Apple TV
Last update: Review by RegHardware (added on 03 Oct’07)
The Apple TV is a plug and play device to port content from your Mac or PC to your TV. What you need to do is connect Apple TV to your TV (even HDMI is built in) and start iTunes, which will automatically detect it. Whatever you download via iTunes–movies or music–syncs automatically and wirelessly with Apple TV, which is connected to your TV. The device is measuring in at 7.7″x7.7″x1.1″ and weighing only at 2.4 pounds (1.09 kg)
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Apple TV Reviews
RegHardware reviews the Apple TV and writes;
“Unlike previous media extenders, the Apple TV takes Mac- and PC-sourced content and displays it on the big screen, quickly and easily. However, the list of supported formats and bit-rates is so short that its effectiveness is severely curtailed. Bring on the Apple HDTV”
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ITReviews reviews the Apple TV and writes;
“In operation, we didn’t experience any buffering issues when we connected to a Mac that had been plugged directly into the wireless router using an Ethernet cable, but we did experience the AppleTV temporarily locking up when connecting to iTunes music library running on a wireless laptop…”
Rating: N/A
CNETUK reviews the Apple TV and writes;
“If you’ve been living in the Apple universe for some time, you’ll love Apple TV. The integration with iTunes is very slick. Accessing your library is really easy and streaming from five additional computers is a really great idea. But for the rest of us, the lack of support for popular Web file formats such as DivX, and the lack of Apple TV-friendly content available to buy on iTunes in the UK, is a real killer. ”
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LaptopMag reviews the Apple TV and writes;
“We have a few other items on our wish list, including the ability to order new movies, TV shows, and music directly from the sofa (as opposed to your PC). Other than that, and as long as you’re content living and playing in an iTunes world, Apple TV more than lives up to its hype. It’s the most elegant digital media adapter yet, and one that we assume will only get better with age.”
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DigitalTrends reviews the Apple TV and writes;
” Only people who buy iTunes movies and TV shows, or those who prefer to back up their entire DVD collection to MPEG-4 format for DVD-free use, may find the product indispensable. Personally, I think the Apple TV is a pretty neat product - something worthy of a lot of attention and respect. I also feel that it’s not necessarily something I absolutely need to have or use all the time. I don’t see it revolutionizing my world (but that’s just me). ”
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CNET reviews the Apple TV and writes;
” The bottom line: Although the current lack of high-quality video at the iTunes Store is a major shortcoming, the Apple TV delivers a simple and elegant streaming media solution.”
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WallStreetJournal reviews the Apple TV and writes;
“….But, all in all, Apple TV is a very well-designed product that easily brings the computer and the TV together..”
PCworld reviews the Apple TV and writes;
” Despite those reservations, though, Apple TV is more than just the tallest midget out there. It’s the first media streaming device I could imagine recommending to a non-geek. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it evolves into something even more powerful.”
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PCmag reviews the Apple TV and writes;
“Bottom Line: Moving the functionality of the iPod onto widescreen TV is a great idea. The fact that it works, even better. Still, it’s disappointing to not be able to play some video content on Apple TV that I can play in iTunes.”
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NYTimes compares the Apple TV to the XBox360 and Netgear’s EVA8000 and writes;
“In looks, it sits at the top of the heap. Apple TV is a gorgeous, one-inch-tall, round-cornered square slab, 7.7 inches on a side. It slips silently and almost invisibly into your entertainment setup. (You can’t say that for the Xbox, which in comparison is huge and too noisy for a bedroom.). The heartbreaker for millions, however, is that Apple TV requires a widescreen TV — preferably an HDTV. It doesn’t work with the squarish, traditional TVs that many people still have. “
WinSuperSite reviews the Apple TV and writes;
“I’m a huge fan and regular user of iTunes and various iPods, but the Apple TV is lacking that special something that those solutions have in spades. It is neither best of breed nor even in the running. It is, in short, simply OK. And I know Apple can do better than this. “
AppleGazette has a preview of the Apple TV and writes;
“Overall, If I had to make a snap judgement on the AppleTV, I would probably say, wait until HD content makes its way to iTunes before you run out to buy one. When that time comes…this is going to be a must have…but until then, you can probably save your money… “
Apple TV User Manual (PDF)
Click to view or right click and select Save Target As..(Firefox) or Save link as.. (IE) to download
- Download Apple TV User Manual (PDF - 1.1 MB)
Apple TV Videos
Steve Jobs playing with apple TV at the MacWorld Keynote Address
Tour of Apple’s new “Apple TV”
Apple TV full interface video
PC World: Apple TV Reviewed
NYTimes: AppleTV reviewed
Apple TV Specifications
Processor and storage
Intel
* Intel processor
* 40GB hard drive2 for storing content locally
* Up to 50 hours of movies and TV shows3
* Up to 9,000 songs4
* Up to 25,000 pictures5
System requirements
* Mac or PC
* iTunes 7.1
* Mac: Mac OS X v10.3.9 or later
* PC: Windows XP Home/Professional (SP2)
* AirPort Extreme, Wi-Fi 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n wireless network6 (wireless video streaming requires 802.11g or 802.11n), or 10/100BASE-T Ethernet network
Ports and interfaces
* HDMI (video and audio)
* Component video
* Optical audio
* Analog RCA stereo audio
* 10/100BASE-T Ethernet
* USB 2.0
* 802.11n wireless networking6
* Built-in IR receiver (works with included Apple Remote)
Environmental requirements
* Operating temperature: 32° to 104° F (0° to 40° C)
* Storage temperature: -40° to 185° F
(-40° to 85° C)
* Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
* Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3,000 m)
Video formats supported
* H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store): Up to 5 Mbps, Progressive Main Profile (CAVLC) with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 1280 by 720 pixels at 24 fps, 960 by 540 pixels at 30 fps)
* iTunes Store purchased video: 320 by 240 pixels or 640 by 480 pixels
* MPEG-4: Up to 3 Mbps, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 720 by 432 pixels at 30 fps)
Audio formats supported
* AAC (16 to 320 Kbps); protected AAC (from iTunes Store); MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps); MP3 VBR; Apple Lossless; AIFF; WAV
Photos formats supported
* JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PNG
TV compatibility
* Enhanced-definition or high-definition widescreen TVs capable of 1080i 60/50Hz, 720p 60/50Hz, 576p 50Hz (PAL format), or 480p 60Hz
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