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Apple TV Software Updated to Version 5.2.1 with Bug Fixes, Hulu Redesign
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iOS does have spotlight. It just won't search third-party apps. If that functionality isn't present in the app, blame the developer, not Apple.
Well, if you have a recent Mac not being used, you can fire up Amazon Prime and Airplay it over to your ATV.
We've done that a few times but, honestly, the whole Amazon Prime experience has me thinking we won't be renewing. The selection is rather poor and not growing, everything is search-based instead of giving a good discovery/browsing experience, and worst of all specific videos (ex, we've put the Comedy Central Presents stand-up comedy series on as background noise quite often; there are a number of those hit this issue no matter how many times they are restarted) have horrid connection issues for some reason (it's not our ISP either; we went from 3Mbps DSL which we thought was the cause of the issues to 15Mbps+ fiber, and we still have the same issues with the same frequency on the same episodes of the same shows).
Hulu has ads, which is annoying, but we can ignore them / find something to do while they are on. Netflix is the likely replacement for Amazon Prime. Other than AP, the ATV handles the others we use or might use directly. But, the fallback position is always the Mac Mini the kids use for homework can be used to drive the TV when we're all sitting down to watch a show (and with the iPhone acting as "remote control" mouse on the Mini, it's a workable setup).
I really wish sites like Mac Rumors would stop reporting the Apple TV software version as if its the same as the OS version.
The Apple TV is currently on iOS version 6.1.3 and only the software build version is 5.2.1. They are two entirely different things. The Apple TV software is just an app running on top of iOS. Same as how Netflix on my iPhone is software version 2.4.3 running on top of iOS 6.1.3.
If you go into Settings > About it will show you the software build version initially but if you hit select, it will switch to show you the iOS version which is 6.1.2 or 6.1.3 if you have updated it.
The Apple TV is currently on iOS version 6.1.3 and only the software build version is 5.2.1. They are two entirely different things. The Apple TV software is just an app running on top of iOS. Same as how Netflix on my iPhone is software version 2.4.3 running on top of iOS 6.1.3.
If you go into Settings > About it will show you the software build version initially but if you hit select, it will switch to show you the iOS version which is 6.1.2 or 6.1.3 if you have updated it.
Everything I have read says that its menu system is clunky/slow compared to the aTV and it does not have an optical audio port (only HDMI), of course, you can't access the iTunes store from it, and Netflix/Amazon streaming has poor selection. Other than the ability to attach a USB drive and play mkv's...is there another reason to use it?
I would agree. If someone would come up with a solution for live sports, I would cut out my cable TV as well (if I am not mistaken, local teams are blacked out on the current offerings like MLB Extra Innings, etc.).
0815
macrumors 68000
I use the airplay feature from my rMBP a lot to stream video from various web sites to my AppleTV - I already loved the AppleTV, but when they introduced that feature, it become 200% more useful.
This is not new with this update. The feature was exactly the same in the last version.
blueroom
macrumors 603
Opposite here, it's great: Netflix, iTunes rentals, Music, PodCasts, YouTube, AirPlay... If it had apps like the other iOS devices it would be perfect.
GenesisST
macrumors 68000
bbeagle
macrumors 68040
Seriously? Have you ever used BOTH a Roku and an Apple TV?
I have, and the Apple TV's interface is so much better. The killer feature of the Apple TV is to stream movies from your PC/Mac. Roku doesn't even have this feature.
You know, where you can take 100s or 1,000s of movies and put them on your PC/Mac, and access them all with a click of a button with a small remote control in your living room, then pause the movie, go upstairs and continue the movie in your bedroom without moving computers around.
I am using remote app for iPad, search great.
Apple is good because of it's ecosystem where devices work together. Perform search using Apple IR Remote would be painful. Well, they deliver it better.
nazaar
macrumors 6502a
Really I just find the interface slow and clunky... I do agree though that if Apple would open the thing up to app developers it would be a big plus.
I'd love to get iTunes Visualizer on here for when ever I play music... but of course Apple has never thought of doing this.
😡
Still no ability to airplay ATV content to multiple airplay devices like ATV1! Apple, if you're listening, please restore this feature.
Subtitles are too small...
Hi!
I bought an Apple TV last week, and I'm enjoying It a lot!
There is only one thing that is bothering me: I can't change the subtitle's size (cc). 🙁
It's a pity they hadn't fixed this issue in this update.
P.s.: I already sent a feedback to Apple about this.
Hi!
I bought an Apple TV last week, and I'm enjoying It a lot!
