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Author Topic: AppleTV, my short review  (Read 4606 times)

Offline JohnKentucky

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AppleTV, my short review
« on: October 10, 2007, 01:37:15 PM »
First, if this needs to be in the community section, please move it. I figured it would go in the Tech section since it is about Apple hardware.


As you all might know, I got the AppleTV on Aug. 31st. I got the 40GB one since I figured I would stream my movies to the AppleTV anyway and didn't need that 160GB one. I wasn't able to hook up the AppleTV until a week later when I finally got the hdmi cables I ordered from Amazon. (Best Buy wanted $50 for a cable!  jawdrop.gif  I got 2 from Amazon for $3 each.  Devilish2.gif  )

Set up was easy. It walks you through it. Found out that you have to leave iTunes running all the time if you want to stream. No biggie. Syncing up the iPhoto pictures wasn't as easy....it wasn't showing up and there isn't much help. I finally figured it out though.

Streaming movies went fine for a week or two but then lately I'm getting these "buffering" issues. I'll start a movie and then it'll stop, buffer and download again, then continue with the movie for about 10-15 seconds and buffer again. Ugh. It still does this.

So what I do now is sync up what movies I want to watch. Once I get everything downstairs in the basement, I'll hardwire the ATV to my powermac and end that buffering problem. And syncing seems to absolutely KILL my bandwidth. I can't do any internet surfing while it's syncing up.

Other than those 2 things, the ATV is a GREAT piece of hardware!! I highly recommend it.

BTW, I have wireless g router down in the basement. Perhaps one day I'll upgrade to the N network.
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Offline krissel

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AppleTV, my short review
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2007, 01:48:39 PM »
Tech is the right place for this. smile.gif


Sounds pretty good except for all that synching. Can you give us an idea of how long the synching takes for a 2 hour movie? Or does it have to be done in increments?
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Offline JohnKentucky

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AppleTV, my short review
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2007, 01:56:32 PM »
Over a "g" network, it takes probably 20 minutes? I really don't know and I am at work. I'll time it next time.
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Offline JohnKentucky

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AppleTV, my short review
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2007, 03:55:50 PM »
I just copied Batman Begins, which is a 2 hour and 20 minute movie, and it took 8 minutes. Not as long as I thought, but still long.
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Offline pendragon

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AppleTV, my short review
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2007, 05:16:47 PM »
JK

I'm still unsure re getting one of those critters, but your real life review is appreciated. Many thanx.gif
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Offline JohnKentucky

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AppleTV, my short review
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2007, 05:44:01 PM »
What makes you hesitant? Perhaps I can help you decide one way or the other?

Some pros: So easy my wife can use it. Seriously!  We can have it as a picture display for when company comes over. We can have music playing while we do something else. Movies ripped via Handbrake look BEAUTIFUL on it. Sure it's not 1080p, but it IS 1080i, so that's close enough for me!

My plan is to rip ALL of my DVD's onto my computer so that I can have access anytime I want.

Cons: Right now it's buffering when streaming. I think that's because it's an unsecured wireless network (due to TIVO) and it's g, not the n network.  Not 1080p but see above.


Features I wish it had: DVR function. that's it.
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Offline Parker

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AppleTV, my short review
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2007, 07:29:52 PM »
QUOTE(JohnKentucky @ Oct 10 2007, 06:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
...
Some pros: So easy my wife can use it. Seriously! ......


BUT... is it so easy a Caveman can use it?
rofl.gif

QUOTE(JohnKentucky @ Oct 10 2007, 06:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
..... Features I wish it had: DVR function. that's it.


