Apple TV Software Update Adds Streaming of Purchased TV Shows, Vimeo Support, and More

[MacRumors]

A number of MacRumors readers are reporting that Apple has just pushed out a new iOS software update for the second-generation Apple TV bringing support for several new features including streaming access to purchased TV shows and support for video service Vimeo. Daring Fireball's John Gruber explains the TV show feature:

You can buy -- not just rent but buy -- new episodes directly from your Apple TV, and access and stream any TV show episodes you've previously purchased using your iTunes account. (I'm not quite sure if it has all episodes -- but it's showing me all the TV shows I can remember buying from iTunes.)

According to one report, however, the feature may be U.S.-only for the time being.

In addition to the purchased TV show support, the update also brings support for Vimeo video content and reportedly adds YouTube playlist support.

Article Link: Apple TV Software Update Adds Streaming of Purchased TV Shows, Vimeo Support, and More

 

[SanibelMan]

Does it support subtitles in Netflix yet?

 

[ikir]

I love AppleTV2 and i'm very happy Apple continues to update its software with new features.

 

[MiWall81]

Apple TV

I seriously wish they would allow iPad/Apple TV owners the ability to watch everything from their iPad onto the TV already... This update is taking forever... Also, the ability to watch on the iPad and the Apple TV at the same time...

 

[vtstarck]

Looks like my prior purchases of The Walking Dead aren't included.

 

[chrisandersen]

Old 24 TV: Rent for .99, buy for $2.99. Yawn.

 

[zin]

Doesn't look like international customers are ever going to get TV show rentals.

 

[Spoony]

So this is like iCloud for TV and Movies?

I'm sick of storing all my purchased content on my computer. It's hogging up all my space (I know i should just get an external harddrive). If this is the true this is awesome. Allowing the apple ecosystem to manage my content. I'm digging this.

 

[nwcs]

I seriously wish they would allow iPad/Apple TV owners the ability to watch everything from their iPad onto the TV already... This update is taking forever... Also, the ability to watch on the iPad and the Apple TV at the same time...

Coming in iOS 5...

 

[cube]

AppleTV1 FTW

 

[PeterM11]

Nice although my internet at home is too slow and it only wants to steam HD content.

Still hoping for Hulu+ support

I wonder if this means we'll be able to re-download purchased TV shows sooner or later. Then maybe Movies will come too. If they add Hulu+ (and maybe even buy it) then that plus Netflix and iTunes content streaming makes it a pretty cool little box. I already love it but this just makes it better. The only other thing I could think of would be screen mirroring of Macs along with the upcoming iPad mirroring. Doubt that'll happen though.

 

[mwxiao]

Also, the ability to watch on the iPad and the Apple TV at the same time...

If i'm not mistaken, iOS 5 should be able to do that.

 

[ck2875]

ability to stream prior purchased tv shows is huge. i approve.

 

[nwcs]

I think this is a great update! I can finally (hopefully) keep my computer off to view most of my content. I'd only need to turn it on to view the stuff I've encoded. If they did something like iTunes Match for video that would just be super! Especially if it got free updates to HD...

 

[NEMMRRC]

Does it support subtitles in Netflix yet?

I believe that some TV shows already do that. STNG does.

 

[Spoony]

So this is like iCloud for TV and Movies?

I'm sick of storing all my purchased content on my computer. It's hogging up all my space (I know i should just get an external harddrive). If this is the true this is awesome. Allowing the apple ecosystem to manage my content. I'm digging this.

Edit. I guess it's only iCloud for TV Shows at this point. Hopefully movies to come.

 

[SwedishFrog]

Broken

After updating and entering my account info, it shows fewer than half of the TV shows I purchased using this account. I can right-click on the files on my computer and see that they were purchased using this account, but they don't show up under TV Shows > Purchased on the Apple TV.

Boo, Apple. Boo.

 

[imahawki]

Hopefully this also fixes the bug where the ATV suddenly can't find any content your library which requires either restarting iTunes or disabling, then re-enabling Home Sharing from the ATV to see any content.

 

[TwinCities Dan]

I all want is to be able to sort my movies by date added. It seems so simple, I have over 800 movies and I want to see the recent additions.

 

[Hairball]

NHL / NFL support would be a great addition. While they are at it, add a NASCAR channel as well.

TV needs to add more support for video sites. A Showtime or HBO channel would be a major game changer and huge surprise. It'll probably never happen though

The cable cord needs to be cut!

 

[eliehass]

Nice although my internet at home is too slow and it only wants to steam HD content.

Still hoping for Hulu+ support

I wonder if this means we'll be able to re-download purchased TV shows sooner or later. Then maybe Movies will come too. If they add Hulu+ (and maybe even buy it) then that plus Netflix and iTunes content streaming makes it a pretty cool little box. I already love it but this just makes it better. The only other thing I could think of would be screen mirroring of Macs along with the upcoming iPad mirroring. Doubt that'll happen though.

If you go to settings and then iTunes store, you can change the resolution to SD and then you will pull the SD video from iCloud

 

[Jazwire]

Hulu / Hulu+ please....

 

[Thataboy]

I all want is to be able to sort my movies by date added. It seems so simple, I have over 800 movies and I want to see the recent additions.

Make a smart playlist in iTunes for recently added movies. Enable Home Sharing. Enable video playlists on Apple TV. Done

 

[supremedesigner]

Hulu / Hulu+ please....

+1. Once it's available, it's a big blow to cable tv companies

 

[roland.g]

Apple TV could use more frequent updates with new features more often.