Macworld: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV ...

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90 Replies Last post: Aug 11, 2008 8:18 PM by buffalobob Go to original post 1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 Previous Next

mosley

45 posts since
Apr 4, 2006

75. Jun 4, 2008 9:30 AM

in response to: folklore

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

Thanks folklore. Finally I am getting nearer to the truth that no one has properly explained. Over here in Europe we are paying astronomical prices for energy and something that seems to draw the same amount of power on and in "sleep" mode is not good. I'm surprised Greenpeace haven't jumped all over Apple on this issue! In my case I pull the power cord out but then of course I have to go through the start up process again when I plug it back in with accompanying fancy graphics so, for a totally different reason to previous posts, the Apple TV is a pain because it takes too long to get going once I power it up.

folklore

420 posts since
Aug 9, 2005

76. Jun 4, 2008 9:51 AM

in response to: mosley

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

Mosley, you got me wondering...

A quick Googling turned up this page where someone actually has put a meter on the AppleTV. There's no difference in power consumption when in "sleep" mode, and that page further confirms that the traditional Mac sleep functionality has been disabled on the AppleTV.

NW_Mike

116 posts since
Nov 19, 2004

77. Jun 4, 2008 9:54 AM

in response to: mosley

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

"the Apple TV is a pain because it takes too long to get going once I power it up."

As much as I like the start-up 'show,' it is getting really old. I am assuming that the Apple TV takes so long to 'turn on' because it is essentially a scaled down OS X system.

helping the 'new to Mac' www.ravemac.com

smax013

1,520 posts since
Jul 6, 2007

78. Jun 4, 2008 12:30 PM

in response to: mosley

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

mosley wrote:Thanks folklore. Finally I am getting nearer to the truth that no one has properly explained. Over here in Europe we are paying astronomical prices for energy and something that seems to draw the same amount of power on and in "sleep" mode is not good. I'm surprised Greenpeace haven't jumped all over Apple on this issue! In my case I pull the power cord out but then of course I have to go through the start up process again when I plug it back in with accompanying fancy graphics so, for a totally different reason to previous posts, the Apple TV is a pain because it takes too long to get going once I power it up.

I am guessing that the lack of true sleep mode has to do with the syncing functionality. Kind of hard to sync when it is sleeping.

Member of the "Crazy Mac Users who run Anti-virus on their Macs" club - come join us and you too can be snickered at!

smax013

1,520 posts since
Jul 6, 2007

79. Jun 4, 2008 12:38 PM

in response to: AntiGrave

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

AntiGrave wrote:
I love my Apple TV. But it functions too much like a computer and not a part of my AV set-up that anyone can use.

Ummm...that is because it IS a computer at heart. This is also true of a DVR or a smartphone like a Blackberry or iPhone...or even something like an iPod. Face it, a lot of these devices that we use in today's world are MUCH more complicated than a simple tape player or radio. Most of these devices are little computers running some sort of operating system and user interface. And as such, they WILL suffer from glitches, bugs, and flaws. I have yet to encounter a computer that works perfectly all the time.

And I will note that even a more simple device like a DVD player can suffer from issues. Everyonce and a while, I encounter a commercial DVD that seems to be in good condition (i.e. free of scratches) the one or more of my DVD players just does NOT like (and no, it was not because it was something other than a Region 1 DVD or was a PAL DVD).

And I would bet you $50 that most people that I know would have a WAY easier time figuring out how to use my AppleTV than my AV receiver (other than maybe real basic stuff). Heck, my Mom is scared to death of my whole AV setup period...but would have little trouble learning to use the AppleTV. Now, I agree that if there are problems with the AppleTV, then she would be lost...but then the same would be true of my VCRs, my DVR, my TV, my receiver, and my DVD player.

Member of the "Crazy Mac Users who run Anti-virus on their Macs" club - come join us and you too can be snickered at!

folklore

420 posts since
Aug 9, 2005

80. Jun 4, 2008 1:00 PM

in response to: smax013

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

smax013 wrote:

I am guessing that the lack of true sleep mode has to do with the syncing functionality. Kind of hard to sync when it is sleeping.

Perhaps. But the AppleTV runs OS X, right?

OS X already has the capability to set power on and wake schedules (although admittedly not complex schedules). The AppleTV could be configured to wake up every <insert time period here> to check for updates, probably without much effort on the part of Apple. And while wireless connections couldn't do so, wired connections could be configured to wake on an attempted sync from iTunes.

All of that would take programming effort from Apple, but not a herculean effort, since the underlying technology is certainly there.

It may be that the AppleTV just doesn't draw that much power to make such things worth it to Apple in terms of the complexity they would bring to the box. At 14-15 watts, the AppleTV isn't exactly power-hungry - the average LCD TV uses about 15 times as much power.

NW_Mike

116 posts since
Nov 19, 2004

81. Jun 4, 2008 1:16 PM

in response to: folklore

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

So, as far as cost goes, 14 watts of power @ 24 hours per day will be on average .03 per day.

Doesn't seem bad to me...

helping the 'new to Mac' www.ravemac.com

smax013

1,520 posts since
Jul 6, 2007

82. Jun 4, 2008 2:30 PM

in response to: folklore

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

folklore wrote:
Perhaps. But the AppleTV runs OS X, right?

OS X already has the capability to set power on and wake schedules (although admittedly not complex schedules). The AppleTV could be configured to wake up every <insert time period here> to check for updates, probably without much effort on the part of Apple. And while wireless connections couldn't do so, wired connections could be configured to wake on an attempted sync from iTunes.

