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Does Apple prevent Amazon Prime from being on the Apple TV? One of the reasons I don't own an Apple TV. Well, that and I love Plex, which runs very well on my Roku.


Not anymore. Amazon's updated Instant Video app allows AirPlay to the ATV.
 
I don't know what you monitored, but this is not technically possible for 3rd party apps (since the ATV has no way of authenticating itself as a playback device for protected 3rd party content such as Amazon's). So, unless you are talking about iCloud content, the video stream is relayed through the iOS device.

Incorrect. The Airplay SDK is feature complete and made available by Apple for third party developers to use, and they can choose how they wish to implement it in their apps.

This is explicitly explained in the developer documentation linked to earlier in this thread.

If Amazon is choosing not to implement the handing off of the url of the content by the iDevice to the ATV then that is a concious choice on the part pf Amazon, not a technical limitation imposed by Apple on the SDK.
 
This is explicitly explained in the developer documentation linked to earlier in this thread.
Can you point me to the specific document on this page that explains it? I didn't find it.
If Amazon is choosing not to implement the handing off of the url of the content by the iDevice to the ATV then that is a concious choice on the part pf Amazon, not a technical limitation imposed by Apple on the SDK.
Well, as already mentioned it's not as simple as just handing off a URL.
 
Can you point me to the specific document on this page that explains it? I didn't find it.
Well, as already mentioned it's not as simple as just handing off a URL.

From the developer documentation link in this thread here:

To play a network stream whose URL requires access credentials, first create an appropriate NSURLCredential object. Do this by calling, for example, the initWithUser: password: persistence: method, as shown here:
NSURLCredential *credential = [[NSURLCredential alloc]
initWithUser: @"userName"
password: @"password"
persistence: NSURLCredentialPersistenceForSession];

self.credential = credential;
[credential release];
In addition, create an appropriate NSURLProtectionSpace object, as shown here. Make appropriate modifications for the realm you are accessing:
NSURLProtectionSpace *protectionSpace = [[NSURLProtectionSpace alloc]
initWithHost: "@streams.mydomain.com"
port: 80
protocol: @"http"
realm: @"mydomain.com"
authenticationMethod: NSURLAuthenticationMethodDefault];

self.protectionSpace = protectionSpace;
[protectionSpace release];
Add the URL credential and the protection space to the Singleton
NSURLCredentialStorage object. Do this by calling, for example, the setCredential:forProtectionSpace: method, as shown here:

[[NSURLCredentialStorage sharedCredentialStorage]
setDefaultCredential: credential
forProtectionSpace: protectionSpace];
With the credential and protection space information in place, you can then play the protected stream.

So you see, it is actually as simple as handing off the url to the stream to the ATV - it is all built into the API.

Also from the same page, the warning about how streaming will be cut off if you try to use any other multimedia functions on the same iDevice while Airplaying to the ATV:
Note: Although you can create multiple MPMoviePlayerController objects and present their views in your interface, only one movie player at a time can play its movie.


----------

Is Amazon Prime available directly on the ATV?

Nope. But as mentioned, it appears their iOS app is allowing AirPlay to the ATV. Can't verify though as I'm outside of the US.
 
From the developer documentation link in this thread here:
Thanks.
So you see, it is actually as simple as handing off the url to the stream to the ATV - it is all built into the API.
Well, it wouldn't work for content offered by the company I work for, since we use a different (more secure) authentication scheme which does not allow authentication with URL-embedded credentials. But yeah, I see how it can work for some services that use a setup like this.
 
I don't have one but did some research before buying a family member a Roku for Xmas. I really think Apple should allow Amaxon to have a Prime channel on the ATV. In my opinion that's the ATV's biggest weakness and a good reason to delay buying one. Netflix competes with iTunes yet Apple lets them on the ATV. Amazon has a huge library with some exclusive content that you shouldn't have to use a workaround to get on your TV.
 
Does Apple prevent Amazon Prime from being on the Apple TV? One of the reasons I don't own an Apple TV. Well, that and I love Plex, which runs very well on my Roku.

Don't believe so.

When it comes to content such as movies and tv shows. Everything has to be negotiated with the owners of that content. So it's really not as easy to just put amazon prime on ATV.

When it comes to device that attaches to a tv, Hollywood seems to have a different criteria than mobile devices.
 
Does it matter which device I Airplay from? I have a 1st gen iPad Mini and a iPhone 5s. I do not have the mirroring on though, but was just curious if one device would send a better picture to the Apple TV than the other. My assumption is that it should not matter (as long as mirroring is off).

It does. The iPhone will only download in SD. The iPads will do HD, depending on your internet connection.
 
