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Apple TV, is it worth it for Ireland?

  • 05-12-2009 12:04am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 30


    I've been thinking about investing in an apple tv for the sitting room. I mean theres a 40-something inch HD tv in there and it would be great for watching movies.
    I've got two reservations about it however. One, there's already a Sky + box hooked up, which sort-of takes from the apple tv experience maybe? Two, I'm in Ireland, no movies to download from the iTunes store, which to be honest I wouldn't, but I'm sure parents would rent.
    I've got a 3Mg line which would be okay for downloading movies.

    What do ye think?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 330 ✭✭leahcim


    One thing you could do with an Apple TV box is install boxee

    Demo of Boxee
    http://vimeo.com/7606492

    How to install boxee on Apple TV
    http://support.boxee.tv/forums/49598/entries/42684


  • Registered Users Posts: 64 ✭✭soSolid


    I've got one, and it's great for movies and TV episodes. I set up a new free e-mail account, and when you set up the ATV, it asks for an e-mail address and country.

    Rather than use a credit card (which tells them what country you're really in), I get credit on e-bay (pm me if you want the seller details - he charges $60 for annual membership, and then you get iTunes credit at face value).

    One of the better things is you can buy songs at 99 US cents, which is currently a lot les than 99 Euro cents...

    HD movies are excellent, and you can also get episodes of all the big US TV series, usually before they're aired over here.

    The other cool thing is you can put the movies/TV on your iPhone or iPod Touch if you have one.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,384 ✭✭✭andy1249


    Because the added services are not available here in Ireland , the apple TV is just a media player , and a very expensive one at that.

    The WDTV will do all the apple TV can do and do it better for a fraction of the cost , likewise the Popcorn hour , or any of a dozen more media players.

    It simply is not worth the money in Ireland. As with all apple products , your shelling out for a Case design and some limited software , your money is better spent somewhere else.


  • Registered Users Posts: 64 ✭✭soSolid


    andy1249 wrote: »
    Because the added services are not available here in Ireland...

    Not true, the CREDIT CARD-based services are not available to holders of credit cards issued by Irish banks, but all the Apple TV services are available to anyone, anywhere in the world, so long as you use either US-issued iTunes gift cards, or the method I mentioned in my previous post above.

    Yes, they are expensive, but they're small, neat, quiet, have HDMI (and optical audio) output, and don't require any DIY.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,384 ✭✭✭andy1249


    but all the Apple TV services are available to anyone, anywhere in the world, so long as you use either US-issued iTunes gift cards, or the method I mentioned in my previous post above.

    In other words only available through misrepresentation and a great deal of effort on behalf of the owner .....

    Also limited to 720p maximum output ... and for a premium price as well ,
    they're small, neat, quiet, have HDMI (and optical audio) output, and don't require any DIY.

    So is the WDTV, costs way less than a 100 now , can do 1080p and a whole list of file types and compatibility that the Apple TV cannot do just like many other players .... the list goes on and on and on and on ....

    There are more reasons not to buy the Apple TV than there are to buy it. Specifications and compatibility wise it has to be at the back of a very large field.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 64 ✭✭soSolid


    Andy, it works perfectly for me, and that's the only experience I can talk about.

    The OP said "What do ye think?", so I gave my views. You were incorrect in one of your statements, so I pointed that out.

    You obviously hate the ATV with a vengance, so I'll quit this thread and save the two of us the bother.

