Anyone getting an AppleTV?

sheepofblue · 03-13-2007, 10:17 AM

I have looked at this and the idea seems good but ....

The specs seem a bit low and the DRM seems excessive. Anyone getting one? I would be real curious to hear personal opinion vs advertisements and my gut feel.

OSIRIS · 03-13-2007, 03:01 PM

Does it have record live TV capability? If it does you can put me in the yes category

Geek · 03-13-2007, 03:33 PM

No, it doesn't. It just syncs content from within iTunes libraries located on your network.

navydevildoc · 03-28-2007, 05:51 PM

If it gets hacked so I can run a MythTV front end on it, then hell yes I will.

OSIRIS · 03-28-2007, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geek

No, it doesn't. It just syncs content from within iTunes libraries located on your network.

Doesn't do much for me then since my iPodizzle is only a Photo.

sheepofblue · 03-28-2007, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSIRIS

Doesn't do much for me then since my iPodizzle is only a Photo.

In iTunes not on your iPod

It kind of looks cool but my television disillusionment is high right now.

Geek · 03-28-2007, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSIRIS

Doesn't do much for me then since my iPodizzle is only a Photo.

You can still download movies into your iTunes from the store though.

OSIRIS · 03-28-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geek

You can still download movies into your iTunes from the store though.

I'm more of a renter than a buyer

navydevildoc · 03-29-2007, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

In iTunes not on your iPod

It kind of looks cool but my television disillusionment is high right now.

Have you watched Battlestar Galactica?

sheepofblue · 03-29-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navydevildoc

Have you watched Battlestar Galactica?

Nope it is a soap opera now. I remember the original with tin can cyclops

sheepofblue · 05-05-2007, 06:15 PM

Saw an AppleTV today. Works nice but if they try to tell you the resolution on iTunes will not pixelate on a HD TV

I was watching a Southpark show and the eyebrows on Cartman would go from smooth to jagged and back. Kind of annoying. The general package and operation is pretty cool though

OSIRIS · 05-09-2007, 07:31 PM

So....movies and tv shows you buy from the iTunes store can be burned to DVD for backup?

sheepofblue · 05-10-2007, 08:58 AM

Not sure but I would think so. Of course DRM would likely limit the computers it can be played on like iTunes songs (a guess)

ccwilli3 · 06-04-2007, 12:25 PM

yeah, you can back them up. It's a file just like anything else, but as sheep said, there is a limit to the new machines you can play said files on...

sheepofblue · 01-15-2008, 12:14 PM

So with the price drop I am considering this beast again. Seems like you could rip your entire DVD collection into iTunes then have a easy way to access them ...

OSIRIS · 01-18-2008, 05:49 PM

I'm considering this Welcome To Popcorn Hour

sheepofblue · 01-22-2008, 09:56 PM

I folded and picked one up. I got the 160GB version as I want to put my DVD collection on it (rentals

). So far setup has been easy. I had to turn off my NIC card filter for wireless to hook up but the MAC address is easy to find once started. I only have wireless G right now but it has already synced to movies. So I am testing it with a Sheep In The Big City-athon. Quality is excellant and use pretty intuitive. The interface got a small amount sluggish but I am doing the first sync (tons of iTunes and movies). However the picture has not flickered a bit. Package pics and more info as I use it some. It will be interesting to see how it is with pictures and music (TV is hooked to the stereo)

sheepofblue · 03-30-2008, 10:56 AM

Just installed 2.0.1 it adds Genre which is SWEET. Playlists are still needed if you have a big collection though. Still a vast improvement over having every movie (or TV Show) in a huge list. Still needs PVR functionality also.

OSIRIS · 04-18-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

Still needs PVR functionality also.

Any talk of this? It's what's holding me back from getting one.

sheepofblue · 04-18-2008, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSIRIS

Any talk of this? It's what's holding me back from getting one.

None that I have heard. Yes I agree that is a downside. The machine would seem capable of doing it but Apple is likely wanting to rent

Purpdust · 09-08-2008, 04:06 AM

Sheep,

As few questions for you.

Does it work with none ITunes files? I have TV Shows that are .avi files but coded with DivX. When I play with Quicktime, it only shows the video but no sound.

How long does it take to Rip a movie? How much space?

Cheers

sheepofblue · 09-08-2008, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purpdust

Sheep,

As few questions for you.

