Bargains

[mathias broucek]

I'm sure it has HDMI out - see http://www.apple.com/uk/appletv/specs.html It should also have an Ethernet connector, which can take a load off wireless networks. Some wireless only devices can have problems with video if everything is done wirelessly - just think about how much data has to be shifted for HD video, and if there's video being transferred both in and out via a single wireless router than can bottleneck. If one device is put on wired Ethernet that'll help, and if all the devices (e.g media server, player devices) on are wired networks, then bottleneck problems should be reduced or avoided.

Most of the reports I've read suggest it is really easy to set up, and if you have newish and compatible kit should go really well. I think the iPhone you mention is new enough for it to be useful. Many users seem to rate it highly, though if you bought one and didn't like it you could return it to Apple, or sell it on eBay. For my part, I hear it gives some benefits with early iPads, of which I have one (and Mrs D has another) - but is better with 2nd generation upwards. However it should work with other laptops and kit we have - Macbook Pro, and Macbook Air. None Apple users may find these less useful.

I have even heard it's good for audio. Note the optical audio out which can be used to feed a DAC.

Today is the day for reduced prices - though some stores may keep them low for longer. As Bryn has suggested, there may be new models coming, but I'd be very surprised if there are new ones before Christmas, or even into the first three months or so of next year. I'm waiting for Frances to come and tell us that we'll be buying in to Apple's walled garden. That is true - and one will have to decide whether to go with that or avoid altogether. Sometimes even a walled garden is better than no garden at all.

I'd PM you, but I've still not fixed my mailbox problems - been too busy and also too ill with nasty coughs and colds lately. I'll do it soon(ish).

Thanks for the detailed response, Dave. I may get a cheapie laptop for other reasons and that will allow me to get my Apple video content onto my TV

[Stunsworth]

Sounds tempting especially since Mrs Broucek's iPhone 5 has the new, video-unfriendly connector (don't get me started....). Does anyone have a view on how easy Apple TV is to set up? And does it have HDMI out?

Risking the wrath of the moderators, it has HDMI out. There is also an optical digital out and an Ethernet connection..

it can stream music/videos from you iTunes library, or directly from the phone using Airplay.

Very easy to to set up. I use mine a lot.

[Dave2002]

Oh dear - I'm waiting for am51 to come back again! Better put up some more CD or DVD recommendations quick.

[amateur51]

Oh dear - I'm waiting for am51 to come back again. Better put up some more CD or DVD recommendations quick.

Be fair! There is a techie thread for this too

[Dave2002]

I agree - the main reason for my original post in this area was because I thought offers on the product would be time limited with a short window.
Other (further) discussion can be in the techie thread for that purpose.

[mathias broucek]

I agree - the main reason for my original post in this area was because I thought offers on the product would be time limited with a short window.
Other (further) discussion can be in the techie thread for that purpose.

I think it's in the right place - it's a bargain! However, I would draw attention to the new Giulini reissues

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_sabc?url=search-alias%3Dclassical&pageMinusResults=1&suo=1385810742864#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_9?url=search-alias%3Dclassical&field-keywords=giulini%20centenary&sprefix=giulini+c%2Cclassical%2C186&rh=i%3Aclassical%2Ck%3Agiulini%20centenary

[amateur51]

I think it's in the right place - it's a bargain! However, I would draw attention to the new Giulini reissues

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...ni%20centenary

Thar be treasure, me 'earties

[LeMartinPecheur]

Thar be treasure, me 'earties

But treasure ruthlessly dismembered in the Chicago set WHY can't they grasp that they lose sales if they chop works across CDs?

Or am I really the only one driven up the wall by this?

[amateur51]

But treasure ruthlessly dismembered in the Chicago set WHY can't they grasp that they lose sales if they chop works across CDs?

Or am I really the only one driven up the wall by this?

I agree ... but then I hadn't yet succumbed to the Chicago set

[Bryn]

But treasure ruthlessly dismembered in the Chicago set WHY can't they grasp that they lose sales if they chop works across CDs?

Or am I really the only one driven up the wall by this?

I doubt you are. I also have a pet hate related to such splitting. Mahler's 3rd is so often split over two discs with no consideration for its structure. Mahler was quite clear that Part 1 consisted of the first movement, the other five comprising Part 2, yet all to often the split is made before the fnale, or worse still at the cusp between the second and third, or third and fourth, movements.

I tend to rip such discs and recompile onto CD-Rs.

[Dave2002]

Used to drive me up the wall too. "Bargain" 2 CD sets where 3 CDs would have got each work complete on a single CD (each). Sibelius and Tchaikovsky symphony sets often had this.

At least we don't often get breaks actually in movements nowadays. Wasn't there an LP which had a strange track layout to avoid a break, and/or also end of side distortion, so you had to turn it over a couple of times, and try launching the pickup half way through at least one side?

[Bryn]

Used to drive me up the wall too. "Bargain" 2 CD sets where 3 CDs would have got each work complete on a single CD (each). Sibelius and Tchaikovsky symphony sets often had this.

At least we don't often get breaks actually in movements nowadays. Wasn't there an LP which had a strange track layout to avoid a break, and/or also end of side distortion, so you had to turn it over a couple of times, and try launching the pickup half way through at least one side?

The Saga LP of Beethoven's Op. 106 (Louis Kentner) had the 4th and 1st movements on side A and the 2nd and 3rd on side B. Very sensible arrangement, I thought.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

At least we don't often get breaks actually in movements nowadays. Wasn't there an LP which had a strange track layout to avoid a break, and/or also end of side distortion, so you had to turn it over a couple of times, and try launching the pickup half way through at least one side?

Loughran's recording with the Hallé of the Eroica on ENIGMA did this (to accommodate all the repeats without a break in the middle of the funeral march) - IIRC, their Schubert Great C major Symphony was also so packaged. Not ideal, but better than the break in the middle of a movement that was sometimes preferred - AND needlessly replicated on the cassette release, too (Bernstein's Faust Symphony on DGG, for example: three minutes' side run-off on side A with the remaining two minutes of the movement at the start of side B)!

[HighlandDougie]

For fans of HD downloads, BIS and/or Harmonia Mundi, the excellent e-classical.com are having a pre-Christmas "bargain-a-day" download. See:

http://www.eclassical.com/pages/christmas2013.html

About £6 for a 24 bit download is a bit of a bargain

[Roehre]

The Sage LP of Beethoven's Op. 106 (Louis Kentner) had the 4th and 1st movements on side A and the 2nd and 3rd on side B. Very sensible arrangement, I thought.

My first encounter with the Hammerklavier, bought in a sale for a couple of pennies in 1972.
I recall vividly reading and re-reading the tracks on the sleeve before I realized what had happened-and more importantly why .