Pros and Cons of the AppleTV

[Emulex]

the reason ATV2 doesn't do 1080p is they can't figure out how to get that bitrate stable over wifi. apple sells products that produce not products that suck in quality i agree.

 

[Kaido]

Thank you for the information......Since the walls and ceiling are open, I do have the opportunity to run all my cables neatly in the walls (it was a mess in there before) I already spoke with the hubby and asked if we could run the wires for later use.....right now we are waaaaaaay over budget - as all remodels usually are....so we are going to put in the minimum. If and when we have more funds, we can upgrade the system. Right now we are going with a 5.1 surround system in the family room, ceiling speakers in the game room, kitchen, and dining room....rather than the keypad (more expensive) we are going for the universal remote with volume controls in each room.....We are also running cables to the Master Bedroom and getting a huge flat screen in there...That way parents can enjoy a movie if kids are taking over the family room....lol....Music capabilities will also be available in that room also. I installed speakers in my back patio a couple of years ago, so we only need to run the new system to those wires. Because I entertain a lot, this will be a wonderful system......

I love all the things that you are telling me about Apples capabilities....as far as hacking though.....I am clueless.....

If you have a Mac and are running the wiring anyway, you can use the Indigo home automation software and control your house from your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad:

http://www.perceptiveautomation.com/indigo/index.html

Another thing you can do, if you don't want to go the whole home-automation route, is get a WIFI IR Blaster. Basically it's a little wireless box that shoots out infrared signals to IR-capable devices like TV's, Bluray players, etc. and lets you use your iPhone to control it:

http://thinkflood.com/products/redeye/

So if you get everyone in your family an iPhone or iPod Touch, and put a WIFI IR Blaster near every media center, anyone can control any of the home theater equipment without having to hunt for a remote.

 

[momnextdoor]

If you have a Mac and are running the wiring anyway, you can use the Indigo home automation software and control your house from your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad:

http://www.perceptiveautomation.com/indigo/index.html

Another thing you can do, if you don't want to go the whole home-automation route, is get a WIFI IR Blaster. Basically it's a little wireless box that shoots out infrared signals to IR-capable devices like TV's, Bluray players, etc. and lets you use your iPhone to control it:

http://thinkflood.com/products/redeye/

So if you get everyone in your family an iPhone or iPod Touch, and put a WIFI IR Blaster near every media center, anyone can control any of the home theater equipment without having to hunt for a remote.

Thank you again for the good information. While I am certain that my children would Love for me to buy them an iPhone, iPad, or IPod touch......Right now mom will be content at hiding the remote from them....lol

We looked into the Sonos Wireless System. The set up is easy with boxes in each zone (costly if too many zones) and a main remote to control each room. Hub decided he wanted everything hard wired.....I will look into the Indigo Automation Software that you mentioned.....Thank you again!

 

[Ns1]

so uh I just bought one for $87 shipped.


now what? jailbreak it and put on XBMC? I already have a mini that I use as an HTPC so not sure how this is going to fit in. (do I sell the HTPC?)

 

[MotionMan]

so uh I just bought one for $87 shipped.


now what? jailbreak it and put on XBMC? I already have a mini that I use as an HTPC so not sure how this is going to fit in. (do I sell the HTPC?)

LOL. So why did you buy it?

MotionMan

 

[Ns1]

LOL. So why did you buy it?

MotionMan

cuz it was 87 shipped? lol

 

[MotionMan]

cuz it was 87 shipped? lol

Good point.

Carry on.

MotionMan

 

[HaukSwe]

put it on your second tv and have it stream the same XBMC library.

 

[ponyo]

so uh I just bought one for $87 shipped.


now what? jailbreak it and put on XBMC? I already have a mini that I use as an HTPC so not sure how this is going to fit in. (do I sell the HTPC?)

Where? I ordered one from Amazon yesterday for $95.

I plan to jailbreak and install XBMC. I will primary use it for Netflix but it should be fun to play around with XBMC.

 

[Aikouka]

Hmm I'd been looking for a better remote and it looks like I can use Hippo Remote with the AppleTV as long as I enable Exposed (VNC client for the ATV2). HR just uses VNC to control PCs, so as long as you have a VNC client on the end device, it will control it.

 

[Emulex]

how well does ATV play avatar in 3d? using full 1080p? or just 720p full rate (that's two images per screen not over/under/left/right)?

looks pretty good on my carpbox htpc with $49 geforce 430. but man 49gb iso ouch.

