Th excitement builds (shiny things inc)

Furbs

Furbs

Furbs

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17 Oct 2002
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Got to admit the feeling of new gadgets being order never seems to dull as I get older. Just placed my order for a new 27" iMac, 1GB Timecapsule and an AppleTV box.

My move away from all things PC is now nearly complete and I can not wait for those boxes to arrive :cool:
 
Sounds like a nice shopping list, will you be using the ATV to watch films rented from itunes?
 
JAMAL said:
Sounds like a nice shopping list, will you be using the ATV to watch films rented from itunes?
Click to expand...

Thats the plan, to bring all things media together using the ATV linked to the iTunes on the iMac. So TV shows, films and music.
 
As an iTunes extender it is brilliant and works incredibly well. It's just a shame that the film studio's are holding it back as they are forcing a lot of titles as Buy only, and rental much, much later.

It hasn't the grunt to play back high bitrate 720/1080p video unless you watch the bitrates very carefully whilst encoding. I hacked mine over Christmas to open up the USB port for a 2TB external HD as XBMC access - it worked a treat it just struggles with 720p h264 files.
 
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Got to admit I am not too worried about 720/1080 playback as I foresee most of the viewing will be more of the tv show variety rather than movies as we have Sky HD + Blu Ray for films.
 
Yeah know what you mean. I bought mine as an extender/rental device. Any rentals I like, I'll then buy on bluray. Instead I've ended up buying a load of classic TV shows from the store like Drop the Dead Donkey and Only/Fools! oh and Trap Door :D
 
Kainz said:
Yeah know what you mean. I bought mine as an extender/rental device. Any rentals I like, I'll then buy on bluray. Instead I've ended up buying a load of classic TV shows from the store like Drop the Dead Donkey and Only/Fools! oh and Trap Door :D
Click to expand...

I have no doubt my iTunes expenditure is going to go through the roof once it all arrives :eek: soo many tv shows I have missed out on first time around or classics that need to be re-watched :D
 
Indeed, I've been reading about that and it does look good. Bear in mind that the card will replace the ATV's built in wifi card if you go that route. If you're on Ethernet then you're sorted :)
 
I bought an Apple TV and it choked on my iTunes video encoded in 'Apple > Universal' in Handbrake. These were your standard TV shows and they weren't even 720p.

My solution was to get a Mac Mini, which I couldn't be happier with. Although I understand it is a good bit more expensive.

Be sure to take advantage of the DSR if you're not happy with it. Rumours (and they are that) flying around that Apple may be preparing a whole new approach to the Apple TV.
 
Well spent the last week in Bristol at a friends flat who has Apple TV with the main use is streaming tv shows from his iMac, worked perfectly from what I saw and he also used handbrake but encoded using the AppleTV option. Quite confident I will be happy enough with it and that is more a side order to the iMac, thought I may as well chuck it into the order while I was making it :)
 
I've not had any problems with the AppleTV choking on videos. It got a bit grumpy on a wireless connection that was shared by a number of other devices so I just plugged the cable back in again. I have an airport extreme sitting on top of my AppleTV so that was no hardship.
 
If you use the AppleTV option in HB then the encodes will be fine from my experience. Selecting the Universal preset produces a slightly larger file that is suitable for both AppelTV and iPhone/Touch usage iirc. Mines been flawless whilst hooked upto Ethernet as it sits on top of my pc case. These things do run hot though as there is no way to turn them off...aside from yanking out the plug. It's 'standby' mode is nexto useless.

If Apple do launch a new ATV unit soon, with beefier hardware for HD usage then I'll most likely opt for it, and place my existing unit downstairs as it is robust and ideal for my parents to use.
 
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