Is anyone using Apple TV

[SteveQ]

I am exploring ways to stream media (wirelessly) from my media center computer in my office to my Home theater in my family room. And to control everything via Homeseer.

Apple TV looks promising as the most flexible and low cost solution. Does anyone have experience using Apple TV? What are the pros and cons?

Steve Q

 

[aehusted]

I don't have any experience, but I am looking at doing the same thing.
I currently distribute music from my server using AirPort Express units in a couple locations.

 

[SteveQ]

My major question about Apple TV is whether you can stream to it with software other than iTunes? Or does only work with iTunes?

Steve Q

 

[CollinR]

Every other Aplle thing I have messed with was itunes only, and therefore pretty well sucked.

 

[SteveQ]

I agree that it looks like Apple is trying to tie everything to iTunes. However, I have an iTouch and it works with a few other products. I can stream to it with Orb and TVersity. I'm hoping Apple TV will have similar flexibility. I am planning a trip to the Apple store in Chicago the next time I'm there. I hope they will be able to answer my questions.

SteveQ

 

[bfisher]

Many of us here us SageTV for this functionality. I have no experience with the AppleTV product, just pointing out an option.

 

[SteveQ]

Maybe I'm missing something but my understanding is that Sage TV requires a wired network connection at the TV. I am looking for a wireless solution.

SteveQ

 

[electron]

You could just use a wireless bridge to make the SageTV unit wireless.

 

[mdavis]

Yes I have one.

As far as I know it only streams from iTunes. The new version can directly stream from the online iTunes store as well (podcasts, movie rentals). The Apple TV does have a hard drive built in, although I don't use it.

I use mine for watching podcasts (both from my local iTunes server and from the online iTunes), watching movies (ripped from my personal DVD collection), watching tv shows (purchased from iTunes store), listening to my music collection (streamed from my iTunes server), and photo slideshows (streamed from my iTunes server).

I currently have approx. 80 GB of music (about 15,000 songs) and 150 GB of movies that I stream to it.

I like it very much. The user interface is very simple, the remote is very simple. My wife and children can use it without help.

The only semi-negative thing I would say about it is that with the size of my library, it takes several minutes to load the libraries whenever it has to reload (because it was disconnected or something). I can only guess that this is because it is reading the actual movie files to get thumbnails from the opening shots.

I bought mine primarily because I wanted to be able to play my iTunes purchased music (re: copy protected AAC files) using a friendly UI on my home stereo/tv.

I'd be happy to answer any questions. It may be a few days before I check back here though.

Mick

 

[dummptyhummpty]

Hey Guys,

I actually just signed up here to reply to this. I have an AppleTV and I can tell you that it is very flexible if you are willing to "hack" it. There's not much really involved with that. You just need to load some software on to a USB stick (which creates a "patchstick") and plug it into the back of the AppleTV. A simple reboot, and your in business. There are a few programs (that came with the patchstick I used) that allow you to access media from any share on your network. Thus, you are not tied to iTunes. Here are some links to get you started. Let me know if you have any other questions.

http://www.awkwardtv.org/
http://www.appletvhacks.net/
http://wiki.atv4windows.com/
http://iclarified.com

 

[aehusted]

Thanks for the links dummpty!
I can't wait to check it out.

Hey Guys,

I actually just signed up here to reply to this. I have an AppleTV and I can tell you that it is very flexible if you are willing to "hack" it. There's not much really involved with that. You just need to load some software on to a USB stick (which creates a "patchstick") and plug it into the back of the AppleTV. A simple reboot, and your in business. There are a few programs (that came with the patchstick I used) that allow you to access media from any share on your network. Thus, you are not tied to iTunes. Here are some links to get you started. Let me know if you have any other questions.

http://www.awkwardtv.org/
http://www.appletvhacks.net/
http://wiki.atv4windows.com/
http://iclarified.com

 

[dummptyhummpty]

No problem. Oh and be carefull with updates, they usually wipe out your settings so make sure you keep a copy of anything you use or modify.

Thanks for the links dummpty!
I can't wait to check it out.

Hey Guys,

I actually just signed up here to reply to this. I have an AppleTV and I can tell you that it is very flexible if you are willing to "hack" it. There's not much really involved with that. You just need to load some software on to a USB stick (which creates a "patchstick") and plug it into the back of the AppleTV. A simple reboot, and your in business. There are a few programs (that came with the patchstick I used) that allow you to access media from any share on your network. Thus, you are not tied to iTunes. Here are some links to get you started. Let me know if you have any other questions.

http://www.awkwardtv.org/
http://www.appletvhacks.net/
http://wiki.atv4windows.com/
http://iclarified.com

 

[SteveQ]

hummpty,

Thanks for providing the links.

Last weekend I went to an Apple store and got a full demo of Apple TV. It looks promising and for the price ($229), I am strongly considering it.

I am mostly interested in its HDTV capability. I have a high def TV but cable in my area does not offer HDTV. So I am thinking about renting high def movies from iTunes. Do you have any experience with high def?

Steve Q

 

[jaysonc]

I have an extensive AppleTV installation and it has no problems playing HD programming. The technical specifications of the AppleTV are limited to 720p. The consensus across the net seems to be that the 720p limit is a movie studio requirement.

Might I also suggest taking a look at Mythtv. It is an open source PVR product similar to the SageTV product mentioned previously. I have been using MythTV successfully for about 12 months to push both SD and HD recordings into iTunes and use the AppleTV to view them. The short version is Mythtv -> MPEG2 to H.264 encoder (Elgato) -> Add H.264 Meta Data (show names, descriptions, logos, etc) -> iTunes -> AppleTV.

I routinely record 1080p QAM video and downgrade this content to 720p for viewing on the AppleTV. Even if the AppleTV supported 1080p playback I would still do this as 1080p video takes a LOT of disk space. If you want to keep a lot of HD content you will become very familiar with the prices of 1TB hard disk drives. Today, my dedicated 1TB media drive has a whopping 50GB free. It only holds my iTunes database.

 

[SteveQ]

Jayson,

Thanks for the info. 720p is probably adequate for my needs. So, are you saying that when I download a high def movie from the iTunes Store it will be 720p not 1080i?

Steve Q