[alvino]

We've solved the problem of small AppleTV hard drives by using an Airport Extreme with Ethernet and USB on our network. You can connect several terabytes of hard disk space on your home network this way (we currently use about 3TB). We connect to the database through a connection with iTunes running on one of the computers on our home network. To get iTunes to see the movies on the network, you simply turn off the iTunes preference option "Copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library". This allows iTunes to see the content, in place, where it lives on your home network USB drives.

You leave iTunes running all of the time, on a computer set to run all of the time (mac or pc shouldn't matter). We have even set the computer to start up automatically after a power failure, and have set iTunes to run on startup for that computer. Additionally as a side benefit, we use the specified "server" computer to intercept and zap all of our spam email through the use of spamsieve. Having a computer, in our case an Intel Mac Mini, turned on all of the time, along with the terabytes of USB storage space, not only allows the AppleTV to access this content at any time, but also allows our other computers and AppleTV's to access this same content. It distributes the movies, tv shows, photo's, and camcorder media throughout the home to ANY TV set or computer and only has to be stored in one location.

One final point about our particular system; we have several flat screens, but the Mac Mini is tied permanently to a 50" plasma set in our family room. This serves the same purpose as an AppleTV. Only one computer is required, but you can have up to 5 AppleTV's I think (I could be wrong about this limit). I realize this is all $$$, but for our needs, the total cost is about $700 for the Mac Mini, $750 for the hard drive space (can be bought incrementally), $180 for the Airport Extreme, and $400 for each AppleTV... not counting the cost of the flat-screens. Truely cheap for a home-based multi-media system.

[RobK]

I've got to second Peter's first comment. THe xBox360 (with Connect360 running on the Mac) is just -- and it disgusts me to admit it about a Microsoft product -- AMAZING! Add to that my TiVO HD for DVR needs and it's pretty much Apple T, what?

[isean]

Well I love the Apple TV, and while I could certainly think of some ways to improve it, I totally get it. I suspect those who don't get it, or think it's a failure, don't have one, and have therefore not used one. When I first got mine back in March, I did the typical thing and loaded all my music and pictures and a few movies on it, and it is a great way to enjoy all of that stuff, but I have come to realize, at least for me, what it is really all about. I have since taken the music off, as while it is all well and good to be able to listen to your music through your TV, I don't do it that often and I have a good sound system hooked up to my iMac, so I just don't need it there. The pictures are nice to have for the screensaver, but the rest I dropped as well, as I don't tend to sit in front of my TV watching pictures... I do that on the iMac. The great thing is the movies, though... Home movies are good, saved videos from the web, YouTube, etc., are all nice things to have available with a few clicks. The real gem, though, is having full-length DVD movies. The Apple TV IS like the iPod for movies. I have kids that like to watch movies, and my wife and I like watching movies with them, and on our own, and I have a huge DVD collection. The biggest pain is finding the movie, switching DVDs in and out of the player, and if one gets scratched by the kids' mishandling, then we'd have to replace it. The ATV is like a movie juke-box, letting me select whichever movie I want, and it loads immediately, and plays back beautifully. Of course, an app like Handbrake is needed to convert them, but it does such a beautiful job, and takes less time than the movie is long to convert, so if you convert them as you get them, it's a piece of cake. The only limitation I have on my ATV is storage, and I am convinced that Apple will open up that USB port on the back to allow an external HD. When they do, I can convert the rest of my collection. Everyone that comes over and sees the setup loves it and thinks it's awesome. Sure you can do pretty much the same thing with your Mac and some cabels and/or converters and whatnot, but none of it would be as clean and simple as an Apple TV. You've got the AC cord, and the HDMI cable, and that's it! The interface is beautiful on my HDTV and I am always getting drooling comments by people who see it, which further leads me to believe that those who knock it, simply haven't tried it. Now if a future release of iTunes would include DVD-ripping as good as Handbrake, it truly would be the one-step simple solution.

[russellb]

I think that's a very very common observation "a lot of people who bag the Apple TV don't have one or have not tried one" they just look at the feature set and say that it does not do much and is missing heaps of features found on other devices ..

But it's simple, elegant, gets a job done with such simplicity .. I think thats the point .. once you use one you understand it. (for the most part anyway)

Re DVD's, exactly. We have bought a huge pile of kids DVD's but they get scratched, trashed, kids don't treat them as they should ... now I just put 5-6 of the current favorite kids movies on Apple TV (or at east on the itunes machine (I stream) and my 8yr old just grabs an Apple remote and watches the movies. When they get tired of those I change them.

[George76]

Playing the Sony side of the devil's advocate, I've also been very happy using my PS3 as a media player (although I wouldn't suggest it without investing in the Bluetooth remote). I actually just rip CD's right on the PS3 instead of streaming music, but I like that the PS3 has an actual visualizer (instead of staring at album art and song info) and the new Earth visualizer they just added in the last update is beautiful to watch. And if I want, I can hop on the internet and do a little web surfing instead (with Flash support). Plus, the PS3 has wider video codec support, so there's less need to convert internet video to get it play.

And of course, there's the ability to play Blu-Ray movies in beautiful 1080p and discrete surround (as my collection of 50 discs attests to), and I guess it plays games too. I'm just a little bummed I don't know anyone else with a PS3 to use the voice/video/text chat capabilities it has.

Then there's the ability to easily upgrade the internal hard drive (man, I wish Apple would take note of this for the iMac and AppleTV), plus add external USB hard drives for storage.

