The new Apple TV 2

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wreck90

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#69971 15-Oct-2010 20:12

Just bought the new Apple TV.

It really is a great device - brilliant for streaming audio from my desktop to our TV/home theatre system. And, so tiny and does not get hot.

User interface is superb, kids can use it with no issues.

I'll probably use it mainly for the audio streaming, and for photos too. You can do movies too, but, why not 1080p?

My one complaint, is the cost of movie downloads. The cost starts at NZ$7.99.

Why would I take that offer? My local store rents new release blu-rays which are higher quality, for just $5.00.

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#392396 15-Oct-2010 21:19

Because you dont have to leave the house, and if you use the right methods get content not available here ever, or at least a lot sooner than your local video store gets it.

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corksta

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#392437 16-Oct-2010 00:03

As above.

Plus 1080p uses A LOT more bandwidth than 720p for not that much of a noticeable difference for your average user.

Having said that maybe having the option of downloading a 720p or a 1080p movie would be good.

Lipex666

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#392469 16-Oct-2010 07:40

Yeah even On Demand from Sky is cheaper. Apple need to open up the NZ store for tv shows and cheaper rentals. Mine just plays music from our iTunes

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manta

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#392587 16-Oct-2010 13:59

Get yourself a US or UK iTunes account; content much better. That's no surprise though is it?

JimmyC

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#393221 18-Oct-2010 16:09

Lipex666: Yeah even On Demand from Sky is cheaper. Apple need to open up the NZ store for tv shows and cheaper rentals. Mine just plays music from our iTunes

I agree. Until they can provide the breadth of TV shows they have in the US via NZ iTunes I don't quite see the point. My music and photos stream via XBox, and blu-rays are still far superior for their HD audio (not just picture).

They'll get there, but it's not for me... yet.

RedBull

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#393335 18-Oct-2010 20:55

manta: Get yourself a US or UK iTunes account; content much better. That's no surprise though is it?

Cheeky! But I would have to agree. ;)

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MattD

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#394855 22-Oct-2010 19:32

JimmyC:
I agree. Until they can provide the breadth of TV shows they have in the US via NZ iTunes I don't quite see the point. My music and photos stream via XBox

Apple TV is significantly cheaper, smaller, quieter, cooler...

When 4.2 is released, can change room, and then stream the movie from the iPad up to the AppleTV.

MattD

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#394856 22-Oct-2010 19:35

wreck90:
My one complaint, is the cost of movie downloads. The cost starts at NZ$7.99.
Why would I take that offer? My local store rents new release blu-rays which are higher quality, for just $5.00.

Convenience, less carbon footprint, availability of movies ahead of your store, don't need to return next day to avoid late fees.

Also if purchase iTunes gift cards on special (eg 2x$20 for $30) it makes the movies $6... so by the time you spend the fuel for 2 trips to movie store, wear and tear on vehicle, time spent, the extra $1 is not that bad

jfanning

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#395114 23-Oct-2010 22:08

MattD:
Convenience, less carbon footprint, availability of movies ahead of your store, don't need to return next day to avoid late fees.

Convenience? I see an over compressed 720p video from Apple for $8, and a 1080p Blu-ray from the video shop for $5, the Blu-ray is more convenient to me as I have more money in my pocket when I hire it, plus I have to pay for my internet connect with the Apple way.

Less carbon footprint? How do you get this one? They still have to product electricity to store these movies, and run the devices, and producing electricity produces a large carbon footprint

Availability of movies? My store get movies before iTunes has them, ages before iTunes has them.

And returning the disk? My local video store is a four minute walk, personally, I don't find that a hassle.

MattD:
Also if purchase iTunes gift cards on special (eg 2x$20 for $30) it makes the movies $6... so by the time you spend the fuel for 2 trips to movie store, wear and tear on vehicle, time spent, the extra $1 is not that bad

I walk to the local video store, it is at the end of the street, and if that ones wasn't there, the next closest is another four minutes further, it isn't a hassle to get there.

I've had an AppleTV for ages, I've never rented a video through them, and I have no intention to do so, their rental market isn't an attractive option for me.

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#395131 23-Oct-2010 23:59

MattD:
JimmyC:
I agree. Until they can provide the breadth of TV shows they have in the US via NZ iTunes I don't quite see the point. My music and photos stream via XBox

Apple TV is significantly cheaper, smaller, quieter, cooler...

the newest xboxes are much cooler and quieter than the older models. they're also a little smaller than the older models too but they're never going to match the apple tv for size - the apple tv is so small cause it doesnt really have much to do.. not even playing cd/dvd/bluray discs. having to be big enought to play a disc limits how small the playstation/xbox platforms can go. thinking about it, the apple tv doesnt really do much more than a 2.5" hdd media player system i've had for a while and whose circuitry could fit into something the size of a wristwatch...

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DrCheese

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#395142 24-Oct-2010 00:40

Lipex666: Yeah even On Demand from Sky is cheaper. Apple need to open up the NZ store for tv shows and cheaper rentals. Mine just plays music from our iTunes

iTunes rentals start at NZ$4.99, not $7.99. How does that make Sky cheaper?

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jfanning

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#395192 24-Oct-2010 12:12

DrCheese:
iTunes rentals start at NZ$4.99, not $7.99. How does that make Sky cheaper?

David.

Isn't it just the old movies on iTunes that are $4.99, the same ones the video stores charge $1 or $2 for? The new release iTunes SD movies are $6.99, more for HD.

Lipex666

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#395193 24-Oct-2010 12:19

As above post that is old stuff the latest are dearer than sky and I used sky On Demand the other night to save a $1.00. I'm a cheap skate. I'm still checking it lately to see if any further content has turned up and still looks the same. Apple need to start looking at it's content put does play the iTunes library ok so still has some use.

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DrCheese

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#395207 24-Oct-2010 13:20

There are only 27 movies available on Sky On Demand this week, and an additional 14 movies on Sky Box Office this week that are not included in the On Demand list. These are $6.99, in standard definition, and are not in Dolby 5.1. Total of 41 movies not including Sky Movies, Sky Movies Greats, MGM, Rialto, and TCM. I'm guessing there are around 500 movies on these channels this month, based on a rough count in the Skywatch magazine.

By comparison, there are 2060 movies for rent on the NZ iTunes store, ranging in price from free to $7.99. Some are HD, some are SD. The HD are in Dolby 5.1. There are also more movies available for purchase in addition to the 2060 rentals. Not sure how you can check back regularly to see if there is new content, unless you trawl through the list of 2060 movies.

Having said this, I usually watch Sky as it's more convenient. Don't care about saving $1.

David.

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#395222 24-Oct-2010 14:07

An addendum to my last post: there are an even 8000 rental movies available on the US iTunes store.

David.

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