There is only one thing that is bothering me: I can't change the subtitle's size (cc). 🙁
It's a pity they hadn't fixed this issue in this update.
P.s.: I already sent a feedback to Apple about this.
kriebe
macrumors regular
Actually, you can do this with a Roku. Download the Plex app for it and you're good to go.
http://www.plexapp.com/connected/index.php
Of course, I still prefer to have a mini hooked up to my TV running Plex instead. Yes, it's more expensive, but it's definitely the best experience possible.
fletch33
macrumors regular
aTV Flash (black) is the best $29 i have ever spent.
besides Netflix i dont use anything Apple provides except the hardware. my aTV like my phones now looks like i want and has the features it should have had all along.
once i set my aTV free i loved it so much i got one for every tv in the house 🙂
besides Netflix i dont use anything Apple provides except the hardware. my aTV like my phones now looks like i want and has the features it should have had all along.
once i set my aTV free i loved it so much i got one for every tv in the house 🙂
paulsalter
macrumors 68000
Is this a limitation on the US model of the Roku?
In the UK it has an app that does this, I can watch on any of these and they will playback from the last point watched
Smart TV, Tablet/Phone (iOS & Android), my MacBook and Windows PC's
No need to move things round, just fire up the app on whichever device
BvizioN
macrumors 603
I bought mine 3 days ago and already wondering how the hell didn't i have one already!! Paying £58 a month for Sky TV that includes movie channels (that show same movies over and over) and broadband. Now I got rid of movie channels and some other crap and only paying £35 a month, but pretty soon will just stop using Sky TV. Loving Apple TV so far.
micvog
macrumors 6502
I think what is new is that it now works with Hulu Plus. Before this updated, closed captioning was definitely not available with Hulu Plus on ATV.
ep2002
macrumors member
I'll second the sentiment that the Apple TV provides me and my family a wonder user experience. Kid friendly and wife friendly. Minimum to no commercials, a wonderful way to watch home videos and personal photos.
I've spent over 10k on a 65" Panny VT50 series plasma and a wonderful sound system and only use the Panny as a dummy monitor.
The Apple TV is the centerpiece of the whole setup.
I've spent over 10k on a 65" Panny VT50 series plasma and a wonderful sound system and only use the Panny as a dummy monitor.
The Apple TV is the centerpiece of the whole setup.
ng-design
macrumors member
I hope it's a change for the better
This is interesting timing. I've been very satisfied with my Roku for watching Netflix. But the Hulu app is incredibly slow, buggy, and unstable on Roku.
I've been thinking about buying an Apple TV simply for a better Hulu experience. But now that they're re-designing it, I'm nervous that it will have the same annoying bugs that it has on Roku.
This is interesting timing. I've been very satisfied with my Roku for watching Netflix. But the Hulu app is incredibly slow, buggy, and unstable on Roku.
I've been thinking about buying an Apple TV simply for a better Hulu experience. But now that they're re-designing it, I'm nervous that it will have the same annoying bugs that it has on Roku.
convergent
macrumors 68040
We use aTV a lot also. We have several of them and use them mostly for Netflix and MLB.tv (which in my opinion is the best channel app out there, and the future of television if I had my way), and via JB we use it as a media streamer to all my DVD rips and home movies on a NAS. The aTV is great.
I also have a Tivo HD that we use for live television... have basic digial cable. And have a Bluray player. Both the Tivo and Bluray player can do Amazon, which is where we usually watch movies... but will sometimes get them through iTunes also. I usually go with the cheaper non-HD variety.
With a Harmony One remote, the whole bundle of stuff behaves nicely for my wife. I do believe Apple could solve this though if they could negotiate something with all the partners. The biggest first step should be to make the aTV do apps. This bundling the apps with the OS probably greatly slows the development process vs. letting the content providers just build their apps themselves.... something most of them have already done for iOS on iPad/iPhone, so they are shooting themselves in the foot by not letting them follow the same path on the aTV.
I also have a Tivo HD that we use for live television... have basic digial cable. And have a Bluray player. Both the Tivo and Bluray player can do Amazon, which is where we usually watch movies... but will sometimes get them through iTunes also. I usually go with the cheaper non-HD variety.
With a Harmony One remote, the whole bundle of stuff behaves nicely for my wife. I do believe Apple could solve this though if they could negotiate something with all the partners. The biggest first step should be to make the aTV do apps. This bundling the apps with the OS probably greatly slows the development process vs. letting the content providers just build their apps themselves.... something most of them have already done for iOS on iPad/iPhone, so they are shooting themselves in the foot by not letting them follow the same path on the aTV.