18 replies to this topic

[A J]

I braved the cult of apple today and battled ipad buyers to pick up the new Apple TV. Its an improvement on the previous version (better menu / 1080P) and cheaper at $109. Its a little stunner for the price !! I like it.

[DoggieHowser]

I'm keen to get one to do "mirror" display. Think it will be better for my headless Mac Mini music server.

[manchu]

I had my preorder iPad delivered today. First one I've had and pretty happy with it so far.

Went shopping for a case after work and came home with an apple tv too. Hard to resist for the price.
,
Great little unit I reckon. Playing music or video from iPad over appletv is a breeze. But Would really like to be able to mirror the entire display of either iPad or laptop to tv though.

Right now I'm streaming an avi movie stored on laptop to appletv via iPad. App called air video server works pretty well. No more plugging in the hdmi cable!!!

Anyone know if hdmi and optical audio work at the same time?

[b.d]

Just had a look at the Apple TV, been thinking of getting a tv so I can watch the Olympics, but see you cant actually get TV on the thing? Do I need a set top box or something, will an ipad do? (are they streaming the olympics or is it on free to air tv, anyone know?) Clueless about TV but do like Apple products.

[hochopeper]

Apple TV is more about putting iTunes into every loungeroom rather than anything to do with broadcast television, the TV in Apple TV is denoting the device it's connected to.


I have considered getting a new one to jailbreak and run xbmc on. I held off getting the old version because 720p is a bit ... boring.

[manchu]

I worked out how to mirror whole iPad display through apple tv. Not obvious to turn on but easy once you know how. Pretty handy feature.

Apparently mirroring from Mac is a feature of the upcoming OS update.

I'm also wondering whether apple will ever offer a plug in tv tuner. Like playtv on play station 3. Theres a USB port on appletv so there's hope. Kind of goes against their "we control your media consumption" mentality though.

[A J]

Yeah I wondered whether the USB input could potentially have a tuner fitted?

[GregWormald]

Plug-in TV tuners for USB ports are readily available. I've been using an Elgato for years and enjoying full 1080 HD TV on my Mac. I haven't turned my regular TV on in many months.

Greg

[manchu]

Plug-in TV tuners for USB ports are readily available. I've been using an Elgato for years and enjoying full 1080 HD TV on my Mac. I haven't turned my regular TV on in many months.
Greg

Yep, i've used these myself on laptops in the past, but they're not going to work plugged into the appleTV.

[kdoot]

Yeah I wondered whether the USB input could potentially have a tuner fitted?

That USB port is for connecting to a computer if something goes badly wrong. There's no USB host controller in the Apple TV... you can't plug other kinds of devices into it, I don't think.

[Valavien.]

I prefer firecore's media player over xbmc. It doesnt have the load time or bloat of xbmc. Might be different with the extra processing power on the new atv though.

I really love the device as it's a great price and small. I rent movies and buy tv shows for it. I really like not going to a video store or buying movies that I may only watch once. It may take a little time for a movie to get on there but I find there is always something on there that I haven't seen that I want to watch. Using the wish list is handy to remember what movies look good.

I also have my cd collection converted to apple lossless and use that ATV as my music streamer and use my iphone for the remote. (still working out what dac I want)

Also goto this site for itunes cards going on sale. I frequently by two $20 cards for $30. That takes the sting out of the prices

http://www.giftcardsonsale.com.au/

Edited by Valavien., 20 March 2012 - 05:04 PM.
Added use info

[danq]

@Valavien: How do you stream music through the AppleTV to your sound system? Does it have an HDMI input? (Mine does not)

[Rural Rat]

Looks to me that I may have to check out the newer model. I have the mk1 and it frustrates the &*%# out of me!

[Makka]

I worked out how to mirror whole iPad display through apple tv. Not obvious to turn on but easy once you know how. Pretty handy feature.

How?

Edited by Makka, 15 April 2012 - 08:46 AM.

[Chill3]

Danq

The apple tv sees tour iTunes library via wireless network, you then have hdmi or optical out to use with an AV receiver or DAC

I use both , hdmi for movies as that gives Dolby, and optical to DAC for music

Down side is that the ATV is currently only 16 /48 the hardware is capable of 24 bit but at current time software limits it

If the ATV gets opened up to stream 24 but it will be even better ,

[danq]

Thanks. I guess it would already be nice if it supported 16/41 instead of having to resample to 48.

[manchu]

How?

double press home button.
swipe finger right at bottom of screen to get to the ipod/playback controls on the left.
press the airplay button (next to fwd button)
select 'Apple TV'
set 'mirroring' slider to 'ON'

[manchu]

@Valavien: How do you stream music through the AppleTV to your sound system? Does it have an HDMI input? (Mine does not)

I have my appletv HDMI to tv. then audio out (RCA) from TV to hifi. It means the TV has to be on and set to the appletv input, but that hasn't been a problem so far.

[Makka]

Thanks manchu

Yup, the 16/48 limit is irritating.
Does that mean they haven't even bothered with the new ATV to give it 24/96?

Apple is the new Microsoft.