3 ms·

> So would that be one AppleTV for each of my 4 TVs? Yes, 1/tv. > How does that work when you have people in different rooms wanting to watch stuff? Works fi

by gte910h 14y ago

> So would that be one AppleTV for each of my 4 TVs? Yes, 1/tv. > How does that work when you have people in different rooms wanting to watch stuff? Works fine. > Does AppleTV have my local news available in real time? Not that I see (I read my news due to TV news being overly edited and selective), but your digital TV jack does, and it will look better than the compressed version does that goes through your cable box. Antenna costs $11. Roku, a similar product (does everything the Apple one does except Airplay and iTunes Store), http://www.roku.com/ http://www.roku.com/ DOES have local news. Another way to get video news: you could take any iOS device and download one of the apps that has local news channels/radio and use the airplay functionality to stream it to the TV from the device. Here is mine, for instance: http://www.11alive.com/news/mobile/default.aspx http://www.11alive.com/news/mobile/default.aspx If I had it installed that was.

jack-r-abbit 14y ago
Thanks for the info. So the "$99 + HDMI Cable" just became ("$99 + HDMI Cable")x4. And then I'll need an antenna (maybe 4 ? Is this roof mounted or behind the TV?) to get my news. So now it's not so easy. Also, we have a GoogleTV box so I understand the usefulness of a streaming appliance. But it doesn't replace cable. And it doesn't do iTunes but neither do I so I'm cool with that.
- gte910h 14y ago
  Yes, that's how the math seems to work out for your house. The Antenna is about 8 inches and connects via coax to your tv. Fits fine behind it. Here is a picture of dozens http://www.bestbuy.com/site/TV-Video-Accessories/TV-Antennas/abcat0107004.c?id=abcat0107004 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/TV-Video-Accessories/TV-Antennas... . You can like install one big one somewhere with the coax that's likely already running through your house, however I'm not 100% up on the science of that and if it would be easier. So we're up to $131 bucks if you buy an expensive HDMI cable, per TV, so we're at $524 to completely swap your house over to it. A $45 dollar cable plan costs...$540, so you're already breaking even if this is all you get, and say, game of thrones, after one year. The next year, you're only paying for the TV you watch. If you pay more than $45/month for TV (Say, $70 a month/840 a year or $110 a month/$1312 a year, both things that are believable for your house configuration), you're paying for the expense after even less time, 8 months/5 months. If you toss roku's on as well, we get up to ($59+$20) X 4 or $316 more, we climb to $840, once, ever. So: Apple TV + Antenna for every room of YOUR house = 1 year of cable sub if you only pay $45 a month Apple TV + Roku + Antenna for every room of your house = 1 year of cable sub if you only pay $70 a month Apple TV + Roku + Antenna for every room of your house + A new TV = 1 year of Cable sub if you pay $110 a month. I get that you have a point "It's not easy" that you're trying to make, but really, it is far easier than 99% of all "home theatre" set ups i've ever seen, and visitors have no problem browsing the available stuff. (All the remotes have like 3 buttons on them, it's very clear how to use them; There are also app versions of all the remotes as well). Cable, especially cable with a DVR, is at best as easy to use, if not far harder, especially when trying to find something particular you aren't sure what channel it's on. $141 bucks will safely let you try it out (on one TV) and it could save you thousands over the next few years (not to mention the shit you don't buy because you don't watch any/many commercials anymore, nor do your kids). It seriously just works. Buy it+antenna+cable at BestBuy and return it within 14 days if you dislike it.
  - jack-r-abbit 14y ago
    I'd have to do some more math since my cable, internet and phone are all on the same bill. I don't recall what the exact break down is. With all the channels I get and the HD and the DVRs (plus the internet and phone) my "cable" bill is like $200/month Is AppleTV ala cart or buffet? Meaning if I want to watch all season of Game of Thrones (and Shameless and Weeds and whatever) am I paying per episode or is it a monthly fee? (I assume Apple != free content)
    - gte910h 14y ago
      iTunes is the place I buy stuff. So you can buy GOT for $28.99 a season, and when a new show is available, you can watch it at any time. Or you can buy say, just episode 6 for like $1.99. You CAN buy stuff on the device if you like as well, in addition to watching previews. It's charged to your iTunes apple ID associated credit card (like an iPhone app is). iTunes music is like iTunes music always is (and also plays on the same TV interface). YouTube is also available there (and looks great, if the video quality was there on the original video). You can also stream stuff from whatever computer (or iOS device. I use the AppleTv to play music from wherever using my iPhone and the remote "Apple TV Remote" app). I've also played settlers of catan more than once using an iPhone and AirPlay :D

