What does apple tv 2 do that the ipad 2 can't do? Nothing?

[jbg232]

Please clarify.....

I know that ATV2 can stream movies, pictures and music from your Mac desktop or laptop but can it also stream the same items from your iPhone and iPad? If so, where the hell have I been! LOL

No, it can only stream items from your itunes library, but you can output the ipad to play on the tv. So, you can play what you're watching on ipad (music, movie, etc) on tv via airplay, but that is different than streaming your library which is done through itunes on a computer running mac os x

 

[tomandshell]

Yes, you can stream movies/music/pictures from your iPad/iPhone to your ATV2.

EDIT: Sorry, yes--music and movies synced to your device via iTunes.

 

[zorahk]

I'm in the ATV camp for watching movies. Love it. Not bothered by the 720vs1080. Streaming an iTunes "HD" movie to my HD TV looks damn near perfect to me and I think a lot of untrained eyes/ears would struggle to spot the difference. Like so may of Apple's followers, I'm in it for hot looking, well made products that do the things I want easily and reliably. I might be totally ensconced in the Apple ecosystem but it works flawlessly for me and looks good doing it so I'm not complaining.



On this note, I thought so too. Bought a cheapo HDMI cable for my PS3 and couldn't understand why I couldn't get bravia sync to work. Ended up going to buy a more expensive one (about £15), plugged it in and bam, works a treat. Gotta be something in it.....

If you have a PS3 you do realize the ATV is entirely redundant...and actually supports more formats anyway, including 1080p streaming over something like ps3mediaserver.

 

[jbg232]

If you have a PS3 you do realize the ATV is entirely redundant...and actually supports more formats anyway, including 1080p streaming over something like ps3mediaserver.

Not entirely true - ATV supports all itunes play counts, but more importantly, syncs playlists and songs seamlessly - ie what you see in itunes is what you play on apple tv.

This is important for someone like me who has a lot of music files that I don't want to play (mostly comedy albums and my wife's music) when doing a random shuffle - ATV will recognize my settings from itunes whereas PS3 doesn't.

 

[bandrews]

If you have a PS3 you do realize the ATV is entirely redundant...and actually supports more formats anyway, including 1080p streaming over something like ps3mediaserver.

Most of my movies are downloaded from iTunes which won't stream to PS3. 1080p doesn't really bother me - I'll take 720 and ease of use. I found the interface for streaming to the PS3 frustrating and painfully slow. Also, ATV was a gift so wasn't going to turn it down.

 

[kepner]

If you have a PS3 you do realize the ATV is entirely redundant...and actually supports more formats anyway, including 1080p streaming over something like ps3mediaserver.

Not entirely true - ATV supports all itunes play counts, but more importantly, syncs playlists and songs seamlessly - ie what you see in itunes is what you play on apple tv.

Apple TV is also completely silent, and supports AirPlaying from iPhones and iPads.

 

[henrikrox]

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Chill guys. I just Asked cause we don't got the apple tv 2 in Norway. And I just wonderd I'f the iPad could do much of the same.

Xbmc on the iPad projected to the tv will be
Sweet aswel. I know the interface will be 4:3. But atleast movies will show in 16:9 or 2:35:1

 

[henrikrox]

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Hey guys, the iPad WILL output 1080P content, it's in the specs.

You are wrong that it will output 1080p video. It says video out is 720p

 

[henrikrox]

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This is true, but when streaming a movie you're limited to whatever the resolution of the movie is. And for netflix or itunes and the like, that usually means 720p or 1080i.

This is why streaming has not overtaken blu-ray. Because blu-ray is superior and steve jobs is ignorant in his belief that it is a failed product.

Again. The iPad 2 is limited to 720p out on video. See apple.com. Says 1080p mirroring (video up to 720p)

 

[zorahk]

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Again. The iPad 2 is limited to 720p out on video. See apple.com. Says 1080p mirroring (video up to 720p)

I'm not even talking about the iPad, I'm talking about why streaming movies is **** in general.

 

[camelsnot]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...on=hdmi cable&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...&field-keywords=hdmi+cable&sprefix=hdmi+cable

http://www.geeks.com/search.asp?QUERY=hdmi cable

Hell, I have seen HDMI cables for over a $1000. It's a digital signal. A $10 one works just as well.

the problem is people concede they have to buy overpriced cheaply made accessories from Apple. Hence the reason why people initially quote jacked up prices from Apple. NEVER buy accessories from them.

Agreed.. streaming movies is bunk. They're typically compressed to hell in order for them to stream properly. ipad2 won't be your next HTPC.. sorry. In a pinch it works "fine", but if you're even semi-serious about movie watching, stick with a real quality setup.

 

[bobr1952]

Of course everyone has their own opinion about what constitutes overpriced. I don't feel a device for $100 like ATV or Roku is overpriced--or lacks value--at least not for me. I love the ability to stream and love the ability to drop in a Blu Ray for the best sound and PQ--flexibility and options are most important to me--and ATV--and Roku--offer that, so I have both--and have no regrets.

 

[iphone1105]

I wouldn't like being connected by a cable between my iPad and TV
But that's just me

This....I'd need like a 25ft HDMI cable....seems silly to destroy the look of my media room with a giant white cable floating down it....when my wifey and I have spent many hours hiding or ridding ourselves of wires!

 

[ftaok]

These are the million dollar questions. Based on the marketing photos of the iPad2 HDMI adapter, I'm going to guess that iPad2>HDMI will result in a 4:3 (or 3:4) display only. So if you're watching a 16:9 movie on the iPad, it will show up and a postage stamp on your TV.

Airplay seems to be completely different than this since the aTV would do the video decoding and would display a proper widescreen picture.

I guess we'll have to wait for 3/11 to have concrete answers.

You are wrong that it will output 1080p video. It says video out is 720p

Looks like the iPad2 will output 1080p with Dolby Digital ... according to Macworld

On the entertainment side, the new Apple Digital AV Adapter lets the iPad 2 spread its wings. With this adapter, the iPad 2 can output high-definition video at resolutions up to 1080p, as well as Dolby Digital surround sound, all served via a standard HDMI cable that the owner of any HDTV will be familiar with.

I played back several HD video files on several different HDTVs via the iPad 2 and the HDMI adapter, and the video quality was excellent. The inability to output HD video has been a sore spot on the iOS since the release of the original iPad, but now that it’s here, it looks (and sounds) great.

Macworld Review

 

[zorahk]

I can get dolby digital out of my freaking cable box.

That's not high quality surround sound by any stretch.