Apple TV Review- MC572LL/A NEWEST MODEL
Category Shopping | Sunday, September 5th, 2010
Redesigned to be smaller, the Apple TV allows you to rent commercial-free TV shows in HD as well as rent from the largest selection of HD movies–many available the same day they come out on DVD. Now everything you want to watch–movies, TV shows, photos, and more–streams wirelessly to the Apple TV, and you don’t have to worry about managing storage or syncing to your iTunes library.
Stream HD movies and TV shows from iTunes plus content from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and MobileMe. Click here for a larger image.
The Apple TV streams content from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr, and MobileMe, as well as music, photos, and videos from PCs and Macs to your HDTV. And those movies and TV shows you bought on iTunes don’t have to stay on your computer. For maximum entertainment, stream your digital collection over the air to your Apple TV.
It features built-in HDMI, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and an internal power supply for easy set-up, and it features silent, cool, very low power operation in an enclosure that’s less than four inches square–80 percent smaller than the previous generation. Control the Apple TV using the included seven-button aluminum Apple Remote, or use your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and the Remote app–a free download from the iTunes App Store.
Get Connected with Apple TV
Setting up Apple TV is about as simple as it gets. Just plug the power cord into the wall and connect Apple TV to your widescreen HDTV using an HDMI cable (sold separately). Since everything streams wirelessly to Apple TV, that’s all you need.
The Apple TV also features a powerful A4 processing chip, enabling it to stream everything effortlessly without frozen screens or stutters. Video looks crisp and clear. And just like watching a DVD, you can fast-forward through opening credits, pause for a popcorn break, or replay a scene.
Instant HD Movie Rentals
With Apple TV, you get instant access to the hottest Hollywood titles and new releases–often the same day they come out on DVD. Popular movies are never out of stock and you can rent as many as you want–perfect for spontaneous movie nights (or afternoons or mornings). Search by top movies, title, or genre. Even read a quick movie review, watch the trailer, and check out the latest ratings from Rotten Tomatoes. Once you find what you’re looking for, simply press Play, and in seconds, you’re watching the opening credits with theater-like Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. You have 30 days to start watching, and once you begin, you can watch as many times as you want in 24 hours.
À la Carte TV Show Rentals
With Apple TV, you can rent your favorite TV shows–sitcoms, dramas, and reality series–on the spot, completely commercial free and in HD for just 99¢ per episode. Watch a show the day after it airs, or catch up on past seasons with a marathon of back-to-back episodes. Once you rent an episode, you have 30 days to press Play, then it’s yours for the next 48 hours. Watch it once, or replay it as many times as you want.
Even More Choices with Netflix, YouTube, MobileMe, and Flickr
Apple TV also gives access to the Netflix streaming catalog for Netflix subscribers, and the ability to browse and search, rate content, add to or remove from your queue, or instantly stream straight to your HDTV. Apple TV users can also enjoy millions of YouTube videos, more than 200,000 podcasts, 4,000 Internet radio stations and personal photos from MobileMe and Flickr with several gorgeous new slideshow themes.
Control the Apple TV with the free Remote app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (device not included).
Give your digital collection some airtime.
You’ve also probably got tons of music on your computer. The Apple TV connects them to your HDTV and home theater system without missing a beat. Your iTunes music library streams directly to Apple TV, so you can sit back, choose a tune, and enjoy the music.
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Perfect Companions to the Apple TV
Download the free Remote app from the App Store to your iPhone or iPod touch, and with a flick of your finger, you can rent new movies and TV shows, scroll through the Netflix catalog, and browse your media collection. Remote uses the same easy-to-use interface you already use to browse music and video on your Multi-Touch device, so you immediately know how to navigate. If you want to find something specific, use your device’s QWERTY keyboard to quickly tap out the title instead of clicking letters on the Apple TV screen.
Coming Soon: AirPlay
You can already stream music and video from your computer to Apple TV. With AirPlay, you can stream music and video from your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, too. So if you feel like watching a movie you have on one of your devices, you don’t need to rent or buy it again. Just tap to start playing content on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, then tap again to instantly stream whatever you’re watching–or listening to–directly to Apple TV. AirPlay is coming soon to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch near you. (AirPlay is coming soon and will be available on all iOS 4 devices.)
Specifications
- System requirements:
- AirPort Extreme, Wi-Fi 802.11b, g, or n wireless network (wireless video streaming requires 802.11g or 802.11n) or 10/100BASE-T Ethernet network
- iTunes Store account for renting movies and TV shows
- Netflix account for streaming Netflix content
- For streaming media from a Mac or PC: iTunes 10 or later; iTunes Store account for Home Sharing
- Video formats:
- H.264 video up to 720p, 30 frames per second, Main Profile level 3.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
- MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
- Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format
- Audio formats:
- HE-AAC (V1), AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound pass-through
- TV compatibility: High-definition TVs with HDMI and capable of 720p 60/50Hz,2 including popular models from these manufacturers: Hitachi, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, NEC, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, Vizio, Westinghouse
- Wireless: 802.11n Wi-Fi (a/b/g compatible); 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Ports: 1 HDMI; 1 optical audio; 1 Fast Ethernet; IR receiver; microUSB (for service and support)
- Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.9 x 0.9 inches
- Weight: 0.6 pounds
- Power: Built-in 6-watt universal power supply