Manage updates with the Download AppApple TV earns Editors' Choice award Video
Apple TV earns Editors' Choice award Video Transcript
Hey I'm Matthew Moskovciak from cnet.com. We're gonna take a look at the Apple TV. This is the third generation of Apple streaming video box which originally came out in March but Apple recently added some new features so we're -- another look at. This is still the best looking streaming video box you can -- It's small it blends in with your home theater and the power supply is built into the box so there's no annoying AC adaptor power brick. There's no display on the box rather than a tiny white light on the front that lets you know -- -- on the back there's an HDMI port and optical audio output and ethernet port and a micro USB port although the USB port is only used for service and support. It also has built in Wi-Fi for connecting to your wireless home network. User interface is icon driven and it -- makes your TV look like a giant iPad. If you're looking at iTunes for movies or TV shows there's a menu bar across the top letting you quickly access useful categories like purchase content and search. With purchase content your movies and TV shows are saved in the cloud for re watching and you can also download them later to an iPad or iPhone. For third party apps are a handful of services including Netflix and LB dot TV YouTube and the recently -- Hulu plus that. However that's not quite as many services as you'll find on -- boxes which feature HBO go Amazon instant and pandora. Now while the Apple TV doesn't have as many content source as it does have another killer feature if you -- other Apple products that's airplay. Lets you take almost any photo music or video you have on IOS device. -- stream it right here Tuesday so if you're listening to -- -- on your phone you can then play it on your Apple TV. Even though the Apple TV doesn't have a native and or -- Apple also recently announced airplay mirroring for its latest Mountain Lion operating system. Which means you can stream what -- on the screen if your computer directly to the Apple TV wirelessly. Now airplay mirroring only worse but relatively recent Macs that support the feature. But it's the easiest way to get any web video on your TV including flash videos and even free Hulu videos. So overall if you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem. The Apple TV is a must have gadget for 100 dollars. And with the recent feature updates the Apple TV now gets our editors' choice award for streaming video boxes. But if you're not invest in Apple's ecosystem it's still worth considering our other editor's choice in the category. The roku LTE which is half the price and offers more content sources. I'm Matthew Moskovciak and this is the -- --
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Apple TV (2012) Review
The good: The Apple TV lets you stream all of the movies and TV shows available in the iTunes Store to your HDTV on a rental or purchase basis, with purchases stored in the cloud. Netflix, Hulu Plus, MLB.TV, and a handful of other online media services are available, plus music, videos, and photos can be streamed from iOS devices using AirPlay. AirPlay Mirroring lets you stream any Web video to the Apple TV, including free Hulu, if you have a newer Mac running Mountain Lion. And Apple TV's user interface is one of the best there is.
The bad: The competing Roku 3 offers many more content sources (including Amazon Instant), cross-platform search, and a remote with a headphone jack. The Apple TV is also a much less useful box if you don't own other Apple devices.
The bottom line: The Apple TV is an indispensable living room companion for invested in iTunes content and Apple hardware, but for everyone else it's a step behind the Roku 3.
Apple TV (2012) Specs
Manufacturer: Apple
Part number: APPLETV2012
- Product Specifications
Apple TV (2012) Prices
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