The previous Apple TV did sync purchases back to the iTunes library that it syncs with. The problem is that when you purchase movies via iTunes, you have to wait for them to complete downloading before you can stream them anywhere. That sucks.
Last Friday we came from home work, picked up the kids, and decided we wanted to have a movie night. With our current Apple TV, we bought and we watched. With the new Apple TV if we want to buy (as is often the case for kids movies that get viewed again and again), we need to screen share into our Mac Mini library, buy the movie in iTunes, wait for it to download, and sync across the media list before Apple TV can play it. That's far from ideal, and my wife and kids won't even attempt it. It's just way too messy. Very uncharacteristic of Apple.
This would be a serious constraint, if true. Perhaps iTunes 10.1 will address this?
yes, definitely. so i will have my old no longer used PPC Mac Mini with a 2T external drive plugged in to it on my LAN (via ethernet - its (g) wifi is too slow) holding my iTunes master Library with Home Sharing on. will use Screen Sharing from my regular desktop to control it when needed (not often), so no monitor needed. yes, have to leave it on with iTunes running, but it's single purpose doing nothing else so not a practical issue (except for electric bill). will use my old no longer used 2G iPhone as its remote control with Remote app. once i plug a new ATV via ethernet into the LAN it all should work great! just point it to that LIbrary.
Recycle!
Used to have my PPC mini connected directly to my TV for better options that the old AppleTV had. Then it died so I replaced it with an Intel mini which adds digital audio out to my stereo. I'm debating whether the new AppleTV would be worth getting since I'd lose functionality of the mini.
One thing you want to consider in your scenario of using your PPC mini... Does AppleTV require vs 10 of iTunes, and does iTunes v10 support PPC Macs (I can't check from my current location to verify).
The previous Apple TV did sync purchases back to the iTunes library that it syncs with. The problem is that when you purchase movies via iTunes, you have to wait for them to complete downloading before you can stream them anywhere. That sucks.
Last Friday we came from home work, picked up the kids, and decided we wanted to have a movie night. With our current Apple TV, we bought and we watched. With the new Apple TV if we want to buy (as is often the case for kids movies that get viewed again and again), we need to screen share into our Mac Mini library, buy the movie in iTunes, wait for it to download, and sync across the media list before Apple TV can play it. That's far from ideal, and my wife and kids won't even attempt it. It's just way too messy. Very uncharacteristic of Apple.
In iTunes you can start watching a purchased movie before it's finished downloading, can't you? Hopefully Apple made the new AppleTV-iTunes combo smart enough to also allow iTunes to start streaming a purchase to AppleTV to watch while it's still downloading.
Only the old Apple TV does it from your computer. Not this new one.
Where did you get that idea from?
anantksundaram already provided the link, but here's the quote:
Quote:
Everything you want to watch ? movies, TV shows, photos, and more ? streams wirelessly to Apple TV. That way you don?t have to worry about managing storage or syncing to your iTunes library. HD movie and TV show rentals play over the Internet to your widescreen TV, while music and photos stream from your computer. Either way, all you have to do is click and play. Since Apple TV features a powerful A4 chip, it streams everything effortlessly, without frozen screens or stutters. Video looks crisp and clear. And just like watching a DVD, you can fast-forward through opening credits, pause for a popcorn break, or replay a hilarious scene until you memorize every line.
This is why my AppleTv is Wired. Instead of putting the router near a PC I put it with the TV since the broadband is coming from cable and the coxial cable is already there. So my AppleTV is just by the router so its wired.
but imo the AppleTV should just buff the stream so network hiccup wont translate into video lag. I think the old AppleTV only buff itunes rentals but it doesnt buff itunes streaming from a PC. Now lets hope they fix that with the new model.
I can't wire mine. Router and computers, etc are upstairs. PS3/Wii/Xbox360/ATV are all downstairs... I had it wired, but the computer was wireless... can't have a fully wired network.
I just need to make the fastest wireless network I can.
I'll stick with my original AppleTV so I'm not required to stream everything. I also like buying movies occasionally which you can't do on the new device. Netflix streaming is pervasive and I've got it on three other devices. Certainly for current AppleTV owners, there is little to no reason to buy the new one.
