Apple TV Help

bigaudiofanatic

Well I have been trying to get a apple tv but with not having a job you have to wait for a deal to come pop up. I was originally drawn to the ATV "apple tv" when my neighbor bought one. I enjoy how easy it is to find any song I am looking for. I also like that fact that I can stream music from other computers such as my own with itunes. Now I know that the ATV has a fiber optic output for digital. But after hearing my laptop threw the built in dac of my elite via usb I was wondering if the usb is better than the fiber optic. I was reading that it is very hard hack to get the ATV to use the usb port for audio output. At the same time I keep reading that more people prefer using a mac mini instead of the ATV. I know one thing would be the usage of the usb for digital out. But I can not see how it would be easier to fly threw tons of music pictures and such on a mac mini as it would be on a apple tv. Any users of a mac mini or apple tv for their music source would be helpful.

mutelight

If you are using USB it is essentially the same as optical as you are still offloading the DAC to the receiver.

From the way it sounds, you like the Apple TV's UI and that comes standard on all Macs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_Row_(software)

Essentially you have the same front end and the browsing of your media would be very similar. Now, I don't have all that much experience with the Apple TV but it seems you can also browse and purchase using it which is where there is a difference.

The advantage to a Mac Mini would be that you have much more flexibility. If I were to build a HTPC I would use a Mini in conjunction with the Plex front end, which is free.

http://www.plexapp.com/

That, from the get go, would offer you much more functionality as well as codec and format support.

bigaudiofanatic

Thanks I did not know about the front row. I do not download any music or movies so that will not be something that effects my decision. For one the music downloaded is compressed and my library of music is all loss less. The second thing is where I like the only internet connection is satellite internet which can be timed out sort of easily. I know that will most likely change when I move. But you are still right with being able to play more formats and have more expandability. At this point I can still go either way. Anyone else?

bigaudiofanatic

Bump

mutelight

Yeah... It's me again but here is another superb media front end to check out.

http://xbmc.org/skins/

mantis

The Apple TV sounds and works awesome. I record everything in Apple Lossless and it sounds as good as the CD does. I tested this theory.

I own both and the Mac Mini is cool. Front row is it's weakness . I prefer the newer hotness Apple TV interface over Front Row on the Mini.

Streaming any library on the Apple Tv is way cool . We have 4 here and anyone can stream anything they want anytime. We also have 3 Iphones in my house so control is a very cool feature. The Itouch also works like the iphone for control.

If Apple Tv gets a Subscription type service, I see no more reason to have cable or DSS in the home anymore. Right now as far as purchasing is concerned it's all al a cart. I like it anyway.

O by the way I use HDMI to my receiver as well as Analog for zone 2. They both sound excellent. I tried Optical when I first got it and had it hooked up Component / Optical and it sounds exactly the same as HDMI does. DAC in the receiver. DAC in the Apple sounds good 2 over analog. Good for music playback. I use Audioquest cables.

bigaudiofanatic

Thanks, mantis my neighbor has all there music in lossless and does the same streaming to there apple tv. That is what I think I am going to go with.

Serendipity

The Apple TV is pretty good but a Mac Mini would open up your flexibility/options.

mutelight

Serendipity wrote: »

The Apple TV is pretty good but a Mac Mini would open up your flexibility/options.

Agreed, many more option in regards to format support, streaming services, as well as GUIs that in my honest opinion far exceed the Apple TV interface.

bigaudiofanatic

mutelight wrote: »

Agreed, many more option in regards to format support, streaming services, as well as GUIs that in my honest opinion far exceed the Apple TV interface.

From one of the posts and from other reviews that is not the situation. The poor front row is not close to the apple tv's. Plus I do not plan to surf the web or download dvds to either of them.

mantis

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

From one of the posts and from other reviews that is not the situation. The poor front row is not close to the apple tv's. Plus I do not plan to surf the web or download dvds to either of them.

Front Row is behind for some reason. I'm sure Apple doesn't give you the new hot Apple TV menu system. I also found that the Music while showing a slide show reverts back to stock after one showing on Front Row , Apple Tv stays where you set it up to. Another thing I'm assuming Apple wants you to have the Apple TV. It's perfectly designed for what you wanna do with it.

Go for it.

bigaudiofanatic

Thanks I think I will! Thanks guys!