AppleTV plunge

chris · 02-24-2008, 10:44 PM

I finally took the plunge. I love movies and all things Mac, so it made sense to add AppleTV to my collection of tech toys. I'm a big BluRay guy, but I think AppleTV will fill a niche in my home theater setup. Time to fire up Handbrake and start digitizing my movie collection.

IphoneTony · 02-24-2008, 11:28 PM

what size apple tv did you get?

chris · 02-24-2008, 11:40 PM

I opted for the 40GB. I did a little research and most whose libraries were going over the 160gb were resigned to streaming anyway (which requires you keep your Mac on). I always have my Mac on, so that wasn't an issue either. Plus, I found a good deal on a new 40gb -- $210 shipped.

I'm not sure which of the features appealed most to me. I have a TiVo HD and PS3, but I'm thinking the AppleTV will fill the void not filled by those devices. In particular, online rentals and streaming my iTunes videos. I forget the blog, but found a good write up of someone with a similar setup. My biggest complaint about AppleTV was the lack of HD. Take Two seems to address that with HD rentals.

Ordered from CA, so should be a week or so before it arrives.

Youngbinks · 02-25-2008, 12:47 AM

I've been interested in Apple TV for a while now. I've been digitizing my movie collection ever since iDay and I haven't even made a dent in them. But having Apple TV to watch them on would be awesome as opposed to having to use my laptop. I just wonder about the picture quality of a SD video once you put it on a larger screen.

chris · 02-25-2008, 01:46 AM

Originally Posted by Youngbinks

I just wonder about the picture quality of a SD video once you put it on a larger screen.

I think that would depend on how you encode it. I'm using the AppleTV presets in Handbrake and will let you know how it turns out.

The Apple · 02-26-2008, 10:45 PM

Have you got it yet????? Have you got it yet??????

chris · 02-26-2008, 10:50 PM

Feb 25, 2008 11:47 PM

In transit

BLOOMINGTON, CA

Next scheduled tracking update: Feb 28, 2008

10:42 PM

Left origin

ANAHEIM, CA

6:11 PM

Arrived at FedEx location

ANAHEIM, CA

4:42 PM

Picked up

ANAHEIM, CA

chris · 02-26-2008, 10:50 PM

Looks like Friday at the earliest.... headed to NY from CA.

Ramesh · 02-26-2008, 11:58 PM

Anaheim! W00t!

Anyway, post back and let us know, b/c I'm thinking of getting one too....

mittenman · 02-27-2008, 08:32 AM

I would get one in a heartbeat if it also had a DVR built in. I don't really own very many movies, as I don't really watch many more that once or twice. I would like the rental feature. I've got alot of upgrading to do in my home theater though, and an Apple TV is not very high on my list. Still rockin' a rear projection TV, and it's starting to show it's age. Was an awsome unit when I bought it, right before the flat-panel boom.