    Sorry Mynners.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 330 ✭✭leahcim


    If you want an alternative to Apple TV here is a good article with some alternatives.

    http://gizmodo.com/5420853/why-its-finally-time-to-get-a-home-theater-pc

    You would have to install some HTPC software on these of course.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 809 ✭✭✭woop


    http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/appletv-vs-the-competition-how-does-it-stack-up/

    roku xr is an ok alternative with amazon due to have a larger store soon but this is about the apple tv, there will be a lot more devices like this in the next 6 months including google tv which will in google style take a while to be fully up to the job. I do like apple form factor though. What will hold these back is the stores and negotiating the rights involved, I will buy whichever gets here first, why I would buy an xbox as opposed to a ps3

    I asked this in the other thread but will this support home daap or upnp?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 809 ✭✭✭woop


    woop wrote: »
    http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/appletv-vs-the-competition-how-does-it-stack-up/

    roku xr is an ok alternative with amazon due to have a larger store soon but this is about the apple tv, there will be a lot more devices like this in the next 6 months including google tv which will in google style take a while to be fully up to the job. I do like apple form factor though. What will hold these back is the stores and negotiating the rights involved, I will buy whichever gets here first, why I would buy an xbox as opposed to a ps3

    I asked this in the other thread but will this support home daap or upnp?

    just an update

    http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/22/roku-launches-revamped-hd-xd-and-xds-players-starting-at-just/


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,587 ✭✭✭Berty44


    One quetion I have on the Apple TV. I have an iPhone with an app called NFL Gamecentre. This app allows me to view NFL highlights on my iPhone and is a superb little app. I would love to be able to view this on my big tv.

    Hence my question, using the Apple tv device would I be able to view this content on my tv from my iPhone?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,587 ✭✭✭Berty44


    Think I found the answer....currently no but there is an update coming which will allow me to do that.


  • Registered Users Posts: 311 ✭✭robjones1981


    anyone any further thoughts about apple tv in ireland?

    Does anyone know can you watch content from your laptop hard drive on your tv with it also?

    Are there issues with file types etc?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,748 ✭✭✭Bluefoam


    anyone any further thoughts about apple tv in ireland?
    Yes
    Does anyone know can you watch content from your laptop hard drive on your tv with it also?
    Yes
    Are there issues with file types etc?
    Yes. But you can jailbreak it & add a program to the menu bar that will allow it to work like a regular media centre & even stream stuff from a stand alone networked hard drive + will recognise lots more file types...


  • Registered Users Posts: 273 ✭✭BobPresto




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 748 ✭✭✭RogerThis


    BobPresto wrote: »


    XBMC on the Apple TV2 is the way to go. It's €120 will never regret spending.
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056246667


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,848 ✭✭✭soundsham


    I have a dells xps 1330
    Just installed xbmc played around a little looks cool
    Anyway I think the next part of the plan is to put all my movies onto a media drive tucked away under the tv in the kitchen unit
    There is Ethernet connection here so I'm wondering can I stream movies to my tv through atv or do I need something else as I would like to control this in another room for my main tv
    Without computer on

    Any sense in what I just said !
    What would you advise??
    Sound,


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 748 ✭✭✭RogerThis


    soundsham wrote: »
    I have a dells xps 1330
    Just installed xbmc played around a little looks cool
    Anyway I think the next part of the plan is to put all my movies onto a media drive tucked away under the tv in the kitchen unit
    There is Ethernet connection here so I'm wondering can I stream movies to my tv through atv or do I need something else as I would like to control this in another room for my main tv
    Without computer on

    Any sense in what I just said !
    What would you advise??
    Sound,

    Yeah, that would all work and the Apple TV 2 only uses 8 watts of power. The media drive will have to be a NAS, so you can connect to it over the network.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,848 ✭✭✭soundsham


    So for a bit of a noob to all this ,am I right in saying
    All my movies (currently on hard drive)would be in a library in the nas box & this is connected to the Internet
    These can then be viewed through apple tv with my computer turned off by streaming
    And also I could watch movies from icefilms streamed directly to my apple tv also

    I did download icefilms last night but only checked one movie and it had no sound

    Thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 748 ✭✭✭RogerThis


    soundsham wrote: »
    So for a bit of a noob to all this ,am I right in saying
    All my movies (currently on hard drive)would be in a library in the nas box & this is connected to the Internet
    These can then be viewed through apple tv with my computer turned off by streaming
    And also I could watch movies from icefilms streamed directly to my apple tv also

    I did download icefilms last night but only checked one movie and it had no sound

    Thanks
    Yes, with your pc off, you will be able to play movies on your nas with the apple tv using xbmc. You will need to setup a network share to your nas, on xbmc. It's all fairly easy.