Anywhere except the US, and there is even less reason to buy a new device. No Netflix, no TV show rental. It also loses the ability to buy a TV show, and the photo background my parents love has to go via MobileMe (and my parents have 5GB/month quota, so may be an issue if they have 1000 background photos).
Of course it's faster. And AirPlay is interesting (though they already stream their music from Mac to AppleTV).
That said, I might buy one. The old aTV was too expensive, and the new one will expand in interesting ways. I might be forced to jailbreak, though I never did this with our iPhones.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thompr
If you buy movies with the previous Apple TV, they get transfered back to your host computer, right? Why don't you just go to that computer and buy them through iTunes directly? Then you can stream them to the new AppleTV.
Most times I've bought a TV show I've been ready to watch straight away. A 40 minute wait isn't long but it still affects how it feels.
The thing with a truly easy-to-use solution is going the extra mile to truly fit with what a user wants. Most companies say something is easy enough and ignore it, but going the extra mile makes a difference (of course Apple has it's own strange lock-outs of certain easy solutions).
I think it'd be good if the aTV allowed you to buy a TV show ONLY IF it has a connected iTunes machine - and either immediately downloaded to iTunes and stream to the aTV or vice versa.
The easiest solution is to buy an old Airport device to run the g devices and attach it to your main router running the n devices. Everything still talks to each other, you just have two separate networks for each type.
Or just get a new dual band airport extereme. It keeps the clutter and power consumption down, and the G side of things is much better than my old G only Airport devices.
You can get a good deal on refurbs in Apple's online store if you just keep an eye out for 'em.
I have just connected my new Apple TV and tried to see which shows are available on it. Even though Fox has signed up for the $.99/episode pricing, I cannot find "House" on the new Apple TV. Am I doing something wrong?
Indeed, it should easily hold an HD (720p) movie, no?
2hours at 5Mbps is 4.4GB. So mostly fine!
But are there any 4hour HD movie rentals to test? LotR?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmf2
It would, although streaming wouldn't require that.
The demos of movie rental looked exactly like now - ie: download and play while downloading. TV rentals looked the same too. In fact PC World (?) said it didn't downgrade the quality if your connection was slower but waited to get enough of the show before starting.
Or just get a new dual band airport extereme. It keeps the clutter and power consumption down, and the G side of things is much better than my old G only Airport devices.
You can get a good deal on refurbs in Apple's online store if you just keep an eye out for 'em.
The dual band solution involves N on 5Ghz, and G on 2.4Ghz.
Does the AppleTV do 5Ghz N? (the specs page doesn't say anything).
edit: the iPad DOES do 5Ghz, so maybe I jumped the gun.
I ordered an Apple TV yesterday. I was wondering if it is worthwhile considering hard wiring ethernet to my TV location or should WiFi n be satisfactory?
Hard wiring is always better. Wireless is convenient, but there are lots of things outside of your control that can interfere with it - from clueless neighbors picking the same band you are on to microwaves or cordless phones. Wired has none of those issues. Now if you are forgetful and run your Ethernet cable in parallel with power cable for some distance, that's another issue - but I'm sure you wouldn't make that mistake, right?
I've slowly been wiring my house and eliminating wireless from all but my laptops, iPhones and iPads - and the speed difference on transfers to the Tivo's, syncing to my ATV, accessing files on my windows home server, etc are noticeably faster. And with fewer devices hogging the wifi, the devices that really need to be wireless are also noticeably faster.
I still have a few runs from my basement to the attic to finish. I had conduit installed when the house was built - I have just been waiting for the weather to break so I don't sweat to death in the attic. I'm also going to take up some cans of foam and foam all the entry points for wiring in the walls to help tighten the house up, something I forgot to do before the Sheetrock went up I've got the tyvek bunny suite and a nice respirator from one of the big box home improvement stores - essential for not itching for a week from the dust and insulation. Good times
Most times I've bought a TV show I've been ready to watch straight away. A 40 minute wait isn't long but it still affects how it feels.
Why buy a TV show when you can rent it for half price... er... never mind. You can only do that for a few networks right now. But in the long run, stream shows that you only watch once at 99 cents each and purchase movies from iTunes in advance for <whatever they end up at>.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GregAlexander
I think it'd be good if the aTV allowed you to buy a TV show ONLY IF it has a connected iTunes machine - and either immediately downloaded to iTunes and stream to the aTV or vice versa.
