AppleTV?

[Aitch]

I've seen a couple of people here mention they are using AppleTV, thought I'd ask for opinions on it. From what I can tell it looks like the best solution for us, given that I have an iPad and also have no issues using iTunes for music at home. Plus the price looks great.

I'm basically looking for something to stream movies (not necessarily through iTunes) and music to our TV/stereo, where the computer is in another room and running cables is not an option. The ability to integrate with my music collection and the iPad is a very nice bonus.

Is there anything else I should consider as an alternative?
Anyone know if they get discounted below their list of $120 with any regularity?

[dave2010GT]

I got the refurbed one for $99 from the apple store works perfectly.

If you jailbreak it you can stream movies out side of itunes, if not the only way to stream anything is through itunes.

[Skippy]

I personally don't own one, but one of my buddies at work swears by it. He streams from his ipad to his TV all the time.

[Burner]

I use my Xbox 360 to stream to my TV from the computer. Works perfectly.

[PCLoadLetter]

PM me for quality info regarding jailbreaking and streaming. I have a dream setup with ATV2.

[eguiyab]

I've got a ATV2... jailbroken. I run XBMC on the ATV2 and have indicated particular folders on my mac to stream from. I tend to download 720p mkv movies and they look pretty damn good on my 52LCD.
Aside from the streaming videos, I have my ATV2 hooked up directly via HDMI to my stereo receiver and I am also able to wireless stream audio from iTunes to the unit. Using ATV2 in conjunction with your comp, you can also stream slide shows of photos to your television. I find this function pretty cool when you have people over. I hate people huddling over me and my comp to see photos.... when they can sit on the couch and see the photos on a larger screen.
During special occasions like birthdays and such, I've used the slide show option to rotate photos of the celebrant or even upload photos from earlier in the evening. I've gotten a number for friends and family to try the ATV2 and they cant believe how much it can do and what they did without it.

There are other options out there as well, such as the DLink Boxee Box, and I believe the Sling Box.... For the cost, cant beat an ATV2. I'd say pick up a ATV2... jailbreak it, try it and see for yourself. If you dont like it.... restore it, update it (which will "unjailbreak" it) and return it.

[Aitch]

Thanks for the reviews guys. Will likely pick one up soon!

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

[Fish]

Might be a bit late, but I'll add in my 2c.

The current gen AppleTV is excellent if you want to stream your audio via AirPlay to your home theatre receiver. I use it for this purpose and I'm quite happy with it. It came down to buying a $900 reciever with built in AirPlay or just buying a $99 refurb ATV to add in to my existing set up :)

I've also tried to jailbreak it and get it to run XBMC, but I haven't had much luck getting HD video to stream properly to the box. A jailbreak and regular SD video works quite well with XBMC, but 720p video with DTS tends to stutter. I haven't tried hooking up a hard drive directly to the unit for playback. Maybe that might help?

Bottom line:
If you want a 'no hassle' solution for audio and standard def video (and maybe HD video), the ATV is excellent. If you don't mind messing around a bit, you can build a much better home theatre PC, but it'll cost you a minimum of $400 if you need to buy everything. The upside is that the HTPC will play everything flawlessly.