by gte910h 14y ago

jack-r-abbit 14y ago

Thanks for the info. So the "$99 + HDMI Cable" just became ("$99 + HDMI Cable")x4. And then I'll need an antenna (maybe 4 ? Is this roof mounted or behind the TV?) to get my news. So now it's not so easy. Also, we have a GoogleTV box so I understand the usefulness of a streaming appliance. But it doesn't replace cable. And it doesn't do iTunes but neither do I so I'm cool with that.

gte910h 14y ago
Yes, that's how the math seems to work out for your house. The Antenna is about 8 inches and connects via coax to your tv. Fits fine behind it. Here is a picture of dozens http://www.bestbuy.com/site/TV-Video-Accessories/TV-Antennas/abcat0107004.c?id=abcat0107004 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/TV-Video-Accessories/TV-Antennas... . You can like install one big one somewhere with the coax that's likely already running through your house, however I'm not 100% up on the science of that and if it would be easier. So we're up to $131 bucks if you buy an expensive HDMI cable, per TV, so we're at $524 to completely swap your house over to it. A $45 dollar cable plan costs...$540, so you're already breaking even if this is all you get, and say, game of thrones, after one year. The next year, you're only paying for the TV you watch. If you pay more than $45/month for TV (Say, $70 a month/840 a year or $110 a month/$1312 a year, both things that are believable for your house configuration), you're paying for the expense after even less time, 8 months/5 months. If you toss roku's on as well, we get up to ($59+$20) X 4 or $316 more, we climb to $840, once, ever. So: Apple TV + Antenna for every room of YOUR house = 1 year of cable sub if you only pay $45 a month Apple TV + Roku + Antenna for every room of your house = 1 year of cable sub if you only pay $70 a month Apple TV + Roku + Antenna for every room of your house + A new TV = 1 year of Cable sub if you pay $110 a month. I get that you have a point "It's not easy" that you're trying to make, but really, it is far easier than 99% of all "home theatre" set ups i've ever seen, and visitors have no problem browsing the available stuff. (All the remotes have like 3 buttons on them, it's very clear how to use them; There are also app versions of all the remotes as well). Cable, especially cable with a DVR, is at best as easy to use, if not far harder, especially when trying to find something particular you aren't sure what channel it's on. $141 bucks will safely let you try it out (on one TV) and it could save you thousands over the next few years (not to mention the shit you don't buy because you don't watch any/many commercials anymore, nor do your kids). It seriously just works. Buy it+antenna+cable at BestBuy and return it within 14 days if you dislike it.
- jack-r-abbit 14y ago
  I'd have to do some more math since my cable, internet and phone are all on the same bill. I don't recall what the exact break down is. With all the channels I get and the HD and the DVRs (plus the internet and phone) my "cable" bill is like $200/month Is AppleTV ala cart or buffet? Meaning if I want to watch all season of Game of Thrones (and Shameless and Weeds and whatever) am I paying per episode or is it a monthly fee? (I assume Apple != free content)
  - gte910h 14y ago
    iTunes is the place I buy stuff. So you can buy GOT for $28.99 a season, and when a new show is available, you can watch it at any time. Or you can buy say, just episode 6 for like $1.99. You CAN buy stuff on the device if you like as well, in addition to watching previews. It's charged to your iTunes apple ID associated credit card (like an iPhone app is). iTunes music is like iTunes music always is (and also plays on the same TV interface). YouTube is also available there (and looks great, if the video quality was there on the original video). You can also stream stuff from whatever computer (or iOS device. I use the AppleTv to play music from wherever using my iPhone and the remote "Apple TV Remote" app). I've also played settlers of catan more than once using an iPhone and AirPlay :D