Yup, it took them a while, but Apple's update for the Apple TV is out now.
Is it worth it? In a word, yes. The additions and ability to rent from your couch is a plus that makes you slap your forehead and say "It's about time."
We pulled out the 40GB Apple TV we reviewed last year, and started the update process. 10 minutes later, we were running Apple TV v. 2.0.
More after the break.
So far it's a lot like the ads say: better browsing of your media on your widescreen TV. Some of the same limitations still apply: photos have to be uploaded to the Apple TV, virtually everything else is streamable over the network.
Not suprisingly, wireless network performance was contingent on the location: at home it's as speedy as 802.11g can make it, while in the labs with all the conflicting wireless routers in the area, video was jerky and uploads were slow.
Renting is easy and quick, you can protect the rental ordering process so your kids don't tap out your prepaid iTunes store card (or credit card) in a heartbeat. the iTunes store is strong in kids programming, with the top three channels: Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and of course the Disney Channel. There's not a lot of movie selections so far (about 1000 titles), but at least most of them are movies you've heard of, unlike the "thousands on Vudu" (Elf Bowling, anyone?).
There are enhancements to just about all the aspects of Apple TV: .mac and Filckr for photos, better control over syncing iTunes content, and the ability to "hide" the rest of your iTunes library from the Apple TV (i.e. the user in the living room can't get to the music or videos with parental warnings on it). Speaking of parental controls, you can password protect renting, viewing by ratings and exposure to "explicit" music.
There's a lot more coming, check pcmag.com for updates.
Check out our upcoming update to the review on pcmag.com for more in the next few days.
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February 13, 2008 2:41 PM
I'm not that great at math but let me try to get this straight. I can either have 5000 movies(yes including Elf Bowling which my little cousins loved) vs. 1000 movies. 100 HD Titles vs how many HD films does Apple have? Oh not to mention instant viewing of HD films in 1080p vs 720p...hmm for some odd reason the term "rocket scientist" keeps coming to mind Joel.
February 14, 2008 5:25 AM
Most HDTVs sold to date have been 720P.
So the AppeTV exactly matches what's out there.
Advanced H.264 compression delivers
higher quality at the same bit-rate.
Beats Cable. perfect for rentals.
You can buy the blu-ray if you like, but this
thing is way more convenient.
February 14, 2008 1:27 PM
Valid points above, but this is a deal breaker for me:
AppleTV - 802.11n
Vudu - No wireless
Personally, that's all I need to know.
I believe Apple with be adding titles at a very fast pace and having to hard-wire a Vudu unit just wouldn't cut it for me.
Although the Vudu case does look MUCH cooler than the ATV. :)
February 15, 2008 7:37 AM
Guys wake up! Have we become "couch potatos"?
With your iPod you can take all the content of your computer and watch them on any TV ! even your mother in law (you would need it).
I don't see the added value; I think only the number of machines sold will tell me whether we are still human or turned into "COUCH POTATOS"