Unless, I'm missing something obvious, there's no way to download iTunes purchased movies to the ATV4. With 32 or 64GB of storage, it's truly closer to iPad capability. On the iPad, I just click the little "cloud" icon to download the video to my iPad, but I was totally surprised when I didn't see that option on my ATV4. This seems like a no-brainer to me. Has anyone seen a way to do this? (Outside of streaming via a secondary computer over the network).
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Can't download iTunes purchased movie to the new ATV4
- Thread starter bheathain
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There isn't a way to do this.
The use of the box is to stream your content.
Cue "well this box should be able to do this"....
The use of the box is to stream your content.
Cue "well this box should be able to do this"....
Yep. The possibility is definitely there...seems like Apple just needs to add the functionality. To have to re-stream a movie that my kids watch constantly isn't ideal.
I'm sure the storage is meant for apps, not for storing content locally. Unlikely they'll ever provide the option to download directly to the device. If you have a bandwidth cap or something, just download it to a local box and stream it from there. If no cap or cost considerations... what difference does it make?
1. We don't have media servers laying around the house like some folks.
2. No real cap, but our broadband isn't the fastest around. Not streaming is always more ideal than streaming (in my opinion) if given the choice.
You don't need a media server. All you need is a computer with a HDD, windows or mac & itunes.
Then set up home sharing on your computer & then on the apple tv. Leave itunes open on computer
& download to your hearts content. Downloading directly to Apple tv has not been available since the 1st
apple tv with a HDD inside & frankly is not very efficient. I personally download to my computer & then stream to various apple tv's. I have 4 total. Even if you could do it then I would have to download the same movie 4 different times.
Sounds like you're very comfortable with that setup. However, I don't have a computer set up to stream movies all the time. I have a circa '08 Macbook that comfortably sits under my couch without getting any use (it's not even airplay compatible). With a bunch of kids watching movies and cartoons, the convenience factor comes into play, and "downloading the same movie 4 different times" is something I would do once before the kids even used it.
So, for me and my usage scenarios, this feature would be very nice. I understand tinkerers with media streamers, dedicated desktop computers, etc wouldn't find it as useful.
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Yeah, I mean a home media server is an option, but I intentionally avoided referencing one because, as mentioned shortly thereafter, any computer being used by anyone will do. Case in point...
What we're trying to say is:
- Open iTunes on that computer
- Download the movie/TV show/whatever in iTunes
- Turn on Home Sharing
- Watch the videos on the Apple TV.
Apple's entire business line is built around making solutions like these as accessible as possible without needing to tinker etc.
Adding the option to download directly to the Apple TV opens up a pandora's box of customer satisfaction quagmires:
- Juggling free space that's quickly consumed by large movies;
- Increasing the internal storage to avoid this, which increases the price;
- Increasing the tiered options available to avoid increasing the price, which increases the complexity of the product line;
- Introducing external storage options, which means more ports (larger device), compatibility questions with storage, performance issues that affect the experience...
It's just not going to happen. There's a perfectly viable option, which is to painlessly download the file to the laptop, leave iTunes running, and access it through "computers" on the Apple TV. It's no more complicated to do than using either iTunes or the Apple TV itself.
What we're trying to say is:
- Open iTunes on that computer
- Download the movie/TV show/whatever in iTunes
- Turn on Home Sharing
- Watch the videos on the Apple TV.
Apple's entire business line is built around making solutions like these as accessible as possible without needing to tinker etc.
Adding the option to download directly to the Apple TV opens up a pandora's box of customer satisfaction quagmires:
- Juggling free space that's quickly consumed by large movies;
- Increasing the internal storage to avoid this, which increases the price;
- Increasing the tiered options available to avoid increasing the price, which increases the complexity of the product line;
- Introducing external storage options, which means more ports (larger device), compatibility questions with storage, performance issues that affect the experience...
It's just not going to happen. There's a perfectly viable option, which is to painlessly download the file to the laptop, leave iTunes running, and access it through "computers" on the Apple TV. It's no more complicated to do than using either iTunes or the Apple TV itself.
Thanks for the reply. I agree that's the "right" way to do things, and I'll probably even explore that option myself for my own viewing. However, this all stemmed from the attempt at an ease of use for kids. When I said that I have a laptop sitting under the couch, I meant to imply I'd like for it to stay there.
I don't agree about opening up pandora's box. Customers with iPhone's and iPad's are fully away of memory contrasts and it has not caused major customer problems. You can now download Movies and TV Shows to your iPad and iPhone for travel and everyone knows there is simply a limit to how many can be downloaded. We now have the option to get 16gb, 32gb, 64gb or 128gb (depending on device) and depending on how many Apps we want to install and how many Movies or TV shows we want to install locally and it really is not a problem. So to say that locally installing Movies and TV Shows on the ATV is now something to cause huge problems is really a stretch. I really think there is a good chance they will continue to offer more storage options in the future like they have done with all other devices. Why would they even have 2 options now if they don't expect customers to have a need for different storage options. My point it is already there. It does not make any since to continue to stream Movies and TV Shows that are watched over and over. At least have the option to cache them and if a show is still in cache it would not re-download it. They already cache the one you are watching until to watch another one.
Why would you be surprised? The Apple TV has not been able to download any media content locally since the debut of the second generation Apple TV in 2010. It's been like this for the last five years. Nothing has changed in fact. Storage space are for the apps and data.
You compare it to iOS devices but the reality is that those are portable and the reason for local storage is that you may not always have internet available. For example, riding on a plane or taking a trip where there is spotty Internet. Also with cellular connections having really limited data plans, one would rack up godly amounts of data and overage fees if all you could do was stream. With an Apple TV, it's expected to always be connected via wifi, which is why it's perfect as it is as simply a streaming device.
I wouldn't hold my breath for Apple adding A download option iTunes content. Apple made this clear 5 years ago that people want to stream, not download. With Apple TV's subscription service just around the corner, I highly doubt this stance will change.
Apple told people that they want to stream, not download, but that doesn't make it true for everyone just because they made the statement. You're right that it hasn't had that feature for 5 years. It also hasn't had storage for 5 years. This thread started because I assumed (incorrectly) that a feature was available and that maybe I overlooked a way do do it. My use case isn't totally unique. They are other threads wondering the same thing. That said, my world doesn't fall apart if I don't get this feature. It just makes it that much nicer of an experience for the family.
Apple told people that they want to stream, not download, but that doesn't make it true for everyone just because they made the statement. You're right that it hasn't had that feature for 5 years. It also hasn't had storage for 5 years. This thread started because I assumed (incorrectly) that a feature was available and that maybe I overlooked a way do do it. My use case isn't totally unique. They are other threads wondering the same thing. That said, my world doesn't fall apart if I don't get this feature. It would be icing on a pretty nice cake.
I guess what this also comes down to is that people really don't need a lot of space on these things (especially right away) if you can't download videos to the device. I got the 64GB thinking I'd need that for a handful of movies. Now that I know the feature isn't there (yet?), I'm wondering if I even need the 64GB. I'll download a decent amount of games, but I won't need anywhere near that if that's the whole of my download regimen.
Completely agree with you about downloading movies. Ergo music via Apple Music. This way when you're on some vacation with the family you could bring ATV as an entertainment hub.
Check this adapter out:
http://store.apple.com/xc/product/MD826AM/A
We use it all the time on trips and works great because you can travel really light, and that's especially more true now since they've increased the size, weight, and price on the new Apple TVs.
Edit: or, if you still prefer to bring the Apple TV, you could still download your content on your iOS device and I believe you can now AirPlay directly to it without needing to connect to any wifi.
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