Apple TV MB189LL/A with 160GB Hard Drive [OLD VERSION]
by Apple Computer
![Apple TV MB189LL/A with 160GB Hard Drive [OLD VERSION]](/images/Apple-TV-MB189LL-A-with-160GB-Hard-Drive-OLD-VERSION-B000RQHAUA-L.jpg)
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Our Price: $399.95 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Home Theater See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Apple TV MB189LL/A with 160GB Hard Drive [OLD VERSION]
Customer Review: A great box for your old home-made movies.
Summary: 5 Stars
What a joy it is to have all my home made movies, originally shot in Super 8 (remember that format?), on my Apple TV.
I had tons of old Super 8 movies, some of them filmed by my dad some 60 years ago. Watching them now required setting up the old family projector, and pulling up the portable white screen. Some movies became dry, and tore in the projector, so watching one of the old movies became a process of stop, remove film, glue it back together, and continue watching.
My brother eventually gave all the movies to a specialized company that converted them all into mpeg format. Once in mpeg, they were transferred to iTunes, and then to the Apple TV via the home network.
What a pleasure it is now to watch my family's old home made movies on my TV screen. It is now a snap to switch between my movies, and by being so accessible, I can now show them to other family members and friends.
The Apple TV is really like an iPod. It is controlled by a very simple remote control with one menu button, a play/pause button, surrounded in a circle by the forward and rewind buttons, and the volume control (`+ and -` buttons also used for navigation). You are going to wish all remote controls were that simple.
Navigating the Apple TV is like navigating an iPod. You can store video, music, and photos. There is a slideshow feature for your pictures that will display your pictures on your TV with background music of your choice. The background music can be chosen at random from your music library.
Though as simple as an iPod to operate, the Apple TV is itself a stripped-down Mac mini, running a version of Mac OS X. When you plug in the Apple TV to your TV, you will not need to do any configuration. It's basically plug-and-play. Audio and video cables (not included) connect it to your TV. There is an HDMI output.
The Apple TV comes with a wireless feature allowing you to wirelessly connect to your home network. However, in order to sync your Apple TV with your iTunes, I would recommend you use an Ethernet cable to connect to your home network. The video, music, and photo transfer will be faster through an Ethernet cable. Once you sync your Apple TV for the first time, you may then disconnect the network cable and use the wireless feature in the Apple TV to update its content.
I also recommend you first start syncing at night. In this way, the syncing process will go on while you are sleeping. My Apple TV is 160 Gigabyte strong, and to put that much information on it might take the better part of a day! In most cases, depending on your hardware, connecting through the network Ethernet cable will make the transfer much faster than connecting wirelessly, particularly over 802.ub, 802.ug, and 802.un networks.
You can sync content from only one computer at a time, and you can't add content manually--for example, by dragging it from iTunes library to the Apple TV icon on iTunes' Source list, as you might do with an iPod. If you choose to sync with a different computer, all the data on the Apple TV will be replaced.
Another nice feature of the Apple TV is its ability to connect to the iTunes store, through your computer (either a Mac or PC), where you can download music and videos. Like the iPod, the Apple TV will neatly categorize your media for you, and automatically download the covers of the music albums and films.
One negative comment I have about the Apple TV is that you cannot transfer the media files on your Apple TV to your computer. It is only a one way process, with files moving from your iTunes to your Apple TV, and not vice versa. So if you want to send an Apple TV to a friend, loaded with your music and video library, your friend cannot connect it to his computer. If he does so, all the media on the Apple TV will be erased when it tries to sync with your friend's iTunes, replacing it with the media files on your friend's computer. This also applies to the iPod. There are software on the internet that claim to address this problem, but I have not tried any of them.
Be careful about earlier versions of Apple TV. Earlier versions don't support streaming videos. Newer versions shipped give you the option of navigating YouTube, and streaming their videos. I think that older versions can be updated to support streaming videos.
Apple TV also has limited support for video formats. This means that you will have to rely on tools like Techspanion's Visual-Hub to convert videos to Apple TV-ready formats. You can also use Apple QuickTime. You cannot directly burn a DVD into iTunes. DVDs also need to be converted in order to have them transferred to your Apple TV.
