The Reason No One Buys Apple Tv

[leekohler]

I just bought an ATV today, and I must say even without the new features I love it. What a fantastic idea. I've had a blast just using it with Youtube today. My roommate and I watched some Dexter episodes on it as well. When the new software comes out, it will be unmatched. Good for Apple for doing this. My roommate is an unbelievable skeptic and he loved it too. I love ATV.

 

[harcosparky]

I agree too. Im still going to get one but I have friends that use Windows Media Center and they can record their TV shows. It would be nice if ATV had the same features as a Windows program.

I thought the ATV was supposed to be an 'extension' of your computer to your TV.

I use my ATV to view shows I recorded on my computer TV all the time, and unlike Media Center I do not have to hook the computer to the TV.

My computer is on one side of the house and my TV is on the other. Thanks to ATV, programs I record can be streamed to my TV.

If I wanted my computer where the TV was located I could hook it directly to the TV and not need the ATV, but I do not want to do that. The ATV allows me the freedom to put the TV where I want it and the computer where I want it.

Before I bought Apple Computers I looked at Media Center, and laughed at it. I mean I was doing everything on my PC that one could do on a Media Center and not paying a premium price for a " media center ".

I always thought of Media Center as just another Microsoft marketing gimmick.

 

[Live Steam]

No it cannot. It only has video and audio outputs.

• Can your cable DVR stream music from your iTunes collection?
• Can your cable DVR show pictures from your Mac or PC?
• Can your cable DVR view MP4 videos from your Mac or PC?
• Can your cable DVR buy content (music and movies) from the iTunes store?

If it cannot, do you wish your cable DVR could do any or all of these things?

If so, you might want to consider an Apple TV.

If not, then the Apple TV is not something you need concern yourself about.

You say no recording. Cave Man says it can record TV. What is the deal? Can or can't it record?

As for the other things you mentioned, I can do that with any wireless router and a home theater interface - even a mini, which may better option that the ATV as it can probably be configured to record as well. The only thing the ATV offers is a line to Apple to rent movies from them. Maybe they should give the ATV away for free with the idea that it will be paid for through movie rentals.

I still don't see any advantage it provides other than as a link. It has a HD so there must be some way to write to is. Does it act as a DVR?

 

[Much Ado]

I just bought an ATV today, and I must say even without the new features I love it. What a fantastic idea. I've had a blast just using it with Youtube today. My roommate and I watched some Dexter episodes on it as well. When the new software comes out, it will be unmatched. Good for Apple for doing this. My roommate is an unbelievable skeptic and he loved it too. I love ATV.

I totally agree.

The new software update will be great, and with the competitive rentals I'm sure loads of people will buy ATVs... but even without the update I still love the little box.

 

[Alrescha]

You say no recording. Cave Man says it can record TV. What is the deal? Can or can't it record?

No he didn't. He uses an EyeTV with his computer to record content for his Apple TV.

The Apple TV is not a DVR.

A.

 

[Cave Man]

Cave Man says (the ATV) can record TV.

No, I did not.

What is the deal? Can or can't it record?

No, it cannot.

As for the other things you mentioned, I can do that with any wireless router and a home theater interface - even a mini, which may better option that the ATV as it can probably be configured to record as well.

The ATV has a better graphics unit, capable of delivering 1080 video (although currently restricted to 720 output). The Mini has 802.11g, not n, and could experience wireless issues with high bit rate video. It also has DVI, not HDMI and is more expensive. The Mini can do Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1 playback of DVDs, MKV and MOV files, and upscale DVDs. There are times when a Mini is better, and times when an ATV would be better. And yes, the Mini can record HD with the Eye TV device.

The only thing the ATV offers is a line to Apple to rent movies from them. Maybe they should give the ATV away for free with the idea that it will be paid for through movie rentals.

Apple makes very little on content sales. Probably not a good business decision.

I still don't see any advantage it provides other than as a link. It has a HD so there must be some way to write to is. Does it act as a DVR?

I don't have to pay $60 a month to have DirecTV or cable, plus the expense of the rental from those companies. I already have a computer and I already have high-speed internet access. I'd rather spend that $60 a month on other things. We've been DirecTV-free for a year and that $720 we saved was spend on the ATV, Eye TV Hybrid and a 1 TB hard drive. They've paid for themselves at this point (1 year after the ATV purchase).