    The problem with icefilms sound like there is a codec missing. Try installing this codec.
    http://www.free-codecs.com/download/ac3_filter.htm


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,848 ✭✭✭soundsham


    Serious thanks for the replies
    Will try that download in the next day or so and check it out

    I feel some purchases coming soon :D


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,848 ✭✭✭soundsham


    Checked out ice films yesterday on my pc and worked fine got sound working

    Later planned to watch movie on tv through my computer but no sound is coming through my hdmi cable:( .....tried going back and restoring to an earlier time , didn't work


    I plan to buy atv 2 and a http://www.buffalotech.com/products/network-storage/home-and-small-office/

    To store and stream movies

    will there be a problem streaming 1080p as I was reading something about this being difficult
    or the atv converting this to 720

    The sound going on hdmi is a balls too
    My problem is trying these things is great in theory but with no real technical ability faults like this generally cost money to fix as I'm unable to do so

    This is confusing all I want to know is if the movies can be stored I 1 room and viewed elsewhere easily


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 748 ✭✭✭RogerThis


    soundsham wrote: »
    Later planned to watch movie on tv through my computer but no sound is coming through my hdmi cable:( .....tried going back and restoring to an earlier time , didn't work

    The sound going on hdmi is a balls too
    My problem is trying these things is great in theory but with no real technical ability faults like this generally cost money to fix as I'm unable to do so


    Sound doesn't work over a dvi to htmi cable, only video works. You need a separate audio cable. Usually a RCA to 3.5mm cable

    159026.jpg
    soundsham wrote: »
    will there be a problem streaming 1080p as I was reading something about this being difficult or the atv converting this to 720

    There isn't a lot of content in 1080p, unless you rip it yourself. The highest TV broadcast is 720p. The ATV2 only does 1080i/720p. Also, you would need a very fast broadband connection to stream in 720p. I only use dvdrip, and it's fine on my 42" TV.
    soundsham wrote: »
    This is confusing all I want to know is if the movies can be stored I 1 room and viewed elsewhere easily

    The ATV2 will work perfectly for what you want.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,848 ✭✭✭soundsham


    Hdmi cable used to work fine previously when watching movie through vlc


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 748 ✭✭✭RogerThis


    soundsham wrote: »
    Hdmi cable used to work fine previously when watching movie through vlc

    Does vlc work anymore?

    Does any windows sounds come through to the tv?

    It could be a setting on your computer or your tv.

    Try this http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/204246-xps-1330-hdmi-audio-problem-w-hdtv.html


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,848 ✭✭✭soundsham


    Vlc is ok But no sound through tv
    Everything plays fine through computers speakers
    Then when I personalise the computer as i always do to get it to play through hdmi it doesn't
    Picture no sound


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 748 ✭✭✭RogerThis


    soundsham wrote: »
    Vlc is ok But no sound through tv
    Everything plays fine through computers speakers
    Then when I personalise the computer as i always do to get it to play through hdmi it doesn't
    Picture no sound

    Did you try the link I provided before?

    If it's not working in VLC either then it's not a XBMC problem. It could be a driver issue, could be a setting on the laptop, or could be a setting on your TV.

    I don't have a Dell XPS M1330 laptop, so I don't know how much help I can be. You could try posting your audio problem in the laptop section and somebody might be able to help you out.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,706 ✭✭✭Voodu Child


    soundsham wrote: »
    Vlc is ok But no sound through tv
    Everything plays fine through computers speakers
    Then when I personalise the computer as i always do to get it to play through hdmi it doesn't
    Picture no sound

    Right-click the volume icon on your taskbar and go to 'playback devices'. Then find the device that serves your HDMI and make sure it is enabled. Sometimes it helps to set it to default. Also go to 'properties' and make sure the supported formats ticked correspond to whatever you are plugging into. ie if your TV doesnt support DTS then don't tick it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,848 ✭✭✭soundsham


    RogerThis wrote: »
    Did you try the link I provided before?