The previous Apple TV did sync purchases back to the iTunes library that it syncs with. The problem is that when you purchase movies via iTunes, you have to wait for them to complete downloading before you can stream them anywhere. That sucks.
Last Friday we came from home work, picked up the kids, and decided we wanted to have a movie night. With our current Apple TV, we bought and we watched. With the new Apple TV if we want to buy (as is often the case for kids movies that get viewed again and again), we need to screen share into our Mac Mini library, buy the movie in iTunes, wait for it to download, and sync across the media list before Apple TV can play it. That's far from ideal, and my wife and kids won't even attempt it. It's just way too messy. Very uncharacteristic of Apple.
This is why I'm going to keep my MacMini attached to my big screen even when I get the new AppleTV attached to it too. Best of both worlds, I'd say.
Yes, it would be nice if Apple would combine the two into one easy thing.
But you realize that Apple is dealing with very specific use constraints imposed by the content owners, right? I'd be willing to bet that in order to get just the two networks they did, they had to handicap the device in specific ways.
Think about it folks, the last thing that all networks want is for us to *poof* into the future with the capabilities that everyone wants and that technology already supports.
We're going to have to deal with inconveniences for multiple years until the politics of entertainment shakes out. That's the reality. It is not a case of Apple (or anyone else, for that matter) just unilaterally deciding to give us what we are all hankering for.
My hunch is that if you need remote time machine, you're probably best off getting the "Time Capsule" device instead of cobbling together the capability. Good luck.
I wouldn't. I've had two hard drives die in my TC. Sure, they were replaced under warranty, but it's still a hassle. And now I can't maintain a connection long enough so I've pretty much given up on the time capsule and just use it as a dual band AE the majority of people speculate they just run to hot and I would agree. I have mine out in the open on top of a cabinet with nothing near it and it's still almost too hot to touch
I picked up an HP Media Smart 490EX Windows Home Server on special from NewEgg for $360. Not only is Time Machine flawless with it(edit:and I forgot to add, twice as fast!), but it also collected up all my media from my various machines and serves it up (including iTunes protected AAC content) to my computers, Tivos, iPhone, iPad. I even got the remote streaming via the free iPhone app HP has to work (seems to be problematic for some people - probably windows users ) Back to Time Machine, HP also includes a bare metal restore for the Mac in addition to the bare metal restore WHS provides for Windows boxes. You can run a utility included with the HP Mac WHS client to create a flash boot/restore drive. I have a new hard drive for my MBP, and instead of cloning I'm going to test out the bare metal restore to see how well it works.
For the money I am very pleased - you can expand it very easily with up to four internal SATA drives, 5 eSATA Drives via a case with a port multiplier and who knows how many USB drives. In some of the WHS forums people have 14 terabytes or more for their ripped DVD libraries and other media. It even downloads shows from my Tivos with a free add in from HP - its more reliable than popcorn for the Mac I haven't got the automatic transcoding to work since the transcoder HP bundles doesn't do Tivo files, but I found a blog post were someone installed and set up the plus version of the Windows Tivo desktop on the Home Server itself to convert the Tivo files for use on the ATV/iPad/iPhone. I think I am going to do that this weekend - then shows from my Tivo will automatically be downloaded, converted, and put in my main share iTunes library on the HP WHS. This model works PERFECTLY with the new Apple TV. If it only would delete the converted shows off the Tivo it would be totally automated and there is another add-in that makes the WHS look like another Tivo to my other Tivos so if I leave the Tivo files on I can stream to the Tivos from the WHS. lots of choices...
Apple really needs something like Windows Home Server - and no, the time capsule isnt it - not by a long shot.
If you buy movies with the previous Apple TV, they get transfered back to your host computer, right? Why don't you just go to that computer and buy them through iTunes directly? Then you can stream them to the new AppleTV.
The only problem I see with this is you have to get off the couch to make an impulse buy. The solution is simple: either don't make impulse buys of movies, or get off the couch. :-)
Thompson
So I should get the AppleTV so I can wait for a movie to fully download, then sync my iTunes and AppleTV before I can watch it? A process that will take 20 minutes or more. How is that a benefit when with the original AppleTV I can hit 'buy' and start watching the movie in under one minute?
