[ronincali3002]

Some are missing the point about the menu placement. If you EVER go to any other item in any of the lists (other than one of the "My" items), when you come back later to your Apple TV, you have to again scroll down to the bottom of that list with the almost useless and slow remote and menu system.
Before you jump on me, I have the latest and greatest of the Apple TVs, and I use my iPod touch as a remote WHEN IT'S POSSIBLE (another issue with Apple TV). It's my freaking device, why is Apple relegating MY content to the bottom of the list, and not offering an option to switch the orientation of said list?
Also, once you start getting a lot of content on the Apple TV, EVERYTHING starts to slow down DRAMATICALLY. Transfer speeds, reaction time, remote response.
And lately, using the iPod touch remote app to enter passwords has been failing to work.
Apple has A LOT of work to do. Right now, they get a D+ for all things Apple TV.

[jltnol]

What's wrong?
HD movies are so compressed as to almost not be HD.
Why pay $4.00 to RENT an inferior copy of a flick that I can get in real HD for free from Netflix? (ok.. so not "free" but cheaper than $4.00)

[gkbrown]

Agreed 100%. The very first time I booted up ATV 2.0, I had the same reaction. I didn't buy the device so Apple could get free advertising space on my TV for the iTunes store - I bought it so I could play MY stuff on my TV.
IMO, there are a number of issues with Apple TV as it stands today, and this is just one of them. Others include:
- Lack of support for any kind of online streaming (i.e. Hulu)
- Relegation of iTunes streaming to 2nd class citizen, behind syncing
- Lack of app store support - lots of potential here that Apple is missing
FWIW, I don't see lack of PVR support as a negative in any way. PVR functionality isn't consistent with Apple's content model (though I think that something like Hulu could be, if Apple felt like having the right discussions with TV studio execs). Other devices including Tivo and cable set top boxes already handle PVR well enough.

[tallscot]

jltnol said:

What's wrong?

HD movies are so compressed as to almost not be HD.

Why pay $4.00 to RENT an inferior copy of a flick that I can get in real HD for free from Netflix? (ok.. so not "free" but cheaper than $4.00)

(Slow day today for me) :)

Or rent a Blu-ray new release for $1.99 from Blockbuster and get 1080p.

[panny]

I have to agree with JoeC - the device is probably sold and used primarily as a video rental store and is setup as such.
If it could replace cable/satellite then it would be a real winner... to do that it would need a subscription base for TV shows. Realistically most people don't want to own TV shows except in rare circumstances (and my 160gb is full). If it ran 'live' news, sports, etc. and was subscription based ($39 a month and $49 for HD) then it would be like a DVR. I'm so close to replacing my cable but the live events prevent me from doing so. I love the commercial free element. Of course the one element they will need to look at is the advertising during live events.

[TheYodaMac]

Happy AppleTV owner here. It works like a charm to stream content (even HD) so syncing (and more storage) is a non-issue for me.

It did for my movie collection what iTunes originally did for my CD collection - made it fun again to browse through and re-discover! (sure I had to figure out how to "rip" my DVDs but that's not Apple's fault)

Yeah the menu move was unfortunate, but not a deal breaker by any means. I've even started renting movies again - after years of buying DVDs.

Speaking of which - I have hardly bought ANY DVDs in the two or so years I've been AppleTV-ing. :)

[ronjamin]

1. Adopt iPhone GUI: The iPhone/Touch has a huge installed base. The GUI in the AppleTV is well thought out, but it isn't consistant with the other product lines. The iPhone GUI would also allow for third-party apps on the AppleTV, namely simple email, simple web surfing, and GAMES.
2. Apps: Allow apps like the iPhone.
3. TIVO-like recording: TIVO is cool, lets get it as well as a digital/HD tuner on the AppleTV.
4. Larger build-to-order hard drives, or external hard drive capability. I want ALL of my movies, not just a sub-set.
5. Optimize the system: sometimes there are delays that are unacceptable.
6. Bluetooth: keyboards and mice for web surfing and email (remember WebTV), joysticks and 3rd party accessories for games, earpieces for VOIP, the list goes on.
7. Programming: offer "free" programming, supported by advertisements. For instance, all network programs should have two options, free one with commercials, pay one without.
8. Audio and video streaming: iTunes has "radio", and this feature should be on as well. Also, live TV streaming should be made available.
The AppleTV is a HUGE sleeper product that Apple can revolutionize the home with.

