Comments on: Cable Versus Apple TV

By: Gabe

Gabe — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:16:47 +0000

The AppleTV, years later, is still one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. And it’s far better than a video game console, as someone recommended. People who like games like video game machines. I don’t. I want to point, and click and watch a movie. Plus “syncing with windows” doesn’t sound like an advantage to me

When I see people navigating tv shows with a gaming controller it creeps me out.

Plus it runs osx, and you can do a ton of fun stuff like running Boxee on it, and control it with your iPod/iPhone…

If my AppleTV were to die right now (it’s possible, I’ve had it a while- drives don’t last forever), I’d run out right away and replace it without question.

By: Ted Landry

Ted Landry — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:30:48 +0000

About a year ago, I dropped off the Satellite Grid for the same reason… why am I paying so much for what is free on the Web? I got into arguments all the way up the DirecTV chain as I explained why they aren’t needed anymore. It was hilarious!

The facts are, the AppleTV will be HUGE in a few years, but YES, it’s a bit under cooked at the moment. (most of the content is under Podcasts, for the new users reading this) The aTV Flash product is all you pretty much need to make up for the (on purpose) deficiencies of what Apple ships in the AppleTV.

Enjoy!

http://www.atvflash.com/product_info.php?products_id=27

Oh yeah, and DEATH to all Cable, Satellite and other “for pay” providers!

Torrents are all you need!

By: St. Jason

St. Jason — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:26:26 +0000

simply put Apple tv is a waste of money. For 60 dollars extra you should instead buy a ps3 which gives you the best blu ray player availible, a gaming system, and media sharing capabilities (and now streaming netflix). The ps3 is the same idea of the apple tv and you can rent and buy movies and tv shows through the playstaion store. Also you can stream what ever you have on your computer to your ps3 wirelessly through windows media player 10. For an extra 20 dollars you can buy playon add on and use hulu through your ps3 and on your tv as well.

The final point is you probably get your shows through torrents anyway and the ps3 is going to be a lot friendlier with playing formats you get from bit torrents than your apple tv will. Apple tv is a lot easier to set up and use but were nerds here so setting up your ps3 for media will be a walk in the park.

By: allanonmage

allanonmage — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:18:22 +0000

Indeed! I hate the idea pf SaaS on the paying end, and cable falls under that category too. I have a hard time swallowing my $70 a month internet bill. The kicker? There is NO competition in my area. Comcast offers 8 mbps, AT&T 1.5 (over FIBER!!!), and Clear isn’t supported yet. Dude 15 minutes down the road has 50mbps at his house. He hasn’t told me what he pays for it though.

It’s almost the same situation at my other house: AT&T has some paltry offering and Comcast has some decent speed (6 mbps).

I really wish I could give Comcast the finger!

By: Fernando

Fernando — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:00:22 +0000

I forgot to mention Pandora which I also use alot for background music while cooking in the kitchen, etc.

By: Fernando

Fernando — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:59:22 +0000

You mentioned the Apple TV in your article. While that is a fine option (I have two Apple TVs one in each of the kids bedrooms), I would also point you to possibly using a Mac Mini for your needs. While more expensive than an Apple TV, with a Mac Mini there would be no need to connect your laptop to your TV for things that the Apple TV does not currently provide (i.e. Hulu, Netflix Streaming, etc.)

In addition to the two Apple TVs, I also have a Mac Mini in the family room. It acts as my main “server” to feed my two Apple TVs and Airport Expresses (audio streaming) around the house with the help of a couple 1TB drives. On the Mac Mini, I do the following:

I use XBMC to access my personal DVDs (images created with MakeMKV), music, and photo collection. In my opinion, XBMC beats Frontrow/Apple TV interface as a media center software.

I use the physical DVD player to play Netflix rentals that come in the mail.

I can use the desktop version of Hulu to stream TV shows. I can use Apple’s included remote for the Mac Mini to navigate Hulu vs. using the mouse/web browser interface.

I can use the OS X Netflix streaming option to stream up to 19,000 movies.

Plus, with a wireless keyboard/mouse, I can access youtube or any other video streaming options out there.

Heck. I could also turn it into a DVR for over-the-air HD with something like EyeTV which I don’t use as I have an HD Tivo for that.

Suffice to say that your options expand with something like the Mac Mini.

I thought I’d offer some suggestions to get the thought processes going. I use the Apple TVs in the kids rooms because they don’t need all the extra things a Mac mini provides. As long as they can play back High School Musical for the billionth time and not having to deal with the inevitable DVD/CD scratches makes both them and my pocketbook happy.