What about the times I want to buy a movie when someone else in the family has taken the laptop? I'm SOL with the new AppleTV.
The original AppleTV was no perfect device but by taking out the internal storage, Apple has severely limited the appeal of it's successor. Thankfully I'm not required to buy this new device to continue enjoying the benefits of AppleTV.
Comments
The previous Apple TV did sync purchases back to the iTunes library that it syncs with. The problem is that when you purchase movies via iTunes, you have to wait for them to complete downloading before you can stream them anywhere. That sucks.
Last Friday we came from home work, picked up the kids, and decided we wanted to have a movie night. With our current Apple TV, we bought and we watched. With the new Apple TV if we want to buy (as is often the case for kids movies that get viewed again and again), we need to screen share into our Mac Mini library, buy the movie in iTunes, wait for it to download, and sync across the media list before Apple TV can play it. That's far from ideal, and my wife and kids won't even attempt it. It's just way too messy. Very uncharacteristic of Apple.
This would be a serious constraint, if true. Perhaps iTunes 10.1 will address this?
yes, definitely. so i will have my old no longer used PPC Mac Mini with a 2T external drive plugged in to it on my LAN (via ethernet - its (g) wifi is too slow) holding my iTunes master Library with Home Sharing on. will use Screen Sharing from my regular desktop to control it when needed (not often), so no monitor needed. yes, have to leave it on with iTunes running, but it's single purpose doing nothing else so not a practical issue (except for electric bill). will use my old no longer used 2G iPhone as its remote control with Remote app. once i plug a new ATV via ethernet into the LAN it all should work great! just point it to that LIbrary.
Recycle!
Used to have my PPC mini connected directly to my TV for better options that the old AppleTV had. Then it died so I replaced it with an Intel mini which adds digital audio out to my stereo. I'm debating whether the new AppleTV would be worth getting since I'd lose functionality of the mini.
One thing you want to consider in your scenario of using your PPC mini... Does AppleTV require vs 10 of iTunes, and does iTunes v10 support PPC Macs (I can't check from my current location to verify).
The previous Apple TV did sync purchases back to the iTunes library that it syncs with. The problem is that when you purchase movies via iTunes, you have to wait for them to complete downloading before you can stream them anywhere. That sucks.
Last Friday we came from home work, picked up the kids, and decided we wanted to have a movie night. With our current Apple TV, we bought and we watched. With the new Apple TV if we want to buy (as is often the case for kids movies that get viewed again and again), we need to screen share into our Mac Mini library, buy the movie in iTunes, wait for it to download, and sync across the media list before Apple TV can play it. That's far from ideal, and my wife and kids won't even attempt it. It's just way too messy. Very uncharacteristic of Apple.
In iTunes you can start watching a purchased movie before it's finished downloading, can't you? Hopefully Apple made the new AppleTV-iTunes combo smart enough to also allow iTunes to start streaming a purchase to AppleTV to watch while it's still downloading.
Only the old Apple TV does it from your computer. Not this new one.
Where did you get that idea from?
anantksundaram already provided the link, but here's the quote:
Everything you want to watch ? movies, TV shows, photos, and more ? streams wirelessly to Apple TV. That way you don?t have to worry about managing storage or syncing to your iTunes library. HD movie and TV show rentals play over the Internet to your widescreen TV, while music and photos stream from your computer. Either way, all you have to do is click and play. Since Apple TV features a powerful A4 chip, it streams everything effortlessly, without frozen screens or stutters. Video looks crisp and clear. And just like watching a DVD, you can fast-forward through opening credits, pause for a popcorn break, or replay a hilarious scene until you memorize every line.
This is why my AppleTv is Wired. Instead of putting the router near a PC I put it with the TV since the broadband is coming from cable and the coxial cable is already there. So my AppleTV is just by the router so its wired.
but imo the AppleTV should just buff the stream so network hiccup wont translate into video lag. I think the old AppleTV only buff itunes rentals but it doesnt buff itunes streaming from a PC. Now lets hope they fix that with the new model.
I can't wire mine. Router and computers, etc are upstairs. PS3/Wii/Xbox360/ATV are all downstairs... I had it wired, but the computer was wireless... can't have a fully wired network.
I just need to make the fastest wireless network I can.
Where did you get that idea from?
