Comments on: Apple TV review: UK edition

By: Tx1oss

Tx1oss — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:39:00 +0000

Glad I read this, I’ll stick to my Xtreamer’s for now on my home network. Can’t wait for my ipad 2 though.
Thanks Ossie

By: James Hodkinson

James Hodkinson — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 21:20:35 +0000

Wifi – The wireless router is in the next room. I'll try a youtube HD video later. Normal video streaming is ok on either my pc laptop or my imac.

By: bensillis

bensillis — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 21:14:04 +0000

Are you connected over Ethernet or WiFi? If the former, there's definitely a problem either with the ATV or your broadband. If the latter, how far away is the router, and can you stream YouTube HD videos on a laptop at the same distance comfortably?

By: James Hodkinson

James Hodkinson — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 21:10:17 +0000

I got one, but need some help!

When I tried to watch an HD movie, it takes over 2 hours to 'load'

I thought it was instant streaming… what's going wrong?

thanks

James

By: bensillis

bensillis — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:08:49 +0000

If you have a Mac Mini, you definitely should consider it, esp if it's one with an HDMI input. Obviously, the problem is cost (£650!), but since you've already got one that problem is removed.

By: Fan

Fan — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:02:50 +0000

Thanks. I will stick with my old apple tv where I could buy new album without turning on my Itunes. I think in the future I will just use Mac mini as my old apple tv replacement.

By: Rob Hague

Rob Hague — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 21:13:02 +0000

I can't say I agree – but then it looks like I use my AppleTV in a different way…
I'm not interested in overpriced movie/tv rentals from iTunes as they are stupidly overpriced compared to my existing Lovefilm subscription.
I am interested in streaming content from the home network to the TV and for this the new AppleTV excels – and is significantly better than the original version. It connects to and sychronises with remote libraries significantly faster than the old AppleTV which could take several minutes to pull a photo archive across for viewing. Streaming TV shows recorded using EyeTV present no format conflict issues and the delay before they start is no worse than that of an optical disc spinning up. Accessing libraries from multiple computers is something the old box could not do. This one achieves it with no fuss what so ever.
On the subject of heat – that reflects the power usage of the device – with a good run of stats now I'm seeing a consistent 20p a day reduction in my electricity bills compared to the original box. Much less than using an overly hot tv-console for the same job I'm sure.
New features, I'm sure they'll come with time, but the box has to sell on it's current features. As it stands I am finding the new box a significant upgrade.

By: bensillis

bensillis — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 20:04:14 +0000

We're chasing one down Mace. It does look good.

By: Mace

Mace — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:08:17 +0000

I must say I'm hugely underwhelmed by the new Apple TV.
Like Chris, I think the Boxee Box looks good.
What do you think of the Sony SMP-N100? a circa £110 bit of kit that seems to have slipped under a lot of peoples radars.

By: bensillis

bensillis — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 22:29:50 +0000

No problem Chris – glad to help. As it stands right now, we honestly think Apple has let down British customers. But having seen the Boxee Box in near final build for the UK, we can't say D-Link has dropped the ball in the same way. Fingers crossed, we'll have a review for you soon.