[cujobob]

I recently preordered my Ipad and decided to pick up an Apple TV device to go with it because I've read a lot of people were excited for this new version. But why is it so special? I don't really understand what this device can do that a Roku or similar device can't do better.

[Bemopti123]

I think it is more of a form factor as well as the implementation of 1080p with Itunes integration.....To be honest with you, you could have also latched on a MBP or something or the sort and navigate the media menus through different remote devices or programs...Even I could do that but I am inherently lazy...and I do not purchase much through Itunes.  $99 is a justification price for many I suspect.  It is not a necessity but it seems to me that people justify its purchase through many reasons but in the end, I think they do so as an impulse buy.  I have not see too many people using such device exclusively for TV viewing or I do not know people who would spend $$$$ in Itunes content especially if they can get stuff, slower but at a fixed price through EvilFlix etc...

[wilsynet]

The new version has better integration with your Apple devices.  For example, you can mirror your iPad's display to the Apple TV.  And of course, as it had before, it integrates with iCloud, so it's a whole is greater than the sum of the parts sort of argument.

But if you aren't using the greater Apple ecosystem, I don't know if it's really any better than Roku or Boxee, etc.  In fact, I may like Boxee better because it integrates better with media you might have on your computers which aren't otherwise iTunes managed.

For example, if (say), you torrented something, Apple TV wouldn't know what to do with it unless you jumped through a few hoops to get it into a media format recognized by iTunes.

Disclaimer:  I very rarely torrent anything, and I have an Apple TV.

[cujobob]

I canceled my order. To me, too much has to run through iTunes. Airplay is a cool feature, but other devices can do that now (I think the cheap Denon receiver on Woot had Airplay).

Thanks for your opinions, wanted to be sure there wasn't something I was missing. I've read that hacked Apple TVs are nice, but maybe that's not as common as I thought.

[skunark]

Netflix is also 1080p with the ATV3.   To me that's the key reason to have it.

It's also not hard to load video files in iTunes to watch.  Most h.264 files work and handbrake can be used to convert.   If AirPlay makes it to the desktop then it's pretty much game on to a whole lot of content. 

Out of all the audio and video gear.  ATV2 and 3 gets my vote as the biggest bang for the buck for both audio and video usage

[MaxCast]

Is there any free content on ATV?

[jparkhur]

There is little to no free content on Apple TV 2/3, but that will change I think after the new agreements come out in a few months. THe development of the TV will help too.  I use handbrake and Rip It or MacTheRipper to get my DVDs on to the iTunes, no issues at all.  I usually batch load handbrake to take care of all videos during the night so i don't have to wait.  My kids use the ATV a lot to just watch their typical favorite videos of the year. I don't have to burn them all either. (yes I know some of this is questionable).  ATV3 worth the 99 bucks, wish it would have an analog output AND be able to beam more than 16/44 so I could use it with my small system in the bedroom without a cd player.  That would be my only request...  96/192 or something better than redbook

[MaxCast]

thanks for the info on free content jp.  I too wish the ATV could do more on the music side, especially flac and analog out.  ATVs would be very economical squeeze boxes.

[skunark]

Free content just includes YouTube, Vimeo and whatever you can load into iTunes.    Occasionally you can snag a pilot episode for free.     There's also a weekly $1 movie that been hit or miss with me.

You can also consider using Airfoil devices, that might allow you encode flac on the fly and stream it to the ATV.   Also there's really no hi-rez support after 48khz files. 

[Crimson]

These will be my 4th and 5th ATV (already have one gen1 and two gen2s, all of which I still use). I don't use them much with iTunes, but rather for streaming music and pictures from various idevices and for the occasional Netflix movie.

Out of all the audio and video gear.  ATV2 and 3 gets my vote as the biggest bang for the buck for both audio and video usage

+1

[jqp]

Free content just includes YouTube, Vimeo and whatever you can load into iTunes.    Occasionally you can snag a pilot episode for free.     There's also a weekly $1 movie that been hit or miss with me.

You can also consider using Airfoil devices, that might allow you encode flac on the fly and stream it to the ATV.   Also there's really no hi-rez support after 48khz files.

Can you save any/all YouTube and Vimeo videos with Apple TV, or can you only play them live? For example for Windows and Firefox there is a utilty that allows you to save video to your drive.

[skunark]

The ATV is just a streamer, you can't save files to it.  If you can save the files and they play in iTunes they will play again.    There's really point in saving youtube or Vimeo files since you can just play them when you want on the ATV.

[rlee8394]

Here's why. See this:

http://firecore.com/

Ron

[kbuzz3]

Here's why. See this:

http://firecore.com/

Ron

I kinda of agree with the OP, even after reading this link.  Why.......SO firecore gets you the ability to play falc files....whats the other benefit....

When the apple tv can play recorded shows that i taped from my dvr- then you may have something.  Not to mention hi rez music

[chrisby]

Here's why. See this:

http://firecore.com/

Ron

isn't that predicated on a jailbroke device?    I'm not sure how I feel about that, but then considering the embarrassing stack of cash with which Mr Cook has to contend, and that many of us have over half a dozen Apple devises in our collection of toys,  maybe that'd be a dividend to a non-shareholding investor   

[skunark]

For $99, it's still an amazing amount of content.  YouTube (free), Vimeo (Free), WSJ Live (believe it's free), Netflix ($8/month), iTunes Rentals ($3-4 movie rentals with weekly $1 rental, TV cost $3), MLB, NBA.TV, NHL, Internet Radio(free) and Podcasts(free).  Stream any content iTunes can play for example: wav, aiff, alac, aac, mp3, h.264, avi or mov (there are constraints).  Stream Airplay content from the iPhone or iPad, Mirroring with the new iPad (gen3).   

It's very simple to convert video with HandBrake or audio with Max or other software.  Access your Photos, share photos via Flickr and Photo Stream.  It even upsamples your CDs to 24/48, well, okay the one potential negative IMO. 

Hands down it's the best interface I've seen and to control it through iTunes or the Remote iPhone/iPad app even makes it better.

Yes improvements would be Flac support, but hi-res isn't what this device is all about.  I would like to see college football and a weather app.

[cnmberryman]

ATV3 worth the 99 bucks, wish it would have an analog output AND be able to beam more than 16/44 so I could use it with my small system in the bedroom without a cd player.  That would be my only request...  96/192 or something better than redbook

Just a heads up, while I love my Apple TV and have had 1st through 3rd generation units. The 1st generation is the only one to have 44.1khz output. Both iOS units only output 48 kHz. Resampling most music. I haven't noticed any ill effects with casual listening but I do use my 1st gen unit for critical listening.

Chris

[JohnR]

Just a heads up, while I love my Apple TV and have had 1st through 3rd generation units. The 1st generation is the only one to have 44.1khz output. Both iOS units only output 48 kHz.

Ah, thanks for that info.

[Crimson]

That's odd. My first gen units both put out 48kHz, or so says the digital preamp they are connected to.