Just finished watching an AVI file streamed from my computer over wifi to my ATV... WITHOUT having to convert it and load it through iTunes... that in itself is enough to sell me on Boxee. Also, it coexists with ATV's original software so no need to give that up.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Absolutely loving boxee...
- Thread starter pamon
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Just finished watching an AVI file streamed from my computer over wifi to my ATV... WITHOUT having to convert it and load it through iTunes... that in itself is enough to sell me on Boxee. Also, it coexists with ATV's original software so no need to give that up.
That's the problem, I get the feeling that you need to be able to access Hulu to get the most out of Boxee. Correct me if I'm wrong though !
If I install Boxee, do I lose everything that's already on the
TV ?
Boxee isn't that great for me, I have used iTunes for along time and have no problem re-encoding and tagging the file. I think boxee is more appealing to people who were not really pleased with apple tv as is. I for one love my apple tv and just cant get over the issues with boxee. Now if in future releases if the interface can be made less laggy, the videos do not play in the background, and i can easily add my pre tagged files and have the software read the meta tags then i will consider it again. I will say that as a streaming tool it is great, to me though for my to use it i want it to completely replace my need for the apple tv software , and currently it cant accomplish this.
That's the problem, I get the feeling that you need to be able to access Hulu to get the most out of Boxee. Correct me if I'm wrong though !
If I install Boxee, do I lose everything that's already on the
I tried it a few weeks ago and it didn't really grab me. Nothing particularly exciting on there since I can't get Hulu etc.
The one thing that really annoyed me is that it takes over from FrontRow when you use the apple remote and it took me ages to find how to get it back after uninstalling Boxee.
I jst got boxee installed on my TV, and am loving it. I can't believe this is alpha software. It will play anything you throw at it. I have it on both my Macs as well.
I'm now looking at getting a really great way to serve content to everything, some sort of NAS setup.
If anyone needs an invite, just PM or email me.
TV, and am loving it. I can't believe this is alpha software. It will play anything you throw at it. I have it on both my Macs as well. I'm now looking at getting a really great way to serve content to everything, some sort of NAS setup.
If anyone needs an invite, just PM or email me.
Boxee...meh.
Let me know when you can actually pause/stop/fast-forward/rewind while watching CBS, for example.
My experience with Boxee is that the interface is clunky, and it runs slow as crap even on high-end Macs let alone AppleTV.
"Alpha" is right. It's got a long, long way to go.
Let me know when you can actually pause/stop/fast-forward/rewind while watching CBS, for example.
My experience with Boxee is that the interface is clunky, and it runs slow as crap even on high-end Macs let alone AppleTV.
"Alpha" is right. It's got a long, long way to go.
Biggest problem with Boxee (their horrible UI aside) is poor quality of streamed content. My wife finds it unwatchable and I can't argue much.. It's particularly bad on ATV, partially because it's a CPU based application.. But it's not much better on my Mac either. So yes they have ways to go before they can be considered a good substitute for cable or anything else.
I have to say that i've tried Boxee as well, and I don't like it at all. I can understand beta software though and I hope it gets improved because the concept is ideal, but the implementation of it leaves much to be desired. There's hope out there and a lot of room for improvement so until that day...
boxee is still in alpha testing. not beta.
i love boxee. great concept, and it can only get better.
the fact that i have one peice of software that brings in all the streaming video i need, without having to run 6 or 7 different tabs in my browser.
Boxee as a final app on the AppleTV could be great. The Alpha is only good.
If the final version can find a way to properly stream the HD sources that are out there and refine the interface it would be a true killer app for the Apple TV.
As it is now, it cannot replace cable for anyone who cares about video quality at all and the interface is too clunky for a mainstream user to love. If they can figure out the HD issues, then watch out. I know that I will definitely cancel my cable if they can get that worked out.
If the final version can find a way to properly stream the HD sources that are out there and refine the interface it would be a true killer app for the Apple TV.
