Apple airplay on appletv looks good

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joescrivens

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I've wanted this for a long time, but I wonder does anyone know if this will have to be with the new appleTV only. I have an older appleTv.
 
as reported by cnet

edit: they've lifted it from arstechnica's hands-on report

arstechnica.com said:
We confirmed with an Apple spokesperson that the maximum HD resolution of the Apple TV is 720p, consistent with recent rumors. Additionally, there will be no software update to bring the new features to older Apple TVs. Older Apple TVs will continue to work as they have been working up to this point, and they will continue to be able to purchase movies and TV shows even though the new Apple TV is rental-only.
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To be honest apple TV looks horribly crippled for a streamer. There are much better ones out there, such as the AC ryan one and you can rent movies etc on the PS3 and xbox now too. I think this one is a bit of a miss to be honest.
 
ding76uk said:
Can I stream stuff if I stored it all on a NAS drive?

Like the idea of this for the bedroom, as can put all my DVDs onto a NAS drive. Would I need to put an Itunes account with the NAS drive and then access it from apple TV?
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The short answer is we don't know yet. Once people have them in their hands we can find out.

Pete
 
What's a nas drive?

I won't be getting the new one simply because it has no hard drive. I currently store all my photos on mine and stream everything else.

I have my photos showing all the time and don't want to have to leave my computer on in order to see them
 
icecavern said:
Yup it's only on the new one. The old Apple TV isn't getting an upgrade.
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That's awfull customer service.

ding76uk said:
Network Access Storage, basically a Hard drive that connects your your router and then can be accessed from all you computers as a drive via wireless.
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Sorry to be pedantic but it's Network Attached Storage.
 
Off topic but a great line from a play on the Beeb back in the days when they cared about quality.

She: Your pedanticness drives me mad
He: It's pedantry darling

Love that :)
 
is there any difference in the kinds of renting features appletv has over other streamers? Like do the others have youtube, radio, netflix and the choice of films that appletv does? I know nothing about the other devices like this so would be interested to know
 
Youtube and radio I would expect all to have. Some Tvs even have youtube built in! Netflix is a US only service so you won't get it here. For film rental both the xbox and ps3 have more film companies on board with them than apple do and therefore there is a far wider selection of films too. As for the smaller makes (acryan etc) these are mainly for streaming your own content to your TV.
 
menthel said:
Youtube and radio I would expect all to have. Some Tvs even have youtube built in! Netflix is a US only service so you won't get it here. For film rental both the xbox and ps3 have more film companies on board with them than apple do and therefore there is a far wider selection of films too. As for the smaller makes (acryan etc) these are mainly for streaming your own content to your TV.
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looks like appletv has a lot more movies to rent than xbox, this was 2008 though, can't seem to get more current stats

apple_tv_vs._vudu2.jpg


no idea what vudu is, must be an american thing.

Also would be great if netflix came to the uk that would set it apart I would think.
 
I really dont get Apple TV - and this from someone on his 3rd iphone, imac, ipad, ipod and macbook user, and who gets excited over all things Apple. Basically its a virtual Blockbuster? Well, I have Sky movies for that... unless there is something I am missing?
 
Never have rented online. I just watch sky hd and we get love film as well.

Joe, as for your numbers, they are very out of date!
 
I use my appletv every day but I think i'm maybe unique?

I have a lot of video on my computer that I want to watch on my tv -home movies as well as movies I've downloaded. I rarely watch movies from discs, much more this way. I also watch a lot of tv shows this way. It's actually one of the only easy ways to watch home edited HD movies through your tv - think media center from ps3 or xbox, same thing -streamed hd movies.

Photos - all my photos are on appleTv and as I take new ones when I show them to family etc it is through appleTV. I also have the screensaver on my tv when the tv isn't showing programs. Anytime we have guests round we'll screen saver them.

Music - My AppleTV is hooked up to my AMP so music downstairs is entirely controlled through appleTV. I use the remote on my iphone to control it all.

Movie trailers - i often watch the movie trailers on it

renting - I've only rented a few things from it, but put it this way, I've rented more off it in the last 3 years than ever from any movie rental stores.

I have a ps3 and could do a large amount of this through that too but none of it is as good or as smooth in my experience.
 
a WDTV, popcornhour, acer revo (with windows MC or XBMC) for example will (possible exception of renting on some).

along with full internet browsing on some, iplayer/itvplayer/skyplayer plugins, media (video, music, photos etc) libraries, all movie file types playback, full 1080p and dolbyHD, and much more.
 
neil_g said:
a WDTV, popcornhour, acer revo (with windows MC or XBMC) for example will (possible exception of renting on some).

along with full internet browsing on some, iplayer/itvplayer/skyplayer plugins, media (video, music, photos etc) libraries, all movie file types playback, full 1080p and dolbyHD, and much more.
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heres the thing though. The AppleTV (old one) fits exactly what i want and the interface is perfect along with the remote app on my iphone and the airtunes streaming ability to play at same time with my mac upstairs. The only one thing i wanted was the airplay streaming which i can't have.

