available in the iTunes store is available on the TV. If you carry around days of music you bought on iTunes, or ripped from CDs on your iPod, that is available to your TV.

And you don't need a computer to do it. Hook it up to your network and the internet, and you can purchase or rent items from the iTunes store from the comfort of your armchair.