Anyone got an Apple Tv?

Neorion · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Karma :

Thinking of getting one and maybe upgrading the harddrive and software but was wondering if anyone has one? what do you think of it?

the missus being a yank downloads tons of "shows" from iToilet so would be a nice thing for her to use when I take over the Tv or am using the mac (so she cant stream to the Tv)
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bladesman · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Karma :

Can't say I have but it is something I have been thinking about buying.

In standard form its not that great but you can upgrade the software with various hacks to allow anything from bit torrent to twitter and streaming video from the net.

The only thing that has been putting me off buying is the price. £220.00 for 160GB. Id be more interested if it was around 320 or even 500Gb as I have quite a few movies and videos.

Rob · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Mar 2002 Karma :

They're ok. I've had one for a while, put the hack on it to allow Divx and access to the files on my Mac, but everytime the software updates you need to put the hack back on! Not too difficult, but didn't bother the last time I got an update. In it's raw form it's very based around downloading direct from iTunes or watching on Youtube. A great feature is that it appears as a set of 'speakers' on your main iTunes so you can stream to it like with an Airport Express.

I would recommend getting a Mac Mini instead though... it will connect to the TV (assuming you have a DVI or HDMI input on the TV), and it does everything the Apple TV will do plus loads more! It's not quite as basic to use as the Apple TV, but if you are used to using a Mac that's fine anyway! If you want it to be more like a media centre, just use the remote to control Front Row and it almost looks like an Apple TV!

Spend the bit extra, it's worth it! I wouldn't be without my Mac Mini now! Plays anything you throw at it with Perian and VNC installed!
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Neorion · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Karma :

@Bladesman- Check out Boxee Thumbs Up

Hey Rob,

Yeah been lookng at Boxee and it looks brilliant. But watching a video about it last night they were saying that it cant handle 1080P formats which most of my files are in. I like the idea of a Macmini, I have a Macbook Pro just now and love it.

I borrowed a 1.42 powerpc MacMini a while ago but it wouldnt hook into my Tv over Hdmi. Not sure if ti was me or what but just wouldnt work!

Maybe I could try again but not sure what I would do with it, it it didnt work.

Are Macmini's not like £500 though? I was looking at getting an apple Tv for £100+-
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VFR FI 2000- Shiney Red Thing
"some things man was never meant to know, for everything else there's Google"

Rob · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Mar 2002 Karma :

Yes the old PowerPC Mac Mini's don't have a graphics card up to doing a decent resolution, you need the newer Intel MacMini to get the best resolution. Yes they are more expensive than getting an AppleTV but you are getting a lot more machine for your money! Have a search on fleabay and see what you can find. Apple have just released an updated Mini so there may be people wanting to upgrade and getting rid of their current Intel Mini's?
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Dom · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Sep 2004 Karma :

I've got a Mac Mini and run Plex on it. It's very, very good. I used to use the Mac remote but it's a bit limited and meant having yet another remote lying around, so I picked up one of these which works with the Mac/TV/Xbox/hifi all in one.
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