Apple TV with 160GB Hard Drive - MB189LL/A

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19 customer reviews.  4.0 out of 5 stars.

Your computer is the center of your digital life. Your TV is the center of your entertainment life. Apple TV brings them together. What if you want to play movies from your iPod or computer on your TV? Apple TV brings iTunes Music and Videos to your TV and home-theater system. With up to 200 hours of video, 36,000 songs, or 25,000 photos at your command, there's always something good on TV. With Apple TV, you can browse and watch thousands of free YouTube videos streaming directly from the Internet. Apple TV connects to your TV via an HDMI port or component video and audio ports. Its built-in, superfast 802.11 Wi-fi wireless capability syncs your iTunes library from any Mac or PC in the house. Best of all, what's on Apple TV stays in sync: Anytime you change your library in iTunes, it changes on Apple TV ? wirelessly, automatically. 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-def or high-def widescreen TVs capable of 1080i 60/50Hz, 720p 60/50Hz, 576p 50Hz (PAL format), or 480p 60Hz System requirements - Mac or PC, iTunes 7.1 or later / Mac OS X v10.3.9 or later / PC - Windows XP Home/Professional (SP2), 32-bit edition of Windows Vista (requires iTunes 7.2) AirPort Extreme, Wi-Fi 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n wireless (wireless video streaming requires 802.11g or 802.11n); iTunes 7.1 or later Unit Dimensions - 7.7 by 7.7 inches (197 by 197 mm), Height - 1.1 inches (28 mm); Weight - 2.4 pounds (1.09 kg) Built-in 48-watt universal AC power supply

The content on the Apple iTunes store does not offer 1080p for purchase, but you can rent 1080p content or add it (if you can get it) from your computer. There are also 1080p video podcasts. 5.1 digital surround is now supported and you can rip your DVDs using 5.1 with Handbrake software (free download on the web). Handbrake works with Mac OS 10.5 or > and Windows (if you are unfortunate enough to not have a Mac).

Caveats: It does run hot. The video used to lag, but this seems much better with the latest releases of the OS. The GUI can stick and then jump - so you click 3 times with no effect and then it jumps the 3 positions, etc. The remote control is a pain when typing passwords or searching youtube, etc.

If you have an iPhone (I think iPod Touch also) you can use the Remote Application to control your Apple TV (or iTunes) from your iPhone. It's great and much better than the remote that comes with the Apple TV.

I highly recommend a direct 100 Mb ethernet connection or 802.11n. Do not use this product with 802.11g or slower.

Don't bother with the 40GB version. It's just too small. You'll wish you had the 160GB. The 40GB is only good if you don't buy content - only rent movies. But watch out - if you keep you music on it, you'll want more space.

The Apple TV is great even just as a music jukebox! Even if you don't use it for video. We use it all the time for music. It's easier than hooking up an iPod and having to pick up the iPod to change songs, etc. The GUI on the HDTV screen is so much better. I looked at similar MP3 components for audio only - this was cheaper and had a far superior GUI. It is so easy to use that my wife can do it (she is not technology savvy).

The other great thing is that software updates are free and come automatically over the internet. New features and fixes!

Bottom line: There is no other product like it on the market in terms of cost, intuitive interface, quality, and features.

basically a hard drive that sincs wirelessly to your itunes library, the hdmi connection to your tv provides premier audio and video that will tantalize your eyes and soothe your ears. the 160 gig version will store all your music, movies and much much more. highly recommend this product.

I have had this Apple TV since it first came out and paid almost $400 for it. It worked great until iTunes software updates around the 7.2 something... anyhow, after that update people have been having problems with the port settings. You call Apple and they read from queue cards and have no idea what they are doing. They always blame someone or something else, like your router (I also use an Apple Airport router, which i bought because i was told by Apple it was my router and buying theirs would fix my Apple TV problem...NOPE) Don't get me wrong, I love Apple products and I am amazed at the BUGS in this product. There are many folks with the same issues...just go to google and type in "apple tv port 3689" enjoy the reading. I am going to ebay this piece of junk, so look for it there if you want it.

I bought this product for my restaurant as I am hoping to show music videos. I was very excited to get this "toy" and try it out. In the box you get the Apple TV, a power cord and a remote about the size of a 2nd generation ipod shuffle. As previously mentioned, there are only a few buttons and no scrolling feature like on the regular ipods. Upon connecting the power cord to the wall the device turns on (there is no power button). It then takes you through an initial setup where you configure your device to sync with your wireless computer. Once that's done your device starts to download everything from your computer which takes longer than if it was hooked up via cables, but not a big deal. The device is cool because you can purchase music, movies and videos right from your living room and they will auto sync with your computer. It boasts 1080i/p HD, but I haven't had a chance to try that out (not many music videos in HD). Here are some tips if you decide to buy this: 1. After initial setup, make sure you check for software updates. As of the date on this review you should be up to version 2.2 (the Apple guy told me whenever iTunes updates, so does Apple TV). 2. If you want to use 1080p, you won't have that option initially until you get the latest update; in the meantime choose 1080i (you need to make a choice to continue). 3. Get the proper cables to hook up to your tv- if your tv has HDMI, get HDMI. 4. While there is no power button, there is a standby mode, so get familiar with it. 5. The unit gets hot, very hot; I suggest you get one of those laptop coolers and put it underneath the unit. 6. The included control can get annoying because when you want to type you have to scroll to each letter, however, if you own an iphone, you can get the 'remote' app that will allow you to use your iphone as a remote providing you with a full qwerty keyboard. Other than some minor things, like a freeze up I had the second night I used it, I love this thing. It is fun to download media on the fly.

Great Apple interface, dummy-proof setup, easily access all the media in your house. Browse iTunes and YouTube, all with one remote. If I could change anything it would be how hot it runs, but don't let that stop you. The rolling, cascading screensaver alone is worth the price of admission. When you use your own photos, it can be addictive to watch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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