Now if it would just add the PSP's internet radio feature, it would be even more awesome. And maybe if Nullriver would roll out at PS3 version of the Connect360 software.

On a last note, I'd like to add that Jobs didn't call the AppleTV a "hobby" until it had been on the market for over 4 months, which makes me think his comment was just an excuse to cover the less than stellar sales (or at least the less than expected sales).

[ibeetle]

George76 said:

>
>And maybe if Nullriver would roll out at PS3 version of the Connect360 software.

Yea. About that. What is the deal? A couple of months ago (Octoberish?) Somebody (I forget who... Gizmodo? I saw it on Digg) said that Nullriver was releasing ConnectPS3 (for lack of better name). Well that information has never been posted on the Nullriver website, and I never received a response from a eMail I sent them to confirm or deny this software.
If anybody has any information about what is assuredly the most sought after piece of software for Mac/PS3 owners please give it to us.

[kresh]

hehe Just don't tell you insurance agent. No lie. I was shopping for home owners insurance the other day at an independant insurance agent, that represents several companies. He asked me if we owned an XBOX 360 during the assessment. I answered that I didn't and a few questions later I stopped him and asked about the 360. I asked if people were breaking into houses or something to steal them. He said no that's not the problem, it's that one of the insurance companies he writes for considers you at a higher risk for a fire damage claim if there is an XBOX 360 in the house.

With my four irreplaceable children in the house I'll just keep my AppleTV and Wii, and you can keep your 360 :)

[meta]

The iPod would never have been popular if it only played AAC; similarly, the AppleTV needs to support other file formats, not just MPEG-4.

In fact, all they really need to do is remove the deliberate crippling that makes it hard to install Perian on the thing and add support for browsing all the usual container formats, and I'd buy one. I don't even care if non-MPEG-4 isn't officially supported.

[Peter Cohen]

Yes, Nullriver confirmed to me that they're working on a PS3 equivalent for the Connect360 software. But they're a very small developer with limited resources, so when it will happen is something that only they know, and I presume will talk about when the time is right.

[technolawyer]

Chris didn't mention another use for Apple TV -- it offers a superior AirTunes than Airport Express because of the on-screen menus. Plus it costs a lot less than buying a (nice) stereo system. Instead, you can focus on improving the sound of your TV by adding some good stereo speakers for music now and perhaps someday adding to them for 5.1 or 7.1 sound.

[maxaydaar]

"...Re DVD's, exactly. We have bought a huge pile of kids DVD's but they get scratched, trashed, kids don't treat them as they should ... now I just put 5-6 of the current favorite kids movies on Apple TV (or at east on the itunes machine (I stream) and my 8yr old just grabs an Apple remote and watches the movies. When they get tired of those I change them."

Can you share what method do you use to transfer your DVDs to iTunes? I am looking for something other than HandBrake since I did not have much luck with Hand Brake. Thanks

[johnm0630]

Apple TV is a great concept with a great start, but Apple needs to do the following to make it a NO-DUH solution for most consumers:

1. ADD ITUNES STORE - Add ITunes and the ITunes Store directly to Apple TV (just as in the iPhone) so Apple TV does not have to be tethered (though wirelessly) to a computer. This would make the device entirely stand-alone. Buy, Rent, and manage all your video or even music content directly on your Apple TV. Sure, make it able to sync or transfer files between it and your computer, but dont require the computer to access the online content. Surf ITunes directly from Apple TV on your TV and purchase or Rent the stuff you want.

2. MUCH MORE STORAGE CAPACITY - Significantly increase the storage capacity of Apple TV so that IT is the primary storage device for video content and not your computer. Another solution would be to enable Apple TV to be able to add an external hard drive(s) to expand capacity.

3. APPLE TV / AIRPORT - Combine Apple TV and Airport into a single Device to reduce the number of components in my media center area. This is where my Airport is anyway since it has to be near my cable modem which is near my TV and near my stereo for audio output from my computer's iTunes. Make Apple TV my wireless router to my computer (and wireless transmitter soon to the TV itself ... a growing trend to reduce cables to HD sets) as well as the audio output to my stereo sound system and direct link to my cable modem. Apple TV needs an airport to function anyway so just build it in and it could serve as a link in a wireless network as well if other airports already exist.

4. WEB SURFING - Enable Apple TV to surf the web by giving it a Safari Web Browser ... perhaps even enabling iphone menu styled navigation for easy navigation with the remote to access common websites or web data designed for the iPhone. Advantage is if you learn to use one, you will know how to use the other.

[John_Scott]

Too little too late for Apple T/V. Frankly, Apple screwed up by providing the hardware before the content. As far as getting my iTunes to my stereo. I use my Airport express for that. My Xbox 360 downloads movie's, games,tv shows, and plays purchased games on CD. Plus being a DVD player upgradable to HD DVD. I just can't see even a Apple fanBoy being so blind as to buy such a handicapped, over priced hardware like the Apple T/V. Im sure Steve Jobs thanks you though!

[Chris Breen]

While it's convenient to attribute any Apple TV purchases to "fanboyism" I think you really see enthusiasm or detraction for the device based on those who've used them and those who haven't. Clearly, you haven't used one, John, and you and a lot of Xbox 360 owners seem to be in the same "why bother" camp considering what your console can do. Fair enough.

But look through the thread and I think you'll find that those who own one of these things finds it useful.

Let's revisit this in a year. I'm putting my money on the Apple TV being an important part of what was once called Apple's Digital Hub strategy, certainly to the point where consumers choose it over something like the Xbox 360 for delivering movies, TV programs, and music to their televisions.