 

[ebony]

there is no cable that people can watch live tv, honestly do u really need it to be wireless come on u know u can just hook it up and plus you can watch on your computer. without having channels on apple tv its just a complete waste of money.

I think you are missing the point of the AppleTV. It is an itunes library media extender , i.e. anything in your itunes library can be played on your AppleTV on your TV.

Where you get your content is up to you, but as of now the AppleTV does not provide the content, ( apart from Youtube ), it is the conduit that allows you to view the media content you already have.

Apple have never said it would do or be anything else. For me the way it functions now is excellent. I have eyeTV and convert DVD's, I have over 1TB of media ( mostly films and tv programs ).

With ver 2 of the software Apple will be allowing you to obtain the content directly from the itunes store. For me the interface is changing too much, and AppleTV is becoming more of an itunes store portal, with a negative effect on the simple interface that allows me to access multiple itunes sources that contain my media content. For me I will be sticking with ver 1.1.

So in conclusion my thoughts are I don't want the option to obtain content using the appletv - the opposite of what your misinformed expectations of the AppleTV are.

 

[Live Steam]

You have to pay the cost of your movie rental, plus your monthly subscription to your cable provider. How much is that? Most people pay in the $40-$60 range for monthly services. We only have HDTV through an antenna on our roof, plus a one-time expense of an Eye TV Hybrid of $150. Since we already have a computer and high-speed internet access, this is the most cost-efficient means of renting HD movies and recording HD content from our local TV stations for playback on the ATV.

The ATV is a kick-@$$ device.

If you do not have cable and do not rent movies, where do you get your content?

 

[MovieCutter]

there is no cable that people can watch live tv, honestly do u really need it to be wireless come on u know u can just hook it up and plus you can watch on your computer. without having channels on apple tv its just a complete waste of money.

Have you even tried watchin live TV lately? It blows. Aside from the Daily Show and the Colbert Report, my TV is set to AppleTV 90% of the time. Thanks for your concern though.

 

[severe]

I just bought an ATV today, and I must say even without the new features I love it. What a fantastic idea. I've had a blast just using it with Youtube today. My roommate and I watched some Dexter episodes on it as well. When the new software comes out, it will be unmatched. Good for Apple for doing this. My roommate is an unbelievable skeptic and he loved it too. I love ATV.

Same here. I've had the ATV in my place since Friday, and I find it great.

Do I believe there are other ways of doing what it does with the current software? Yes. So elegantly and without hassle? No. All for $200?

Sold.

So far, my favorite use is streaming online content that I've converted to an iTunes format. (there's a ton of media on the net that can't easily be found in hardcopy) After spending most of my day in front of computer monitors, I loathe the idea of having to watch something lengthy in front of a computer. Now that's no longer an issue. And without having to burn the media to DVD and deal with those format issues as well.

Worth the price of admission.

 

[Cave Man]

If you do not have cable and do not rent movies, where do you get your content?

I didn't say we don't rent movies. I said we don't pay $60 per month for DirecTV anymore. Cable's just as bad. We rent some movies, but we get most through our local library. Once the HD rentals become available through the ATV, we will likely rent some of those. All of our other content is from DVDs that we own (which have been imported using Handbrake) and from our over-the-air antenna digital broadcasts from two nearby cities.

 

[Jestered]

(sarcasm) I totally agree with the OP! And not to be off topic, but... I am totally pissed that the iPod does not include a CD player! What is Apple thinking?!?!?!?!?

 

[severe]

I didn't say we don't rent movies. I said we don't pay $60 per month for DirecTV anymore. Cable's just as bad.

Worse, IMO.

I'm currently in the limbo between cable and the move to DirecTV. Can hardly wait for the installation. Now I just have to see what my options are (not many) for my internet services to be completely free of cable's stranglehold. I'll have to keep the cable line for that, for the time being. Even so.. my services will be 1/3 less than my current cable bill, with more HD content.

