Apple Tv
Monday, April 23, 2012 at 12:43PM I bought an AppleTV 3 -- the one capable of 1080p -- this past weekend. I got reimbursed for a trip I had to take and treated myself.
I'm SO happy with it. I love watching and listening to podcasts through the box. The netflix integration is awesome, too -- so far it's the best interface of all the devices I use (Samsung Smart TV, iPhone, xbox 360, Computer).
Being able to stream anything from my two macs' itunes libraries is so much fun -- no more need to tie the computer to the TV or get the computer out for the kid to watch.
One minor complaint -- some movies that I was able to download a digital copy for via iTunes when I bought the DVD (or bought the movie on iTunes) don't show up in my "Purchased" section so I can't watch them through the cloud streaming (they have to be streamed from the iPhone or the computer). Specifically, Avatar and X-Men: First Class.
Also, in order to stream music, I have to sign up for a "Match" account (pay per year deal $24.99 a year). Not sure I really want to do that at this point.
Back to the good:
The Remote App for iphone/ipod/ipad is very easy to use, robust, and feels AWESOME when you launch stuff from a computer upstairs or your iOS device. Using the keypad is so much easier than hunting and pecking with the apple remote, especially during setup.
The picture quality is SUPERB. I've bought a season pass for the new Avatar Series - The Legend of Korra, and it is stunning.
Selection = amazing. I've discovered new podcasts, shows, movies, etc. through iTunes and the streaming works phenomenally well, the sound is good (I'm using the Samsung UND46D6050's speakers), and I sometimes just spend 30 -40 mins looking at trailers.
You do have to get used to the Remote app a bit. The touch screen scrolling can be a bit difficult - as it is very sensitive - and I wish a small version of the movie covers a la cover flow would appear when browsing netflix. The Apple remote has another small learning curve. I didn't like it at first but now I kinda enjoy the simplicity. What's not simple is figuring out what "up" "down" etc. do in the context of browsing. I also would like a way to perma pair / un pair a remote.
I was given a remote as a gift a few years prior and I loved it for my Macbook Pro. Now with the apple TV, I have to make sure my laptop isn't in line of the remote sensor at all becuase it will launch itunes on the laptop instead of just working on the AppleTV. Maybe it was an issue because I was using Bootcamp at the time.
Overall, the AppleTV is an incredibly enjoyable experience. I wish there was "more" to it, but if I have versions of the movie I want to watch on a computer, I can stream that without having to repurchase everything through iTunes (you can't watch it through iCloud).
It is a no brainer if you want a device that does netflix and you have existing iTunes purchases (movies, tv shows, etc.). I wish it were more "open." The Roku in my bedroom is great for Amazon Video on Demand (sometimes they have super cheap rental specials that are just as good on the smaller Samsung we have upstairs as what I see downstairs). it would just be great if I could get Hulu Plus, Netflix, VuDu, iTunes, etc. on one device that was as easy to setup and maintain as the AppleTV.
Came down to VA for my Dad's 70th birthday. Had. A great time bit procrastinated on some school work and now I'm exhausted from staying up late to finish it. That and I went swimming for the first time in many years with a masters swim team. 300 warm up and the. 71 x 25 freestyle on the minute. I managed three lengths butterfly, my father did all 71 fly. Was amazing to watch. Happy birthday, dad. Love you lots.
Testing using the new squarespace app.
Will this photo post?