I was about to brag about how I was still running a previous version that, as of two weeks ago, still allowed Hulu to stream though mine. But then I opened iTunes to see which version it had, *sigh* I guess mine updated automatically. That shows how often we use it. I too am in the process of figuring out the best route to eliminate our cable. I'm leaning towards replacing the Apple TV with a Mac Mini or something else set up as a HTPC, at least until Apple can pull off this: [gizmodo.com]#appletv
@Scratic: Hulu and any other sources for free on-demand content would make the AppleTV so much better. I like being able to watch photos and pod-casts and YouTube on the TV, but it isn't enough to make it worth while. I also keep my AppleTV unplugged most of the time because of the heat. Rentals and buys have been replaced by my blu-ray player and Netflix subscription, so there's not much about it that I need.
As far as ditching cable goes, I just don't see how you do that. The ability to channel surf almost makes my Dish bill acceptable. Not sure I could live without that even if I could download all my favorite shows.
@PotteryBarnClearanceSale: Hulu on AppleTV was great while it lasted, albeit kind of choppy. As far unplugging cable goes, we already DVR almost everything we watch, so we're accustomed to watching on demand. The shows that we don't record (Community and Moderen Family are new favorites) are all network, which can be picked up through an HD antennae. The cable shows that we watch are almost all available through iTunes. A season pass for three of them is still less than one month cable. I will miss the convenience of flipping through channels. This is how I've found some favorite shows in the past. (Pawn Stars comes to mind, I will miss that guilty pleasure.) I'm hoping a side effect will be that we read more and listen to more music. #appletv
I use mine quite a bit--part of the "ditch cable" movement. As an A/V retailer I furnish and install a few of these per month. Really not a bad box. Could it be better? Of course. Could they add something like Netflix streaming? Sure. But hey, it works. #appletv
@PotteryBarnClearanceSale: ATV can sit on a shelf or there is a cute little wall bracket available that holds it flat against a wall or cabinet. Mine (and others) don't seem to get "hot". Warm, sure but not enough for concern. I have had Comcast DVRs get lots warmer and need a fan. #appletv
I received that email yesterday. Sadly, I rarely use my AppleTV anymore and there really isn't anything on it that I don't care to lose. Says a lot about the product... #appletv
I got my dad the WD HD TV last Christmas, and he loves it. I love it because it just works right out of the box and plays every format I throw at it, yet it's simple enough for a 65 year old man who's afraid of the iPhone to use. I bought a 2 pack of seagate 2.5" external drives from Sams Club for 130 bucks back in January, and once a month I'll pop over to my folks house and swap out the drives, leaving him with fresh movies and tv episodes to watch. He loves to brag to his friends about how his kid is so sneaky, and gets him "Hollywood movies that are still in theaters."
He's happy, I'm happy, WD TV gets two thumbs up. #hdmediaplayers
@Cash907Censored: The WDTV is the first gen with out ethernet, this article is about the WDTV Live also know as WDTV 2. Its got eithernet and some other differences. #hdmediaplayers
@bigdave914:
Yeah, I'm aware of that thanks. Thanks to a recent firmware update, the only difference between the WD HD TV and the WD TV Live (version reviewed above) is the newer model has an ethernet port. #hdmediaplayers
Good article. I have been looking over this info for a while now and glad to see it collected.
i like the idea of the Patriot, BUT I just don't see them following up with sequential firmware updates like WD will do (and has done with the previous WD TV).
I LOVE the specs of the Popcorn Hour box, but at that price and size, I would go for a PS3.
For features, support, and price, I think I am going with the WD TV Live (as soon as it actually freaking shows back up in stock somewhere). #hdmediaplayers
@Unknown2U: You'll be happy, this I know from experience. The Creton 6 tuner card will cost more than any of these boxes however. These are all in one single purchase devices. It's not a apple to apple comparison. #hdmediaplayers
@Unknown2U: I understand. Currently I love my CC tuners and will probably build a new WMC box with a Centon Tuner. What I'm saying is that these boxes serve a simpler task and even the most expensive of them is $300. #hdmediaplayers
do you really need to kill apple tv? its not like it's popular like an ipod. Isnt' this kinda like saying, "which soft drink will be the Fresca killer?" #hdmediaplayers
@dallasmay: I've been thinking of going that route, mostly because the WD doesn't have Netflix/Hulu, etc. With a Mini, I can play literally anything (including the Flac-HD files that I can't burn to a disc that's readable by my Sony BD player).
I'm hoping WD will add those, or Roku will add Hulu and the ability to play media off a connected drive (which is rumored). But, if neither of those things comes to fruition by the end of the year, I'll probably go with a Mini. #hdmediaplayers
@JohnnyGTO: +1. That's the reason I don't have cable.
Honestly, I wouldn't mind being able to pick and choose 15 shows for say $20 (any network). I don't watch a lot of TV, but the convenience of watching whenever I wanted, without DVR'ing it would be a godsend. #apple
11/08/09
11/08/09
As far as ditching cable goes, I just don't see how you do that. The ability to channel surf almost makes my Dish bill acceptable. Not sure I could live without that even if I could download all my favorite shows.
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Yep, for what it does it does it great. Netflix streaming would make it awesome.
When you do installs, where do you put it and how do you compensate for the heat? #appletv
11/09/09
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He's happy, I'm happy, WD TV gets two thumbs up. #hdmediaplayers
11/06/09
11/06/09
Yeah, I'm aware of that thanks. Thanks to a recent firmware update, the only difference between the WD HD TV and the WD TV Live (version reviewed above) is the newer model has an ethernet port. #hdmediaplayers
11/05/09
11/05/09
11/05/09
i like the idea of the Patriot, BUT I just don't see them following up with sequential firmware updates like WD will do (and has done with the previous WD TV).
I LOVE the specs of the Popcorn Hour box, but at that price and size, I would go for a PS3.
For features, support, and price, I think I am going with the WD TV Live (as soon as it actually freaking shows back up in stock somewhere). #hdmediaplayers
11/05/09
My PC has Windows 7, I purchase this thing next year: [www.cetoncorp.com]
I rent 1 cable card for $4 a month. That device will allow me to record up to Six Live HD Channels Simultaneously.
Then I just use my Xbox 360 to watch TV.
Beats the PS3, let's face it. Most people watch more TV than they do movies. #hdmediaplayers
11/05/09
11/05/09
The card pays for itself in one year if I get ride of my two DVRs from the cable company. #hdmediaplayers
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[store.apple.com] #hdmediaplayers
11/05/09
I'm hoping WD will add those, or Roku will add Hulu and the ability to play media off a connected drive (which is rumored). But, if neither of those things comes to fruition by the end of the year, I'll probably go with a Mini. #hdmediaplayers
11/05/09
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11/02/09
11/02/09
Honestly, I wouldn't mind being able to pick and choose 15 shows for say $20 (any network). I don't watch a lot of TV, but the convenience of watching whenever I wanted, without DVR'ing it would be a godsend. #apple