Apple TV

QwaF · 26 Oct 2010 at 01:16

I was so tempted, but eventually decided against. If they offered a service like Lovefilm's streaming service on there, and even iPlayer (But now have that on my TV) I'd be tempted, but just iTunes content as the main content delivery platform is a bit weak, even if it is for quite a good price.

I have a PS3 and an Xbox 360 that offer some good services, but would like a low powered, silent system. Will have to do with Lovefilm streaming on the PS3 and iPlayer on the TV.

CrispyXUK · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:57

Someone has managed to get an app interfacing with plex already \o/

Basher · 1 Nov 2010 at 16:26

MrLOL said:
Sales tax is generally around 6%, that doesnt account for even half of the pricing discrepancy

Exactly, I've just got back from the US, just checked my CC bill and it seems I got my AppleTV for £65

CrispyXUK · 1 Nov 2010 at 20:14

Nice! Shoulda' bought two!

startrek2 · 1 Nov 2010 at 20:27

Just to add to xbox we've got 3 in the house have had older originals very noisy to newer elites falcon chipsets quieter but still noisy got one new xbox and yes still noisy

Silent and quiet is not a description that goes with xbox I've probably had 12 plus of them by now but kids have movedon to ps3 so only 3 left and newer older don't matter
Noise and 360 yuk

pmbuzz · 27 Nov 2010 at 21:44

Forgive my ignorance.
A friend has asked my advice as she is thinking of buying one of these for her partner, I know nothing about it.
Do you need a Mac to be able to use this product ?
He already has a PC (Vista), xbox and a PS3, would the AppleTV be superfluous considering the other items ?
Maybe a purchase of Windows 7 would be the more apt gift ?

disfunktion · 28 Nov 2010 at 15:34

Got mine a few days ago.

So far so good. I think its worth it for Airplay alone. Streaming movies from iPhone to the TV works perfectly.

oli356 · 28 Nov 2010 at 15:37

pmbuzz said:
Forgive my ignorance.
A friend has asked my advice as she is thinking of buying one of these for her partner, I know nothing about it.
Do you need a Mac to be able to use this product ?
He already has a PC (Vista), xbox and a PS3, would the AppleTV be superfluous considering the other items ?
Maybe a purchase of Windows 7 would be the more apt gift ?

For streaming media from a Mac or PC:
iTunes 10.0.1 or later; iTunes Store account for Home Sharing

Can't comment on the consoles as I don't know how they work with media etc.

Faustus · 28 Nov 2010 at 20:22

I was watching "Click" today which featured part 2 of a article about the imminent rise of IPTV. What I wonder about and wasn't mentioned in the article was (a) the parlous state of Britain's BB speeds and (b) how accessing IPTV was likely to impact on one's monthly usage cap. Even if you have unlimited downloads we all know that doesn't mean what it says and is subject to FUP.

How do others think this is going to be handled by ISPs?

MPoxon · 28 Nov 2010 at 21:08

disfunktion said:
Got mine a few days ago.

So far so good. I think its worth it for Airplay alone. Streaming movies from iPhone to the TV works perfectly.

I agree, the Airplay is excellent if you have an iPhone and/or an iPad. I use the airplay as a supplement to a Win7 media centre as lets face it pictures and music on windows MC isn't great.

yashiro · 28 Nov 2010 at 21:18

Combat squirrel said:
I glance this comment sir, I glance it and raise a suspicious eyebrow ! How old is your xbox ?, mines utterly silent unless there is a DVD in the drive...)

In no way is any model of the Xbox 360 utterly silent. I've had 3 different models and they're all noisy. The only device I have which makes more noise is an original Playstation 3.

Turbo-G · 29 Nov 2010 at 13:41

Airplay is great for example being able to stream your music to you home cinema if you can't be bothered to go and turn the mac on upstairs!

I was quite dissapointed that movies contained within camera roll couldn't be streamed over airplay, hoping apple fix this in 4.3 in December...

Faustus · 30 Nov 2010 at 23:36

Faustus said:
I was watching "Click" today which featured part 2 of a article about the imminent rise of IPTV. What I wonder about and wasn't mentioned in the article was (a) the parlous state of Britain's BB speeds and (b) how accessing IPTV was likely to impact on one's monthly usage cap. Even if you have unlimited downloads we all know that doesn't mean what it says and is subject to FUP.

How do others think this is going to be handled by ISPs?

No one any idea how this is being handled or how it affects your download quota? I couldn't see me being able to make use of Apple TV or any similar service with a BB product such as Sky Connect.

Alpherah · 1 Dec 2010 at 08:40

If it goes Big, they will probably have to strike some deal with one or more ISP's so that it doesnt count towards your DL Limits, like Virgin w/ their On-Demand and internet access, Sky internet and Sky Anytime+ or BT and BT Vision.

LordSplodge · 1 Dec 2010 at 10:37

Faustus said:
How do others think this is going to be handled by ISPs?

Badly. Caps in the days of streaming media are stupid. However most people either don't have a choice or don't understand (or only care that broadband from SuperMegaHyperMobile is only a fiver a month)

Faustus · 1 Dec 2010 at 11:55

Alpherah said:
If it goes Big, they will probably have to strike some deal with one or more ISP's so that it doesnt count towards your DL Limits, like Virgin w/ their On-Demand and internet access, Sky internet and Sky Anytime+ or BT and BT Vision.

Don't know about any other ISPs but if you check Sky's Anytime+ T&C's they go out of their way to inform you that downloading WILL affect your monthly download limit.

Alpherah · 1 Dec 2010 at 13:14

Strange, sales person trying to get me to swap to sky BB said it wouldnt.
Hohum. Salesmen

Faustus · 1 Dec 2010 at 14:02

Alpherah said:
Strange, sales person trying to get me to swap to sky BB said it wouldnt.
Hohum. Salesmen

Don't forget, downloading Sky Anytime+ programmes counts towards your Sky Broadband monthly usage. Sky Broadband Everyday Lite has usage caps - to download as many programmes as you'd like, dependent on your Sky TV subscription, take Sky Broadband Unlimited.

The above is from the Sky website. I'm afraid Sky has very much become a digital divide company. There is a very large Sky subscriber base that has to rely on Sky Connect which is an appalling service and which isn't included in the Anytime+ rollout. Even if we were, Sky's huge 40gig a month download limit isn't all that it appears. Sky actually break it down to 1.5 gig per day so if you cross that daily limit Sky will throttle your connection for the rest of the month. Many users think if they have hardly used it in any one month then they can perhaps download 5 gig as an example on a particular day and that won't be an issue - wrong.

LordSplodge · 8 Dec 2010 at 20:18

My parents & brother have got me an Apple TV for my birthday that's tomorrow. I've spent a few minutes setting it up ready for the morning

Couple of clicks and my iTunes library is streaming from my iMac. Awesome. Remote control via iPad/iPhone is good.

AirPlay is even more awesome.

Love it.

Faustus · 8 Dec 2010 at 23:46

LordSplodge said:
My parents & brother have got me an Apple TV for my birthday that's tomorrow. I've spent a few minutes setting it up ready for the morning

Couple of clicks and my iTunes library is streaming from my iMac. Awesome. Remote control via iPad/iPhone is good.

AirPlay is even more awesome.

Love it.

I do find the bastardisation of the English language by American-isms such as "awesome" about as appealing as a finger nail being scraped down a blackboard.

Good, excellent etc. will suffice.