I currently own the original apple tv and I am very happy with it. I use a PlayStation to stream my netflix so I was wondering if there was really any benefit to upgrading or adding the ATV2 to my collection or not. What do you guys think?
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Would You Guys Recommend the ATV2?
- Thread starter ufcfighter
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Well it's faster.
NetFlix works great on the Apple TV 2.
Don't forget that soon ATV2 will have apps in it. That is a big reason to switch.
But I saw the Google TV and was really impress on it.
I think the ATV2 needs a better remote and a browser.
But instead of the remote. If you have a iPhone/iPod Touch/ iPad, then theres no need for the remote and you can use the remote app on the iDevices to control it which is easier.
So yes the ATV2 is great once the app hits it.
NetFlix works great on the Apple TV 2.
Don't forget that soon ATV2 will have apps in it. That is a big reason to switch.
But I saw the Google TV and was really impress on it.
I think the ATV2 needs a better remote and a browser.
But instead of the remote. If you have a iPhone/iPod Touch/ iPad, then theres no need for the remote and you can use the remote app on the iDevices to control it which is easier.
So yes the ATV2 is great once the app hits it.
Dont purchase one. The original ATV is far superior. I've owned both and feel like I threw $100.00 in the trash with the new ATV.
I've encountered pauses during playback over a 802.11n connection with excellent signal as well as frame judder. Even with a wired connection although pauses are eliminated I still see frame judder every 20 - 30 seconds very low end piece of equipment.
The entire ATV2 Help Form on Apples website is filled with consumers who are having similar problems with this piece of hardware. I would caution against listening to those give this product any praise as this Forum is filled with fanboy loyalists that would defend any piece of garbage designed by Apple. Personally Im just a fan of hardware that works...
I've encountered pauses during playback over a 802.11n connection with excellent signal as well as frame judder. Even with a wired connection although pauses are eliminated I still see frame judder every 20 - 30 seconds very low end piece of equipment.
The entire ATV2 Help Form on Apples website is filled with consumers who are having similar problems with this piece of hardware. I would caution against listening to those give this product any praise as this Forum is filled with fanboy loyalists that would defend any piece of garbage designed by Apple. Personally Im just a fan of hardware that works...
If your old unit is still working fine, then I wouldn't bother replacing it with the new one. Right now, you have the option to sync and not keep your computer on in order to access your media library. Currently, the only real benefit of the new ATV is Netflix, which you already get through your PS3 (incidentally, starting today you can get Netflix on the PS3 disc-free).
If Apple opens up the platform to other apps (come on Hulu!) for streaming services, then it would make the ATV2 a fantastic deal. I bought one but only because my original ATV died.
The new one does run on a lot less power, though.
If Apple opens up the platform to other apps (come on Hulu!) for streaming services, then it would make the ATV2 a fantastic deal. I bought one but only because my original ATV died.
The new one does run on a lot less power, though.
Don't waste your money
A. the only benefit is netflix streaming.
B. if you have an older HD tv your screen may appear to have small wave distortions. (happened to me)
C. If you want to buy a movie I think the ATV v1 solution is a lot more elegant.
D. Absolutely no picture controls. You can't set the box for various resolutions.
E. You're at the mercy of your internet connection while streaming rentals.
I'm returning mine today. My Roku box gives me netflix and soon hulu. I can't complain.
A. the only benefit is netflix streaming.
B. if you have an older HD tv your screen may appear to have small wave distortions. (happened to me)
C. If you want to buy a movie I think the ATV v1 solution is a lot more elegant.
D. Absolutely no picture controls. You can't set the box for various resolutions.
E. You're at the mercy of your internet connection while streaming rentals.
I'm returning mine today. My Roku box gives me netflix and soon hulu. I can't complain.
If you already have a ps3 AND the original apple tv, I'd say that no there is currently no compelling reason to grab the apple tv 2 (ATV2).
I never owned the ATV1, but I now own the ATV2. I love it but from these forums and the one at apple.com, I gather that the functionality of the ATV2 is in many ways a step backward from the first one. I guess this is because they started over with a new operating system (iOS), and apparently didn't complete all the functionality checks so that they matched what was available on the ATV1.