You can stream movies, however, you can't stream photos. Instead, on the computer synced with the Apple TV, iTunes formats the pictures you select and copies them to the Apple TV's hard drive. Once they're on the Apple TV, you can view a selected album or your entire photo library as a slide show. You can choose from a variety of transitions, as well as determine the display time for each picture.
Apple has chosen to say that generally, 5.1 audio is not supported.
The Apple TV does not offer true HD quality.
Apple Computer Inc. has changed its name to Apple Inc. With the name change, Apple is now promising us gadgetry other than computers. The iPhone is one example. There's more to come.
Customer Review: An amazing product -- the WiFi streaming capability sets it apart
Summary: 5 Stars
I very respectfully submit that some of the otherwise excellent reviews here on Amazon have not emphasized what I believe to be the main point about the Apple TV accessory. That is the fact that the Apple TV can access movies, TV shows or other videos that are on the user's main computer hard disk without transferring the actual data file (e.g. an MP4 file of a movie) to the hard disk drive on the Apple TV unit. This is a very significant capability. It means that so long as the user has a desktop PC with lots of hard disk space together with a home WiFi network, the Apple TV unit has complete access to the user's video library regardless of the hard disk capacity of the Apple TV unit. To me, this is a very big deal, because I have a very large video library stored on my main desktop computer, which my Apple TV accesses via WiFi. (This capability takes advantage of the fact that hard disk space on one's desktop is very inexpensive these days.) The Apple TV effortlessly accesses and streams a movie video directly over WiFi without the need to download it to the Apple TV Hard Disk. Thus, you are limited only by the disk capacity of your desktop, not by that of the Apple TV. The Apple TV hard disk is vital, of course, if you use the Apple TV in a portable setting away from your main iTunes desktop and WiFi setup. Then you are playing the Apple TV as a direct source of video content from its Hard Disk to your TV. I do this in my boat.
To me, the ability to stream content directly from the desktop to one's widescreen TV via the Apple TV is what sets the Apple TV apart from other source devices such as DVD players. Further, being able to purchase content directly from the iTunes store, even in HD format, adds to the capability of this unit. I have "bought in" to the whole Apple music and video concept, and those of us who have done so will quickly see that the Apple TV is made for us. The Apple TV interface is a great way to browse the iTunes store for movies or whatnot; I personally prefer doing it that way as opposed to accessing the store on my desktop computer.
But even for those who eschew the iTunes store, the Apple TV is terrific if you have other videos such as legally ripped archival MP4 files of movies purchased on DVD, for example. I also enjoy watching History and Military Channel video podcasts, which can be downloaded for free from the iTunes store onto iTunes and then enjoyed on the big screen via the Apple TV unit.
It appears that I am more impressed with the Apple TV unit than many of the other reviewers. The unit is small, elegant, and attractive. Smaller than a DVD player, it does far more and it does it in a much more elegant manner, i.e. all of your content is accessible via the Apple TV menus without hassling with individual DVD disks. The cost is similar to a high-end DVD player. I frankly think that DVDs are rapidly becoming obsolete and that direct digital electronic downloads are the future, but I digress. The unit has wonderful screensaver capability, in sharp contrast to my two DVD players, and various other nice touches. It is great for a full-screen display of photographs. (I am an avid digital photographer, so I in particular appreciate this.) It is very pleasant (great ambiance for parties) to put on a slide show of one's digital photographs, and stream a music playlist to accompany the slide show. Very cool.
Installation was essentially effortless. The unit immediately recognized my wireless network, and accepted the WEP code. My main desktop computer immediately recognized the Apple TV and offered to synch. The Apple TV immediately offered to upgrade its internal operating software over the internet and did so. Even before synching, my entire video content was available on my widescreen TV through the Apple TV via WiFi streaming. I was watching a movie from my iTunes library within minutes. Incredible.
Like all Apple products, the Apple TV is beautifully made, and nicely packaged. I wish that more American companies focused on quality the way Apple does.
I agree with other reviewers that the remote for the Apple TV is kind of small and minimalist for what is destined to become the centerpiece of my video library. Strangely, the remote does not even include a volume control. (You can program many third-party remotes to control the Apple TV and I will probably end up going that route although I have not yet done so.) Hilariously, there is an iPhone app that allows one's iPhone to act as a substitute remote ("Remote") and it is not at all bad. And it is odd how the Apple TV does not even have an "off" switch. These issues are minor, keep the cost down, and perhaps even add to the simple elegance of the unit.