Does it work with none ITunes files? I have TV Shows that are .avi files but coded with DivX. When I play with Quicktime, it only shows the video but no sound.

How long does it take to Rip a movie? How much space?

Cheers

none

The files you have are likely MPEG1 if they have no sound (video codecs suck) Try downloading Handbrake and seeing if you can convert the file to MPEG4.

There is a list, I think on the AppleTV site, of formats but I use mpeg4 as it yields good quality and decent size. I also would get the smaller one probably as I serve stuff from my Mac most of the time (works well even without wirelessN)

Rip time on a DVD was about 1/3 play time but I have a big CPU so your time may go up.

As stated by Z my biggest gripe is lack of DVR functionality. With that this would be a 4 hoove item without it 2 1/2

Purpdust · 09-08-2008, 10:32 AM

I actually think that DVR might be a thing of the past, If just drop cable and Satalite charges and Subscribe to the shows you like.

sheepofblue · 09-08-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purpdust

I actually think that DVR might be a thing of the past, If just drop cable and Satalite charges and Subscribe to the shows you like.

Not me being able to record all the MotoGP races and rewatch them later when it is cold would be nice. But then that is me since I rent nothing for watching.

Oh the one thing I did not add was that the ability to grab a small device and have your whole collection on it ready to play is cool

Purpdust · 09-10-2008, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

Not me being able to record all the MotoGP races and rewatch them later when it is cold would be nice.

I pay for MotoGP.com for that. But I know that you hate their website

Geek · 09-10-2008, 07:56 AM

MotoGP.com is quite possibly one of the worst sites I visit. Their new one is better but it still sucks. The biggest gripe is going to the front page to watch the races and being shown the results before you can even get to the video to press play.

sheepofblue · 09-10-2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purpdust

I pay for MotoGP.com for that. But I know that you hate their website

Never used it. I did consider paying then saving off races to my iTunes. Be nice having a couple of seasons worth. What format is it and can you save them to your HD? I might consider getting a sub and back dating as I missed a bunch on TV this year.

Purpdust · 09-11-2008, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geek

MotoGP.com is quite possibly one of the worst sites I visit. Their new one is better but it still sucks. The biggest gripe is going to the front page to watch the races and being shown the results before you can even get to the video to press play.

I have emailed them and they are exploring oprion to provide a Spoiler free entence to the site. It is just taking them a long time.

Purpdust · 09-11-2008, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

Never used it. I did consider paying then saving off races to my iTunes. Be nice having a couple of seasons worth. What format is it and can you save them to your HD? I might consider getting a sub and back dating as I missed a bunch on TV this year.

They stream the race to you, I do not know how you might save it. Maybe with a streaming capture program, or it might be saved on the hard drive.

I wonder if they have though about selling the races on Itunes??

sheepofblue · 09-11-2008, 09:31 AM

THAT WOULD BE COOL! surprised NASCAR doesn't already do it.

03-13-2007, 10:17 AM	#1
sheepofblue Not a screen of death Join Date: 01-03-2007 Location: Huntsville Age: 48 Posts: 722	Anyone getting an AppleTV? I have looked at this and the idea seems good but .... The specs seem a bit low and the DRM seems excessive. Anyone getting one? I would be real curious to hear personal opinion vs advertisements and my gut feel. __________________ A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

03-13-2007, 03:01 PM	#2
OSIRIS Member Join Date: 01-03-2007 Location: Virginia Age: 32 Posts: 96	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? Does it have record live TV capability? If it does you can put me in the yes category __________________ http://www.motorcycleaddicts.org The iPhone....it holds 2 BILLION songs...150 kabillion contacts...on/off button!

03-13-2007, 03:33 PM	#3
Geek 's make the world go 'round. Join Date: 01-02-2007 Location: SC Posts: 1,096	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? No, it doesn't. It just syncs content from within iTunes libraries located on your network. __________________ "People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people" Motorcycle fanatic?

03-28-2007, 05:51 PM	#4
navydevildoc Administrator Join Date: 01-02-2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 65	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? If it gets hacked so I can run a MythTV front end on it, then hell yes I will.