That would be the best feature, and it would really kick off sales of the AppleTV some more.
That is what's keeping me from buying it.
I'd rather dish out a few more bucks and buy a Mac Mini and add DVR functions to it
(EyeTV i think it is...)
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Offline JohnKentucky

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AppleTV, my short review
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2007, 07:48:35 PM »
yeah, but the front row on the mac mini isn't as nice as back row on the appletv
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Offline swhitset

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AppleTV, my short review
« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2007, 01:01:37 PM »
I have had the AppleTV since it was released.  Overall, I love it.  I have it connected to a 42" Panasonic Plasma.  I mainly use it for watching Video Podcasts and my DVD Library.  I have all of my DVD's ripped and transcoded to H.264 Apple TV format.  My iTunes Library is currently over 400GB's   eek2.gif   I have a few Western Digital "My Book" firewire drives attached via firewire 800 to my new iMac to hold the itunes Library.  I have both the iMac and the Apple TV attached via ethernet to my router.  I used Visual Hub to transcode the DVD Video_TS folders into H.264 Mpeg 4 files using the  "GO Nuts" setting for AppleTV in Visual Hub. When I want to watch one of these movies, I do not stream them because They will eventually stop playback and rebuffer in the same manner as JohnKentucky describes.  I too find it necessary to sync full length movies even though I am actually attached directly to the router.  I do not have this problem streaming smaller files, or the lower quality files that are downloaded from the iTunes Store.  These will stream fine... even over wireless G from my Macbook Pro.

Steve
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Offline RHPConsult

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AppleTV, my short review
« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2007, 03:18:45 PM »
I was thinking of spending my iPhone rebate on defraying some of AppleTV's tariff.

I don't think I understand, as do you experts, streaming vs downloading as to it practicalities.

If your life has a certain "pace" to it   whistling.gif  does the distinction really mean that much.

Aged, inquiring minds would appreciate just a tad more elaboration.

My 53 inch plasma awaits.
« Last Edit: October 12, 2007, 03:19:19 PM by RHPConsult »
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Offline swhitset

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AppleTV, my short review
« Reply #10 on: October 12, 2007, 03:40:57 PM »
RHP,

 In this case the streaming vs. "downloading" is a function of where you are storing the media.  My AppleTV is an original and therefore only has a 40 GB harddrive.   While the current models have a 160 GB drive, this is still far shy of the 400Gbs that my iTunes Library requires.  Given this limitation, one has to decide what media to store on the AppleTV itself  (AKA syncing)and what media to simply stream across the local network from the host computer.  The main advantage that syncing provides is that you can watch the media with no buffering. Fast forward and rewind work much better as well. I generally stream podcasts, music, and videos purchased from the iTunes store.  These types of media stream well and generally don't cause me any problems.  I also stream things from other macs on the network like my macbook pro.  For full length movies ripped at a very high quality with files sizes in excess of 3 GB's I generally sync it to the AppleTV first to avoid network congestion.

Steve
« Last Edit: October 12, 2007, 03:41:51 PM by swhitset »
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Offline RHPConsult

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AppleTV, my short review
« Reply #11 on: October 12, 2007, 05:39:11 PM »
Excellent . . . on acountabnecause I understand what you're saying.   thumbup.gif

I do appreciate your taking the time to explain this.

Any guesses whether the next iteration of AppleTV might contain particular bells or whistles, to make waiting just a bit longer be worth it for a new user?
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Offline swhitset

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AppleTV, my short review
« Reply #12 on: October 12, 2007, 08:49:17 PM »
Well,

As much as I love my AppleTV, it is my understanding that they haven't sold very well.  Steve Jobs even said that Apple looked at the AppleTV as a hobby.  I am hoping that Apple continues supporting/ developing the platform, but I am worried that they may not.

Steve
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Offline RHPConsult

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« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2007, 09:16:06 PM »
Hmmmm. Thinking.gif
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Offline JohnKentucky

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AppleTV, my short review
« Reply #14 on: October 12, 2007, 09:30:41 PM »
I have the 40GB myself.


RHP, I can honestly tell you that even if Apple discontinued it now, I would still buy one. That's how much I love this little machine. Simple and elegant.
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