Thinking of getting Apple TV

clappyhappy

At present I have sky multi room in sitting room, kids mostly watching in there. I am thinking of removing multi room and just using the magic eye in there, but also thinking of getting Apple TV with Netflix.

Anything I should look for, be aware of, or are there better options out there instead of Apple TV.

Appreciate any info, thanks.

DubTony

If it's just netflix you want, there's no need to go to the expense of an ATV. I've got a Roku LT in the bedroom. Does the job perfectly. I also stream stuff from the computer through Plex without an issue.

I've an Apple TV in the sitting room, and to be honest, since buying a smart TV last year, it's hardly used at all.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roku-2400EU-Receiver-Set-Top-Box/dp/B006VTASUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407939102&sr=8-1&keywords=roku+lt

gnote2

im using minix neo x7. android box.. using it for xbmc and also streaming live tv, football live streaming.. it's quite good and free

dloob

Apple TV is good if you have other Apple devices to airplay to it.
I barely use the Apple TV directly, it's all airplay streaming from my iPad or iPhone, even for netflix I stream it from the iPad as the interface is much nicer and it acts like a nice remote.
I will also note the iPad easily supports VPNs.

If you don't have other apple devices though then there are many other boxes to choose from like the roku.

banquo

Wait, does Netflix stream in Ireland from iOS to Atv?

I might get one for the Daddy. He has iPhone / iPad, and our Boxee Box is showing its age.

whiterebel

banquo wrote: »

Wait, does Netflix stream in Ireland from iOS to Atv?

I might get one for the Daddy. He has iPhone / iPad, and our Boxee Box is showing its age.

Why would you, Banquo? Netflix is built into ATv

jack presley

banquo wrote: »

Wait, does Netflix stream in Ireland from iOS to Atv?

I might get one for the Daddy. He has iPhone / iPad, and our Boxee Box is showing its age.

There's a Netflix app on the apple TV itself so you don't need your Ipad/phone to view.

clappyhappy

dloob wrote: »

Apple TV is good if you have other Apple devices to airplay to it.
I barely use the Apple TV directly, it's all airplay streaming from my iPad or iPhone, even for netflix I stream it from the iPad as the interface is much nicer and it acts like a nice remote.
I will also note the iPad easily supports VPNs.

If you don't have other apple devices though then there are many other boxes to choose from like the roku.

We both have iPhones and iPads, to be honest I don't know what AirPlay means!! I am just trying to cut down on monthly subscriptions, not sure what one is best to go with.

Creamy Goodness

I AirPlay Netflix UK to the Apple TV, I have The Apple TV set up for the US Netflix.

I wouldn't buy an Apple TV now though. There's an update due in September/October.

monkeysnapper

A few months back we decided to cancel sky , you still get a lot of channels through free view , just remove your sky card .
Both my partner and myself have I phones and a I pad so we decided to get Apple TV , we have Netflix for free through brother in laws account and kids love the children's program's on Netflix , I might add also c beebies is free on sky and kids love that as well .
Mrs watches soaps on catch up TV through I phone and I watch documenteys on Netflix and sometimes I'll scroll sky documentary's and just do a search on YouTube and find it on there , I just airplay or mirror it on Apple TV through I phone ,
All in all we're delighted , we're saving 30 quid a month and haven't missed it a single bit .

clappyhappy

Thanks for all replies. We are going to keep sky sports in the kitchen, we would like to have the Irish channels in the sitting room, especially in the winter.
Don't think we can get rte etc on an Apple TV box. When ye mention all these abbreviations I have no idea what they relate to, sorry!!
If someone could explain to me in very basic terms what I would need, either apple or android and what you do in regard to airplay, streaming etc I would be very grateful. Apologies for lack of knowledge.

banquo

AirPlay = the Apple word for streaming from your iPhone or iPad or Mac.

Apple TV often abbreviated to ATV.

dloob

clappyhappy wrote: »

We both have iPhones and iPads, to be honest I don't know what AirPlay means!! I am just trying to cut down on monthly subscriptions, not sure what one is best to go with.

Basically it lets you play something on your iPad or iPhone and have it appear on the apple tv.
So lets say I'm looking at the RTE player on the iPad, I can tell it to airplay to the apple tv and now everyone can watch it on the tv.
I also tend to use Netflix that way instead of the version built into the apple tv, which I find a bit clunky.
It's nice to have the keyboard to type things on instead of using the apple tv remote to select individual letters.

clappyhappy

dloob wrote: »

Basically it lets you play something on your iPad or iPhone and have it appear on the apple tv.
So lets say I'm looking at the RTE player on the iPad, I can tell it to airplay to the apple tv and now everyone can watch it on the tv.
I also tend to use Netflix that way instead of the version built into the apple tv, which I find a bit clunky.
It's nice to have the keyboard to type things on instead of using the apple tv remote to select individual letters.

