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Apple TV Unboxing and Hands on Video with Streaming and Netflix
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There won't be any picture quality difference. Netflix does 720P. It mainly just depends on your bandwith.
The first generation ATV also had no power button - it's great hearing the sparks as you power cycle by removing then replacing the power cord.
I was hoping they would add a power button but given the reduction in energy use on this new device it's probably OK - the first gen was probably the hottest(as in temperature!) device I have ever owned.
The video shows the Apple TV accessing media in itunes on the computer by navigating the apple tv menu.
But can you instead choose to play video or music from itunes and send it to the apple tv as you would to an airport express for music?
But can you instead choose to play video or music from itunes and send it to the apple tv as you would to an airport express for music?
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
A couple of observations from a long-term 
TV owner:
For those without the oldTV, this new one should prove to be a bargain for all it can do. I've got a lot of joy out of TV over the last 4 years. Especially if you have a good amount of media in (or soon to be converted and put in) iTunes, these little boxes offer a lot of on-demand media fun.
For everyone about to get your firstTV, enjoy it!
TV owner:- those saying it has exactly the same UI as the old one are wrong; the UI is different (but similar on quick glance). The current version lacks a "Computer" menu, and instead seemlessly melds your own (local) content (movies, tv shows, music) into dedicated menus through which iTunes purchases/rentals can also be purchased and accessed. The new version seems to isolate local content to the "Computer" menu. Conceptually I don't think that is better, but I'll keep an open mind until those accustomed to the current setup actually review the new setup.
- Music menu is gone- it's great to "simplify" a UI, but the current version on the old Apple TV has a dedicated "Music" menu just like you see "Movies" & "TV shows" in the video. Now your iTunes music collection is apparently moved into that "Computers" menu. Similarly, a former main menu item called "Podcasts" appears to have also moved into the "Internet" menu. Thus, it seems like the UI architect chose specific tags for Movies & TV Shows, and generic tags for Internet and Computer. Maybe it would have been better to go all one way or the other such as Movies & TV Shows all being under a "Video" menu, all audio in an "Audio" menu, etc, or retaining a bit more of the specifics like in the existing Apple TVs menu: Movies, TV Shows, Music, Photos, Podcasts, Internet, etc? As is, it looks like the "Internet" menu is now full (though I see that it will scroll), where it used to have just 2 items in it.
- The big (apparent) plus in a comparison of old vs. new UI is that this new one looks significantly faster & more responsive than the old one, which makes sense given new hardware vs. old. Watching the video as he interacts with the menus, it appears to be a massive leap forward in UI speed/responsiveness. Hopefully, it would remain that crisp when it is able to access our (sometimes massive) home media libraries.
- Netflix looks very well done. The old one doesn't have Netflix.
- As the review says, Airplay is probably THE big feature, but it won't be available until November with the iOS 4.2 update
For those without the old
TV, this new one should prove to be a bargain for all it can do. I've got a lot of joy out of TV over the last 4 years. Especially if you have a good amount of media in (or soon to be converted and put in) iTunes, these little boxes offer a lot of on-demand media fun. For everyone about to get your first
TV, enjoy it!Well said. The reason I have put the majority of what I want to watch and listen to on the ATV is for it to respond quickly. When streaming with the old ATV there is a lag. This new one does not appear to have that same lag. I'm gonna research Netflix and see if it's something I feel would benefit our family. b/c really, that is the main difference between the old and new if you can deal with the older hardware.
A couple of observations from a long-term
- those saying it has exactly the same UI as the old one are wrong; the UI is different (but similar on quick glance). The current version lacks a "Computer" menu, and instead seemlessly melds your own (local) content (movies, tv shows, music) into dedicated menus through which iTunes purchases/rentals can also be purchased and accessed. The new version seems to isolate local content to the "Computer" menu. Conceptually I don't think that is better, but I'll keep an open mind until those accustomed to the current setup actually review the new setup.
- Music menu is gone- it's great to "simplify" a UI, but the current version on the old Apple TV has a dedicated "Music" menu just like you see "Movies" & "TV shows" in the video. Now your iTunes music collection is apparently moved into that "Computers" menu.
- The big (apparent) plus in a comparison of old vs. new UI is that this new one looks signficantly faster & more responsive than the old one, which makes sense given new hardware vs. old. Watching the video as he interacts with the menus, it appears to be a massive leap forward in UI speed/responsiveness. Hopefully, it would remain that crisp when it is able to access our (sometimes massive) home media libraries.
- Netflix looks very well done. The old one doesn't have Netflix.
- As the review says, Airplay is probably THE big feature, but it won't be available until November with the iOS 4.2 update
For those without the old
For everyone about to get your first
So they can hack it
I want to be able to stream from my NAS drive
What do you want to do?
I plan on streaming from my iMac (which is sharing server for several harddrives) a lot.
I suppose you mean streaming of things other than .mov & mpeg-4?
That's why I hope an App Store shows up soon. Add the StreamtoMe app to AppleTV and game over.
More pics
And another un-boxing here:
http://www.christianriley.com/2010/09/un-boxing-the-apple-tv-2/
And another un-boxing here:
http://www.christianriley.com/2010/09/un-boxing-the-apple-tv-2/
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
What do you want to do?
