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.
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!
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.
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
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!
