Apple TV, anyone?

[MachThree]

Hi All - just wondering if anyone has an Apple TV and how they like it? I've been looking at this and other similar products. Probably I'd use it 80% to stream video off my PC to my TV (looks like a pain - at least w/o a jailbreak you need to convert to .m4p etc. first then add to itunes lib.) and 20% for Netflix etc. And it sure looks sweet to be able to control it from the iPad. But I hear bad things about streaming from Netflix, am somewhat dissapointed that it only does 720p and streaming vid off a PC seems like a pain due to all the conversion hassles. Should I be looking at something else? Roku, the Logitech Google TV device (which is expensive) - or are these devices just not mature yet and I should hold off?

P.S. My sudden interest is because Santa just belatedly delivered me a nice new 1080p 40" LCD Before that I was stuck in the dark ages with a 20" CRT TV.

 

[DrJNAB]

Apple TV is cool, and works fine. Highly recommend.

 

[iVan]

At my age I don't really see the difference between 720 and 1080. That said I love my AppleTV. I plugged it in a small hd tv, in the dining room, that is itself plugged in a good sound system. I find myself using it more for music than video.
During the holidays I used it for a family gathering to show slideshows, music and home movies. That made for great evenings!

Get yourself the AppleRemote app to simplify operation directly from iPad.

I also find it nice to show Youtube movies to a group of people. Loads of fun!

 

[Wakawaka]

I'm about to buy an appletv.

I have a Sony media network player that I like a lot. I use mine mostly for Netflix and pandora. I like the 1080p it offers vs the 720p. Does everything apple tv does, minus the app for iPad.

But that's what my iPhone is for, and soon my iPod touch.

 

[Mikeb41g]

My LCD is a few years old and does not have hdmi, so I went to Sony to buy their media network unit that you mentioned and they told me that it wont work with IPad. I want to use it for photos and for Netflix movies.

Will it work for mr?

 

[Spongebob]

Love mine!

 

[iVan]

My LCD is a few years old and does not have hdmi, so I went to Sony to buy their media network unit that you mentioned and they told me that it wont work with IPad. I want to use it for photos and for Netflix movies.

Will it work for mr?

AppleTV also requires an HDMI port. I'm afraid it's not for you...

 

[Seadog]

Great device, but not perfect. I have troubles on occassion with pairing that I have not figured out yet. My big issue is not with the AppleTV, but with my Harmony remote. Logitech does not seem to do a good job of supporting Apple products. They refuse to recognize Safari, and after long, they still do not support anything more than basic controls. I cannot even control my TV volume when it is in AppleTV mode.

 

[Red Rover]

I just got it, mainly for streaming Netflix, and it works quite well. Picture is better than streaming directly from the iPad through Apple's component cables. I downloaded one HD rental from itunes which took avery long time to download. Not sure how long because I went to bed and watched it the next day.

for me, and my desire to watch netflix, it works just fine.

 

[Wakawaka]

I pull my photos off the desktop computer and stream them either via Sony media player, or PS3.

If I know I'm hosting a party, I'll create a photo folder on the desktop, put the photos on a thumb drive and upload em onto the PS3. I have friends from my age (early 20s) to 40's. For more mature parties I keep the naked chicks and beer pong party photos out.

Someone brought up the logitech remote. I have the 700 remote, and it works perfectly with my Sony network media player. Ps3 requires an adaptor for $70. Same price I paid fo the remote in the first place lol

 

[zrb0529]

I was gonna get one but I can't justify the purchase because I don't really need it. I bought a mini-displayport to HDMI adapter so I can watch moves on my Air and I have an Xbox360 so I watch netflix with that....but I still want an apple tv...maybe the 360 will break!