Apple TV Take 2: a mini-review

March 18, 2008 in TV, Technology with View Comments

specs_dimensions20080114.jpgI have been using the AppleTV now for a few weeks, and I have to say that it has really changed the way I watch movies/podcasts. For those of you that don’t know, the Apple TV is a device that hooks up to your TV and streams any music, movies, tv shows, and podcasts that you have in iTunes. You can also copy the various media types to the Apple TV so it will work without the computer on, but streaming seems to work fine, even with HD content.

I have a couple of hundred DVD’s that I have copied to my computer and imported into iTunes, and now I can watch them all without having to use the physical DVD disc. Instead, I select it from a list of all of my movies on the beautiful Apple TV interface, and it automatically starts playing, either streamed or directly from the Apple TV hard drive.

Also, iTunes now has movie rentals. I have rented a few, and they look great, especially the HD movies. It is a buck more, but you get 720p video downloaded straight from iTunes to the Apple TV, no computer needed.

Finally, video podcasts are watchable on the Apple TV. I have subscribed to the HD versions of several of them since I can watch them on the tv now. Diggnation has never looked so great.

So check it out: Apple TV

  • it's not so obvious that you really like your apple tv. LOL! :)
  • it's not so obvious that you really like your apple tv. LOL! :)
  • APPLE TV!!
  • APPLE TV!!
  • hahaha! now it's 3 against 2 for my kindle... well, i'm still thinking about it. apple tv vs kindle... appletv vs kindle... apple tv vs kindle...
  • hahaha! now it's 3 against 2 for my kindle... well, i'm still thinking about it. apple tv vs kindle... appletv vs kindle... apple tv vs kindle...
  • @Martin - I have a 360 too, and I enjoyed it's marketplace and streaming abilities as well, and used it quite a bit. After using both, however, the Apple TV streams a LOT faster (at least in my house), and the visual layout of the rentals and all other menus is just wonderful. But then again, it doesn't play video games...
  • @Martin - I have a 360 too, and I enjoyed it's marketplace and streaming abilities as well, and used it quite a bit. After using both, however, the Apple TV streams a LOT faster (at least in my house), and the visual layout of the rentals and all other menus is just wonderful. But then again, it doesn't play video games...
  • Martin
    Who even uses physical media anymore anyways? I'll probably have to get one eventually too, but right now I'm pretty happy with the way my 360 handles all that and the Video Marketplace really works well. That said, I'd probably get one if they added a subscription rental service.
  • Martin
    Who even uses physical media anymore anyways? I'll probably have to get one eventually too, but right now I'm pretty happy with the way my 360 handles all that and the Video Marketplace really works well. That said, I'd probably get one if they added a subscription rental service.
  • @Jason - I can't handle divx, but it CAN handle mp4 (h.264 and regular). I just convert all my movies to that format and they work fine. If you are using a mac, you can batch-convert with a free program called iSquint.
  • @Jason - I can't handle divx, but it CAN handle mp4 (h.264 and regular). I just convert all my movies to that format and they work fine. If you are using a mac, you can batch-convert with a free program called iSquint.
  • Jason
    I wonder which formats it can handle for streaming videos from a computer. I have a lot of poorly encoded old Xvid/Divx files (probably not meeting official Divx spec even) that I'd love to more easily watch in the livingroom.

    @ifoundme: I'd rather have a Kindle (or Sony Reader) myself. :-)
  • Jason
    I wonder which formats it can handle for streaming videos from a computer. I have a lot of poorly encoded old Xvid/Divx files (probably not meeting official Divx spec even) that I'd love to more easily watch in the livingroom.

    @ifoundme: I'd rather have a Kindle (or Sony Reader) myself. :-)
  • @patrickwitherow - The 160 GB model that I have is something like $339. $239 gets you the 40GB model. Yeah, you hook it up to the tv, connect it to your wireless network, and then iTunes on your pc/mac will see it and sync it much like an iPod. You can rent movies straight from it in standard definition OR High Def (in some cases). And for movies you have ripped to your computer, it will stream all of those from your computer OR you can sync them to it.
  • @patrickwitherow - The 160 GB model that I have is something like $339. $239 gets you the 40GB model. Yeah, you hook it up to the tv, connect it to your wireless network, and then iTunes on your pc/mac will see it and sync it much like an iPod. You can rent movies straight from it in standard definition OR High Def (in some cases). And for movies you have ripped to your computer, it will stream all of those from your computer OR you can sync them to it.
  • So basically you hook it to your tv, it picks up your wireless internet, and you can rent movies straight off iTunes or watch movies from your computer that are in iTunes? That's awesome!
  • So basically you hook it to your tv, it picks up your wireless internet, and you can rent movies straight off iTunes or watch movies from your computer that are in iTunes? That's awesome!
  • How much is an AppleTV?
  • How much is an AppleTV?
  • Awesome!
  • Awesome!
  • you know what? i should ask for appleTv instead of that kindle. it's much nicer based on your review. :) hmmmm.....
  • you know what? i should ask for appleTv instead of that kindle. it's much nicer based on your review. :) hmmmm.....
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