SO what would I gain at all from swapping to any of the above mentioned devices?
 
If your current one does what you want, then nothing. I don't think you would want to swap it for the new one either, though!
 
menthel said:
If your current one does what you want, then nothing. I don't think you would want to swap it for the new one either, though!
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no I don't was really disappointed in the new one - love the style and loved the airplay but lack of storage for me was a killer blow.
 
neil_g said:
exactly. but for what it is and how much it costs there are much better option out there. it would have to be cheaper and/or more functionable for a lot of people to concider the apple though.
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I think you are a feature counter neil. Just because something has more features doesn't make it better. Currently AppleTV does exactly what it says on the box, how can it be better at streaming video, photos and music from my computer?

What improvement to the core function does it need?

If there are boxes that do the exact same thing for cheaper then sure, you wouldn't buy the apple one if it were more expensive. But can I control the music playing through my itunes on my mac, apple tv and an airport express with my iphone remote app (or similar) with one of the other variety of media boxes?
 
joescrivens said:
I think you are a feature counter neil. Just because something has more features doesn't make it better. Currently AppleTV does exactly what it says on the box, how can it be better at streaming video, photos and music from my computer?
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not really counting features.. but in this day and age wheres the 1080 support from apple for example?

If there are boxes that do the exact same thing for cheaper then sure, you wouldn't buy the apple one if it were more expensive. But can I control the music playing through my itunes on my mac, apple tv and an airport express with my iphone remote app (or similar) with one of the other variety of media boxes?
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XBMC remote for android ;)

all im saying is that for most people that would buy a media streamer the appletv is limited for the price.
 
neil_g said:
not really counting features.. but in this day and age wheres the 1080 support from apple for example?



XBMC remote for android ;)

all im saying is that for most people that would buy a media streamer the appletv is limited for the price.
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but I don't use android nor have an android device so that wouldn't work for me

But yeah I don't get the 1080p thing either. I can see why it is missing from their new appletv if it's mainly targetted as a renter for bandwith reasons, but I want it for streaming across network not downloading
 
I think its time you two got a room tbh! Lets just hope Steve doesn't catch you at it...


;)
 
I have an ATV and use it for 2 things:
1) Stream apple lossless music (I buy CDs) from my iMac to the home theater
2) Rent movies in 720p and watch them on my 47" tv

Both of these work pretty much flawlessly with a single HDMI connection from the ATV to the AV receiver. Sound quality is perfect as you'd expect and rented movies look great even though they're "only" 720p. Yes I can see the difference to Bluray if I go up to the TV but from the sofa I can't (need a bigger tv!).

I have an 8/1Mbps internet connection and rented movies start playing in about 20 seconds in HD and 5 seconds in SD. Never had a hiccup in the middle of the movie. The sound is 5.1 DD which is also good.

My biggest gripes.. no subtitles so the kid can't really watch with us, and only a 24h viewing window once a movie is started.. so if I'm interrupted by work (yes my work sucks) in the evening, I HAVE to watch it the next evening (and before 24h is up).

Note: I have an american itunes account so I can rent movies. If I couldn't do that, I'd just have an Airport Express to stream the music.
 
joescrivens said:
but I don't use android nor have an android device so that wouldn't work for me
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yup, but id suggest that there are alternatives available

But yeah I don't get the 1080p thing either. I can see why it is missing from their new appletv if it's mainly targetted as a renter for bandwith reasons, but I want it for streaming across network not downloading
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but even 1080 upscalled maybe would be worth it as futureproofing?
 
neil_g said:
but even 1080 upscalled maybe would be worth it as futureproofing?
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i want 1080p don't get me wrong, curently i film everything at 1080p and then downscale it to 720 when i make my movies. I feel robbed - but I still think 720p looks awesome.

so I guess if I were to think about changing that would be the one thing I would want.

I reckon the masses don't care though. Most don't even know what 720p to 1080p means, they just hear HD and think it's the same - and devices like these are sold to the masses.
 
neil_g said:
you probably have a point there..

but for your reference:

720p = 1280×720
1080p = 1920x1080

its a fair amount of little boxes :)
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for my reference? what made you think I didn't know what the resolutions of those are?

or was you talking to the masses when you said "for your reference"?
 
I have the old AppleTV, which after I loaded ATV Flash works like it should & is so easy to FTP down my files in different formats. Not sure if this new one will allow that or you must use ITunes & all the restricts that imposes.
 
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