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My Experience with the Apple TV

I’m no stranger to streaming devices. I’ve owned many different devices from Squeezeboxes to Sonos Multi-Room Music Systems. They all worked fabulously, and I would wholeheartedly recommend them. However, one thing they lacked was video content. If you only cared about music, then devices like the Squeezebox or Sonos would be all you really need. I love music, but many people are always looking for ways to integrate audio and video. Sure, that may be heresy for audio purists, but this is the real world. Devices that can multi-task and serve more than one function will always be welcome.

One device that caught my attention was the Apple TV. My only gripe with the Apple TV when it was initially released was the relatively small (for me at least) 40gb hard-drive and the lack of high definition videos and surround sound. Thankfully, Apple addressed all these issues. They released a 160gb model, and now high definition movie rentals are available, as well as surround sound.

I purchased one about two weeks ago, and the experience so far has been wonderful. Synching the Apple TV to my wireless network and to iTunes was a breeze. The set-up process took less than five minutes. In no time, I was browsing the Apple webstore, watching videos on youtube, streaming HD videos from my macbook and browsing photos on flickr.

I took some photos of the Apple TV and the interface.

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The Apple TV all boxed up

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Apple TV unboxed

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The gorgeous and intuitive interface

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Howlin’ Wolf via iTunes

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Alicia Keys music video

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Fela Kuti via iTunes

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The Apple TV Youtube channel

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The Apple TV Podcast interface

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Streaming 720p content

So far, Apple TV has been fantastic. The HD downloads look great on my Pioneer Kuro and streaming music is effortless. Anyone looking for a one-stop hub for their audio and video entertainment need not look further, the Apple TV is the device they need.

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Published by Atane on August 7th, 2008 and listed in Home Entertainment.

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  • Joe Pruitt
    Did you consider going with a Mac Mini? I've heard that AppleTV is fairly limited with what you can do and the little bit more you'd pay for a Mini is worth it in being able to fully access the web.
  • Hi Joe,

    I actually had a mac mini a few years ago and used it as a HTPC. That was well before the Core 2 Duo version though.

    For my current application, an Apple TV is appropriate since I don't need or want a HTPC anymore.
  • This is such good news. I was thinking there were problems with this, since you aren
  • ken
    It gets better if you consider you could install XBMC or MythTV on the thing (it's basically a PC w/o a BIOS). Of course, this requires a bit of an adventurous spirit and a willingness to completely void your warranty and trash your ATV :-)
  • Docmok
    This is one of the best kept secrets of Apple, and it's a shame. I'm a technology geek like the best of them. I bought this product when it first came on the market with the 40 GB. I liked what it could do then. It was able to take the video from my computer iTunes, and play it on a set. Then, Apple developed the new software for it, it downloaded for free, and suddenly, it's an instant Netflix, joining to the iTunes store. If ever I miss a show, it's right there! The movies download and start playing instantly. It plays the music on my iTunes, YouTube searches, and my own video. Keep in mind, I still have the original 40gb! I've never had a problem, and just love it. Cannot recommend this enough, and no one I have recommended it to has a negative thing to say about it.
  • Ken, yeah many people do that, but i'm content as is with the functionality of AppleTV. If i wanted more, I would probably get something from Elgato.
  • Shame isn't it Docmok? AppleTV is far from a failure, but it should be bigger than what it is! At the pricepoint of the AppleTV, you really can't find anything comparable. A rarity considering Apple products don't exactly invoke images of budget conscious individuals. Maybe if Steve Jobs doubled the price people would notice.
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