[Macworld]

Post your comments for It's the content, stupid here

[Peter Cohen]

Well, playing devil's advocate, I've been much happier with my Xbox 360 (and Nullriver Software's Connect360) serving the role that the Apple TV apparently does in your house. Being able to play games on it is a huge bonus.

In this particular case, I feel like Apple TV, at least in its initial incarnation, was the classic solution in search of a problem.

[mrbach]

I still don't get what the Apple TV is. My original eMac was connected to my big screen TV next door and used to play movies and TV shows, and that was going back 4 years now. Now my 24" iMac connects to the TV and plays media. It connects by SVHS to a video switch box, and the sound to my receiver. This means, I can also run iTunes.
My keyboard is wireless, and I can take it into the next room and control that media.
So, I have a complete computer that conveniently connects to a TV. What does an Apple TV do that this setup doesn't do?
I suspect that it does less, which is why it was labelled one of the worst products. If it's just the content...........?

[jwarrenod]

I've had an ATV since May or so, forget the specific date. I go through spats of use but I really like the fact that I'm able to rip my DVDs and don't have to worry about the cracked/scratched/dinged disk anymore. With two young sons, a DVD's life is not charmed in my house. Now we watch from the ATV as well as having access to 3.5k tunes from the library. iTunes content is good too, a bit pricey but good.

I'd like to see the rentals be more on the NetFlix model, keep 2,3,4----x movies active, the number would depend on the plan you sign up for. In order to watch a new movie you have to have an available "slot" in your account. If you've got them all used, decide which one to deactivate, maybe delete. Once that's done the new movie will play.

If you were looking to only watch iTunes content, I agree that the ATV is a bust, but I've created a bunch of home movies of the kids on the 4th of July for example. Much better watching them on the HD TV than the computer or iPod/iPhone.

Is the ATV perfect, far from it. But like the iPhone, its initial iteration is a good start and it should be upgradable to a large degree via software download/upgraded.

JW

[Luis_Alejandro]

{quote}Late last year, Yahoo?s Gadget Hound, Ben Patterson, declared the Apple TV one of the 10 Worst Tech Products of 2007, {/quote}
You know... up to a couple of years ago you have to write "iPod killer" (no matter what the topic was) to get clicks.
Now, "click-wanters" should write something bad about Apple.
And what's bad? The AppleTV, a Steve's hobby, just sold 400k units!
Of course, the iPhone sold 1M in 72 days... so, the AppleTV is a "failure".

I think that this Yahoo's writer would like to have a lot of failures like this!

[johnvoorhees]

One thing I think is overlooked in all the complaining about the AppleTV is the benefits of bringing your iTunes music and your photos into the living room. I used to hook my ipod up to my stereo, but that was a less than perfect solution. With the AppleTV, I have loads of music at my figertips with an easy to navigate interface. I haven't used my CD player in over a year as a result. I also enjoy being able to see my photos using the built in screen saver -- it's a great way to free photos from your Mac for everyone to enjoy.

Sure, I'd like more choice in movies, but I'd rather see that implemented through a Netflix like rental service (Jan 15?). If you want to see a movie over and over though, why not just buy the DVD on the cheap at Walmart or Target when it comes out and use the method Chris describes.

[ibeetle]

Continuing to play Devils Advocate...
Why stream anything and worry about lag and/or broken stream signal? God put hard drives in those Playstation 3 thingys for a reason. Putting 2 dozen episodes of Miffy, Super Why and Word World on the drive has saved time and money. Although my little rat has never put peanut butter on a DVD... hey how did she get a knife to spread it on in the first case? I am guessing it was chunky? Smooth would not have scratched the surface.

[jwarrenod]

One of the advantages of streaming is a much aggregate/larger library and the ability to add files/share files with new machines/drives. For example, my buddy who has Jackass 2.5 on his MacBook comes over for dinner and beers. In about 45 seconds, we're watching the movie on my ATV once we share his iTunes library. Kid comes home from school for the holidays, brings his MacBook or just his external drive that has all his movies, tunes, photos on it, able to share them or just watch them once mom and dad check out for the night.