As it is now, it cannot replace cable for anyone who cares about video quality at all and the interface is too clunky for a mainstream user to love. If they can figure out the HD issues, then watch out. I know that I will definitely cancel my cable if they can get that worked out.
any chance the apple tv could duel boot? have a small app let you choose normal apple tv or boxee?
I've watched several TV shows through boxee that look better than digital channels, not better than HD channels. What shows are you watching that have poor quality? I've used boxee on a 40 and 47" screen
It already is. Boxee doesn't wipe out the original OS on the ATV. It just places a menu item that allows you to boot into Boxee. It initially boots into ATV OS however.
Just purchased my apple tv yesterday and installed boxee on it immediately, i was expecting much more from boxee i must say. The quality on anything i have watched so far has not been good. I went to the hulu channel thinking i was going to get good content or maybe even some hd but no. Not to mention watching the shows is laggy. There is even some visible skip to some of them. I was hoping this would eventually replace me using my dvr with my regular cable subscription but i can see that will not happen. Maybe someone else can enlighten some of us as to what are some other uses of boxee we are not seeing.
I also can't figure out why i would anyone would want to set up the ability to look at photos and videos when the apple tv will do it itself through itunes. What am i missing here? I haven't had one single movie that wouldn't play out of my itunes movie section. I have been transferring movies using handbrake or mac the ripper so maybe i have just been using the appropriate conversion, dont know.
Dont get me wrong i can tell i am going to love apple tv, but the boxee side of it hasn't been as impressive. And can anyone explain what the XMBC is for? Is this some alternate to boxee? What is the point of it?
I also can't figure out why i would anyone would want to set up the ability to look at photos and videos when the apple tv will do it itself through itunes. What am i missing here? I haven't had one single movie that wouldn't play out of my itunes movie section. I have been transferring movies using handbrake or mac the ripper so maybe i have just been using the appropriate conversion, dont know.
Dont get me wrong i can tell i am going to love apple tv, but the boxee side of it hasn't been as impressive. And can anyone explain what the XMBC is for? Is this some alternate to boxee? What is the point of it?
AppleTV user since June 2007.
I actually buy very little content to watch from Apple, and have always seen Apple TV as a perfect avenue to view family pictures and video (I shoot HD) without huddling around the computer. The Apple TV can play 720p24 fine, and if you shoot in 1080i and run through Compressor the 540p output files also look great.
Regardless, I installed Boxee Friday and LOVE it.
This opens a whole new world IMHO for the Apple TV.
Sure the quality (CBS/Hulu) is not great and it does jitter bit, but what a goldmine of old entertainment with minimal commercials for FREE.
You can be a stickler and complain about the quality, but it works perfectly and you just cannot beat the price.
I watched old Addams Family episodes (and Twilight Zone) with the kids all weekend!
Kudos team Boxee!
When you Exit Boxee, it boots back to Apple TV, I switched back and forth a few times over the weekend.
Problem free.
I actually buy very little content to watch from Apple, and have always seen Apple TV as a perfect avenue to view family pictures and video (I shoot HD) without huddling around the computer. The Apple TV can play 720p24 fine, and if you shoot in 1080i and run through Compressor the 540p output files also look great.
Regardless, I installed Boxee Friday and LOVE it.
This opens a whole new world IMHO for the Apple TV.
Sure the quality (CBS/Hulu) is not great and it does jitter bit, but what a goldmine of old entertainment with minimal commercials for FREE.
You can be a stickler and complain about the quality, but it works perfectly and you just cannot beat the price.
I watched old Addams Family episodes (and Twilight Zone) with the kids all weekend!
Kudos team Boxee!
When you Exit Boxee, it boots back to Apple TV, I switched back and forth a few times over the weekend.
Problem free.
As per the previous post, 'problem solved!' in a 'mission accomplished' sense.
I'm going to miss Hulu.