[Walt_Basil]

Nice comparison Chris. I fall in the "I bought the unnecessary 160GB model and love it camp." I have loved it from the start, and now it gets even better now that I'll be able to rent - basically use it instead of my pay per view that I routinely use once or twice a week. I can't wait to get my software update on...

[Dieter]

Is this the Apple TV i been waiting for?
My 5 year old Sony Triniton has NO HDMIT input, only composite & component
video.
Will I be able to watch my movies and pictures from my IMac?
If so, Ill buy it tomorrow.
Tks, Pan.

[este]

you need to make sure that your tv can emulate the widescreen format or you will experience compression in the width of the picture. this happens regardless if the program is widescreen or not. learned that the hard way. check the user manual if the tv can display widescreen properly, a lot of standard definition tube tv's from the past five years can.

[owlmouth]

Close captioning (CC) not available yet with AppleTV
so....... I'll pass until Apple gets their priorities right.
Lyrics for songs? Come on......

[Philbert]

"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."

Right. Because Apple is obviously incapable of adding video inputs.

Sorry, Chris - still not sold yet. More appealing isn't necessarily appealing enough. I'm sure I'd love ATV if I had one - I'm just not willing to part with $230 for what if offers. It's better, but not quite there yet.

-phil

[Philmco]

I'm not sure I follow why some of you wouldn't call this a compelling product. I primarily use the original ATV in a way that is probably considered secondary to it's primary advertised function: To connect my music collection to my stereo (with more control & clarity than airtunes allows). This feature alone rivals squeezebox & soundbridge, but works better... plus you get a back up hardrive for whatever you want to transmit to it. Sure there are some clunky shortcomings that haven't been addressed yet, but by and large, this is an awesome product that has just been made considerably better. If anyone from Apple is listenning, the only thing it really needs is a more ipod like remote and better adhesion to iTunes preferences.

[Jason Snell]

FWIW, Apple's never gonna do a DVR. Don't wait around for that one.

[meta]

The iPod would never have been a success if it had only been able to play .m4a/.m4p files, and not mp3s.

Similarly, the AppleTV needs to be able to play multiple common formats, including DivX/XviD, if it's going to be a success.

I know I'll buy one if there's an easy way to add XviD/DivX support.

[macwilf]

Contrary to the Air, I think Apple did everything right with this one. (Mind you, I think the Air is very good at what it is, but the price is very wrong for me, alas).
I was among those who couldn't see the point with the ATV Take One. Much because at present I don't even have a TV but watch cable on my iMac. I thought ATV would be something making that much easier at first.
But now, when we get the Rental Store over here in Norway (hopefully we'll do!), ATV as it is now, may even convince me to buy a TV!
I think that says a lot for it:)

[flybynight]

Philbert said:

"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."

Right. Because Apple is obviously incapable of adding video inputs.

I didn't say they are incapable, but people just don't seem to get that the hardware has not changed. This is a software update, and some people ask if it can do DVR now. And, I agree with Jason Snell - I just don't see it happening. In order for it really work well, it needs to basically be your cable/sat box - and that requires making it compatible with too many different systems and probably getting the cable/sat people to cooperate. If you thought that the RIAA, the TV networks and the movie studious were tough to deal with...

[jmbiffle]

I have the same concern as owlmouth. Why can't Apple TV include us non-hearing people? Uh, will English subtitles be available for the rented movies?

[deasys]

{quote}Similarly, the AppleTV needs to be able to play multiple common formats, including DivX / XviD, if it's going to be a success{quote}

Don't hold your breath. Apple has chosen to support a true standard--H.264--that also happens to be overall the best video codec currently available. I doubt it would implement the private DivX codec and its open source offshoot, XviD.

As with AAC on the audio side, content providers will eventually figure it out...

[hmurchison]

Get to buying

http://www.electroni...already.hacked/



Perian will get the job done.

[lantzn]

Get your wallet out. The Apple TV has been able to play those formats for awhile now.

http://www.engadget....-your-apple-tv/

other plug-ins
http://plugins.awkwardtv.org/

I'm sure it won't be long before any shortcomings of the new 2.0 software are overcome as well.