All of that would take programming effort from Apple, but not a herculean effort, since the underlying technology is certainly there.

It may be that the AppleTV just doesn't draw that much power to make such things worth it to Apple in terms of the complexity they would bring to the box. At 14-15 watts, the AppleTV isn't exactly power-hungry - the average LCD TV uses about 15 times as much power.

Since you asked so nicely (what you don't remember asking, you say...you really should pay attention to what you do!

), I run my AppleTV (160 GB version connected with HDMI) through my Kill-a-Watt meter. It was averaging about 20 watts. Peak was 21 watts when I fast forwarded through a movie. Did not test it while it was actively syncing with the computer, but did test it when it was downloading and playing an HD movie trailer.

And yes, it is basically running Mac OS X, but I suspect that your last supposition (i.e. that it draws so little power overall that Apple did deem it worth worrying about a power saver mode similar to full sleep mode on a computer) is probably on point.

Member of the "Crazy Mac Users who run Anti-virus on their Macs" club - come join us and you too can be snickered at!

folklore

420 posts since
Aug 9, 2005

83. Jun 4, 2008 2:56 PM

in response to: smax013

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

Thanks for posting your power results - it always helps to have multiple measures of such things. FWIW, I think the 15 watt figure was when the AppleTV was idle, which is when it would be sleeping (if it could).

Dan Frakes

3,348 posts since
Apr 14, 2003

84. Jun 4, 2008 4:17 PM

in response to: tallscot

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

tallscot wrote:
My DirecTV DVR never sucks. It works all the time. I have enough trouble-shooting with my computers. I don't want to bring that trouble-shooting experience to my TV, or my phone for that matter.

If your DirecTV DVR "never sucks," tallscot, clearly you have different expectations for your DVR than you do for your computer

Dan Frakes | Senior Editor, Macworld

smax013

1,520 posts since
Jul 6, 2007

85. Jun 4, 2008 4:20 PM

in response to: folklore

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

folklore wrote:Thanks for posting your power results - it always helps to have multiple measures of such things. FWIW, I think the 15 watt figure was when the AppleTV was idle, which is when it would be sleeping (if it could).

Boy, you are demanding! Now you want to measure it while it is sleeping!

OK, since you asked so nicely and seem like a nice enough person, I will be glad to test it (if I had not had a brain crap before, I would have done it then). After all, I have about 45 minutes before the Wings try...again...to win the Cup...and cooking my burger on the grill and eating it should only take me about 15 to 20 minutes of that time. You might have to wait until after the game to get the results, however.

Member of the "Crazy Mac Users who run Anti-virus on their Macs" club - come join us and you too can be snickered at!

smax013

1,520 posts since
Jul 6, 2007

86. Jun 4, 2008 9:28 PM

in response to: smax013

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

Just to report...I am getting about 15 to 16 watts when it is "powered down". It only goes up to about 17 watts when "powered up" but idle (i.e. just sitting on a menu with nothing playing).

Member of the "Crazy Mac Users who run Anti-virus on their Macs" club - come join us and you too can be snickered at!

seeje

2 posts since
Jun 8, 2008

87. Jun 8, 2008 7:09 PM

in response to: Macworld

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

I couldn't agree more with the report and comments and glad I am not the only one experiencing such issues. One more to add to the "what ticks me off" list - inability to navigate to specific iPhoto events and film rolls.

2020hindsight

4 posts since
Aug 21, 2007

88. Jul 24, 2008 10:09 PM

in response to: Macworld

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

I can live with most of the annoyances of the AppleTV - the fact that I have to rip the power cable out every so often and so on.

But I there are three main issues which really bug me.

The first (and lesser of the three) is why on earth it takes so long to load up the library when I reconnect my Mac. OK, the library has something like 6000 items in it (but that ain't big by the standards of some) in a 13mb file. The Apple TV streams movies brilliantly - yet takes almost a minute to load in the libary.

The second (and middlingly annoying) is the fact that since I don't use the internal disk, most of the menu options - and all of which are a the top - are not relevant. I can't go directly to my movies, I have to move down through the options.

But the biggest frustration is the lack of playlists for moves and tv episodes. I want to be able to create playlists of favourite action movies, TV episodes I haven't seen in over a year - all the stuff that comes for free with music. Why oh why oh why can Apple not provide this same functionality for movies and TV ?

cronejp

1 posts since
Aug 11, 2008

89. Aug 11, 2008 8:08 PM

in response to: Macworld

Re: The straight-up lowdown on Apple TV annoyances

Having read through 6 pages of comments about martinis (what???)

heat dissipation, PVR's, etc. I'm surprised that I'm the only one posting this.

I don't want to shuffle my music by songs.

There, i've got it off my chest. I have an iPod. Every single playlist is set

to play by album, I can start it up, it will shuffle by album, and all that brilliant

classical music I have plays album by album start to finish. The live performances

play end to end. I just get the ALBUM's in a shuffle order. exactly what I want.

So why on earth can't I have that option on my AppleTV.? My wife accidently picked

the wrong playlist on the weekend, and we found ourselves going from Yo Yo Ma to

Def Leopard... That was not what our intent.... (purchased content....)

Oh yes, I want more content: I also can't figure out why on earth all the quick time movies

from my digital camera that show up in iPhoto, didn't sync over to the AppleTV either,

and I can't convince them to sync, so my kids who want to see their movies can't.

Thats my two complaints on my one week old apple TV (yes, and its too damned hot)

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