Apple TV ease of use and free content

Don_S · « **on:** 11 Nov 2009, 10:06 pm »

I searched all Circles for information on the Apple TV and did not find much. All the threads were in the Apple Core Circle instead of the Home Theater and Video Circle so I guess this is the right place to ask.

How easy is it to install the Apple TV? How easy is it to browse and find free content? Is there a lot of free content or is most of rent/buy?

I am not trying for an elaborate connection and I am only using two-channel. HDMI to my Sharp Aquos only. I am not interested in streaming iTunes or any other music. I am mainly looking for video content.

Warning: I don't have an iPod or iPhone so I am not familiar with Apple interfaces. I will be using a PC and Linksys WRT 54G router.

Thanks for any help. I plan on going to Best Buy and talking to the Apple expert there but I count on Circle members to tell me what the Apple rep won't.

jqp · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 Nov 2009, 10:59 pm »

Here's a recent article to start you off

http://gizmodo.com/5397986/hd-media-player-battlemodo-apple-tv-killers

Crimson · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Nov 2009, 11:40 am »

Setup is a breeze. No problems there. As far as free content is concerned, you may want to consider perusing the iTunes Store to see what's there. Browsing is straightforward using the supplied Apple remote.

Don_S · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Nov 2009, 06:33 pm »

Quote from: Crimson on 12 Nov 2009, 11:40 am

Setup is a breeze. No problems there. As far as free content is concerned, you may want to consider perusing the iTunes Store to see what's there. Browsing is straightforward using the supplied Apple remote.

jqp, Thanks for the link. The Western Digital unit is interesting.

Crimson, Does the Apple TV only access content in the iTunes store?

ctviggen · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Nov 2009, 07:20 pm »

I believe you can get Hulu on Apple TV; not sure about Netflix.

However, for the Western Digital, it also doesn't do Hulu or Netflix; you have to install a program on your computer and stream from your computer to the WD TV Live (this is what I plan on doing).

mchuckp · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Nov 2009, 09:00 pm »

I've used an ATV for quite some time. I bought it mainly as a music server but also saved quite a few seasons of my favorite TV shows, concert movies, etc. To do this, they need to be in iTunes and either streamed or synced directly on the HDD. I bought the 160g version so I didn't have to stream. I ripped my DVDs using Handbrake and didn't find the PQ perfect and I'm a perfectionist. So I wouldn't use it for stuff that I consider for stuff that I felt I wanted GOOD video quality.

You can hack it to do Boxee. Pretty simple hack. Boxee will run Hulu. I have barely used this. I can't take the heavy compression and it is pretty dang slow. You can also hack the ATV to accept an external HDD if one wanted more local storage.

If you don't do Boxee, then your choices for free stuff is basically what you find in iTunes. Movie previews, Podcasts, etc. The offer occasional free episodes and they off specials on cheap movie rentals. If you don't mind paying for it, there is tons of TV to download by episode or season. Movies to buy or rent. You can also watch YouTube. Again, quality on a big TV is pretty poor for things like Youtube. Pretty good for iTunes stuff, particularly if you do HD.

If you want an ATV to get free stuff only, not really worth it unless you do the Boxee hack. There's tons more to Boxee the Hulu. I think you can also do Netflix streaming. Not positive though. I just got fed up with the slow navigation. Using iTunes, navigation is quick. If you want to rip your own DVDs and such and save the on it, again it is a great item.

From your message, sounds like you really just want to look around for free media on the internet. Check out Boxee and see if it offers what you want. It wasn't for me.

FYI: if you do any sort of hack on it and then an ATV official update comes out, it will erase your hack and you will have to hack it again. So you need to stick with the older version and plan on updating periodically. Updates haven't happened often historically.

As for ease of set up and use. Typical cake walk fashion that you'd expect from Apple. At least, I'd expect from Apple.

I actually have mine up for sale because I bought it mainly as a music server and decided that I'm going to go the Squeezebox route instead.

Good luck.

Don_S · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Nov 2009, 09:41 pm »

Everyone,

Thank you for the information. I think I have been pretty much dissuaded from the ATV or other net-tuner route. It isn't going to be as easy or as much fun as I thought to find things I might want to watch. I am not a video person and also don't have much patience with tech toys. I have no idea what Hulu and Boxee are.

I just reconnected my SB3 after taking it out of my system in May. I connected to Live365 (or whatever) for the first time. I have not found one station that I like to listen to. Yes, there is a lot of stuff on the net. The problem is the content and poor sound quality. Searching through all the junk is like wading through a swamp. I lose interest very quickly. I expect that I would feel the same way about net-TV.

gqmagic · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 Nov 2009, 03:53 am »

When I got my apple tv it was to play itunes music through my receiver. Set up is as simple as plugging it in, I run component to my plasma and optical to the receiver.

I have watched a couple of the HD rentals though at 720p not as nice as 1080i from Dish or Bluray 1080p.

There is some FREE podcasts that are somewhat interesting and there's YouTube which is free if you get it from the apple tv (some of the same content cost $ in the itunes store on the computer)

The ability to play itunes through my setup is the draw for me, I could care less about the other mods/hacks talked about, if it comes at some point fine (I do think Apple will find a way to make it more home theater friendly)