Apple TV

[Moonglum]

Im getting a apple tv in the near future (Whenever somebody has stock) and i would like to know the following in advance so that i can cancel the order if the apple tv does not meet my requirements :

Im going to use it ONLY as a mediacenter to watch all my anime and some of my dvd's. Not interested in online media etc.

1) Do i need a constant internet connection or not. Im setting this up at home and currently do not have internet access at home. Will be connected directly to my tv via HDMI.

2) Can i rip all my dvd's, save it to a external HD and plug it into the apple tv and play the files or do i need the ATVFlash (I think) patch ?

regards
Gerrit

 

[WiT8litZ]

http://www.mede8er.co.za/

with a decent size HDD might be better than Apple TV. It's an awesome device.

 

[Moonglum]

Nice. The problem is moving away from apple is that my whole cd collection is already on my mac via iTunes.

 

[bwana]

Get a mini - I thing its worth the extra.

 

[Waylon82]

I sold my AppleTV after about 6 months and bought a Mini Mac. AppleTV is limited and ATVflash works but I found it a bit buggy and I had to reset it regularly because of it stalling.

Spend the extra cash (if u can afford) and get a Mini, install perian and you sorted. No need to buy ATVflash to be able to plugin HDD's and play other file formats other than mac friendly formats etc.

Not to mention you have a cool little computer if you even need it.

 

[Sputnik]

WDTV

Have look at one of these:

http://www.engadgethd.com/tag/WdTv-2/

Network, plays mkv at 1080p.

 

[WiT8litZ]

If you are already connected with all the Mac stuffs keep to it. Sounds like getting a Mini is the best option.

 

[BobJones]

I've got the 40GB AppleTV hooked up via wireless. I don't use it for movies very often, but do use it a lot for podcasts, and the online content, movie trailers especially.
I wouldn't use mine at all if it wasn't linked to the internet.

 

[StbA]

Rather get a mac mini, much more functional.

 

[Synaesthesia]

You can play the apple iTunes vieo formats on it fine up to 720p,and other formats if
you hack it. It doesn't need an internet connection but can stream over the network. I really like the appletv but I won't deny a mini is much better. Especially if you can get a 2nd hand intel mac mini.

 

[VertigoZA]

must have for Apple TV http://www.atvflash.com/product_info.php?products_id=27

 

[Ou grote]

Have look at one of these:

http://www.engadgethd.com/tag/WdTv-2/

Network, plays mkv at 1080p.

I also have one of those.
U can use a HDD or a USB stick.

It plays anything.

 

[fxit_man]

It is a mission to convert all your video files to ATV supported format - mp4 etc.

Also, if you have big files, this is a real inconvinence..

However, with a bit of hacking, I used to get it to play 720p mkv and avi, divx etc files easily Not sure if that is still possible (i know hacking it, but the file support im not sure of)

I will probably update it and hack it again soon just for the fun of it, but will not use it as a media center device again... Of course if your whole media collection is in iTunes already (converted vids etc) then it will be awesome

I must say though, being able to control it with your iPhone from anywhere in the house is very cool.. And it pairs up with your iTunes nicely.. For example, I can play anything in my iTunes library on my PC out of my AppleTV speakers. iTunes support the control of the speakers too! Hard to explain, but very cool feature.

Mine is the 40GB model if i'm not mistaken.. If anyone is interested in buying it, lemme know.. It's just lying there in the lounge at the moment

Haven't turned the thing on for ages though since I got my PS3...supersedes the ATV by far..

must have for Apple TV http://www.atvflash.com/product_info.php?products_id=27

Oh and I cannot some people started charging for hacks that is not even their own work..


Some other nice hacks are Boxee:

http://apple-tv-hacks.com/install-boxee-on-apple-tv-to-explode-your-viewing-options/

 

[Moonglum]

Went with the mede8er. Even with my elgato HD 264 coding my anime with subtitles takes ages.

Thanx for all the comments