The wireless streaming is what really sets this unit apart, but there is much else to like about it as well. Apple seems to have a clear vision of the future of digital content, and the Apple TV seems to be ideally situated to capitalize on this vision.
Customer Review: Little Machine, Big Impact!
Summary: 5 Stars
The main purpose of this device is to bring iTunes to your Entertainment Center. Therefore, the Apple TV can use audio and video formats that are playable in iTunes or Quicktime. This isn't the multi-format machine I would like it to be, but I knew this before I bought it. Converting content to playable formats ultimately isn't worth the time and effort so I have decided not to use the device for all content. Like all Mac products, this is very easy to use and if you have an iPod or iPhone, you probably depend on iTunes to organize your media. Therefore, it's a natural and simple way to bring your content to your high definition entertainment system wirelessly.
I had been dependent on an A/V doc to connect my iPhone/iPod to my entertainment system, but the audio quality was poor due to the analog connection, not to mention it's impossible to control remotely since there is no onscreen display. Ultimately, I never used it and my music stayed on my computer. The Apple TV cures this problem entirely, bringing full digital quality audio to your audio system. And since the onscreen menu and controls work just like coverflow on your iPhone/iPod, navigating and exploring your content is a breeze.
For me, the biggest discovery with the Apple TV has been Podcasting. I have found myself relying heavily on Podcasts for my daily information and entertainment, something I never expected.
The iTunes movie rentals are probably the main reason this devices exists. I enjoy HD movies, but they are expensive and I usually only watch them once so I rarely buy BD or HD-DVD discs. With iTunes and the Apple TV, I can rent them for a fraction of the cost ($3.99 to $4.99). Admittedly, Apple TV is only 720P/1080i with Dolby Digital 5.1 (not DTS, True HD, etc.), but the quality is excellent considering the cost savings over purchasing a BD disc. You can also rent standard definition movies for a few dollars less. The only drawback is availability of new releases, particularly in HD. Itunes will often restrict new releases to full purchases ($14.99) in Standard Defintion, and later release HD and Starndard Def. Unfortunately, you can only rent HD movies. If you buy, the movie is downloaded to your Apple TV (if rented, the movie is deleted 24 hours after you start watching).
There are other features which I generally use less, such as Youtube. One of the drawbacks to using the Apple TV is lack of a keyboard. In order to search or log on to youtube, you have to navigate a letter menu to enter the terms. While this is not difficult to use, it makes navigating youtube cumbersome and ultimately inefficient.
I did have some trouble with the Apple TV losing it's connection over my wireless network while using security encryption. I haven't resolved this problem yet beyond disabling encryption at my router and then implementing MAC filters to prevent access by unauthorized equipment. It also runs very warm so I have to be careful not to damage the finish on my cabinet so it sits on a mouse pad right now. The other minor disappointment for me is the fact that the audio is scaled down to PCM, using Bitstream only when playing a movie in Dolby Digital. If you have a capable receiver or TV, the HDMI connector streams full digital audio, no need to connect a TOS cable.
All in all, this has become a critical part of my entertainment system that I can't imagine living without.
Customer Review: Great if you know what you're getting & looking for.
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me start this off by saying I understand there are a lot of different ways to achieve the same outcome as Apple TV. I get the argument some people have of "what's the point?" I'm also not an Apple blowhard who worships everything they do. And I was able to pay a sizeable chunk of this with some Amazon credit from trade-ins.
That said, I was looking for a way to get some of my (2-year old) daughter's favorite shows available in the most convenient way. And no we don't just sit her in front of a screen 24/7. I noticed we had started gathering DVDs of kids shows at $10-$15 a pop with only a few episodes on each disc. Not only that, but she is wanting to start up the DVD player & PS3/Blu-Ray player by herself. Discs were getting dirty, scratched, and being put in the players upside down, etc...
I wanted to eliminate the discs and go digital. I considered just using my PS3, but currently their online store collection is sparse and it isn't compatible with Amazon downloads (at least the one I tried). And obtaining certain shows via other methods wasn't looking good. I looked into the Roku player but read mixed reviews on the quality since the picture is based on your internet connection. Our DSL isn't the greatest and from what I read it wouldn't have cut the mustard. A HTPC wasn't really in the cards either.
