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I'm hoping that the new Apple TV can be used with a universal remove. I love my Logitech Smart Remote. I suspect that it can since it appears to have an ir port. While the new remote appears nice, if it really relies in HDMI-CEC for volume, it is useless to me. Im not going back to multiple remotes. And frankly it doesn't look good enough to justify replacing my AV receiver. The current state of AV is hard. Removing any connectivity will leave behind some users.
 
This is one thing among many that apple is being super greedy about. HDMI cables like most cables cost them pennies. Yet, they want to sell you a $29 HDMI cable separate from the aTV at the Apple Store. Just like they want to sell you the $19 Lightning cable and $19 wall plug separately...it's such a joke! Things like this really turn me off w/Apple sometimes. Acting like they don't have billions of dollars.

Having opened hundreds of Apple products I can count on one hand the number of cables I've needed to buy because I didn't have one on hand already and when I have needed them I have always purchased third party (not sure how this benefits greedy Apple)

With other products, e.g. monitors* and hard drives**, I've counted several components that i'd never need included with each product. Obviously I'm paying for those

* I've opened monitors that include power cables for 3-4 countries, an RCA Cable and VGA cable
**hard drives usually contain several adapters for different countries and a usb cable
What a waste of resources
 
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when are they going to add an internet browser to their apple tv ? i like to stream movies off the internet like i can with google tv. Samsung also an internet browser built in their smart tv too but does not support flash. Neither does the iPads.
 
Wait, so without this optical audio output you won't be able to attach real speakers to your Apple TV but you'll have to use the built in ones on your tv?

No it's not that bad, but it's more difficult than before depending on your audio equipment.

The full audio (7.1 Dolby or whatever is available in the source material) is carried on HDMI.

So the best way is to run the HDMI into an AV system which has both HDMI input and output. Then the AV system drives the full audio and the HDMI out takes the video to the TV. Most new AV systems can do this: But many people (including me) have older AV systems that don't have HDMI input, only coax digital, optical, RCA, etc.

The second way (depending on your TV) is to run HDMI into the TV as normal. Then run optical out from your TV into your optical in on an older AV system. Many TV's offer this. I had never noticed on my TV that it had an audio optical output until I ran into this same situation with a Roku. Anyway this is a partial solution only , because due to the HDMI spec, it will only send stereo PCM48 on the optical out, not the full 5,6,7 channel audio.

Hope that helps. I don't like it either but there are these ways of doing it.
 
Yikes...the complaints!!! Incredibly petty!

1) HDMI cable - Generally not included with devices, including the old AppleTVs, Bluray players, and even competitor products like FireTV. This is nothing new. As a side note, not everyone needs the same cable length, so it certainly cuts waste. But yeah, don't spend more than about $5-$8 on an HDMI cable unless you are trying to run a 50'+ length. For those in the US, check out Monoprice, where you will find excellent HDMI cables for incredibly low cost.

2) Remote/batteries - Pretty sure every remote requires batteries, and every remote requires either recharging or replacing those batteries. Even for those without any other Apple products, the remote will be chargeable with the included items (albeit, more of a pain if you have the AppleTV hidden). But who today doesn't have USB wall chargers or other methods to charge the AppleTV remote 4-5x a year?
 
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I feel stupid watching that video. I don't get unboxing videos.

I thought I was the only one that didn't get unboxing clips.

I'm not knocking anyone that does, I am just saying for me they seem useless and a little strange.

But hell, I like Warcraft dance videos, which many people might find strange.
 
When did opening up a device to replace a battery become more convenient than plugging it in?

And user replaceable? By the time a battery like this doesn't hold a decent charge anymore the remote itself is likely to be obsolete.

The previous remote had a circular removable panel with a coin slot to replace the CR2032 battery, no cables required.
 
When did opening up a device to replace a battery become more convenient than plugging it in?

And user replaceable? By the time a battery like this doesn't hold a decent charge anymore the remote itself is likely to be obsolete.

The previous remote had a circular removable panel with a coin slot to replace the CR2032 battery, no cables required.
 
Wait, there is no HDMI cable included? Is this a joke?

I haven't seen too many devices that came with its own HDMI cable. I could be wrong though.

They are like $5 in many places. I am very happy that it came with a lightning cable, considering that cable is like 3-4 times the price of a HDMI cable.
 
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Wait, so without this optical audio output you won't be able to attach real speakers to your Apple TV but you'll have to use the built in ones on your tv?

Many different options for you depending on your set up. You can check out post #55 for links to HDMI to HDMI+optical audio adapters if you are set on having an identical set up as the older ATVs.
 
There will definitely be more. This was just a quick and dirty unboxing while I get more stuff shot and edited and all that.

Great unboxing video, thanks mate.

I am really keen to see your 'in use video'... I really want to see if you can mix and match different countries apps and have them all on the front page/screen.

As an example:

Hulu (US)
Netflix (US)
Stan. (Australia)
NowTV (UK)

Can these be downloaded from the app store and all live together on the ATV on the same page.?
 
Many different options for you depending on your set up. You can check out post #55 for links to HDMI to HDMI+optical audio adapters if you are set on having an identical set up as the older ATVs.

Thanks, I'll read into it.


No it's not that bad, but it's more difficult than before depending on your audio equipment.

The full audio (7.1 Dolby or whatever is available in the source material) is carried on HDMI.

So the best way is to run the HDMI into an AV system which has both HDMI input and output. Then the AV system drives the full audio and the HDMI out takes the video to the TV. Most new AV systems can do this: But many people (including me) have older AV systems that don't have HDMI input, only coax digital, optical, RCA, etc.

The second way (depending on your TV) is to run HDMI into the TV as normal. Then run optical out from your TV into your optical in on an older AV system. Many TV's offer this. I had never noticed on my TV that it had an audio optical output until I ran into this same situation with a Roku. Anyway this is a partial solution only , because due to the HDMI spec, it will only send stereo PCM48 on the optical out, not the full 5,6,7 channel audio.

Hope that helps. I don't like it either but there are these ways of doing it.


Thanks, I'm considering the new ATV, but I also want to get some real speakers and not use the built in ones, which are not as good of course. I'll do some more research to see what the options are.
 
he unboxed it.....oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO



never understand the hype on these videos?
 
You're kidding right? We live in the digital age. Analogue audio is like playing an old 78 in comparison.

Haha, screw the digital age its all gimmicks and squeezing more money out consumers with relentless upgrades! And actually you couldn't be more on point... most of my music is actually on Vinyl (not 78's tho) and it sounds better than your MP3's any day :)
 
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