As an example, I have home movies in iTunes, and my ATV2 shows them all in one long list when displayed on my TV. I looked up various blog posts that suggested organizing these home movies by tagging them in iTunes as "TV shows", with different TV shows referring to different events. IE: make a "Home Movies" TV show, with different episodes tags allowing you to subdivide further. Well, by all reports, that organizational trick still works great on ATV1, but I can confirm it does not work on ATV2. You can still do the tagging in iTunes, of course, but the home movies won't display in divided folders on ATV2.
Little "gotchas" like these are annoying, but as someone who didn't have the ATV1, I am happy with the product as it does do streaming very well (over my 10Mbps internet connection and over my wired ethernet home network).
The netflix interface on ATV2 is indeed much better than the interface on my Insignia Blu-ray player, so that's a plus. The price at $100 is also a plus (especially since I don't ever see myself getting a PS3).
But, in your case (original poster), I'd say wait a few months until some ATV2 updates come out and (hopefully) some of the deficiencies in functionality get fixed. At $100, you can always buy later.
Also wait to see how cool Airplay is. All rumors claim it will be very good, but you never know for sure until people start using it and finding all the early-adopter issues.
I never owned the ATV1, but I now own the ATV2. I love it but from these forums and the one at apple.com, I gather that the functionality of the ATV2 is in many ways a step backward from the first one. I guess this is because they started over with a new operating system (iOS), and apparently didn't complete all the functionality checks so that they matched what was available on the ATV1.
As an example, I have home movies in iTunes, and my ATV2 shows them all in one long list when displayed on my TV. I looked up various blog posts that suggested organizing these home movies by tagging them in iTunes as "TV shows", with different TV shows referring to different events. IE: make a "Home Movies" TV show, with different episodes tags allowing you to subdivide further. Well, by all reports, that organizational trick still works great on ATV1, but I can confirm it does not work on ATV2. You can still do the tagging in iTunes, of course, but the home movies won't display in divided folders on ATV2.
Little "gotchas" like these are annoying, but as someone who didn't have the ATV1, I am happy with the product as it does do streaming very well (over my 10Mbps internet connection and over my wired ethernet home network).
The netflix interface on ATV2 is indeed much better than the interface on my Insignia Blu-ray player, so that's a plus. The price at $100 is also a plus (especially since I don't ever see myself getting a PS3).
But, in your case (original poster), I'd say wait a few months until some ATV2 updates come out and (hopefully) some of the deficiencies in functionality get fixed. At $100, you can always buy later.
Also wait to see how cool Airplay is. All rumors claim it will be very good, but you never know for sure until people start using it and finding all the early-adopter issues.
Well guys thank you for taking the time to reply to my question. It sounds like I would be better of just waiting for now and staying with my current setup. Thanks for the advice everyone.
For most functionality, there's little difference between V1 and V2. I own two older Apple TVs and now 1 of the newer ones so far. Both work just fine for movie rentals through iTunes...V2 is a bit quicker about presenting the movie options though, but it isn't a landslide difference. The new hardware does operate quicker than the old ones, regardless of posts I've seen here which show the old box having some higher theoretical specs. The new Apple TV definitely is "snappier" for those that like the term.
The new Apple TV menus are a also little cleaner...fewer repeated options (no more my shared movies, my shared...). Again, no big deal in the scheme of things.
Because of how the copyright rules are, I never, never, never would have considered buying a movie or tv show directly from my old Apple TV box(es), because it would only ever be allowed to play on that box alone. I do however purchase lots of movies and TV shows from iTunes on my computer - which allows me to put them on any device...like my Apple TVs (all of them, not just the one device I could have purchased it on), my iPhone(s), iPad(s) - I have several at home of each. So losing the option to buy directly from the Apple TV in V2 (which was an option in V1) is an improvement in my eyes. I always have, and always will continue, to buy my copyright protected media through the computer, not through the end device it will be played on.
