I'd be all over this if it would stream directly from my NAS (no computer in between) like my old WD HD TV Live+
Ahh but don't you need a cable plan to get TWC TV via their app? So you can't really cut the cord (using that)
can it stream my existing media from a network share? if so, what codecs?
this is my #1 requirement for a box like this and the main reason why an appletv3 won't be in the running until it gets a jailbreak (so it can run xbmc).
I'd be all over this if it would stream directly from my NAS (no computer in between) like my old WD HD TV Live+
Apple is dedicating an extreme amount of attention to Apple TV. You just haven't seen the results of it yet. Patience, young padawan. "It's an area of intense interest." - Tim Cook on TV
2. You don't know that Apple doesn't have a team. They could have 1000 folks working in this. And you still won't like the results because they didn't do it the way you (and most of this board) want them to. But it will probably still sell hand over fist to 'the sheep'
I have set up playlist folders and smart playlist. So i have a folder for the show and then inside that folder i have eash season. So as i add each show to iTunes it will show up in the right playlist. Adds an extra click or two of the remote to get to the folders but all of the less techie folks in the house like it.
My first thought: that remote looks like a Wii-mote.
"The only thing Apple TV has going for it is Airplay as far as I can tell".
Airplay has a huge advantage over Roku. I can convert my HDTV to a giant monitor by activating Airplay on my iMac. The Bluetooth keypad and trackpad easily work in a different part of the house. I can then watch Amazon TV or play Angry Birds or whatever else takes my fancy.
Face Time is also great through Apple TV.
No. But if I'm using headphones I might as well use my MacBook or iPad instead of the TV.
It's neat but not a must have.
Sadly, as with AppleTv it's only viable in the US, anywhere else not so much.
I don't believe there are any features on either the Roku or Apple TV that are must haves, other than the ability to watch something with them. Everything else are just extra features. Now that I think about it, neither the Roku or Apple TV, or MacBook or iPad are must haves. They are neat and some are quite useful, but mankind survived without them for thousands of years.
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You can get Apple TV in Canada, which, last time I checked, was not part of the US.
What about a plain SMB/AFP/NFS mount?The Roku hardware has a Network connection, USB port (for massive multi-TB hard drives), and an SD card slot.
The Roku OS has multiple programs for playing/streaming from any of those, including popular software such as Plex.
But STILL no AVI/DivX support. Having to use Plex to convert stuff on the fly every time is a kludge, relies on continued availability of client/server on both sides, and requires that a computer be present and running. Does Plex allow one to forward/rewind, or does it only stream?So right there that tells you that anything Plex understands (MKV, MP4, H.264, etc) can be played on the Roku.
The Roku is 100 times better for this than the Apple TV for content choice. [/quote]There's a lot of people that will tell you that a Roku is a hundred times better than an Apple TV, simply due to the wide variety of apps.
Lots of people mess with jailbreaking their Apple TV ... just to do what Roku already does.
And yet the Roku dorks refuse to do what my Boxee Box has done for a couple of years: simply mount a network volume of video (and photos and music I believe) and allow one to browse and play -- including DivX/AVI. No kludges needed. And for those who really want, there are still hundreds of worthless apps.
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I'd really prefer to watch without being limited to streaming.Most people are just trying to stream some video.
That is accurate but not precise. ATV connects to media stored in iTunes. Unless something has changed since I last looked it won't do just a plain friggin mount. I don't want to have to format-convert everything, especially transient stuff, and import it into iTunes just to be able to watch it once.The Apple TV already connects to your photos, music, videos, etc on your Mac...
I'm not entirely sure if this answers your question, but you can stream your media to Roku using the Plex server on your computer and the Plex app on Roku. That's what I do.can it stream my existing media from a network share? if so, what codecs?
this is my #1 requirement for a box like this and the main reason why an appletv3 won't be in the running until it gets a jailbreak (so it can run xbmc).
Got out of the wrong side of the bed today huh?
What he means is, theres far more content available for the ATV in America than Europe or other countries such as Canada so its less viable to choose an ATV over something like Roku if you live anywhere else.
Headphone jack in the remote umm I would prefer bluetooth headphone support .
Also, I wish I could extend my desktop to my AppleTV instead of simply mirroring it. That way, I could still peruse the interwebz (for example) whilst having Hulu on in the background.
I actually use ClickToFlash, but had no idea it did this! I'll have to test it out. Thanks!Check out the excellent ClickToFlash plugin for Safari (Mac and Windows: )
http://hoyois.github.com/safariextensions/clicktoplugin/
Not only does it replace Flash web video whenever it can with less-resource-hungry HTML5, it also lets you AirPlay that video to your AppleTV, just like you can from iOS devices. This is not AirPlay Mirroring, it's just sending the video itself, which means you can keep using your laptop while video plays.
I actually use ClickToFlash, but had no idea it did this! I'll have to test it out. Thanks!
Install Plex for YouTube on the Roku.