I do get some streaming issues from time to time, but they are rare.

JW

[deatherm]

I love the Apple TV. I'm not sure what the disconnect is. My computer is my media hub but many people like me don't feature our computers in our living room entertainment center. We use our computers at our desk. The Apple TV is a slick and seamless way to experience your music, home movies, and slide shows, and purchased content, podcasts, YouTube, etc. on your TV and home stereo, as well as wirelessly connect multiple sources. I like that. The draw backs I imagine are the lack of streaming DVD, Internet radio, access to .Mac pictures/feeds or maybe RSS subscriptions, and audio books (if not now).

[folklore]

Breen is right on the money here. The AppleTV is only as good as the content available.

The problem is that people misunderstand exactly what the AppleTV is. It's a bridge between iTunes and your TV. That's it. That's why it doesn't have a TV tuner or a DVR or a DVD player or a Blu-Ray player or a milkshake machine built in. Because it's not those things. Tech writers - especially PC-centric writers - seem to want to turn the AppleTV into a completely different device.

If the AppleTV is a failure - and I don't think 400k units sold constitutes failure - then it's a failure of imagination on the part of content owners and Apple to reach mutually agreeable terms for digital distribution of content. I've mentioned before that it'd be great if iTunes could rip DVDs the same way it could rip CDs. I'd even pay $2-5 per disc if it were simple (i.e., easier than HandBrake).

[Peter Cohen]

folklore said:

The problem is that people misunderstand exactly what the AppleTV is. It's a bridge between iTunes and your TV. That's it. That's why it doesn't have a TV tuner or a DVR or a DVD player or a Blu-Ray player or a milkshake machine built in. Because it's not those things. Tech writers - especially PC-centric writers - seem to want to turn the AppleTV into a completely different device.

No, we don't. Really. We're comparing the Apple TV to other products that offer comparable functionality in a similar price range and find it lacking. I'm not expecting it to brown my toast in the morning. I just know I can get a lot more for $300 out of a box that streams video between my computer and my TV.

[Philbert]

"Well, playing devil's advocate, I've been much happier with my Xbox 360 (and Nullriver Software's Connect360) serving the role that the Apple TV apparently does in your house. Being able to play games on it is a huge bonus."

I have to agree, Peter. The Xbox 360 with Connect360 is an awesome combination. (had the Xbox about 14 months but didn't even know about Connect360 until a couple of months ago - to me, that's the "huge bonus")

For me to be interested in Apple TV, it needs far more capability. A DVD player, a DVR ... something! $300 to simply suck content from iTunes seems grossly overpriced. Add a DVR aspect that works directly with cable, throw in a DVD player and I'm all over it.

(Yes Chris, I know that's not what ATV is about - but it's what I want.) ;-)

-phil

[Philbert]

"I'd even pay $2-5 per disc if it were simple (i.e., easier than HandBrake)."

You think HandBrake is "hard"? Pick a preset and click a button ... I couldn't imagine it being any simpler.

-phil

[lkanthatham]

As the operator of the only Apple TV "fanboy" site known the mankind, AppleTVSource ( http://appletvsource.com ). I write about Apple TV-related news and information almost daily. Though that doesn't necessary make me an "authority" on Apple TV, I have to say I know a thing or two about what it is all about and what it is capable of.

I do agree with you that the main reason why the Apple TV didn't catch on with the main stream consumers is because of its dependence on iTunes Store's content. It merely acts as a conduit between the computer and the TV. Yes, even with the movies ripped from DVDs, it still is only as good as its content it plays.

I think if Apple TV could be made to do something more than just playing content, it will be WILDLY successful. I have written an article called "Repurposing the Apple TV" ( http://appletvsource...ntent/view/464/ ) to explore the possibilities of what this device can potentially do. The key is to open up the Apple TV to 3rd party developers. With this, Apple can just outsource a bulk of Apple TV development to other manufacturers. A DVR module, video conferencing module, etc. These are real possibilities for the Apple TV. Only if Apple would let this happen.