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What do you love about your Apple TV?
- Thread starter VideoBeagle
- Start date
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The OP has already created a collection of MKV movies with Handbrake; there's a good chance they are already encoded with H.264 and the video is ready-to-play on the Apple TV. It's possible that the only thing required is to repackage the movie into an M4V file.
There are caveats; the audio may or may not need conversion (the Apple TV does not play DTS*, for example). Subtitles may need processing**. Regardless, the heavy work has been done and turning the current movie into an Apple TV movie will take minutes instead of hours.
A.
* MP4Tools will convert DTS to AAC and AC3 while remuxing to M4V.
** Subler will convert VOB subtitles into text as part of remuxing.
Not having to pay my cable provider for TV.
I can keep myself entertained with Netflix, HBO Go, Crunchyroll and YouTube. Plus once I get a Mac I'll have a lot more options available too me. I have a massive DVD collection I can't play on my PS3 due to its format. Once I get a Mac I'm gonna put them all in iTunes.
I could probably be just as happy maybe even happier with a Roku box though.
I can keep myself entertained with Netflix, HBO Go, Crunchyroll and YouTube. Plus once I get a Mac I'll have a lot more options available too me. I have a massive DVD collection I can't play on my PS3 due to its format. Once I get a Mac I'm gonna put them all in iTunes.
I could probably be just as happy maybe even happier with a Roku box though.
If Subler creates a 'real' ATV file (Video, AAC, AC3) from a source, that would be wonderful. I am sure I do not know how to make it do that (not for lack of trying!).
A.
costabunny
macrumors 68020
I love the way I can use it on its own (Netflix, My iTunes stuff etc), and also use it in conjunction with my iPhone/iPad and Air Video to play any of my non-iTunes media (majority are documentaries and old lectures).
The way it pretty much just works (one reason I stay with Apple even though I am a retired professional geek and love fiddling; when it comes to stuff I want to use daily it is so relaxing to have all my devices coexist happily with little fuss).
My only gripe really is still the lack of a dedicated iPlayer (BBC) app.
It's by far my most used AV entertainment device.
The way it pretty much just works (one reason I stay with Apple even though I am a retired professional geek and love fiddling; when it comes to stuff I want to use daily it is so relaxing to have all my devices coexist happily with little fuss).
My only gripe really is still the lack of a dedicated iPlayer (BBC) app.
It's by far my most used AV entertainment device.
benji888
macrumors 68000
AirPlay is probably the biggest advantage over other set top boxes.
I don't own one yet, but, friend just got one...one cool thing is anyone with an iOS device can AirPlay their photos/videos on your Apple TV easily.
You can AirPlay from your iPad. Also, with Mavericks (releasing next week) you can use your Apple TV connected HDTV as a second monitor. This means, anything you can play on your iMac can be up on that screen. (& MBP? ...your sig says you have a MBP, but nothing about iMac?).
Also, you can control your Apple TV with your iPad (yes iPad 1...Remote app, others).
Also, you can use a bluetooth keyboard with your Apple TV (much easier for searches).
You can do it already today, no need to wait for Maverics. Today, it's called AirPlay Mirroring & you get exact copy of your main screen on TV. With Maverics, however, TV screen can be also treated as additional wireless monitor, with it's own desktop space.
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It does. That option is somewhat hidden in the Action column:
Available options in dropdown depend on the source format of the track. Latest version 0.24 added the preference checkbox to keep AC3 track after conversion to AAC:
https://code.google.com/p/subler/wiki/ReleaseNotes
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You need a cable subscription to get HBO Go, so you are obviously using someone elses login. I don't care that you do, but please don't make it sound like you can cut the cord and get HBO because you can't.
benji888
macrumors 68000
Yes, I know you can AirPlay today, but, mirroring is not what I'm after, as you said, with Mavericks, it's a full-blown monitor. (I plan to add an extra monitor this way, unless it's too laggy, then I'll have to opt for HDMI or DVI connection.)
Not complaining about it but it makes me wonder the point of HBO Go on Apple TV.
I'm glad it's there because I have HBO at my primary residence and a Apple TV at my secondary.
Does your girlfiend mind that she is using the cable login that you and your wife pay for? 😀
Nah, she's a dits. She's probably downloading music illegally right now using Limewire or Napster or some crap like that. 🙂
DVD's for all their benefits, are still a pretty fragile media. My kids have scratched up all their DVD's. Fortunately, I had them all ripped before they got scratched up. Now the kids just use the ATV. Plus, there's almost always something we want to watch on the ATV.
I also really like iTunes Radio. Never use it on my Mac or iPhone, but it's nice to have on the ATV.
Just wish it were easier to search across all channels for content.
I also really like iTunes Radio. Never use it on my Mac or iPhone, but it's nice to have on the ATV.
Just wish it were easier to search across all channels for content.
I have a Roku and AppleTv. If I just compare the Netflix app on both, the AppleTV Netflix blows the Roku one out of the water. Enough that I'd pay a lot more money.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but does the Roku have the double down or left director/actor/actress scroll like the AppleTV? I haven't found it yet on the Roku but love it on the AppleTV. Any Ideas?
benji888
macrumors 68000
You can watch HBO shows on-demand (True Blood, Game of Thrones). Also, HBO Go now offers extra content not found on cable channel...when I was helping friend set theirs up, one of the movies is Hobbit. "HBO GO for the Apple TV offers on-demand access to the premium networks original programming and licensed movies." http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/06/hbo-go-finally-on-apple-tv
Really? I find the Netflix app on Apple TV to be pretty lousy. Half the time things don't show up on "My List" or cover art won't load etc. Playback has always been fine. Regardless my friends and I generally use our PS3's for netflix then mess with it on Apple TV.
There's a huge thread about this on Apple discussion forum.
bobr1952
macrumors 68020
I had HBO for awhile--and what I noticed as the biggest difference from what was on demand from my cable was the number of programs available. It seemed just about every HBO series was available from HBO Go whereas only the more recent ones are available on demand. I liked having it but not enough to keep my HBO subscription.
luminouslight
macrumors 6502
Streaming iTunes content. And airplay is godly. Plus netflix and YouTube. Basically I never watch cable since I've had this for 2 years or so.