So last week some time, after much research, I purchased an apple tv. I have been asked by many different people what my review of the new product is, so I decided that I would try to answer it in a Pro's and Con's blog post, here goes.
Pro's
1. HD movies download quick and allow you to start watching after 2 min. I watched "the assassination of Jesse James by the coward Robert ford" last night and it is a 2 1/2 hour movie. I started watching it 2 minutes after starting the download and never had a glitch or pause throughout the whole movie.
2. HD picture quality is solid and sound is great as well!
3. Nearly every television station has it's programs available, some going many seasons back. HBO was the only station that I didn't think was available but I would have to check that again.
4. All of your music, T.V., Podcasts, and pics in one place, that you can play through your receiver, surround and HDTV.
5. You tube video's on your HDTV just for giggles! The quality is surprisingly good for you tube.
6. The style and space of the apple tv is just BAD! It looks like the apple airport extreme and is very sleek.
7. The remote is the same as your Mac's little remote so it doesn't waste more space in the remote drawer.
8. This could definitely replace cable or satellite.
9. The syncing process with your itunes and computer is seamless and very smooth.
10. It's a great place to store and watch your home movies.
Con's
1. I haven't found television shows in HD! I'm sure their on their way but nothing as of yet. The quality is therefore rather pathetic. For the best quality you have to watch it in non-widescreen and it is still dismal.
2. Almost all t.v. shows are $1.99 per episode or you can buy the whole season.
3. The HD movie selection is pretty small. They promised 100, but I think they are well below that goal. They are doing a pretty good job at getting the new releases though.
4. As far as I know, You can't buy movies from the apple tv yet. You have to buy them on your computer in itunes and then snyc them with your apple tv.
5. Non-HD movies are pointless! I have a 55" Hitachi Plasma HDTV so they look like garbage when they are blown up that big.
6. Storage will be an issue if you start purchasing a lot of t.v. shows and Movies, especially in HD. You do have an option to only sync the 5 latest movies and shows if you so choose, and keep the rest on your computer.
7. No live streaming. When the new episode of lost comes out I want to watch it, ASAP! I don't want to wait to download it the next day.
8. No google or safari. It would be super nice to be able to search the net and use the apple tv just like an ipod touch or iphone.
9. There is no unlimited monthly subscription fee. It would be cool if it worked like Netflix, $29.99 per month for unlimited rentals or something. $4.99 HD movies gets expensive.
10. The $229 price point for the 40 gig is still a bite in the checking account.
There's 10 pro's and 10 con's, you make your decision. As you know, you never can go wrong when waiting for apple products. They are always improving and upgrading so sometimes it pay's to be the late one to the table.
Hope this helped. If it did, pass it on to a friend.