Just going of the screenshots of the menus. I don't see it anywhere.
For those ordering an AppleTv, don't forget to order a HDMI cable as well.
Don't order from Apple! You'll get robbed. You can get them for around $5 on the net. Buy.com has great prices..
I'll stick with my original AppleTV so I'm not required to stream everything. I also like buying movies occasionally which you can't do on the new device. Netflix streaming is pervasive and I've got it on three other devices. Certainly for current AppleTV owners, there is little to no reason to buy the new one.
Anywhere except the US, and there is even less reason to buy a new device. No Netflix, no TV show rental. It also loses the ability to buy a TV show, and the photo background my parents love has to go via MobileMe (and my parents have 5GB/month quota, so may be an issue if they have 1000 background photos).
Of course it's faster. And AirPlay is interesting (though they already stream their music from Mac to AppleTV).
That said, I might buy one. The old aTV was too expensive, and the new one will expand in interesting ways. I might be forced to jailbreak, though I never did this with our iPhones.
If you buy movies with the previous Apple TV, they get transfered back to your host computer, right? Why don't you just go to that computer and buy them through iTunes directly? Then you can stream them to the new AppleTV.
Most times I've bought a TV show I've been ready to watch straight away. A 40 minute wait isn't long but it still affects how it feels.
The thing with a truly easy-to-use solution is going the extra mile to truly fit with what a user wants. Most companies say something is easy enough and ignore it, but going the extra mile makes a difference (of course Apple has it's own strange lock-outs of certain easy solutions).
I think it'd be good if the aTV allowed you to buy a TV show ONLY IF it has a connected iTunes machine - and either immediately downloaded to iTunes and stream to the aTV or vice versa.
The easiest solution is to buy an old Airport device to run the g devices and attach it to your main router running the n devices. Everything still talks to each other, you just have two separate networks for each type.
Or just get a new dual band airport extereme. It keeps the clutter and power consumption down, and the G side of things is much better than my old G only Airport devices.
You can get a good deal on refurbs in Apple's online store if you just keep an eye out for 'em.
Indeed, it should easily hold an HD (720p) movie, no?
2hours at 5Mbps is 4.4GB. So mostly fine!
But are there any 4hour HD movie rentals to test?
It would, although streaming wouldn't require that.
The demos of movie rental looked exactly like now - ie: download and play while downloading. TV rentals looked the same too. In fact PC World (?) said it didn't downgrade the quality if your connection was slower but waited to get enough of the show before starting.
So I'm not convinced it uses streaming at all.
Or just get a new dual band airport extereme. It keeps the clutter and power consumption down, and the G side of things is much better than my old G only Airport devices.
You can get a good deal on refurbs in Apple's online store if you just keep an eye out for 'em.
The dual band solution involves N on 5Ghz, and G on 2.4Ghz.
Does the AppleTV do 5Ghz N? (the specs page doesn't say anything).
edit: the iPad DOES do 5Ghz, so maybe I jumped the gun.
I ordered an Apple TV yesterday. I was wondering if it is worthwhile considering hard wiring ethernet to my TV location or should WiFi n be satisfactory?
Hard wiring is always better. Wireless is convenient, but there are lots of things outside of your control that can interfere with it - from clueless neighbors picking the same band you are on to microwaves or cordless phones. Wired has none of those issues. Now if you are forgetful and run your Ethernet cable in parallel with power cable for some distance, that's another issue - but I'm sure you wouldn't make that mistake, right?
I've slowly been wiring my house and eliminating wireless from all but my laptops, iPhones and iPads - and the speed difference on transfers to the Tivo's, syncing to my ATV, accessing files on my windows home server, etc are noticeably faster. And with fewer devices hogging the wifi, the devices that really need to be wireless are also noticeably faster.
I still have a few runs from my basement to the attic to finish. I had conduit installed when the house was built - I have just been waiting for the weather to break so I don't sweat to death in the attic. I'm also going to take up some cans of foam and foam all the entry points for wiring in the walls to help tighten the house up, something I forgot to do before the Sheetrock went up
Most times I've bought a TV show I've been ready to watch straight away. A 40 minute wait isn't long but it still affects how it feels.
Why buy a TV show when you can rent it for half price... er... never mind. You can only do that for a few networks right now. But in the long run, stream shows that you only watch once at 99 cents each and purchase movies from iTunes in advance for <whatever they end up at>.
