Apple Releases Apple TV 3.0.2 Update

[Jacquesass]

My main goal is to access music and videos from my NAS: it has Firefly and UpNp software but ATV can't see it natively; why Apple insists on only 'linking' the device to computers running iTunes is beyond me, especially now that they have done away with the DRM.

I'm at a loss as to why Apple hasn't developed a home media server. It seems that more and more households have multiple computers (all running iTunes) that each have multi-gigabyte libraries. It seems like there is an obvious market for a small device that would hold all of the household's music/movies/photos, allowing portions to be synced to individual computers, serving media to ATV's and Airport Express', with redundant backup.

This is what I thought the Mac mini Server would offer - Apple just needs to write an iTunes Server (and iPhoto Server) app...

 

[WilliamLondon]

I see this sentiment expressed regularly, and I have to admit I don't really understand why this would be a good idea. Doesn't it make sense to keep the content source and the content display separate so they can be updated independently as technologies improve? I certainly wouldn't want to have to replace my existing 1080p LCD just to get the latest Apple TV hardware.

It also seems that LCD prices continue to fall due to fierce competitive pressures, which is great for us. Could Apple produce a 55" LCD that would be cost competitive with Samsung?

I just don't see the value of an all-in-one unit outside of saving the HDMI connection. I admit that I may be the victim of narrow vision here, so I'd love to hear other opinions on this.

Why do you assume it has to be an Apple built television? Wouldn't it be great if manufacturers embedded this device in their televisions?!

 

[WilliamLondon]

I guess it's reassuring to us long time tv owners that Apple isn't abandoning the platform.

I agree. But am I silly not to worry this device isn't being end-of-lifed? Why did they update software from v2 to v3 recently if they intend to end of life the device? I love this little device; of all the Apple products I own (quite a few!) this one I use more than all the others combined.

My question is, can we infer from the recent OS update they aren't going to put it out to pasture?

 

[bacaramac]

FInally posted the update and hopefully it fixes the insanely slow iTunes Extra complaint that I have. Anytime it has to switch over to main movie (i.e. chapter selection) it hangs and then movie stutters while playing. Will post back with results.

EDIT: The change for me is they now dump you directly into iTunes Extras just like a DVD instead of giving you the option. Love it. If you have already watched part of the movie it gives you the menu, but for new and/or movies that you didn't stop half way through it takes you to Extras directly (I assume this new as it never did it before).

 

[NightStorm]

FInally posted the update and hopefully it fixes the insanely slow iTunes Extra complaint that I have. Anytime it has to switch over to main movie (i.e. chapter selection) it hangs and then movie stutters while playing. Will post back with results.

EDIT: The change for me is they now dump you directly into iTunes Extras just like a DVD instead of giving you the option. Love it. If you have already watched part of the movie it gives you the menu, but for new and/or movies that you didn't stop half way through it takes you to Extras directly (I assume this new as it never did it before).

Did they improve the performance of iTunes Extras? I remember trying the Star Trek one from my AppleTV and having a horrible experience. If they run smoothly and load quickly, I'm all for having them open by default.

 

[bacaramac]

Did they improve the performance of iTunes Extras? I remember trying the Star Trek one from my AppleTV and having a horrible experience. If they run smoothly and load quickly, I'm all for having them open by default.

i would say yes, it actually shows loading circle now to show it is actually doing something now. I haven't had a crash yet since the update when using extras.

 

[lilo777]

I'm at a loss as to why Apple hasn't developed a home media server. It seems that more and more households have multiple computers (all running iTunes) that each have multi-gigabyte libraries. It seems like there is an obvious market for a small device that would hold all of the household's music/movies/photos, allowing portions to be synced to individual computers, serving media to ATV's and Airport Express', with redundant backup.

This is what I thought the Mac mini Server would offer - Apple just needs to write an iTunes Server (and iPhoto Server) app...

Most TV sets will soon be able to stream video from Netflix, Hulu and other sites (many already can). This makes ATV totally redundant. Maybe it's time for Apple to think about what you suggest.

