Advertisement: The new AppleTV. The simplest way to watch your favorite HD movies and TV shows on your HD TV. Just $99. Buy Now.
“The first Apple TV was a great idea, but technology—particularly wireless streaming—wasn’t where it needed to be for the box to make new strides, until now. The new, miniature Apple TV costs less than most iPods. Sure, the rental limitations can be irksome, but, particularly for iOS device owners, the new features dramatically outweigh the letdowns,” Gideon reports. “Because of its affordability, ease-of-use, and impressive capabilities, the Apple TV gets our Editors’ Choice award. If more networks were onboard the 99-cent rental bandwagon at launch, it would have received an even-higher rating. Fingers crossed the TV selection will improve over time.”
Full review, 4 stars out of 5, Editors’ Choice, – recommended – here.
PC Magazine’s Apple TV unboxing and related photos are here.
@Tom
I’d rather pay , and commercial free
I don’t think ownership of movies is going away anytime soon.
Example – Pulp Fiction – I’ve watched that movie more times than I can count, and I don’t want to pay each time that I want to watch it.
I don’t think ownership of movies is going away anytime soon.
Example – Pulp Fiction – I’ve watched that movie more times than I can count, and I don’t want to pay each time that I want to watch it.
… it seems to me that the lack of a hard drive is a real limitation on this device. I’d love to buy stuff just from the AppleTV – certainly more convenient – and having it transfer to my iPad or iPhone so I could later finish watching something I had to interupt, well that would be awsome.
Plus, I have to say it. I want DVR capability. No subscriptions like with TiVo, just let me record what my VCR lets me record. It’s allowed, Apple. How about it?
I have to say, it seems to be just falling short (again) of what I’m looking for.
… it seems to me that the lack of a hard drive is a real limitation on this device. I’d love to buy stuff just from the AppleTV – certainly more convenient – and having it transfer to my iPad or iPhone so I could later finish watching something I had to interupt, well that would be awsome.
Plus, I have to say it. I want DVR capability. No subscriptions like with TiVo, just let me record what my VCR lets me record. It’s allowed, Apple. How about it?
I have to say, it seems to be just falling short (again) of what I’m looking for.
@Glad they like it, but … ,
Buy it on your computer and then stream it. Not the same that you’re looking for but a good work-around.
@Glad they like it, but … ,
Buy it on your computer and then stream it. Not the same that you’re looking for but a good work-around.
@IT guy
“That compensates for everything.”
Fixed.
@IT guy
“That compensates for everything.”
Fixed.
Any idea when the Apple Stores will be getting them?
Any idea when the Apple Stores will be getting them?
@Cubert
Maybe rentals will help us waste so much time watching Pulp Fiction and help some of us get a life.
@Cubert
Maybe rentals will help us waste so much time watching Pulp Fiction and help some of us get a life.
@Cubert
… help us STOP wasting so much time …
… get a life or watch something else.
@Cubert
… help us STOP wasting so much time …
… get a life or watch something else.
@ Cubert
The reason why some people want a built in hd (rather than streaming) is because here in the uk we need to use as little electricity as possible due to it’s exorbitant pricing. Unlike people in the US us Brits cannot afford to keep electrical equipment running unnecessarily. That’s why we want a built in hd or at least the ability to attach an external hd.
It’s all a question of economics plus in the UK we care about the perils of global warming.
@ Cubert
The reason why some people want a built in hd (rather than streaming) is because here in the uk we need to use as little electricity as possible due to it’s exorbitant pricing. Unlike people in the US us Brits cannot afford to keep electrical equipment running unnecessarily. That’s why we want a built in hd or at least the ability to attach an external hd.
It’s all a question of economics plus in the UK we care about the perils of global warming.
I agree that the rental agreement is ‘irksome’.
Why are TV rentals good for 48 hours after starting and movies are only good for 24 hours after starting? I’m much more likely to need a second night to finish the movie! So, movies are longer, but give shorter watching period – doesn’t make any sense!
I will be very cautious about renting movies as long as this unnecessary restriction is in place. My wife has a habit of falling asleep and I don’t want to worry about paying double if she happens to do that…
I agree that the rental agreement is ‘irksome’.
Why are TV rentals good for 48 hours after starting and movies are only good for 24 hours after starting? I’m much more likely to need a second night to finish the movie! So, movies are longer, but give shorter watching period – doesn’t make any sense!
I will be very cautious about renting movies as long as this unnecessary restriction is in place. My wife has a habit of falling asleep and I don’t want to worry about paying double if she happens to do that…
PCMag Editor’s Choice and no mention of the lack of 1080p support?
Some of the AV forums have posts blasting Apple for not including 1080p. I got into a pissing match with some poster bragging that he had 5 Xbox 360’s and didn’t need an AppleTV. DUH!
PCMag Editor’s Choice and no mention of the lack of 1080p support?
Some of the AV forums have posts blasting Apple for not including 1080p. I got into a pissing match with some poster bragging that he had 5 Xbox 360’s and didn’t need an AppleTV. DUH!
the thing that will really blow the doors off is when apple makes airplay/airvideo available FROM the mac to apple tv. Then, you sit back and use your iPhone to tell your Mac in the kitchen to stream all its videao to your ATV. I’m talking streaming EVERYTHING that’s coming in over Safari, etc.
the thing that will really blow the doors off is when apple makes airplay/airvideo available FROM the mac to apple tv. Then, you sit back and use your iPhone to tell your Mac in the kitchen to stream all its videao to your ATV. I’m talking streaming EVERYTHING that’s coming in over Safari, etc.