Since Amazon is so protective about you using there crappy Kindle Fires as I bought one and returned it 4 days later as it was horrible and got a Nexus 7 from Amazon :D which was way better. But wait they only allow Amazon Instant on the Kindle not the Nexus 7 so no Chromecast support.

Really if you are serious about Amazon Instant then the only cheap solution is to get a Roku. I have a Roku 3 that I use for Amazon Instant and it works good.
 
I just got the Roku with Amazon prime and luv it..yes I have the Apple TV too, but they don't have all the channels that Roku has..
 
Well, I wound up connecting a Roku 2 to the TV that already has an Apple TV and TiVo Mini. The sole purpose of the Roku is for Amazon Prime (which looks great). To me, aside from Amazon Prime, that Roku kinda sucks. HBO Go doesn't work with Comcast/Xfinity on the Roku (at least great on my Apple TV). Nexflix on the Roku 2 doesn't support profiles (also great on my Apple TV). ESPN app is ok, but already have it on Apple TV. Aside from Amazon Prime, I haven't found the Roku to be too impressive.
 
Well, I wound up connecting a Roku 2 to the TV that already has an Apple TV and TiVo Mini. The sole purpose of the Roku is for Amazon Prime (which looks great). To me, aside from Amazon Prime, that Roku kinda sucks. HBO Go doesn't work with Comcast/Xfinity on the Roku (at least great on my Apple TV). Nexflix on the Roku 2 doesn't support profiles (also great on my Apple TV). ESPN app is ok, but already have it on Apple TV. Aside from Amazon Prime, I haven't found the Roku to be too impressive.

Roku 3 is better
 
Yes. And it's still better than the 2

And iPad 2 was better than iPad 1 and so on and so on. What's your point? Suggesting that I spend $90 just to watch Amazon Prime when I already have an Apple TV???
 
And iPad 2 was better than iPad 1 and so on and so on. What's your point? Suggesting that I spend $90 just to watch Amazon Prime when I already have an Apple TV???

You said you were unimpressed by the roku 2. Just letting you know the 3 is heads and shoulders above the 2. Even die hard Apple TV fans here will tell you it's UI beats the current Apple TV.
 
You said you were unimpressed by the roku 2. Just letting you know the 3 is heads and shoulders above the 2.
If have both. The only significant difference that I can see is that the menu navigation is more fluid on the 3. But otherwise, the 2 runs all the channels just fine. IMO upgrading is not worth it unless you want the headphone jack in the remote.
Even die hard Apple TV fans here will tell you it's UI beats the current Apple TV.
Personally, I like the UIs of some of the apps better on the ATV (primarily the Hulu app).
 
Don't bother with the Roku 1, 2. They are just re-branded older versions with slower processors. Pay a bit more and get the Roku 3 which will end up getting all the newest features.
 
I subscribe to Amazon Prime and it's too bad that they don't have an app/channel for the Apple TV. I have an Apple TV and iPad/iPhone and see now that I can do the Airplay workaround to watch Amazon Prime videos on my TV. But is the picture quality really that good? Or should I just get a $50 Roku box and dedicate it for just watching Amazon Prime on my TV (assuming the Roku has better picture quality for Prime)?

It depends on your network. If you have an N class router or better and good signal strength, AirPlay results are very good. On a B or G network however, it might not be as acceptable. Either case though, your end video result will be limited to 720p. (which is all you would get with an Apple TV 2 anyway.)
 
I don't have one but did some research before buying a family member a Roku for Xmas. I really think Apple should allow Amaxon to have a Prime channel on the ATV. In my opinion that's the ATV's biggest weakness and a good reason to delay buying one. Netflix competes with iTunes yet Apple lets them on the ATV. Amazon has a huge library with some exclusive content that you shouldn't have to use a workaround to get on your TV.


What makes you think that it's Apple preventing Amazon, when you see Amazon removing both chromecast, and appletv from their store?
 
What makes you think that it's Apple preventing Amazon, when you see Amazon removing both chromecast, and appletv from their store?
You're quoting a post made long before Amazon's decision not to sell the new ATV.

Anyway it's no secret that Apple uses content to drive hardware sales, and Amazon uses hardware / software (eg Kindles) to drive sales of content. Both companies are happy if you buy a new iPad and use it to buy books on the Kindle app. Apple doesn't have to sell you the book and Amazon doesn't have to sell you a Kindle tablet. Both companies still win. I don't understand why video is fundamentally different.
 
I have the Amazon Fire TV set-top box. It's superb. It looks great -- it could easily have been designed by Apple. The user-interface is simple and elegant. And it just works. It cleverly pre-downloads things it thinks you're going to play so that there's no delay and the video starts immediately.

The only drawback is that it doesn't have a Now TV app or All4 app.
 
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