“If you have a high-definition television, you should be watching high-definition movies,” Julio Ojeda-Zapata reports for The Pioneer Press. “The newly updated Apple TV set-top box makes this easy. The slim Internet device, which connects to an HDTV, serves up dozens of high-definition rentals and hundreds of standard-definition versions, with more titles on the way from all the major movie studios.”
Ojeda-Zapata reports, “And it does so directly, without a computer as an awkward intermediary… Though HD-rental selection on the Apple TV remains a bit sparse (see accompanying article for comparisons with other movie-rental devices and services), I adore the Apple TV for reasons that go beyond movies.”
“The Apple TV is a joy to use via Apple’s signature mini-remote, the same one offered with its Macintosh machines. The Apple TV has a simplified menu that gets you quickly to flicks, TV shows, music, podcasts, photos and YouTube
“The Apple TV proved to be a godsend for one of my family’s recent movie nights. We didn’t want to go out into the bitter cold for a store rental, and we didn’t have anything good from Netflix. I had earlier attempted to download Disney’s ‘The Game Plan’ on a loaner Xbox 360, which was hardwired into my network and connected to the Xbox Live Marketplace e-store, but the movie was barely trickling from cyberspace (a download issue others have noted),” Ojeda-Zapata reports.
“So, I gave up on the Microsoft console and rented ‘The Game Plan’ on the Apple TV. It downloaded quickly (partly because this title isn’t in high definition) and was ready for watching soon after the download initiated. Viewing was flawless; ditto for ‘Garfield,’ another family-night rental,” Ojeda-Zapata reports.
“Apple TV has emerged as a movie-rental contender with gobs of great extras. If you gave the original a pass, take another look,” Ojeda-Zapata reports.
More in the full review, which includes the same quibble with the movie studios that every reviewer seems to have, “rental terms are a bit restrictive; once you start watching a rented flick, you have to finish within 24 hours” — Hollywood are you listening?! — here.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV 2.0 is amassing quite a collection of positive reviews which bodes well for the device going forward.
I like my Apple TV. I don’t think it can be beat…There’s no competitor out there providing the same experience as the Apple TV.
I love our Apple TV.
I wish the movie studios would lighten on the rules a little bit. Waiting 30 days for new dvd releases is a little too long. Plus, the price is a little too high for me.
I’m really surprised the first gen software wasn’t this good. Apple counts on first impressions so much that it makes me think the Apple TV was pushed out the door early to twist the arms of the movie industry..
if i had an hdtv in the front room i’d buy one today
amazing bit of kit the atv , and will end up being bigger than the ipod – i predict !
Well, I own AppleTV 2.0, and overall I really enjoy it, but let’s be honest, it’s not a flawless experience. The 2.0 software is buggy as hell right now, so it’s more like a frustrating experience. But I’m sure they’ll get those bugs worked out, so I’m not too concerned at this point. The movie rental selection is also abysmal, but I don’t think that’s Apple’s fault. Also, they have got to do something about searches on podcasts, youtube, movies etc. It is excruciatingly painful to search for anything with the Fischer-Price remote. Simple does not always equal easy. Let me use a keyboard or screen share with my MacBook!
AppleTV is a work in progress, and I expect it to get much better over time.
Version 2.0 is buggy. If you have a large iTunes library (ie lots of cover art), its unusable. Went back to factory defaults. Still love my Apple TV.
Do not know what you mean. I have had two since last summer. Even the old software worked fine and the new software works as well. What bugs are you talking about? I have my entire music collection on that atv hard drive and is a great set up right through my stereo.
The controller is fine. As they are going for simplicity, they are not going to add a keyboard. They could improve the FF REW functions and make them more precise like Tivo.
I don’t have an Apple TV, but after the really good things that many people I know and the great reviews the Apple TV is getting…I believe I’ll buy one.
Thing is we don’t watch much TV.
“So, I gave up on the Microsoft console and rented ‘The Game Plan’ on the Apple TV.”
Another MAC crybaby and quitter with a gushy review for an Apple product. How much is Apple paying these losers? For only $130 you can have instant HD movies with the HD-DVD player on xBox. Just put the HD-DVD in the player and you’re there. Duh.
And who gives up on Microsoft for copycat toys from Apple? How does someone turn their back on the creators of the first easy to use OS with a Desktop metaphor—Windows? Who turns up their nose at the first and best implementation of a portable media player with integrated software in Zune and Zune Marketplace? Smug and pretentious MAC sheep, that’s who. Whatever.
Your potential. Our passion.
The bit about the XBox Live is BS. Claiming Apple TV is working flawlessly versus XBox becuase of a download speed is pure spin. Go read the Apple forums and you can see plenty of people who have complained about slow download speeds. Go ahead. I DARE you brainswashed fanboys to get some accurate information.
