Anyone have an Apple TV box, working?

[Joe Bob]

I am the designated IT idjut for my family because my computer screws up the least......they hand me this stuff and it needs cables and other crap.

I hate everything Apple......instructions suck and there is additional ports that I don't see the need for.

edit:....found an HDMI cable and it works.

WTF are the other ports for?

[Iciclehead]

It was easy and works well for us. Make sure you have the PC running iTunes on your network, turn on home sharing and should be good. Mine is hard wired so don't have any wireless nonsense, but it also appears to be quite sensitive to differing versions of iTunes versus Apple TV...upgrade both to the latest version.

Any particular failure that is getting in the way?

Dennis

[porsche4life]

Just hook it up to the hdmi and use the little handheld remote to join the wifi. Ours works great.

[masraum]

It's Apple, so easy a cave man can do it.

[wdfifteen]

What are you trying to do with it? If you just want Netflix, Hulu, etc connect it to one of the hdtv inputs on your home theater or TV, and use the little white thingamajig that came with the Apple TV to connect to your wifi using your wifi password. I don't think you even need an apple ID for that. If you want to stream from your computer, you have to have iTunes up and running, which can be a major pain in the butt.
The goofy thing is, with mine at least, if I have the computer running somewhere near the TV and I'm searching Netflix, the computer opens iTunes and starts playing music through its speakers. We can agree that iTunes is a mess, but the Apple TV and Mac computers work pretty well.

[Ayles]

Also, get the remote app for your iPad/iPhone if you them. Makes entering search terms and navigating the menus much more efficient.

[gacook]

Buy a Roku box instead

[gr8fl4porsche]

I have 2 ATV's - love them.
What are your specific concerns.

HDMI to TV.
Access WiFi.
Turn on Home Sharing in iTunes and keep iTunes minimized.

To stream off PC without the iTunes BS, I use Plex. You can Google the setup instructions. A little tricky since you have to setup server access through your router but worth the trouble. Basically you trick the Trailers app into thinking your home network is Apple's server. Works great for streaming ripped or downloaded content without converting to iTunes narrow list of acceptable formats.

[enzo1]

Originally Posted by Ayles

Also, get the remote app for your iPad/iPhone if you them. Makes entering search terms and navigating the menus much more efficient.

Apple - Apps - Remote

[John Rogers]

I'd take it back and get the Vizio Costar mainly since the Costar will play ANY movie, copy protected or not from a USB connected hard drive. The built in Chrome browser allows me to check Pelican out without even getting up!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Use it regularly - it's awesome. No issues. I use it to pipe video streams from my iPad and MacBook and watching movies & shows via netflix. I don't have a cable tv connection at all - not necessary. Between the digital over-the-air antenna stations, Netflix and Apple TV I get all of what I want and none of what I don't with no commercials, self-promotional garbage or crummy programing. Doesn't cost me a cent (I don't pay for the Netflix account).

I highly recommend Apple TV and would suggest it to anyone sick of being ripped off by cable or satellite providers.

No affiliation (oh and the Apple TV boxes can be jail broken to gain a lot of extra bells and whistles if you're so inclined too...)

[gr8fl4porsche]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

the Apple TV boxes can be jail broken to gain a lot of extra bells and whistles if you're so inclined too...)

Only the first gen and atv2 can be jailbroken.

That is why used atv2's go for $250-$300 and the new atv3 can be had for about $80 if you chase the sales.

[EarlyPorsche]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

Only the first gen and atv2 can be jailbroken.

That is why used atv2's go for $250-$300 and the new atv3 can be had for about $80 if you chase the sales.

Can I really sell my Apple TV 2 for $250-300?

[TheMentat]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Use it regularly - it's awesome. No issues. I use it to pipe video streams from my iPad and MacBook and watching movies & shows via netflix. I don't have a cable tv connection at all - not necessary. Between the digital over-the-air antenna stations, Netflix and Apple TV I get all of what I want and none of what I don't with no commercials, self-promotional garbage or crummy programing. Doesn't cost me a cent (I don't pay for the Netflix account).

I highly recommend Apple TV and would suggest it to anyone sick of being ripped off by cable or satellite providers.

No affiliation (oh and the Apple TV boxes can be jail broken to gain a lot of extra bells and whistles if you're so inclined too...)

Ditto here... Airplay is fantastic as well.

[wdfifteen]

I got the remote app yesterday based on recommendations here. I don't like it. After 4 years of the little white clicker I'm faster with it. I sold the silver clicker that came with my Apple TV 2 when I sold my old ATV. It sucked. It looked cool, but I was more accurate and faster with the old white one.

[berettafan]

Have two that no longer work. Gave up on them and went to Roku. Miss youtube but otherwise a better interface and control.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

Can I really sell my Apple TV 2 for $250-300?

Yep - notice 8 bids at $264.00

[gr8fl4porsche]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Have two that no longer work. Gave up on them and went to Roku. Miss youtube but otherwise a better interface and control.

Even broken apple products have value. I have sold every apple product I no longer wanted within a few hours.

[silverc4s]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Got it working. Had to purchase the HDMI cable. One would think it would be included.

Can't think of any hardware that comes with a cable since the USB / HDMI era began.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Have two that no longer work. Gave up on them and went to Roku. Miss youtube but otherwise a better interface and control.

Roku's website says it supports youtube...