[funnyboy88]

The Apple TV sucks. But you know why Apple isn't rushing to improve it? BECAUSE WEBSITES LIKE MACWORLD GIVE IT GREAT REVIEWS. You guys gave it a 4/5. Praising the Apple Tv, Apple's weakest product, was such a brown nose move. You can criticize it all you want now, but that doesn't change your original 4/5 grading, which Apple probably does look at since you guys are the leading Mac magazine.
The Apple Tv model is soooo weak. Who wants to take out their credit card everytime they want to see a new episode of a show. Apple was right in ignorng the subscription model for music, but a subscription model for Itunes shows and movies would be great. It could compete with Netflix because you can get instant content intead of waiting for DVD's to be released.
Or, open it up to Hulu, Netflix, etc. Right now the Apple Tv is just an advertisment for the iTunes store. LAME.

[doglesby]

Good points about the Apple TV. Too bad the author had at least three pieces to write and crammed them all into one. Not cohesive at all. Especially since the main point (not the one in the title) is fundamentally flawed. The ability to rent HD movies in no way moved iTunes away from managing your own content.
I suppose the downside of losing newspapers is losing editors who make sure stories are cohesive entities that make a lick of sense.

[trintoc2]

I do have to admit, I'm pretty torn on this one. I can honestly see the Apple TV for both arguments here. As someone that doesn't rely on iTunes to get my media, the menu on the Apple Tv is a big cumbersome. However, I do think the ATV did transition into a way for people to access the iTunes store. After all, how many times can you watch the same movies in your library over and over? We probably spend more time looking for the movies that we do actually watching them.
I completely agree that it is under powered, takes too long to sync and can really lag at times. There is a whole list of options that would improve the ATV, but I agree with an earlier post "Just buy a Mac Mini". After all, if you start adding those options, it will just increase the price to the point of a mini anyway.
Furthermore, why the heck would Apple allow Netflix on to the ATV??? That's direct competition with it's own store! It amazes me that people even request this. It's the same with Hulu. Yes, it would probably sell a couple more ATV units, but the real cash cow is the store. This is just one argument that needs to go away. Any business minded person knows this is just plain silly. It's like building a McDonalds store and letting Burger King sells food there. Duh!

[Biallystock]

How about it is yet another expensive box and remote that doesn't do everything you want.
I can't see the value in Apple movies, it isn't just the price it is the DL and storage as well.
Plus it is an odd size compared with everything else connected to the TV. I don't know where to park it and still keep the cable spaghetti from getting in the way.

[jgvp]

I don't know why Microsoft was able to Introduce a Media Centre, essentially a software program, that works as a TV, while Apple chose to go the Apple TV hardware route, but then only essentially for rented movies. Why is it that Elgato were able to fill in the gap in order to meet the Microsoft TV approach and not the capable Cupertino programmers ?
I somehow get the feeling that Steverino with his involvement with Hollywood and Pixar is the stumbling block on the route to Apple TV nirvana by not wishing to ruffle the feathers of his cohorts who are always prepared to be frighteningly determined in defending their turf. Which raises the question why are the filmmakers so adamantly intent on placing curbs on TV ?
We, as consumers, are obviously destined to be always at the mercy of the moneymakers, while we only happen to be the source from which their wealth emanates. I thought slavery had been abolished ? Obviously, in this case the one who pays the piper does not necessarily call the tune.

[VoxLocus]

1. The AppleTV is pretty inexpensive as gadgets go.
2. ATV is clearly an extension of the iTunes store.
3. ATV processor is (from the reviews written by those who've installed the stick extensions) not really up to being a computer. Sure wouldn't want to use it for ripping content.
4. As a pretty inexpensive player of movies, podcasts, and music, it is a bargain compared to a Mini or other computer connected to HD.
5. "HD Movies" look fine. I've stopped renting SD movies, they don't look fine on my HDTV.
6. I won't have Blu-Ray in the house. The Discs are really, really expensive, and I might like the quality.
7. I do have a Sony upconverting HDMI DVD player. DVDs played on that machine are superb enough for me, and it was far cheaper than the ATV. (Newer movies in full widescreen are fabulous when unconverted on that player).
8. Our local library has a large collection of current and classic DVDs. Taxes are certain, we get some value back by checking those out all the time.
9. We get value by renting the 99cent ($1.99 when HD) ATV movies.
10. The best thing about the ATV for me is the 160gb HD has much of my music, and is connected via optic cable to our big receiver which drives multiple speaker locaations. I can select, control, and play that music using the Remote.APP on my iPod Touch.
NOPE, the ATV is NOT a full computer. (though if you want to flash it, it may come close). But for the price and the capability is does have, good value for the $.

[Biallystock]

160Gb is not really anywhere enough to hold my movies and music collection.

It just falls short whichever way I look at it.