New Apple TV has Netflix built in. Fantastic improvement IMHO. I like the Netflix implementation in Apple TV2 much better than the website, the iPad application, or the iPhone application. The movie choices are much easier to look through on the new Apple TV. Anytime I've got some time on my hands to waste...I will now open up Netflix and watch some movie I never took the time to watch in a theater or on cable (actually, FIOS).
Apple TV2...also has a future. Steaming between devices will likely be amazing (at least for people like me). I look forward to watching something on one device and then being able to pick up where I paused on another device. Kinda like how iBooks works with the iPad and iPhone version of the same book....only for video and audio. A nice convenience. The old Apple TV will never get this functionality.
Apple TV2 also likely will have apps down the road. This could be a neat improvement as well, depending on what's developed. The older devices will not get apps either.
The biggest "shortfall" of the new Apple TV is that it requires you to use an HDMI cable...gone are the days of other HD video connectors. If your TV doesn't have HDMI, you're outta luck at the moment. That's why I only have one of the new boxes, and not four or five of them.
In short...
If you don't have an Apple TV...go ahead and get one. For $100 you can't go wrong.
If you do have an Apple TV and it is still working...keep it. Unless you think you really want to have Netflix right now on it as well...if so, get the new one.
The only conceivable reason to want to buy the old Apple TV today is your video connection. No HDMI = no worky for the new one.
The new Apple TV menus are a also little cleaner...fewer repeated options (no more my shared movies, my shared...). Again, no big deal in the scheme of things.
Because of how the copyright rules are, I never, never, never would have considered buying a movie or tv show directly from my old Apple TV box(es), because it would only ever be allowed to play on that box alone. I do however purchase lots of movies and TV shows from iTunes on my computer - which allows me to put them on any device...like my Apple TVs (all of them, not just the one device I could have purchased it on), my iPhone(s), iPad(s) - I have several at home of each. So losing the option to buy directly from the Apple TV in V2 (which was an option in V1) is an improvement in my eyes. I always have, and always will continue, to buy my copyright protected media through the computer, not through the end device it will be played on.
New Apple TV has Netflix built in. Fantastic improvement IMHO. I like the Netflix implementation in Apple TV2 much better than the website, the iPad application, or the iPhone application. The movie choices are much easier to look through on the new Apple TV. Anytime I've got some time on my hands to waste...I will now open up Netflix and watch some movie I never took the time to watch in a theater or on cable (actually, FIOS).
Apple TV2...also has a future. Steaming between devices will likely be amazing (at least for people like me). I look forward to watching something on one device and then being able to pick up where I paused on another device. Kinda like how iBooks works with the iPad and iPhone version of the same book....only for video and audio. A nice convenience. The old Apple TV will never get this functionality.
Apple TV2 also likely will have apps down the road. This could be a neat improvement as well, depending on what's developed. The older devices will not get apps either.
The biggest "shortfall" of the new Apple TV is that it requires you to use an HDMI cable...gone are the days of other HD video connectors. If your TV doesn't have HDMI, you're outta luck at the moment. That's why I only have one of the new boxes, and not four or five of them.
In short...
If you don't have an Apple TV...go ahead and get one. For $100 you can't go wrong.
If you do have an Apple TV and it is still working...keep it. Unless you think you really want to have Netflix right now on it as well...if so, get the new one.
The only conceivable reason to want to buy the old Apple TV today is your video connection. No HDMI = no worky for the new one.
For your case I wouldn't, you already have a Netflix streaming device and, at least at the moment, there's nothing the new one can do that the old one can't.
Wanted to get my 2 cents in. If you were adding the ATV2 to a TV that doesn't have an ATV or similar product to it, I think you'd be fine especially since you're already part Apple's digital hub ecosystem. But I haven't seen anything that would make me want to chuck an existing ATV for an ATV2. Except...
If Airplay comes anywhere close to what some of the rumors I've read, then the ATV2 becomes a living-room changing product. I really hope Apple capitilizes on the opportunity they have here.