Thank you very much for explaining that. Makes sense now!!

Sad Professor

If you Airplay say Netflix or something from iTunes, is it 1080p?

dloob

Sad Professor wrote: »

If you Airplay say Netflix or something from iTunes, is it 1080p?

I believe it is.
I'll give it a try tomorrow to make sure.

Benny Cake

Apologies for hijacking this thread but my question is (kinda) relevant...

How do I go about watching the TV shows and movies stored on my macbook on my smart TV. I am aware I can connect them via HDMI but the location of the TV doesn't lend itself to this... I have an XBOX 360 which allows me connect an older windows based laptop via the media centre but I don't think its possible to connect the macbook in the same way. I would but the Apple TV device if I thought this would solve my problem or would I be better off with something like a Roku box??

Any help appreciated...

Zcott

Apple TV does what you need.

jack presley

Zcott wrote: »

Apple TV does what you need.

I don't know if it's the same with MacBooks, but iMacs have to be a certain age (post 2011 I think) for airplay to work. I know airplay doesn't work on my one (early 2009)

Zcott

Is that not just for AirPlay mirroring? I know it definitely doesn't work on older hardware.

Benny Cake

Cheers lads, I'll look into getting Apple TV, I thought it had to be jail broken to play downloaded movies etc
Thanks

fox007

If your mac etc is pre 2011 air parrot is what you need free trail version available hope that helps someone

Dman001

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

I AirPlay Netflix UK to the Apple TV, I have The Apple TV set up for the US Netflix.

I wouldn't buy an Apple TV now though. There's an update due in September/October.

I've waited the last 2 Years+ for an update, not convinced we'll see one this year either. The rumour mill for the ATV is quiet this year. If there is an update this year, I reckon it'll be software focused - hopefully an open SDK, and an App Store.

Agreed on the Airplay comments - it's one of the main features of the Apple TV, and seeing as the Apps on the ATV is limited, it's a decent workaround to display media on your TV.

Get your hands on a VPN, get the BBC iPlayer App, TVCatchUp, ITV Player, Netflix in other regions, etc. and it turns into a great cord-cutting solution.

iniall

dloob wrote: »

Basically it lets you play something on your iPad or iPhone and have it appear on the apple tv.
So lets say I'm looking at the RTE player on the iPad, I can tell it to airplay to the apple tv and now everyone can watch it on the tv.
I also tend to use Netflix that way instead of the version built into the apple tv, which I find a bit clunky.
It's nice to have the keyboard to type things on instead of using the apple tv remote to select individual letters.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, download the free Remote app, it's much handier than the physical remote that comes with the AppleTV.

clappyhappy

Dman001 wrote: »

I've waited the last 2 Years+ for an update, not convinced we'll see one this year either. The rumour mill for the ATV is quiet this year. If there is an update this year, I reckon it'll be software focused - hopefully an open SDK, and an App Store.

Agreed on the Airplay comments - it's one of the main features of the Apple TV, and seeing as the Apps on the ATV is limited, it's a decent workaround to display media on your TV.

Get your hands on a VPN, get the BBC iPlayer App, TVCatchUp, ITV Player, Netflix in other regions, etc. and it turns into a great cord-cutting solution.

What is VPN and how do you get Netflix in other regions, about to get Netflix so would be handy to know, thank you.

Dudda

clappyhappy wrote: »

What is VPN and how do you get Netflix in other regions, about to get Netflix so would be handy to know, thank you.

You'll have to search on Google. Boards has started getting strict on the discussion of this.

The Corinthian wrote: »

Sigh... Seeking to circumvent copyright restrictions based on territory, is still seeking to circumvent copyright restrictions. Banned.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=91686316&postcount=14

clappyhappy

I have done a good bit of research today regarding Apple TV or roku and it seemed to me that the roku box came out better.

Now thinking of getting that and seemingly there is an app you can download that allows your phone or iPad to double as a remote control, like the Apple TV!!

Anyone and other ideas as to which is the better?????? Thank you......

curly.bert

clappyhappy wrote: »

I have done a good bit of research today regarding Apple TV or roku and it seemed to me that the roku box came out better.

Now thinking of getting that and seemingly there is an app you can download that allows your phone or iPad to double as a remote control, like the Apple TV!!

Anyone and other ideas as to which is the better?????? Thank you......

For me, AirPlay is the best feature of the Apple TV. You don't get that with the Roku (I think!)