Should I Buy an Apple TV?

I love my tivo and don’t know how I lived without it, but occasionally a scheduling conflict arises and a show doesn’t record. Gossip Girl is my favorite show and some how I have managed to miss four episodes over the past couple years. In the past, I would buy an episode off itunes and watch it on my computer. This week when I missed the new episode, I downloaded if off itunes, watched on my 50” TV and was still able to able to surf the Internet.

At $99, the Apple TV is the perfect addition to any TV. It is very simple to set up, just plug it in and then use an HDMI cable to connect to your TV. The HDMI cable does not come with the Apple TV.  You can purchase one on amazon.com, the apple store, or any place that sells electronics. The cheapest place to buy a HDMI cable is on monoprice.com.; however, the shipping can be pricey if your only buying one cable. The new apple TV has no hard drive. Used in conjunction with itunes on your computer, the lack of hard drive creates no issues.

Features Include:

• Stream movies, TV shows, music, and photos from computer to TV
• Rent HD movies for $3.99 and TV shows for 99 cents per episode
• Watch streaming Netflix
• Search and watch youtube videos
• Use mobileme
• Look through the galleries on flickr

My favorite features are streaming my movies and music collection to my TV. Often itunes will have free episodes downloads of the first episodes of new seasons.  Renting movies and TV shows without leaving my couch. With my Tivo, I could rent movies from Amazon, but didn’t have the option to rent episodes. I’ve had streaming Netflix on my tivo for years; however, the interface on apple TV is far superior. There is no lag in the search and Netflix suggestions are available for instant watching.

Highlights

• Easy to use interface
• The rewind and fast forward works great without any lag
• Can control with remote or use iphone or ipad to get greater control
• Can rent or buy movies and TV shows without leaving your house
• Have access of your itunes library on your TV

Low Points

• Makes the internet run slow
• Doesn’t include HDMI cable

Extra Helpful Tip: If you use your apple computer in the same room are your apple TV you might want to disable using the apple TV remote on your computer. If you don’t disable it, when your controlling your Apple TV it will start turning things off and on your computer. To disable go to systems preferences-->security and then check the box that says disable infrared remote.