 

[McGiord]

My MacBook with Front Row does the job, no need for extra hardware yet.
________
marijuana pictures

 

[BlakTornado]

I would, personally, rather get a Mac Mini - probably a refurb - if I was going to get either. It's not an incredible amount different in size (twice the height, if I'm correct?) which is no problem and it plays DVDs and CDs, as well as running OS X which means I can do things like web browsing on it and basic things like that as well... including playing a few basic Mac games (They're actually pretty good).
You can also connect external devices (like Hard Drives, EyeTV, etc.) and instead of of the Apple Remote (Which doesn't work with it, I don't think), you can just use a bluetooth mouse instead, which is actually more powerful and you can do so much more with one. You don't even need a keyboard if you don't want (well, apart from installation but most people have a keyboard and if not, you could get one cheaply - it doesn't have to be a bluetooth one if you're just using it for the bare essentials).
Plus you get things like Skype on a Mini, too... imagine having a family chat to someone in your living room. The possibilities are more endless with the Mac Mini, rather than the Apple TV since you have a computer, not a gadget.
Plus, the Mini is only £200 more - which isn't that bad considering you get so much more.

 

[pondie84]

I would, personally, rather get a Mac Mini - probably a refurb - if I was going to get either...

You can also connect external devices (like Hard Drives, EyeTV, etc.) and instead of of the Apple Remote (Which doesn't work with it, I don't think), you can just use a bluetooth mouse instead...

The Mac Mini does work with the Apple Remote in various programs, including Front Row. However, you'd still need the mouse to shut it down (I think... although please tell me if there's another way!).

 

[infobhan]

Apple has botched ATV in more than one way. They've tied it to iTunes, so as to be cross-platform. Sorry, but iTunes is a lousy photo app. I'd much rather see Apple restrict ATV to Mac users and allow some better photo functionality. ATV has a limited audience already, so there's little harm in further limiting it while working to get it "right."

I'm not sure I understand your point here. I just got an Apple TV and I've been impressed with how it handles photos. What exactly would you like it to do? I have it sync all my photos from Aperture and I get full access to all my albums, including smart albums. It's fantastic.

 

[MikeL]

I'm not sure I understand your point here. I just got an Apple TV and I've been impressed with how it handles photos. What exactly would you like it to do? I have it sync all my photos from Aperture and I get full access to all my albums, including smart albums. It's fantastic.

Try to display a photo smack dab in the middle of a 200-photo album in 30 seconds. There's no thumbnail view from which to select photos. That's so... basic.

 

[Cave Man]

The Mac Mini does work with the Apple Remote in various programs, including Front Row. However, you'd still need the mouse to shut it down (I think... although please tell me if there's another way!).

Who shuts their Macs down?

 

[pondie84]

Who shuts their Macs down?

I do. Leaving them on is a waste of electricity.

 

[BoulderBum]

Talk about trolling...

After macworld, i know 7 people (including myself) who went out an bought one in anticipation of rentals. Like another poster in this thread, I'm not sure you understand what the purpose of the device is

Make that 8 with me. This is my first post.

My dream is to handle video much the same way I do music now, where everything is on my network and managed by computer. I want to be able to rip videos or download them, I want to be able to get rentals online, I like the idea of taking it with me on my portable device, and I really want to be able to play it on my big screen TV vs. my computer monitor.

I already own a 1 TB MediaSmart Server, largely for storing video on my network, I'm looking at a D-Link DPG-100 or SlingCatcher to handle things like projecting computer-recorded TV to my set, and the day I heard Apple was going to have rentals from every major studio available through iTunes (in HD), I not only bought an Apple TV, but a brand new HDTV as well (partially because I had an older TV that doesn't have the proper ports).

I will say that Apple TV wasn't extremely compelling without the rental feature, though.

 

[maceleven]

Or Spell

OR SPELL !

Don't feed the trolls; especially don't know what they're talking about.

 

[Cave Man]

I do. Leaving them on is a waste of electricity.

And what about the daily, weekly and monthly cron tasks for cleaning up the filesystem. Do they still run at some ungodly hour of the mornings?

 

[alFR]

And what about the daily, weekly and monthly cron tasks for cleaning up the filesystem. Do they still run at some ungodly hour of the mornings?

sudo periodic daily weekly monthly

 

[ayale99]

The Mac Mini does work with the Apple Remote in various programs, including Front Row. However, you'd still need the mouse to shut it down (I think... although please tell me if there's another way!).

Hold down the play button on the remote for a couple seconds. It puts your computer/AppleTV to sleep. A picture of the remote with zome Z's around it will pop up on your screen. I just discovered this the other day. Very handy.