Apple TV anyone?

[GhostOfTomJoad]

I rather unexpectedly received a 40 gig Apple TV as a gift. This is the new version w/ the firmware & software updates. Anyone using one? Thoughts?

I'm thinking it might be a nice addition to the bedroom LCD TV. We don't have a cable box or DVR connected to that unit so we're only pulling in the local HD channels. We also have an old DVD system in the loop.

I'm trying to decide if it's worth connecting the Apple TV & use it for the iPhoto/iTunes compatability, Flickr, & the occasional movie rentals, or if I should craigslist the thing.

 

[smwhorn]

It is the most awesome thing ever invented.

 

[Xminus6]

We have it. It's pretty fun but it's not some amazing game-changer. However, with the new movie rentals, it's much more useful. We just plop down on the couch and surf for movies to rent. I know there are other ways to do this like with Netflix Roku but I don't subscribe to Netflix, so this works out well for me and the wife.

I just downloaded the free Remote app for my iPhone and it's awesome to control my AppleTV with my iPhone. AppleWhore FTW!

 

[brntorng]

Keep it, it's a nice box. A few advantages it has over the Netflix box are access to HD rental movies (rather than SD), Podcasts, and Youtube. However, if you decide to sell it, let me know. I have a second media setup I'd like to add an AppleTV to.

 

[GhostOfTomJoad]

Well I hooked up the apple TV in the bdrm last night & I've gotta admit it's pretty damn slick. Haven't done much more than import the iTunes library & some iPhotos, check out some movie trailers (The Dark Knight in 720p looked very, very nice) & watch some youtube videos but all in all it was quite cool. I think it's a keeper right now.

 

[DCLonghorn]

It's a pretty slick machine and I've contemplated buying one but I'm waiting for the picture and audio quality to get better. On a large display, the PQ has a lot to be desired.

 

[GhostOfTomJoad]

I agree, DC. It's more than adequate on our 32" Bravia in the bedroom. I never even considered connecting it downstairs to the main system (although it would be nice to have access to the full iTunes library & port it through the Denon HT).

Now, I just wish I could reprogram the Sony's video input labels so I could name the HDMI input I've connected it to something more logical. Of all of the pre-programmed labels the only one that makes even remote sense is 'PC', and that just seems wrong on so many levels.

 

[pied2]

Anyone knowif it's possible to copy dvd's to itunes and run them off it?

 

[1990txgirl]

Yes, my husband copied The Big Lebowski and it's in the AppleTV movie library.

(But don't ask me how he did it...)

I was having trouble transferring the photos we've uploaded from our camera. Has anyone done this successfully?

 

[brntorng]

In reply to:

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[pied2]

Thanks. That is exactly what I am looking for. How many dvd's roughly can I hold? Is it best to get an external HD?

My idea is that my 2/7 year olds could use this instead of ruining all the dvds.

 

[brntorng]

A typical movie will take about 1GB, depending on the quality you choose. For animated films you can usually get by with higher compression and kids tend to be less picky about compression artifacts anyway. However, since hard drives are cheap I'd avoid too much compression.

You have a range of options about where to store the movies. I suggest just keeping them on the host Mac and not even bothering to sync them to the AppleTV. Alternatively, you can configure the AppleTV in iTunes to only sync some number of the most recent movies, for example. It's really up to you how you want to do it since iTunes gives you a lot of options. I've found that hosting all the movies from the host Mac works just fine. One reason to sync to the AppleTV is if you wanted to take the AppleTV to a different location for viewing.

Also, since it does take some time to transfer DVDs to iTunes (you can maybe get a couple done a day, depending on the speed of the Mac you're using) you will want to back them up to a second hard drive for safekeeping. Time Machine works perfectly for this.

BTW, this is a perfect use for an AppleTV--keeping kids away from your DVDs. Another nice feature is that the AppleTV remembers exactly where a movie was last paused so the kids can pick up exactly where they left off, even if they watched another movie in the mean time. Be aware that some DVDs, especially Disney, have various forms of copy protection that make transfer more challenging. That is the topic of yet another discussion.