I think it'd be good if the aTV allowed you to buy a TV show ONLY IF it has a connected iTunes machine - and either immediately downloaded to iTunes and stream to the aTV or vice versa.
I like that.
Thompson
Don't order from Apple! You'll get robbed. You can get them for around $5 on the net. Buy.com has great prices..
Or monoprice.com.
The dual band solution involves N on 5Ghz, and G on 2.4Ghz.
Does the AppleTV do 5Ghz N? (the specs page doesn't say anything).
edit: the iPad DOES do 5Ghz, so maybe I jumped the gun.
Yes.
http://www.apple.com/appletv/specs.html
System requirements
The previous Apple TV did sync purchases back to the iTunes library that it syncs with. The problem is that when you purchase movies via iTunes, you have to wait for them to complete downloading before you can stream them anywhere. That sucks.
Last Friday we came from home work, picked up the kids, and decided we wanted to have a movie night. With our current Apple TV, we bought and we watched. With the new Apple TV if we want to buy (as is often the case for kids movies that get viewed again and again), we need to screen share into our Mac Mini library, buy the movie in iTunes, wait for it to download, and sync across the media list before Apple TV can play it. That's far from ideal, and my wife and kids won't even attempt it. It's just way too messy. Very uncharacteristic of Apple.
This is why I'm going to keep my MacMini attached to my big screen even when I get the new AppleTV attached to it too. Best of both worlds, I'd say.
Yes, it would be nice if Apple would combine the two into one easy thing.
But you realize that Apple is dealing with very specific use constraints imposed by the content owners, right? I'd be willing to bet that in order to get just the two networks they did, they had to handicap the device in specific ways.
Think about it folks, the last thing that all networks want is for us to *poof* into the future with the capabilities that everyone wants and that technology already supports.
We're going to have to deal with inconveniences for multiple years until the politics of entertainment shakes out. That's the reality. It is not a case of Apple (or anyone else, for that matter) just unilaterally deciding to give us what we are all hankering for.
Thompson
Or monoprice.com.
You just saved me a lot of money. Thank you!
My hunch is that if you need remote time machine, you're probably best off getting the "Time Capsule" device instead of cobbling together the capability. Good luck.
I wouldn't. I've had two hard drives die in my TC. Sure, they were replaced under warranty, but it's still a hassle. And now I can't maintain a connection long enough so I've pretty much given up on the time capsule and just use it as a dual band AE
I picked up an HP Media Smart 490EX Windows Home Server on special from NewEgg for $360. Not only is Time Machine flawless with it(edit:and I forgot to add, twice as fast!), but it also collected up all my media from my various machines and serves it up (including iTunes protected AAC content) to my computers, Tivos, iPhone, iPad. I even got the remote streaming via the free iPhone app HP has to work (seems to be problematic for some people - probably windows users
For the money I am very pleased - you can expand it very easily with up to four internal SATA drives, 5 eSATA Drives via a case with a port multiplier and who knows how many USB drives. In some of the WHS forums people have 14 terabytes or more for their ripped DVD libraries and other media. It even downloads shows from my Tivos with a free add in from HP - its more reliable than popcorn for the Mac
Apple really needs something like Windows Home Server - and no, the time capsule isnt it - not by a long shot.
Anyway, my Apple TV arrives Tuesday - can't wait!
If you buy movies with the previous Apple TV, they get transfered back to your host computer, right? Why don't you just go to that computer and buy them through iTunes directly? Then you can stream them to the new AppleTV.
The only problem I see with this is you have to get off the couch to make an impulse buy. The solution is simple: either don't make impulse buys of movies, or get off the couch. :-)
Thompson
So I should get the AppleTV so I can wait for a movie to fully download, then sync my iTunes and AppleTV before I can watch it? A process that will take 20 minutes or more. How is that a benefit when with the original AppleTV I can hit 'buy' and start watching the movie in under one minute?
What about the times I want to buy a movie when someone else in the family has taken the laptop? I'm SOL with the new AppleTV.
The original AppleTV was no perfect device but by taking out the internal storage, Apple has severely limited the appeal of it's successor. Thankfully I'm not required to buy this new device to continue enjoying the benefits of AppleTV.