Comments on: Apple TV Now Shipping

By: Andrew Swihart

Andrew Swihart — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 19:34:21 +0000

Cool! A $299 MacMini then – now this will get interesting. I’ll have to look into it, is it still a 720p max resolution?

By: Ronald Heft

Ronald Heft — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:52:42 +0000

Andrew, it’s funny you say that. Apple TV has been hacked today and all it is, is a stripped down version of OS X. This allows easy codec installation and a plethora of upcoming hacks.

By: Andrew Swihart

Andrew Swihart — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:26:47 +0000

After finding out more about this product, I’m amazed at how locked down it is. I think it is a complete waste of money, and you can consider youself an Apple fanboy of the worse magnitude if you think this product is even decent.

Apple TV has none of the features I want:
You have to buy EVERYTHING from iTunes to play on it
It is not Hi-definition, and neither is anything on the iTunes store
You can’t even use it buy anything from the iTunes store (you ‘ll have to use your computer instead)
It cannot be used as a DVR

Basically, if they fix those things it will be good. To state it plainly, here’s how they need to improve it for the next version:
Make it able to play any media file on your computer
Make it hi-def
Make it possible to browse iTunes, Youtube, download from BitTorrent, etc, etc, etc.
Make it function as a DVR as well

It’s really that simple.

By: Andrew Swihart

Andrew Swihart — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 17:06:39 +0000

I will probably get an XBox360 before I ever get something like this. It’s main use will be for HTPC functions and playing XBOX Live Arcade, maybe I’ll have to try Gears of War too. Let’s see the Apple TV do all that.

By: Andrew Swihart

Andrew Swihart — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 17:06:23 +0000

I will probably get an XBox360 before I ever get something like this. It’s main use will be for HTPC functions and playing XBOX Live Arcade, maybe I’ll have to try Gears of War too.

By: Jonathan E

Jonathan E — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 15:22:07 +0000

I would love to buy an Apple TV, but iTunes in Canada doesn't have any content to make owning an Apple TV worthwhile. I wrote about this recently on my site, because us Canadians are getting the shaft. Bottom line: as soon as the content is available, I'll order an Apple TV.

By: eric

eric — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 14:10:35 +0000

I don’t think I’ll be ordering one yet. I would like to see this thing do the DVR feature, and be able to stream media from ipods. It would also be a plus if this was true high-def quality. They have some work to do before this product is worthy to me. I love the concept, and I’m sure it will only get better in the near future.

What about you? Are you going to get one of these? They $300 is better spent on an upcoming mortgage payment.

By: Yohannes Wijaya

Yohannes Wijaya — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 11:42:33 +0000

i dont even have a tv. so getting it is out of the question. i rather save the 300 bucks for iphone even if i do own one. if you have a family or friends coming over frequently or roommates, the ability to watch 2gether videos streamed from your mac/windows to your tv via appletv is a buy, but i spend most of my time in front of my mac where i can watch video, listen to my music, browse photos, etc. i dont see the reason to get apple tv anytime soon.

By: bandersnatch

bandersnatch — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 04:44:04 +0000

I’ll be watching in the background to see what mods / hacks come out for Apple TV to support third party codecs / formats.

I’m also waiting for slingmedia’s slingcatcher (google it) as it looks like the answer for anyone who doesn’t live through itunes.

By: Blake Brannon

Blake Brannon — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 02:02:09 +0000

I would rather spend $600 on a Mac mini and have a full blown version of OS X where I can add all sorts of media players and quicktime codecs.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:32:43 +0000

A month delay on this product, I wonder if there will be a delay on the iPhone as well?

Just a thought…..

By: Ronald Heft

Ronald Heft — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 22:44:53 +0000

Once the Apple TV adds support for additional formats, I’ll consider it. Until then, I’m happy with my modded Xbox and Xbox Media Center.

By: Andre

Andre — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 22:41:29 +0000

A Wii and an EyeTV Hybrid is where my money’s going. Sharing the family HDTV is too damn annoying.

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 21:51:23 +0000

I’ll be waiting for two things:
- Will I be able to add my own quicktime codecs? I have videos in any number of outlandish formats and want to make sure I can get my AppleTV playing them.

Once that is sorted, it really is the fact that in the UK we can’t get the iTunes Video Store, which is a bit of a downer, until we get that I will have to rip DVDs, and my iMac + Front Row is more then serviceable to cope with that at the moment.