I plan on streaming from my iMac (which is sharing server for several harddrives) a lot.
I suppose you mean streaming of things other than .mov & mpeg-4?
That's why I hope an App Store shows up soon. Add the StreamtoMe app to AppleTV and game over.
I think he's re-stating a long-term popular wish still (apparently) unfullfilled. If his movies are stored on his NAS, could he turn off his computer and still access them with the
TV, much like front row can work without iTunes, by accessing movies stored in the Movies folder, Photos stored in the Pictures folder, etc.Unfortunately, the answer to this is still NO- you can store all your media on that NAS, but you still have to have iTunes running on a computer, and that media databased in iTunes.
It doesn't download content, it only streams it. So it doesn't matter how large the entire video is since it never saves more than it's buffer size.
How is the quality of DVD quality media on you computer streamed to the Apple TV? Does it look like you're watching a DVD on a DVD player?
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Yes, the new and old
TVs have NO PROBLEM at all displaying SD content at it's fullest. Use Handbrake to do a good conversion, don't skimp on compression settings for file sizes, and you probably won't be able to see any difference.ha ha not just me that gets fireworks when unplugging then! I've jut bough a 3 way adapter with little switches on, for this exact reason. I hate pulling the plug out when not using it.!
It does get very hot, so when I know not going to use it much, I unplug! is this what you do? how often do you unplug?
You can pass on it if you want, but there is a mini-usb plug on the Apple TV, its under the HDMI port, even has the universal USB symbol next to it if you look at the picture of the back at Apple.com.
-Tig
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
He might mean normalized USB port with which you can actually do something. As is- and just like the old one- the USB port on the new one is only for "service". There was never an official way to attach anything to the old one's USB port, though the hackers were able to make it so you could attach a big hard drive to it and use that for local (even when the computer is off, I can access my media) storage.
Right now, the new one is no different. So hopefully, either Apple or the hackers will choose to add a little software to replicate that very nice benefit (of local storage). Those that want that feature could then get it and enjoy it. Those happy with the concept of streaming everything could ignore that option.
Blend this!
Those stupid "will it blend" videos are annoying and wasteful.. Yes we get it.. Your stupid blender can chop up anything you throw in it. Really sad seeing someone destroy something that someone else would enjoy having and put to good use.
Come up with something new already. Curious.. Will the blender blend another blender of it's own kind? Would that be cannibalism?
Next...
Those stupid "will it blend" videos are annoying and wasteful.. Yes we get it.. Your stupid blender can chop up anything you throw in it. Really sad seeing someone destroy something that someone else would enjoy having and put to good use.
Come up with something new already. Curious.. Will the blender blend another blender of it's own kind? Would that be cannibalism?
Next...
Not impressed
My initial impression is that in some ways this is a step backward.
If you have movies, music, tv shows or photos, they are not as easily accessible as the 1.0 version. You have to go to the "Computers" menu and look there and then the organization is not great.
For example, previously when you were in the TV shows menu there was a "My TV Shows" item and it would show both the ones on the computer and the ones available to buy. Now it only shows the ones available to rent unless you go over to the computer menu.
I'm not impressed so far.
My initial impression is that in some ways this is a step backward.
If you have movies, music, tv shows or photos, they are not as easily accessible as the 1.0 version. You have to go to the "Computers" menu and look there and then the organization is not great.
For example, previously when you were in the TV shows menu there was a "My TV Shows" item and it would show both the ones on the computer and the ones available to buy. Now it only shows the ones available to rent unless you go over to the computer menu.
I'm not impressed so far.
I think he's re-stating a long-term popular wish still (apparently) unfullfilled. If his movies are stored on his NAS, could he turn off his computer and still access them with the
Unfortunately, the answer to this is still NO- you can store all your media on that NAS, but you still have to have iTunes running on a computer, and that media databased in iTunes.
I have a desktop for this very reason. Well not really, added storage, larger screen, more power, etc. But I have my iMac running 24/7 which is not really bad for a computer. And a few externals connected to it, one with my iTunes library. So for streaming both my iMac, and external drive must be on, with iTunes running. Occasionally I shut down the drive and even the computer overnight for cooling and boot it back up the next day after I get home from work. With my current Apple TV, the nice thing is that I have about 500 photos, 10 playlists, and 10 movies or so synced to it. That way we can still listen to some music, or have the photo slideshow going and most importantly put on one of the kids' favorite movies without having to have iTunes or even the iMac running.
Likewise I have purchased several TV shows and movies as well as albums directly from the Apple TV menus. Does the new Apple TV still integrate with iTunes Extras and iTunes LP like the old one does - I guess streamed is streamed.
I've got the exact same issue. My appletv literally crashes and restarts when it tries to load my full library. This and the ability to control movie volume from the remote (it's the only device hooked up to my receiver so I'd like to not have to keep the receiver remote lying around). Also, do the old white remotes work?
Dude spend the $99 and buy one and check it out. If you does not work, they your library is too big.
The A4 chip and IOS 4.1 is way faster than the old AppleTV. And IOS 4.2 is even faster...