 

[dmw16]

I like the ATV2. I have an MacMini Server at home and leave iTunes running to serve media to the ATV. I use handbrake to convert any video files that I want to use and I'm good to go.

You can't beat the size and power consumption of it not to mention the great interface. Our house is pretty much all Mac so for us it makes sense. I just use it in the bedroom, but am thinking of getting rid of cable and putting another one down stairs.

 

[mugs]

how well does ATV play avatar in 3d? using full 1080p? or just 720p full rate (that's two images per screen not over/under/left/right)?

looks pretty good on my carpbox htpc with $49 geforce 430. but man 49gb iso ouch.

Fortunately this other fellow who posted in this thread before already addressed this exact question before you asked it:

it's weaksauce - it can't handle 3D full bitstream 1080p without stutter. might as well build a cheap htpc and call it a day. full 3D with bitstream is offload on a geforce 430 ($50) and a pc might cost you $100 (used). my quad core was $184 off cowboom

Oh wait, that was you. You already started this debate in this thread before, and you were trying to start it again by asking a question that you already knew the answer to? :thumbsdown:

 

[MotionMan]

Fortunately this other fellow who posted in this thread before already addressed this exact question before you asked it:



Oh wait, that was you. You already started this debate in this thread before, and you were trying to start it again by asking a question that you already knew the answer to? :thumbsdown:

LOL.

Nomination for 2011 Ownage of the Year.

MotionMan

 

[silverpig]

LOL.

Nomination for 2011 Ownage of the Year.

MotionMan

Motion seconded.

 

[MotionMan]

MotionMan seconded.

Fixed

MotionMan

 

[ponyo]

Where? I ordered one from Amazon yesterday for $95.

I plan to jailbreak and install XBMC. I will primary use it for Netflix but it should be fun to play around with XBMC.

Got it today and played around with it. I love the device. The device is tiny. I was shocked when I finally saw how small it was. It couldn't be simpler to setup and use. Plug in and play. Wifi and Netflix work great. I did the jailbreak and installed XBMC. Tested couple of movie streams and it played beautifully without any issue or pause. I did have a problem playing subtitle. XBMC kept locking up when I tried to load subtitle file.

Now I want to add AppleTV2 to every TV in the house.

 

[Ns1]

....

 

[Aikouka]

I did have a problem playing subtitle. XBMC kept locking up when I tried to load subtitle file.

I could have sworn that I've played a few anime files that have soft subs and it worked fine. I'll have to try it again!

 

[ponyo]

I could have sworn that I've played a few anime files that have soft subs and it worked fine. I'll have to try it again!

I got it working now. It was user error. I didn't have it setup to use SMB share. It's working beautifully now. I love this device!

 

[slackerinabox]

I kinda like plex better than XBMC these days. I like the way it's organized and the fact that it doesn't launch a separate app. I also get the occasional stutter on playback of 720p footage on xbmc (my fault, using powerline which I know isn't very robust) while plex transcodes (I think) so this problem doesn't exist for me.

 

[ponyo]

I kinda like plex better than XBMC these days. I like the way it's organized and the fact that it doesn't launch a separate app. I also get the occasional stutter on playback of 720p footage on xbmc (my fault, using powerline which I know isn't very robust) while plex transcodes (I think) so this problem doesn't exist for me.

How do I get Plex on the AppleTV? I ordered another one yesterday for the bedroom because I liked the device so much with XBMC. I wanted to make sure I got the device with the old firmware so I can apply the untethered jailbreak. In couple of weeks I bet everything will ship with the new firmware. Any easy Plex tutorial for Windows user?

 

[Fingolfin269]

Found one of these local for $80. So tempting since I'm looking for a new gadget to play around with and this seems like it might fit the bill. Ahhh.

(Before Mugs goes back to check, there is a good chance I already posted something similar to this in this very thread! )

 

[slackerinabox]

How do I get Plex on the AppleTV? I ordered another one yesterday for the bedroom because I liked the device so much with XBMC. I wanted to make sure I got the device with the old firmware so I can apply the untethered jailbreak. In couple of weeks I bet everything will ship with the new firmware. Any easy Plex tutorial for Windows user?

I actually don't remember at all, but once you're jailbroken it's just a matter of terminal plus some cut and paste codes - google "plex appletv2"

It may be totally redundant for you as well - if XBMC works for you then the functionality is identical, I just had issues streaming over my wonky network under xbmc.

 

[ponyo]

Do you know how I can access the terminal using Windows 7?