Macworld Forums: Apple TV (2nd generation, late 2010) - Macworld Forums

Post your comments for Apple TV (2nd generation, late 2010) here

I'll admit, I don't get the huge apparent interest in streaming...

Old: My AppleTV held my movie collection. My Mac Pro could remain sleeping, and I could watch whatever I wanted.

New: My Mac Pro now must be not only awake, but have iTunes running, in order to watch anything I own on my television.

I want my computer to sleep when I'm not using it, not be awake as some all-encompassing media server, sucking up bandwidth over my wireless connection at the same time.

Sorry, makes zero sense to me. I'm sticking with my prior-generation Apple TV.

-rob.

griffman, on 30 September 2010 - 05:30 AM, said:

Most people don't seem to want to purchase video digitally, especially TV shows which they will only watch once in most cases. Most people also don't particular care to manage 10s or 100s of GBs of purchased video content on their computers. Between those to issues and the $0.99 price point for TV show rental I think the new Apple TV will appeal to a much wider audience than the original one did.

The local streaming lends itself to having a media server of some kind on the network. At some point NASs which have Apple TV compatible sharing/streaming built-in should allow the new AppleTV to function much like the original since they could wirelessly add storage to the Apple TV without the need for any computers to be on.

Jon, Jason:

Is video streaming from the Mac to the new Apple TV limited to videos stored within iTunes on the computer? I prefer keeping video files in my Movies folder. Will they show up on the Apple TV?

The streaming isn't working that well for me. My media center conntection to my mac is over a somewhat slow powerline connection (faster than 802.11g but slower than 802.11n).

The one time I tried netflix it wouldn't start the movie (netflix on the ipad and my mac works fine.)

When I streamed a hour video podcast from my mac it buffered the video for 5 minutes for beginning to play (ugh). A 2 hour audio podcast buffered for 30 seconds before playing.

That is probably my biggest complaint. Not being able to purchase is my 2nd biggest complaint. I understand not everyone wants to buy, but for certain shows I do want to buy. Hopefully this gets added back in.

Finally, anyone notice they removed the $.99 movie rentals section? The most stuff I rented was from there. Not sure if it wasn't generating enough $ or if it's temporary and it'll be back.

Argent, on 30 September 2010 - 06:01 AM, said:

No, it won't, but you can set iTunes so that it doesn't copy your files into the iTunes library folder. Then you can leave your video files in your Movies folder, and still add them to iTunes.

Argent, on 30 September 2010 - 06:01 AM, said:

It only works with iTunes-managed content. Although you could probably leave compatible files in your Movies folder and add them to iTunes without copying them directly into your iTunes folder (unchecking the Copy Files To iTunes Media Folder When Adding To Library option in iTunes' Advanced prefs).

I have 2 of the original Apple TV's. I use them both daily. The storage on the devices are useless since I have about 2TB of music and video. I set up streaming years ago. It has worked well. I'm aware of the minor irritations that pop up from time to time and have had to unplug both Apple TV's to correct some problems. They always start up and work well.
I pre-ordered 2 of the new Apple TV's and am looking forward to using them.

Thanks for the informative article! You are certain it is running iOS? How can you tell? Considering iOS and OS X share the same core code, and that the original Apple TV ran a stripped down version of OS X, are there really many difference between the old Apple TV OS and the new one?

Thanks!

I've ordered mine. One thing I really wish I could do with it, though I see I probably can't, is stream QuickTime video from my Mac to ATV2.

I edit video and I would love to be able to simply playback (yet edited) clips I've imported into iMovie 09 or Final Cut Express. From what I've read so far though it looks like any clips, even though they're already AIC mp4, would have to be added to the iTunes library first. I hope there is an AirPlay program for OS X on the way soon, not just AirPlay for IOS. Seems useful to have QuickTime Player be able to stream to ATV from my Mac.

It's an okay product, but hardware-wise it's disappointing. It's a media device and has only HDMI and optical audio ports. I have a few HDTVs, but only one has an accessible HDMI port. The Apple TV should have RCA audio jacks, RGB and VGA outputs. If I want to add one to my main system, I'll have to buy converters that will possibly cost as much as the box itself. I'd have to give the new Apple TV a big "Fail" in terms of its hardware compatibility.

Con: 720p.

Even if Apple only streams 720p from their store, you should be able to handle 1080p media of your own.

This post has been edited by applecrate: 30 September 2010 - 07:15 AM

kevinv, on 30 September 2010 - 06:01 AM, said:

I didn't notice that, because it is still there. Or were you no longer talking about streaming from your Mac?

I guess I am in the minority, but I do want to "purchase" my video content. I am willing to pay for the hard drive space in my Apple TV. I also have a travel trailer and take my Apple TV with me as I do not always have internet access and even when I do it is spotting and not likely to stream well. I sure would like an Apple TV with MORE hard drive space. I guess I will have to resort to hacking my old Apple TV to upgrade hard drive.