 

[cnladd]

AppleTV Update 3.0.2 fixed my performance problems

I have a very large media library on my iMac at home. Once I surpassed 10,000 songs and a dozen or so movies, my AppleTV started to choke. Browsing the library was horribly slow (the lag seemed to be in getting album art), the AppleTV interface frequently froze for random lengths of time, I'd regularly lose my connection with iTunes, and my AppleTV would often crash--sometimes five or six times in a row, one right after another. Unfortunately, the 3.0 update just made things worse.

Now, after 3.0.2, it seems much more stable. Now, browsing my 60,000+ song and a several dozen movie library is very speedy. There's still a second or two lag when going into any particular category, but after that it's smooth sailing. It's only been a day or so, but I haven't noticed any hiccups with the AppleTV's connection to iTunes, and downloading rented HD content is now much faster than before.

It remains to be seen whether this will last for more than a few days, but if so... it makes me happy to have an AppleTV again.

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

One would think that Apple would eventually want to merge some of the capability of the iPad/iPod Touch into the AppleTV software, particularly if the hardware got a refresh (i.e. perhaps some of the apps could be designated to run on it that might be useful on a large television screen at home). Given that you can control the thing with an iPod Touch, extending some of that control to the big screen might be very useful indeed, particularly if it were to be given Bluetooth capability so you could have a simple option to use a keyboard or mouse from your couch (something along the lines of a Wii controller might work even better in that regard for mouse behavior). Certainly, playing games on your television would be a natural extension to a future AppleTV and running the games that run on an iPod Touch or iPad shouldn't be any problem for future hardware. The software already exists, so why not make it available to even more Apple hardware?

 

[plaine300]

Apple

According to Apple, Apple TV Software update 3.0.2 includes fixes for Genius playlists, MobileMe gallery photos, iTunes U content, Internet Radio, and other media-related features. The update also includes performance and connectivity fixes for Apple TV.

I don't think some of the first posters in this thread know what they're talking about in regards to hardware, 1080p or that AppleTV is at end-of-life. 3 year old hardware is holding you back? Get a clue before you get on that soap box. I own two, I know a lot of people who just purchased them this past holiday season and I know nobody who doesn't love the thing. Sleeping giant, as another poster stated.

 

[Friscohoya]

The set top atv is a waste. Just another way for Stevie to sell us another product. Portable computers should sync directly to tv's. Wireless hdmi or something. Make it happen.

 

[plaine300]

Dope

Set top ATV is very smart, actually, particularly for those who don't own Apple laptops or who don't have experience in hooking up a tv with a home network. I think "Stevie" is well ahead of your line of thinking in going after a consumer marketing that doesn't know how to setup a home media server to link up to their television, which is what, 80%+ of the market? So, Friscohoya, when you decide to revolutionize TVs and also the consumers' brains using them, let me know. Until then, "Stevie" keeps on putting out products that do just that, including ATV. Calling the ATV a waste is retarded. So get on that, and report back with how you're making out with this better idea of yours.

 

[seamer]

I think that all ATV owners agree that it's a great product, but it can be improved in a myriad of ways - some want better software (features, speed, general usability), some want hardware (higher rez, updated processor, access to USB for external content), and some want more content at a reasonable price.

If Apple can chip away at each of those concerns with each update, I'm happy to keep using my ATVs.

 

[OllyW]

Portable computers should sync directly to tv's. Wireless hdmi or something. Make it happen.

It sounds like the Intel WiDi wireless display technology might be the answer.

It's demoed in the latest Engadget Show and looks interesting.

 

[dgalvan123]

I don't mean to be argumentative but don't you just wish you had got one 3 years ago and enjoyed it for all its brilliant functionality?

Well, no actually. I mean, if it had been available at $220 3 years ago, then yes I wish I would have purchased one then. But as I recall it was more expensive back then.

At this point, rumors say that Apple will put out a new version of Apple TV some time this year. I wouldn't want to purchase the 3-year-old hardware now, just to have it made obsolete by the new better hardware if it really is around the corner.

I'm currently using an old Powerbook G4 running FrontRow to stream photos and music and video from my main mac to my TV. Control it using a rowmote app on my iphone. that would meet all my needs except Apple hasn't updated Front Row in a long time either, so in order to get to Flickr photos and YouTube videos, I'd have to leave the FrontRow world and use Safari. Fine for me, but too much of a hassle for my wife and/or any visiting friends/relatives. Ease-of-use is the key.