    If it's not working in VLC either then it's not a XBMC problem. It could be a driver issue, could be a setting on the laptop, or could be a setting on your TV.

    I don't have a Dell XPS M1330 laptop, so I don't know how much help I can be. You could try posting your audio problem in the laptop section and somebody might be able to help you out.

    Yes and it was successful for sound with I ecilms on the computer
    But I then turned off the computer and next time I tried it I hooked it to the tv with my hdmi as usual and then there was no sound


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,848 ✭✭✭soundsham


    Right-click the volume icon on your taskbar and go to 'playback devices'. Then find the device that serves your HDMI and make sure it is enabled. Sometimes it helps to set it to default. Also go to 'properties' and make sure the supported formats ticked correspond to whatever you are plugging into. ie if your TV doesnt support DTS then don't tick it.

    Ok will try this later
    Sounds similar to the usual way I enable hdmi
    Thanks


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  • Registered Users Posts: 83 ✭✭kucyk


    anyone got it recently? any chance to get it under 119 somewhere in Dublin area?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,487 ✭✭✭banquo


    Not that this is adverts.ie or anything, but I'm selling one for 90 if you want to PM me.

    90 is about the going rate for these, and you'll find a rake of them on adverts.ie.


  • Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭irishpaddy


    soSolid wrote: »
    I've got one, and it's great for movies and TV episodes. I set up a new free e-mail account, and when you set up the ATV, it asks for an e-mail address and country.

    Rather than use a credit card (which tells them what country you're really in), I get credit on e-bay (pm me if you want the seller details - he charges $60 for annual membership, and then you get iTunes credit at face value).

    One of the better things is you can buy songs at 99 US cents, which is currently a lot les than 99 Euro cents...

    HD movies are excellent, and you can also get episodes of all the big US TV series, usually before they're aired over here.

    The other cool thing is you can put the movies/TV on your iPhone or iPod Touch if you have one.
    hey i would like to try it but how do you set it up so you can watch whats on your computer on your main tv. is it hard to do; do you need to be a computer genius;; which i'm not for sure.


  • Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭irishpaddy


    kucyk wrote: »
    anyone got it recently? any chance to get it under 119 somewhere in Dublin area?

    think i saw them on my memory for €99 tonight.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,487 ✭✭✭banquo


    Still waiting for iTunes movies to be included in iCloud for streaming. Damn you, IMRO!


  • Registered Users Posts: 222 ✭✭touchwood


    Would an Australian Apple TV work in Ireland?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,487 ✭✭✭banquo


    Yup, they're totally universal.


  • Registered Users Posts: 294 ✭✭curehead


    i play movies on my pc through apple tv all the time
    you don't need to be a computer genius in the slightest.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    Isn't the problem you need all your content in your iTunes library on your computer to see it on the Apple TV. And its picky about the media file formats it supports?

    Whereas with other devices you just plug in the HD to it, or point it to a folder on the network and it finds everything without the need to install and run itunes. Also they generally support for media file formats .


  • Registered Users Posts: 294 ✭✭curehead


    BostonB wrote: »
    Isn't the problem you need all your content in your iTunes library on your computer to see it on the Apple TV. And its picky about the media file formats it supports?

    Whereas with other devices you just plug in the HD to it, or point it to a folder on the network and it finds everything without the need to install and run itunes. Also they generally support for media file formats .


    true but there are lots of ways around this


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    curehead wrote: »
    true but there are lots of ways around this

    For example?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 294 ✭✭curehead


    BostonB wrote: »
    For example?

    i use vlc streamer personally what would you like to know ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    curehead wrote: »
    i use vlc streamer personally what would you like to know ?

    Thats still installing something. Even if its not iTunes. Not needed with other players. You might not need anything tbh, many TV's sees shared folders with no extra software. Kinda makes ATV a pointless unless you want to use iTunes.


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