New Apple TV 160GB
Posted by Notcot on Apr 13, 2010 in Home Cinema & Video |
5 CommentsReply |
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I have tried them all: Media Systems attached to the tv which stream from your pc, Windows Media Center, and many others. This is by far the best ! I bought the 160GB version, and I have not had one regret so far ! Amazing menus, and I have just downloaded my entire iTunes onto the hdd. Setup is as simple as can be: turn your pc on, open iTunes, ensure your network is up and running, and turn on the Apple TV. Note the code on your tv, which the Apple TV creates, then waddle over to your pc, tap that into iTunes (which would have already seen the Apple TV box on your network). You can then either stream or transfer the iTunes files. I opted to transfer, as it will then have everything without the pc being on. Goodness, could it be any easier. The menus and the remote are very responsive and it keeps things simple and user friendly. Video playback is a bit grainy, as these films, etc are designed for an ipod, and not your 50 inch display in the lounge ! However, if you are not used to High Definition SKY, etc, you will not see the difference. In fact Apple are going to release versions of films, etc for download in a resolution that will be in sync with a 50 inch display. So no fear for the future ! If you have a friend in the states, ask them nicely if you can put credit on their bank account and use the US iTunes. They have TONS of excellent stuff ! I am not saying that I have done this, but it’s quite simple: iLibs, then copy across Libraries. The Apple TV is now an integral part of my entertainment system. It’s an exceptional system, and sounds great either via the hdmi, or the optical output. I can only highly recommend you purchase one ! You will not regret it !
2009 Update: Apple’s HD Content looks AMAZING on my 50inch HD Plasma….I still rave about this to my friends and family – still going strong… software updates from Apple are steady and have improved the menu system. If this broke tomorrow, I would buy a new one immediately, it’s such an essential bit of kit in our TV Room……. Still the Best Media Centre device that money can buy !
Rating: 5 / 5
The Apple TV has gone through some major software changes over the past 12 months. You should therefore be careful with any reviews prior to November 2009 when Apple released the 3.0 product. This release significantly improves functionality, look & feel, performance, etc. It is now superior to Frontrow and makes a superb media jukebox if you use iTunes extensively. It’s great to be able to stream from your Windows or Mac media server: movies, music, photos, etc. It supports full sound surround, etc, and high def video. Very cool, along with internet radio and the Apple media store (which I personally don’t use at all).
So, lets just look at some issues folks have had:
1. connections. Yup, it does not support older cabling. You need HDMI or Component. Don’t buy if you’ve not got supported cabling. Idiots beware.
2. formats. Yup, is does not support AVI, DiVX and others out the box. If iTunes doesn’t support the media then it won’t work without a hack. But, with a little patience and tinkering you can get it to support all these with ease. If you are not happy hacking, then buy ATV and get a commercial product to add these extensions. Again, idiots beware.
3. size of disk. It’s funny, people get hung up over the size of disk. Well, the only thing you need the disk for is rentals (which I don’t do) or photos. Everything else (movies, music) you stream from your media server. There are some gottchas here: you need to make sure you allow iTunes to display unsynced media on the Apple TV. And, before that, you need to set up the device as a streamer from an itunes library (in the Apple TV settings you add an iTunes library). Now you can stream all you want and not worry about the size of the disk.
4. network performance. I have just today set up a 40GB Apple TV at a friends house over 802.11g. I never thought it would stream movies and took a spare 802.11n Airport Extreme with me in case. But it worked perfectly: no dropped frames over a wireless connection about 25 feet away. It is true that the initial sync can take some time over wireless, but that is not Apple’s fault. If you have a poor wireless network then it’s not going to be happy. Best advice is to sync up over physical cable first if you have a big photo collection and then switch to wireless.
5. Yup, if you smother your PC with firewalls and such don’t be surprised if you have some problems. Again, it’s hardly Apple’s fault if you lock down your network traffic so damn hard that it can’t get through.
6. cost to rent a movie. Yup, this sucks. I won’t pay Apple prices on rental. But I don’t need to: I buy second hand DVDs on Amazon for a buck, rip them and watch them. If you really want a movie in a hurry then Apples prices are cheaper than the petrol to get you to the movie store.
The real power of the Apple TV is as a media streamer. For that you need media to stream. So, rip your DVDs using Handbrake and VLC in the Apple TV format (m4v) and you’ll absolutely love this product.
JL
Rating: 5 / 5
I have been putting off buying an apple tv for a while now, as I didnt really see the point of it, as you could view your photos and music using your computer or ipod. However when Apple announced your could buy films, rent films and buy tv shows I decided now was the time. I bought it yesterday and I must say wow!!! Apple are constantly out doing themselves. As usual with most Apple products set up was so easy. Simply plug it in to the back to the tv, plug in the power, connect your wireless connection and hey presto thats it!!! When you have your wireless set up, simply turn your pc on, and itunes detects your apple tv and syncs all your music, photos and film to the apple tv. However you dont have to have your PC turned on at all times as you can purchase music and rent films via the apple tv, the same way you can through your ipod touch and iphone.
The HDMI connection makes your photos very clear and the interface is similar to that of your standard ipod. My opinion I must buy, definitely go for the larger hard-drive especially if you have a couple of itunes accounts on the one pc.
Rating: 5 / 5
Apple do it again. Another sleek, sexy, wonderful piece of kit.
One box, two leads (three if you don’t have wirless internet), and tv really is what you want it to be!
Very very easy to set up (though at first iTunes didn’t see the device, just go into itunes, prefrences and untick the look for Apple TV box, select OK, then go back and re-tick it – it then found it no problem).
As well as downloading EVERYTHING you have on itunes, not just your music, but any movies, podcasts, tv shows etc, you can also
Download any folders of photos – then bore I mean show all your friends a neat slide show on your telly with your fav music in the background (or even cooler have your photos floating around the screen as your screen saver on your telly!).
Watch trailers of movies – want to go to cinema but not sure what films are worth seeing… this will give you huge list to look at.
Surf and watch youtube videos – if you into youtube that is!
Best of all – once you synched up and downloaded to the internal harddrive (will I ever fill a whole 160Gb??) you could always unplug the box, take the box, power lead and telly lead to a mates house for an evening watching movies, listening to music, or showing your holiday snaps!
Yeah everything this box can do you can do on your computer… but just so nice lounging in front of proper tv and with a simple remote having all this at hand.
Go on you know you want one!
Rating: 5 / 5
I did so much research for a media player WDTV etc,,the ATV is great…dont underestimate the value of podcasts on your 50″ plasma and the access to all your DVD;s (in my case access to music DVD’s)…to be able to sit on the sofa and surf your entire collection of DVD’s with a remote then switch to YOUTUBE and Podcasts…fantastic…could do with better/faster processor..but had mine 6 weeks and if it got nicked tomorrow I would buy another….GET ONE !!
Rating: 5 / 5