[Macworld]

Post your comments for First Look: Apple TV, take two here

[Hobeaux]

With the Take 2 version of the Apple TV I'm taking the plunge and will be buying the device with my next paycheck.

[gregspeck]

Being one of the former, I welcome the new software. I await the HD experinece and will get my optical cable back out of storage and see if 5.1 provides an enhanced experience. The fact that it operates on OS 10, means many more updates may be coming in the future.

[Graphos]

I agree. I personally think this is going to get big. Apple brand recognition is at it's highest. People that have new iPod that support video will want an easy way to load up that video in to their devices, why limit it to the tiny screen?
Overall the only draw back was one imposed by the studios, that is 30 day wait for new releases. Other then that, I think it's a pretty good offering. I agree with Christopher, the product just got a lot more appealing. It certainly is getting me on board next month.

[derbazooka]

Ugh. My camcorder records at 1080i/30fps. So I can't watch my home movies in full resolution. If they could bump up the resolution AND add HD-DVR functionality, I'd pick one up. Otherwise, not compelling.

[smumac]

Yes, I'm one of those that have one and love it. The only downside was getting HD content on it. Ripping HD DVDs is a pain. I wish that the studios would change their minds and allow Apple to also sell the movies in HD quality.

[este]

how will this effect environments with multiple machines on the network ... right now you need to connect to each library individually to stream that media. Will the update now display everything on the network at once or only the machine that "owns" that device.
It would be great if all the media on three separate machines were displayed together, and there were a quicker refresh rate for media that was added while the ATV is connected.

[KarlMax]

I've not seen anything on this question: Will the update unlock the USB port so a hard drive can be used to expand the ATV's storage capacity?

[trip1ex]

It got better, but I say it's still doomed as a mainstream product.

For how slick it is it's just not that useful like the iPod is or the iPhone even. The exchange is I give Apple $230 and pay them more money for rentals than I do now in order to not get off the couch.

I don't think that's compelling enough to make this a must have product.

I still say its missing something to make it that compelling product the iPod was.

[rbcarr]

Can you block local content from showing up in the menu? (i.e. Adult Content)
How does it handle multiple accounts and multiple machines?

[VancouverYogi]

I ordered an Apple TV yesterday and should be receiving it by the end of the week. This new software update will address the shortcomings that caused me to balk in the past.
Once I have everything up and running I'm going to cancel my cable subscription - which is currently running me about $65 a month. The way I look at it the resulting savings will mean my Apple TV will have completely paid for itself in about 6 months and I'll only be paying for the content I actually want to watch.

[mknopp]

This is much better. I am considering getting one. However, the final straw which would put the Apple TV over the top would be for Apple to make the thing capable of streaming the TV shows offered online from the stations. If the AppleTV could connect to NBC and stream the episode of Heroes which I missed, or connect to USA and stream the back episodes of Burn Notice that would put this device over the top.
Even better would be for Apple to try and make a site like Hulu or partner with Hulu.
This would revolutionize the market and essentially makes the DVR obsolete. Why bother recording shows and watching them later when I can simply watch any show at any time on my TV with a few pushes of the remote.
Given the stations move to post TV shows online with a few ads for revenue all that is needed is a simple device and interface to bring them all together and make them easy to choose and watch.
To date the AppleTV is the closest, but still not quit there.

[flybynight]

People need to get the idea of the Apple TV being (or becoming) a DVR out of their heads. This would require a MAJOR hardware change - there are no video inputs on the ATV, so it's not going to happen.
Question about the 5.1 - the article says it works with optical port, but will it also work through the HDMI cable? My receiver can decode audio through the HDMI, so I'd hate to have to run an extra wire if I don't have to.
And with the newfound ability to pass DD 5.1, does this open any doors for Handbraking DVDs and maintaining the 5.1 soundtrack without hacking the ATV box with Perian, etc?

[petvas]

I believe that this new update brings new life to the Apple TV and makes it much more appealing than before. It's not perfect but it's getting there. I wish HD content was available for purchase. Who knows, this might change in the future.