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Apple TV is one of the less well known members of the Steve Jobs’ digital offspring, and despite its decent credentials as a media player it still feels like the black sheep among the radiant iMacs, iPhones and iPads. This latest version has dropped the standard white casing in favour of a matt-black look, while shaving down the dimensions to make it as unobtrusive as possible.
The big news is that Apple has dispensed with the hard disk, so unlike the original Apple TV this incarnation is purely a streamer. Built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connect it to the world, and the only outputs are an HDMI socket and an optical digital audio out. There’s also a mini-USB for service, but good luck hacking this one – it runs on a version of Apple’s iOS.
Simple streaming
Simple really is an understatement when it comes to streaming, with much of the emphasis being put on movie rentals from iTunes. In just a few clicks you can watch a preview, make a selection and the film is streamed straight to the little box. New titles are typically £3.49-£4.49 each. Normal iTunes offerings are standard-def, but with Apple TV you can get content in 720p HD.
If you’re worried about your net connection stuttering just as the Alien erupts from John Hurt’s chest, there’s Home Sharing that allows Apple TV to access your entire iTunes library and play it out through your TV and sound system. And rather spiffy it looks and sounds, too.
For those too lazy to fire up their computer, AirPlay lets you stream movies, TV and music direct from your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad. Just set the content running, choose AirPlay and it’s instantly streamed over the home network to the Apple TV and onto your screen.
Annoyingly there’s no BBC iPlayer – something that could well have swayed those still to be convinced – and the internet radio interface is fairly basic.
Review continues after the break...
Full HD omission
The fact the new model is limited to 720p is also frustrating. It’s not that pictures look terrible – even on a 50in screen, they’re impressive, although with some occasional, obvious pixellation – but rather that we know some online content has much more to offer. The sound is big, exciting and detailed, both through HDMI and the optical out.
Typically, the neat, aluminium-clad Apple remote that comes as standard is a bit finicky, needing a firm and steady aim at the little unit to work reliably. Much better is the free remote app for iPhone and iPod Touche, which puts artwork and all that stuff in the palm of your hand. Without it, Apple TV is much less attractive.
Apple has done well to take an axe to the price, with a sub-£100 pricetag likely to prove much more tempting, but a few extra features could have completed the picture.
Comments
ossaia
48 weeks ago
so small but so awesome, the apple tv well it's amazing you don't ever need to bye a dvd again you can just bye it on the itunes store and watch it on your aplle tv.
peds
1 year ago
Wow, Apple Tv 2 is fantastic to say the least.
By far the best bit for me is streaming music, films, all content from iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or computer to the device and in the case of films it playing in Dolby Digital through your Amp (if connected to digital output). The ability to rent HD movies quickly and easily is a great plus. The Apple TV2 box is just slightly bigger than a packet of cigarettes and operates silently.
The remote while functional and very aesthetically pleasing, is limited. This can be got round by using the free Remote app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
In short this is another great product that does exactly what it say on the tin without issue or fuss.
firefox steve
1 year ago
I have been using my Apple TV2 for a week now and can give an honest verdict on it.
Up first movies to rent. I found there was a good selection of movies and although prices could be a bit lower it was still cheaper than a night out at the cinema. The menu system looks and feels great which includes reviews by customers and by "Rotten Tomatoes". Picture quality was great for a streaming device. I know its only 720p, but i think it was no worse than a standard DVD.
The internet tab i thought was nothing new with the usual offerings of YouTube and Flickr.
Finally the 'Home Share' option to stream content from your PC/laptop.
Now i must say that set up of this wasn't easy. After entering in my Apple ID and password the Apple TV would just not see my laptop. This might just be a problem with my set up at home but several attempts were needed and a re-boot of my router to get the Home Share to work.
Once set up the this feature is excellent. I have a lot of video on my iPod Touch and now this can be watched on the big screen.
Picture quality i feel is very good. Bearing in mind content made for portable devices is not optimized for full screen viewing the quality on my TV was better than i expected.
Overall i am very pleased with this device. I think it is a perfect "add-on" to my entertainment system. For someone who wants to rent a movie or watch watch some content normally stuck on their apple device on the big screen this works really well.
Pros: Good selection of movies to rent. Nice streaming option to get content off your Laptop/PC.
Cons: Still a bit expensive (£99), could do with UK video on demand like iPlayer, 4OD etc
4 out of 5
Samstinator
1 year ago
One thing customers should note is that the widely publicised "tab" and ability to rent tv programmes are NOT available in the UK. On my Apple TV I just have "movies" "internet" "computer" and "settings". However, I have found that buying TV shows on my laptop and streaming wirelessly to the apple TV (which is surprisingly quick in my house, even when they are in completely different sides of the building.
Streaming content is very simple once set up, but it does mean that you have to leave your PC/Mac on while doing so.
The device itself is very quick, and youtube navigation is a breeze.
I would have appreciated some iPlayer support, but that may come later on in a later software update (fingers crossed)
I would recommend Apple TV2 but i would like to offer some advice
1) Rent at least 7 hours BEFORE you intend to watch, or you will have to wait about an hour for the movie to start unless you have a lightning speed connection.
2) Beware of the pause. Sometimes it can be instant resume, other times it can take over 20 minutes.
I think that the Apple TV is a neat little idea and works well, but tiny little things let it down. 4/5