Of course you won’t. You will just call me a Microshill and continue living like sheep.
Here is a real review from someone who actually uses both because he is not a brainwashed sheeple. They both work great. They both got quarks that suck. Like Apple TV not having xvid, and XBox not having mkv.
I’ve rented more movies since the 2.0 update than I did in the last 4 months. This is because it is so freaking easy to do. HE and 5.1 surrond is awesome. Definately another hit by Apple.
That should read HD.
I have zero problems with xbox LIVE. But, i do long for an Apple TV.
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My wife went to Best Buy to pick one up, but it took three salesmen to figure out what she was asking for… Apple needs to start an ad campaign for the Apple TV. The average, non-Mac savvy person doesn’t know about this great gadget! (You’d think Apple’s approved retailers and their sales-people would know about it though!)
@Bull comment
Great post. I agree with everything you said except the part about “They both work great.” We both know the Apple TV doesn’t work because it wasn’t made by Microsoft but whatever. What I really liked was the use of “brainwashed fanboys” and “sheep”. Good stuff.
I do have a question. What do you mean by “quarks”? Are you referring to any of a number of subatomic particles carrying a fractional electric charge, postulated as building blocks of the hadrons or low-fat curd cheese?
Your potential. Our passion.™
I’m wondering how Apple’s HD rentals compare to the SD counterparts when shown on a flat screen that doesn’t offer “true” HD resolution. Does it buy me anything? I have a 42″ Pioneer Plasma which, like most plasmas in that size range, has a 1024×768 resolution. It scales when displaying 720p or 1080i. It’s usually quite nice watching over the air HD broadcasts.
@Bull comment
Yes your comment is full of BS. Your blaming Apple for the download speeds? Laughable.
Anyway I have a 12Mbps download and your comments is full of Bull, just like your username.
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I think ATV 2, will help propel the iTunes Store to #1 position soon. Since you can stream your music easily to ATV and along with Airtunes support, its only good for ATV users.
Hmm I wonder what position the Microsoft Zune Marketplace is at. What a stupid name, sounds like your going to buy food or used clothes having a monicker like “marketplace” for a digital download store.
I would like one except for one small problem….Apple doesn’t do that Movie thing in Canada yet.
Maybe they are waiting for Hillary and Obama to re-negotiate NAFTA before they do it cause afterall, apparently the US is getting screwed by Canada…according to their politically astute observations anyway.
“What do you mean by ‘quarks’?”
They both have a miniature team of Ferengi clones that negotiate delicate matters of commerce. They are usually handled badly and that’s why they suck.
You’re welcome.
” . . . apparently the US is getting screwed by Canada . . . “
All we ask is that you not wipe off on the curtains afterwards. Is that asking too much?
Funny, ZT®! Your latent physicistness is showing!
The reviews for AppleTV do have me interested enough to consider buying it when its next version is released.
On the other hand, I also remember waiting for the next version of the Cube…
I guess too many others did the same thing.
I brought home my Apple TV, connected it in minutes.
I synced it with my Mac which is located in an upstairs office.
I upgraded the firmware to 2.0 immediately and began what I think is as totally satisfying experience as the night I bought my IPhone.
I also use EyeTV which gives me the ability to download TV and movies from my DirectTV, edit them, and when they are finished compacting they are exported to ITunes and my Apple TV. The movies appear in the Apple TV menu along with a description of the movie’s content and a screen shot from the movie.
Another great plus for Apple TV, when you scroll through the programing your considering renting or purchasing you can choose a preview or movie trailer to help you decide whether you
want to buy or rent the program. It’s instant and entertaining. Beats reading a description on a box or looking it up online.
I haven’t had any problems with download speed. EyeTV takes awhile but that has nothing to do with Apple TV. I let EyeTV
process overnight then the downloads are in ITunes in the morning.
I think the ATV menus are really well thought out. I haven’t experienced any bugs but that may happen in time.
I am just amazed at how easy and elegant it is to use.
My family gave me an XBox HD DVD player for Christmas along with three movies. Now that’s going to get a lot of use isn’t it now that the HD DVD format has gone away.
1) Bull Comment & Zune Tang® = Same Dude
2) TV is so good, they should call it iCouch Potato
3) This thing has worked flawless for me. Most the time, complaints are really used error. When they finally figure out that they FU’d, they won’t admit that on forums.
4) If you look at MacFixIt.com, you would think things are bleak for Mac users. I have never had any of these problems that show up on this website. Simple fact is that “somehow” people seem to have the ability to jack up their systems. But there are millions of people who don’t have problems with their Macs, and it’s all the same software.
“On the other hand, I also remember waiting for the next version of the Cube… “
But there was a revision. They only made one, blew it up and stuck it on Fifth Avenue.