Never owned an Apple TV..

[npolly0212]

Hey all,

I have recently began looking into the apple tv's that they have been making. Don't have money to afford to get the newest one coming out and was wondering what you guys think.

I am a college student and going to be moving into a new place next semester and really don't want to waste my money paying for cable service but of course will order Internet service.

I guess what I am wondering since I have never seen/used one of these items I have some questions since I am unaware on how it works.

Now does this only work with apps that you can download? Can I use it to actually pull up a webpage and get something from online to watch? A lot of tv shows I watch I know a website that I can watch them a day or two after they air so trying to figure out if this is worth it for me.

If I go on and watch a movie will it take up storage on the device automatically, or only if I add my own movies/videos to it?

As for practically just watching movies and tv shows, which one should I get? As of now I pretty much live in my girlfriends apartment and we really only watch Netflix or DVDs from redbox as nothing really amuses us on tv that the both of us like.

 

[haruhiko]

Hey all,

I have recently began looking into the apple tv's that they have been making. Don't have money to afford to get the newest one coming out and was wondering what you guys think.

I am a college student and going to be moving into a new place next semester and really don't want to waste my money paying for cable service but of course will order Internet service.

I guess what I am wondering since I have never seen/used one of these items I have some questions since I am unaware on how it works.

Now does this only work with apps that you can download? Can I use it to actually pull up a webpage and get something from online to watch? A lot of tv shows I watch I know a website that I can watch them a day or two after they air so trying to figure out if this is worth it for me.

If I go on and watch a movie will it take up storage on the device automatically, or only if I add my own movies/videos to it?

As for practically just watching movies and tv shows, which one should I get? As of now I pretty much live in my girlfriends apartment and we really only watch Netflix or DVDs from redbox as nothing really amuses us on tv that the both of us like.

I think you can use AirPlay from your iPhone or iPad for browsing random videos in websites.
If you want to view videos you downloaded you may consider apps like Plex or Infuse. It seems that both are coming to the new Apple TV.

 

[npolly0212]

I think you can use AirPlay from your iPhone or iPad for browsing random videos in websites.
If you want to view videos you downloaded you may consider apps like Plex or Infuse. It seems that both are coming to the new Apple TV.

Thanks for the info.
I cannot afford the new one coming out so have to get a past version. Best bet going with the 3?

 

[haruhiko]

The old one also supports AirPlay. If you use the old one I think you can transfer your videos to apps like Infuse etc. on your phone or iPad, and then AirPlay it to the ATV 3.

 

[ChrisA]

..Can I use it to actually pull up a webpage and get something from online to watch? ..

The App,e TV can mirror what is on a the Mac or iPhone's screen so if you can watch it on the Mac or iPhone yo can see it on the TV.

The ATV can always show you what is stored on an iTunes library so if you download a move and store it in iTunes the ATV can access it.

 

[grouch]

if you're having trouble affording an apple tv you might want to consider hooking up your computer to the tv instead in order to avoid purchasing an additional device.

 

[npolly0212]

if you're having trouble affording an apple tv you might want to consider hooking up your computer to the tv instead in order to avoid purchasing an additional device.

Well when I do this the volume won't go through the tv speaker which is what I don't like

I have the money to afford one just not at 140 bucks lol

 

[npolly0212]

Thanks all for the comments
I guess I will try to find a deal on the atv 3 in the near future

 

[Gueeds]

You are probably better off getting the current gen model (ATV3) new or even used as people start trading them in for the new model.

In my experience, AirPlay video has been incredibly choppy and beyond use, but perhaps that's my network and I don't feel like troubleshooting any further so I don't use it.

 

[TrueBlou]

Well when I do this the volume won't go through the tv speaker which is what I don't like

I have the money to afford one just not at 140 bucks lol

You can get very inexpensive devices which combine the video out with USB audio to HDMI. Cheaper than buying any Apple TV.

 

[npolly0212]

You are probably better off getting the current gen model (ATV3) new or even used as people start trading them in for the new model.

In my experience, AirPlay video has been incredibly choppy and beyond use, but perhaps that's my network and I don't feel like troubleshooting any further so I don't use it.

Thanks that's what I was looking at is used ones to see prices.

You can get very inexpensive devices which combine the video out with USB audio to HDMI. Cheaper than buying any Apple TV.

What kind of devices? I haven't been able to find one (haven't really tried all that hard)

 

[Taco1933]

Not everything will be able to AirPlay on your tv. Some apps block it. I know xfinity does. Amazon instant video doesn't. Don't expect that anything you see on your iPhone will automatically play on your Apple TV.

Honestly, for what you're trying to do, I'd echo what others have said and just hook up your computer to your tv. Your computer will allow you to watch pretty much anything. Apple TV is much more restricted. They want you paying for services and that's what you're trying to avoid.

 

[npolly0212]

Not everything will be able to AirPlay on your tv. Some apps block it. I know xfinity does. Amazon instant video doesn't. Don't expect that anything you see on your iPhone will automatically play on your Apple TV.

Honestly, for what you're trying to do, I'd echo what others have said and just hook up your computer to your tv. Your computer will allow you to watch pretty much anything. Apple TV is much more restricted. They want you paying for services and that's what you're trying to avoid.

Well what kind of connector would be good to get my volume to also go to the tv like the video does?
Have an hdmi and the little white connector to connect the Mac just don't know where to go from there.

Other thing is I am normally in my laptop doing schoolwork all the time also..

 

[Taco1933]

Well what kind of connector would be good to get my volume to also go to the tv like the video does?
Have an hdmi and the little white connector to connect the Mac just don't know where to go from there.

Other thing is I am normally in my laptop doing schoolwork all the time also..

I'm pretty sure audio will go over that. Check your audio output settings. Also, if you have a Bluetooth sound system you can sync your laptop to it.

You can use your tv as a second screen, be working on your laptop screen with a video playing on the tv. Not sure if you can go full screen on the video though. Every time I hook my MacBook up to my tv, I'm just watching the video.

 

[TrueBlou]

Thanks that's what I was looking at is used ones to see prices.


What kind of devices? I haven't been able to find one (haven't really tried all that hard)

Something like this

 

[willmtaylor]

You do understand that many of the apps require a cable subscription login in order to access them on ATV, right?

 

[npolly0212]

I'm pretty sure audio will go over that. Check your audio output settings. Also, if you have a Bluetooth sound system you can sync your laptop to it.

You can use your tv as a second screen, be working on your laptop screen with a video playing on the tv. Not sure if you can go full screen on the video though. Every time I hook my MacBook up to my tv, I'm just watching the video.

I have never been able to do it without plugging into the soundbar, which I don't have anymore..

Something like this

Thank you!

You do understand that many of the apps require a cable subscription login in order to access them on ATV, right?

my parents have a login for all of that they allow me to use. So I just use theres to watch most stuff online that I need..

 

[hdrummon]

Well when I do this the volume won't go through the tv speaker which is what I don't like

I have the money to afford one just not at 140 bucks lol

You have to use an HDMI connection between the Mac or PC and the TV in order to get audio and video signals. If you are using a VGA connector then you would need to get an audio connector between your PC/Mac and the TV. HDMI includes both signals in one as long as your TV has HDMI and your Mac or PC does. You can buy HDMI connectors for Mac and PC.