I have an original 160GB Apple TV. I'm thinking of replacing it with the refurbished 3rd gen Apple TV, but am wondering what I would lose going from the original to the 3rd gen as well as what I would gain going to the 3rd gen ATV.

Lose:
Local storage
Simplified remote app syncing (code is all you need)
Simplified iTunes library syncing (code is all you need)
Component ports

Gain:
More integrated content such as Netflix, NBA, MLB, Vimeo, NHL
More responsive performance
AirPlay (big one in my opinion, if you just wanted Netflix and other similar content, there are many other cheaper boxes)
iCloud
1080p output (newest Apple TV only, the other features can be found on the Apple TV 2 as well)

Neutral
Home Sharing (not that different from the old iTunes Sharing really)

I don't love either of my Apple TVs (40GB original and Apple TV 2) as I'm not fully invested in the Apple "ecosystem". They are both okay, but I probably should have spent my money elsewhere. I can say, if you don't care about storing local copies of media, the new Apple TV is the better product.

Lose: jailbreak

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rj
AKA
Vreemac, Moth of the Future

Quote
rjmacs
Lose: jailbreak

True, but is losing the first gen jailbreak a big deal? I suppose this could be an argument for going second gen instead of third gen, but the update to the new Apple TV platform is pretty nice either way.

I have 1st Gen Apple TV, and a 2nd Gen Apple TV.

My older 1st Gen Apple TV is jailbroken. The newer one isn't. The benefits of jail breaking, in my experience, aren't compelling. I just did it cause it's an older box I could afford to experiment with. I really wish both of them were newer. I like the more robust performance and improved features that came with the newer hardware.

From what I gather the Apple TV 3 is almost identical, except it can display 1080p. Which is welcome, and overdue. But it's the only improvement. But then, that's an improvement in the box itself, which is good. Other improvement can come along via software updates, firmware updates, that won't be available for the original Apple TV (ATV1's firmware is no longer being updated, it has no future, stuck where it is) so considering the bargain price for a refurb, the Apple TV 3 is pretty attractive. If I could, I'd dump my jailbroken ATV1, I'd prefer to have another unmolested Apple TV 2, or better still, the 1080p Apple TV 3.

The local storage--the internal hard drive--strategy with the original Apple TVs were thankfully phased out in favor of a smaller device that is purely about streaming, both internet content, and local content, from an iTunes Library on one of your home computers.

The original Apple TV offered that option to users, via streaming and homesharing, once I discovered that advantage, my ATV's internal HD happily went unused. It saves the user the hassle of duplicating/transferring and updating content from an iTunes Libraries. Syncing and copying over files is just a time consuming exercise, it sort of predates the ubiquity of modern home networks and WiFi.

The Apple iOS ecosystem, the seamless integration among a family of devices, with streaming, and cloud, are pretty convenient, and sort of unique to Apple. Everything is invisibly, effortlessly updated, delivering and displaying content to any of the devices, with no user intervention (syncing steps) required. Apple's newer portable media devices take advantage of this, better, all the time.

The one disadvantage I can think of (depending on the users habits) is that a "host" computer(s) with their iTunes Library storage of movies and music--in order for the Apple TV to see it and access your content--needs to be more or less "always on". Or, asleep, woken up when prompted by Apple TV on the network (iTunes on, too) An arrangement that favors those of us who have a desktop computer assigned to that role, as a stationary media-serving computer. If you only have a laptop, it's not as practical to store a media library on, it and keep it turned on, with iTunes on. But, if you have multiple macs, it can see and display content from any of them. Including iPads and iPhones.

And of course, this matter only if you plan to view or listen to stored content in the first place. If it's primarily for Netflix, and other internet content, that matters less.

Guitarist's explanation is spot on.

Two related questions:

1. Has anyone turned their old AppleTV into a Mac - running OSX 10.4.x AND uses it on a regular basis. Based on a story published a few years ago, it's possible to run OSX 10.4.x on an AppleTV 1 - however I'm looking for comments on how stable and responsive it is.

2. When can we start running iOS games directly on an AppleTV2/3? If possible, what is the preferred controller?

Forrest,

The first one--you got me, that's an obscure one. I can only imagine running OS X on an early Apple TV is more of a clever bit of hacking, for the sake of seeing if it can be done, a victory of sorts. But it's unclear what one can actually do with such a thing, that's useful or interesting, once that's accomplished. Were you exposed to some discussion about this that suggested a useful role for a hacked ATV running OS X? I'd be curious to hear.

re: #2, I'm surprised this hasn't been revealed yet. It wasn't 'till I read this, that I'm reminded that this remains an unfulfilled promise of iOS/Apple TV. It seem to have the potential for a modest game platform, but it's not one yet, as far as I know.

In a related note: I just upgraded my iPad, to the 2nd Gen model. Doesn't this one have some capability to beam stuff to an Apple TV, that's unique to the later model iPads/Apple TVs? Or am I remembering this wrong?

When I was stuck with the iPad 1 (which felt limited) I recall feeling that the newer iPads had features I looked forward to getting. Other than the most obvious ones (a camera, lighter thinner body, better performance) now that I have one, I can't remember what those extra features were! I see to recall that some were Apple TV-related. True? Or wishful thinking?

The original Apple TV still has AirTunes AirPlay (for just audio, and only from iTunes, not an iDevice.)

Which would still put it in the negative column regarding this thread topic.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2012 10:19AM by deckeda.

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Forrest
2. When can we start running iOS games directly on an AppleTV2/3? If possible, what is the preferred controller?

The preferred controller is your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch - and you can run games through your ATV. I know that's not what you meant, but that's where we are now... Once there's more of an ecology of HD games for iPad this may become more feasible (non-retina-optimized games would look like crap on a TV), but iDevice games are built for touch, so whatever controller you would use for ATV games would likely need to be touch-enabled (like an iDevice). Apple isn't looking to rival Xbox or PS3 for home gaming, and until there's a camera/motion detection APIs in ATV/iOS, there's not a market for lower-quality 'fun' games (like Wii).

This is one of those ideas that sounds simple/good until you look at it closely, at which point it becomes clear why Apple hasn't done it already.

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rj
AKA
Vreemac, Moth of the Future

Quote
deckeda
The original Apple TV still has AirTunes AirPlay (for just audio, and only from iTunes, not an iDevice.)

Which would still put it in the negative column regarding this thread topic.

It took me a moment to distinguish this variation. Still not sure I can isolate the difference (I have both Apple TVs, next time I look at the menus, I'll look for it) it's in the negative column, because it only serves iTunes (you have to be sitting at a computer, listening to iTunes, and select your ATV as a wireless speaker destination) but doesn't offer it to mobile devices like iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone (far more practical and fun) True? I'll look at my on-screen menus, and in iTunes, see if I can find signs of this difference. And your'e right, it's not exactly a 'benefit" of the outdated Apple TV, if it can only be accessed via iTunes, not an iDevice.

Thanks, everyone for your input. I think I'll spring for the March 2012 Apple TV and replace my original Apple TV. Actually it may end up serving another TV in the house.