I agree 100% that Apple really needs to address how iTunes handles large libraries. You gave a great example of how it applies to video, and while I think they do okay with music, I really wish they would allow me to store my videos and podcasts into custom groups that I could sort through from any Apple device that reads from the library. Heck I'd even like to customize the list of radio stations that comes with iTunes, namely creating my own favorites folders where I can include any of the stations that come in iTunes' Radio view or add any station that I can already add to my iTunes library. C'mon Apple, can't be that hard.
Not true for me. I buy movies on the old ATV all the time and I move my purchases to my iTunes media box by syncing my ATVs with iTunes.
The reason I'm upgrading to the ATV2 is for the more powerful graphics. Some of the content I purchased on the iTunes stutters on the ATV1 (Wether I stream or sync).
I think the bit rate of some of the content on the store is above what the ATV1 can properly handle.
If it weren't for the better graphics, I would have waited for the 99 cents TV shows to become available in Canada. (Provided many popular networks were available)
I think the bit rate of some of the content on the store is above what the ATV1 can properly handle.
If it weren't for the better graphics, I would have waited for the 99 cents TV shows to become available in Canada. (Provided many popular networks were available)
My Apple TV 2 stutters on some videos, never had the issue with the original.
More powerful ? reports and tests show the original actually had more power.
More powerful ? reports and tests show the original actually had more power.
I also like the fact that the ATV2 has more powerful graphics capability. It handles 720p content superbly with absolutely no hiccups that the ATV1 would stutter and skip with. In fact, I can't find any 720p content the new ATV can't handle so when ripping and encoding a movie you no longer have to set a max bitrate like with the old Apple TV.
Just to balance it out a bit. I think it is a bit extreme to say the original is far superior, it really depends on what you are doing with it. And it does look like some people are having issues, but based on the forums (here and apples forum) it doesn't look like anymore than we get with most new products that come out. Thousands of these are being sold and the vast majority are fine. And for the record, I am not a fan boy, I don't own a mac, but I do like the apple gadgets (iphone, ipad, atv). I think there are several improvements in the new model, not just netflix as people like to quote, which features are important to you will determine if you care about the new model. And yes, there is a risk you will have some issues, if you are one of those with significant issues you can return it, otherwise wait for the updates to fix some of the grouping/sorting issues...
Some of the key improvements are:
- netflix (as stated above). Excellent interface.
- buffering is much better. I can ffw and rew my movies now with no problem, and it keeps the buffer as long as it can. This was a big win for me.
- handles 720p better and higher bit rates. My old atv couldn't play my 720p movies well, this one has no problem.
- handles 720p at 30fps, this is very significant for me, i can now play my hd home movies, couldn't do it with the old atv.
- airplay, will be out next month.
- .99 tv show rentals, though selection makes this feature pretty limited at this point.
- more choices for screensaver (not a big deal, but I like oragami )
- Don't need to sync with itunes. When I add a video to itunes it just shows up.
Some of the key improvements are:
- netflix (as stated above). Excellent interface.
- buffering is much better. I can ffw and rew my movies now with no problem, and it keeps the buffer as long as it can. This was a big win for me.
- handles 720p better and higher bit rates. My old atv couldn't play my 720p movies well, this one has no problem.
- handles 720p at 30fps, this is very significant for me, i can now play my hd home movies, couldn't do it with the old atv.
- airplay, will be out next month.
- .99 tv show rentals, though selection makes this feature pretty limited at this point.
- more choices for screensaver (not a big deal, but I like oragami )
- Don't need to sync with itunes. When I add a video to itunes it just shows up.
its worth it for the netflix if you don't already have a netflix streaming device BUT it'll be worth it even without netflix in a few months and with one major update (which is expected and inevitable). We should see the channel app implementation soon...
Yes - if you don't have a Netflix device.
Yes - if you don't mind waiting for the App Channel Store.
No - if you already have a Netflix device.
No - if you aren't patient waiting for this supposed major update.
Yes - if you don't have a Netflix device.
Yes - if you don't mind waiting for the App Channel Store.
No - if you already have a Netflix device.
No - if you aren't patient waiting for this supposed major update.