05-05-2007, 06:15 PM	#11
sheepofblue Not a screen of death Join Date: 01-03-2007 Location: Huntsville Age: 48 Posts: 722	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? Saw an AppleTV today. Works nice but if they try to tell you the resolution on iTunes will not pixelate on a HD TV I was watching a Southpark show and the eyebrows on Cartman would go from smooth to jagged and back. Kind of annoying. The general package and operation is pretty cool though __________________ A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

05-09-2007, 07:31 PM	#12
OSIRIS Member Join Date: 01-03-2007 Location: Virginia Age: 32 Posts: 96	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? So....movies and tv shows you buy from the iTunes store can be burned to DVD for backup? __________________ http://www.motorcycleaddicts.org The iPhone....it holds 2 BILLION songs...150 kabillion contacts...on/off button!

05-10-2007, 08:58 AM	#13
sheepofblue Not a screen of death Join Date: 01-03-2007 Location: Huntsville Age: 48 Posts: 722	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? Not sure but I would think so. Of course DRM would likely limit the computers it can be played on like iTunes songs (a guess) __________________ A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

06-04-2007, 12:25 PM	#14
ccwilli3 Registered Member Join Date: 01-24-2007 Location: Savannah now... Posts: 37	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? yeah, you can back them up. It's a file just like anything else, but as sheep said, there is a limit to the new machines you can play said files on...

01-15-2008, 12:14 PM	#15
sheepofblue Not a screen of death Join Date: 01-03-2007 Location: Huntsville Age: 48 Posts: 722	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? So with the price drop I am considering this beast again. Seems like you could rip your entire DVD collection into iTunes then have a easy way to access them ... __________________ A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

01-18-2008, 05:49 PM	#16
OSIRIS Member Join Date: 01-03-2007 Location: Virginia Age: 32 Posts: 96	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? I'm considering this Welcome To Popcorn Hour __________________ http://www.motorcycleaddicts.org The iPhone....it holds 2 BILLION songs...150 kabillion contacts...on/off button!

01-22-2008, 09:56 PM	#17
sheepofblue Not a screen of death Join Date: 01-03-2007 Location: Huntsville Age: 48 Posts: 722	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? I folded and picked one up. I got the 160GB version as I want to put my DVD collection on it (rentals ). So far setup has been easy. I had to turn off my NIC card filter for wireless to hook up but the MAC address is easy to find once started. I only have wireless G right now but it has already synced to movies. So I am testing it with a Sheep In The Big City-athon. Quality is excellant and use pretty intuitive. The interface got a small amount sluggish but I am doing the first sync (tons of iTunes and movies). However the picture has not flickered a bit. Package pics and more info as I use it some. It will be interesting to see how it is with pictures and music (TV is hooked to the stereo) __________________ A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

03-30-2008, 10:56 AM	#18
sheepofblue Not a screen of death Join Date: 01-03-2007 Location: Huntsville Age: 48 Posts: 722	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? Just installed 2.0.1 it adds Genre which is SWEET. Playlists are still needed if you have a big collection though. Still a vast improvement over having every movie (or TV Show) in a huge list. Still needs PVR functionality also. __________________ A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way Last edited by sheepofblue; 03-30-2008 at 11:12 AM..

09-08-2008, 04:06 AM	#21
Purpdust Registered Member Join Date: 08-14-2008 Location: Canada (work in Italy) Age: 35 Posts: 86	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? Sheep, As few questions for you. Does it work with none ITunes files? I have TV Shows that are .avi files but coded with DivX. When I play with Quicktime, it only shows the video but no sound. How long does it take to Rip a movie? How much space? Cheers

09-08-2008, 10:32 AM	#23
Purpdust Registered Member Join Date: 08-14-2008 Location: Canada (work in Italy) Age: 35 Posts: 86	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? I actually think that DVR might be a thing of the past, If just drop cable and Satalite charges and Subscribe to the shows you like.

09-10-2008, 07:56 AM	#26
Geek 's make the world go 'round. Join Date: 01-02-2007 Location: SC Posts: 1,096	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? MotoGP.com is quite possibly one of the worst sites I visit. Their new one is better but it still sucks. The biggest gripe is going to the front page to watch the races and being shown the results before you can even get to the video to press play. __________________ "People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people" Motorcycle fanatic?

09-11-2008, 09:31 AM	#30
sheepofblue Not a screen of death Join Date: 01-03-2007 Location: Huntsville Age: 48 Posts: 722	Re: Anyone getting an AppleTV? THAT WOULD BE COOL! surprised NASCAR doesn't already do it. __________________ A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way