After some research I jumped on the Apple TV. Getting everything set up is a breeze. One cord for power, one cord for HDMI that's it. Simple, no buttons on the unit itself for little fingers to mess with. Getting it hooked up with my iTunes was easy as well, although I had to stop it from immediately syncing EVERYTHING in my library. It's very eager to get all of your media onto it. Once everything was set-up it grabbed all of the shows I wanted on it and it was ready to go. Navigating the iTunes store from it is also easy. It's basically everything I was looking for.
Pros:
Easy & quick start up, no hassles, large selection of content from iTunes.
Easily streams everything from my PC that I don't want copied over to the ATV unit itself.
Allows me to use my pc speakers & my home theatre speakers at the same time to play music from my library. (Really cool since our stereo equipment is in another room).
Eliminates discs, also able to lower my cable costs since we don't need certain channels now.
Able to take the shows with us anywhere with an iPod and some tv cables.
Works with my Logitech Harmony remote.
YouTube compatibility
Cons:
Lack of HD content, I understand the large file size, but come on...
No "stretch" option. Yes I know this is a a/v no-no. But when you're dealing with children's television I don't really care if it's not in it's original aspect ratio.
The short and sweet of it, know what you're getting into with it before making the jump. It's not going to be for everyone. I can't say I would've paid full price for it out of pocket, but it is a very nice product. If you're a big do-it-yourselfer a HTPC or even hooking up a laptop & HDD to your tv may be a better option. I personally didn't feel like doing all that when I could add this to my set-up. If you don't like paying for digital media, stay away (though you can still put outside media on this with a little basic knowledge). But for ease of use and convenience this is your typical Apple product and a really good option.
Customer Review: Streams From Your Computer -- This is the Cat's Meow!
Summary: 5 Stars
Boy oh boy, I've taken quite a few 'why would you want this' looks since ordering my Apple TV. I guess that means it's not for everyone but it will be the cat's meow for plenty I'm sure. I love it myself.
Fist off, I was concerened about the 160GB hard drive. I'd already figured that's about 100 movies. What was I to do after buying my 101'st. I found out it really does not matter a whole lot because it streams from your computer if you have a home network. I bought a TV series after getting my device & chose not to put them on the Apple TV hard drive. Therefore, if my computer is on at the same time my apple TV is on the apple TV shows the TV series as being on the hard drive. This might be one thing some wont like; the fact you cannot see what is on the hard drive & what is streaming when looking at the content on your television. Once you turn off your computer however only the content that is on your apple TV hard drive is available. When streaming there is no lag time at all except it takes about 15 seconds to start playing when streaming but once it starts it does not lag.
The video quality is amazing. I have not watched HD content yet but all the standard definition movies look great. I have a 37" widescreen & the movies are at least DVD quality. The TV shows are very good quality but I'd guess that probably 10% of the screen on the left & right are black. The picture does not take up the entire screen. I do not even notice it after about 10 minutes.
So many movies & TV shows are not available on iTunes but probably 80% of what I want personally are there. Also, on most movies you are going to missout on the extra content. Most iTunes movies as far as I can tell do not have special features. If that is a big deal for you then the apple TV may not be for you.
A friend of mine argues his point that digital movies are too risky. "You could someday lose all your content" he says. His argument is iTunes may someday quit supporting iTunes (which I cannot believe would happen) or I may through some technicality lose the right to play the stuff I buy such as the license becoming corrupt or something. I tell him I think he has a better chance than I of losing his content. I told him if someone breaks in your home & steals your entire music & DVD collection they are gone forever. Or the same thing if you have a total loss caused by fire or other disaster. If that happens to me I'll simply buy another apple TV & re-download all my content & still have my movies & music. I think my movie collection is actually safer than his.
The bottom line is the Apple TV for me is an incredible product well under priced at $229 but almost everyone I know would not even pay $50 for it. However, if you are here, looking at this page you probably are not in the later group.
UPDATED FEB 25, 2010....I said above TV shows do not take up the entire screen of my TV. That series was Star Trek Voyager: which was filmed more than 15 years ago. I have since downloaded the HBO Series Tudors & it does take up the entire screen so apparantly some TV shows take up the entire screen while others do not. Perhaps some are filmed in widescreen mode or perhaps it has something to do with older TV shows.