Apple TV 2

[Essruu]

Anyone else got one? I'm loving it so far.*

 

Up until now we've had a Mac Mini connected to the HD LCD in the lounge, acting as a media centre. This has enabled us to play our iTunes library through the tv or speakers, watch our video library, view photos, watch iPlayer and browse the net with a wireless keyboard and mouse etc.

 

However, I'm thinking of disconnecting the Mac Mini and just using the Apple TV. I'll still run the Mac Mini in another room as an always on 'server' to stream music, film, tv shows, photos etc to the lounge through the Apple TV, whilst still being able to use it as a spare PC. Streaming to the Apple TV by selecting on the TV which of the computers or MacBooks in the house to grab media from is easier than doing it with the mouse and keyboard as before. When AirPlay is released in iOS 4.2, enabling us to send video straight from our iPhones or iPad, the final piece if the jigsaw is just one step away - that will be when the Jailbroken ATV2 can have a web browser installed or browser mirrored/streamed from the iPad/iPhones. I'm sure that day isn't too far away.

 

I've even actually purchased a film rental from it too. Flawless, glitch-free and stunning quality.

 

All in all, this is a great piece of kit.

[saint_stevo]

Pretty sure my PS3 can do all/most of this anyway?!

[Saint_Jonny]

Pretty sure my PS3 can do all/most of this anyway?!

 

Ditto with an xbox, uses windows media centre and streams whatever content you have on your pc and displays it on the tv.

 

Also with a ps3 you can use the web browser to stream live flash streams of footy matches (myp2p, that sort of thing).

 

Given that you have to pay to just about everything on an apple tv, thing you've made the wrong choice, Ess

[Essruu]

We're largely an Apple household, with 2 MacBooks, 1 Mac Mini, 1 iPad, 2 iPhones, 3 iPods, 1 iPod Nano and 2 iPod Shuffles. There is an xbox 360 too. We cannot use the xbox streaming without a Windows PC (although, having seen the interface and performance issues, I wouldn't want to either!).

 

That is all besides the point. The Mac Mini does more of the web stuff on our tv than either the xbox or PS3. I'm actually talking about disconnecting the Mac Mini from the lounge TV and using JUST the Apple TV on it. The box is tiny, it's SILENT (hello xbox & PS3 owners: turn your tv sound way up to drown out that noise.) It costs £99.

 

With the imminent release of iOS 4.2, we will soon be able to stream content (tv, video, movies, photos etc) direct to the TV from our iPhones, iPod Touches and iPad. Anyone coming to our house will be able to show their stuff from their iOS devices. Once a web browser is injected onto the Apple TV (or a 3rd party App will display the page you're viewing on the tv from your iPhone/ iPod Touch or iPad, then there's the perfect package IMO.

[Essruu]

Airplay introduced for iOS 4.2.1 on iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch + Apple TV 4.1.

 

Anyone with a compatible iOS device that comes to my house can now stream their music, films, tv, photos etc straight to our TV.

 

With Airplay speakers you can forget having to dock your iPod/iPhone to play your music - just Airplay it to the speakers and carry on using your device for other things.

 

With aTV Flash (black) imminent [bringing browser, other file format support etc] Apple TV @ £99 has just become immense.

[thesaint sfc]

Can I come to your house?

[warsash saint]

Steve Jobs must love you