http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/ Engadget Comments for Mossberg reviews Apple TV: "simple and elegant" http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 8:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Thanks PC user, move along and go register Vista.]]>Mar 21st 2007 9:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Agh, I hate Apple. (doesn't mean I love Microsoft)]]>Mar 21st 2007 8:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 6:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 9:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 8:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 8:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 9:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
The Apple TV has no support for the most commonly used media formats in the world. It costs 300 bucks. Many other products are already out that stream media to the TV and can stream formats that people actually use. Yet Apple is getting stroked by the media yet again.

Amazing.]]>Mar 21st 2007 8:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 11:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
http://www.mac-essentials.de/index.php/mac/article/18832/]]>Mar 21st 2007 8:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 8:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Sheer nonsense. To use an Apple TV, one must own a computer, have a network AND buy content from iTunes or learn to convert video to MP4 (and very SPECIFIC MP4s I might add).

To use a DVD, one must buy a player available from as low as 39 bucks...and plug it in.

Apple Fanboys really need to learn to reign in the hyperbole.]]>Mar 21st 2007 8:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
"It doesn't work on square TVs...but we have both kinds here."

"It works very well, and it's fun to use."

No wonder he works as a technical reviewer for the Wall Street Journal and Apple selects him to do product reviews. He's a prototypical Apple fanboy. Love how excuses were offered immediately after pointing out the only weakness they chose to criticise (lack of internet content). His intentions couldn't be more transparent.

Sure, it's a ripoff of Windows Media Center Extenders. It almost surely will work better than MCEs as well. What bugs me is why the device doesn't offer a browser. Game machines do that, after all, and it isn't limited by "square TVs". Doesn't Apple have the resources or programming ability to pull that off?]]>Mar 21st 2007 9:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 9:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 9:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/The apple TV, only supports MP4, no Divx..

Too bad for Apple.
That non-working USB port is bull as well. Hope they won't pull one like MSFT with their XBOX360 where one needs to pay $99 for a 20Gig. Stuff it Apple]]>Mar 21st 2007 9:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 10:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 10:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
You can also hook up a Mini to older TV's via S-Video, using Apple's DVI to S-Video adapter.

The only reason to get a AppleTV instead os a Mini is price: the AppleTV is $299, the Mini is $599, but will play DVDs, outputs 1080P, and along with EyeTV the Mac Min makes a very nice DVR.]]>Mar 22nd 2007 12:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Just to preempt the silly arguments, we all know Apple didn't invent the modern GUI or the mouse, USB came from Intel and shipped in Intel chipsets for nearly a year before the iMac, floppies were optional from the beginning with PCs and were missing on NeXT machines, and Sony shipped Firewire first and created the standard.

As for the off-topic iPhone, some expect it to sell but not me. People will want it til they find out about the big Apple lie regarding the soft keyboard.

Finally, what's the point about "a media center". iTunes is simply an app that is integral to the AppleTV. How is that any different that competing products that have existed for years?]]>Mar 21st 2007 7:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 9:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 9:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/The apple TV, only supports MP4, no Divx.."

aww gee, ya cant watch all them vids you stole off the internet then, boo hoo]]>Mar 21st 2007 9:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 9:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Regarding the AppleTV, it does seem limited for the price-point, but the value proposition seems to be the simple integration for the majority of home users who leverage their content from within iTunes.


]]>Mar 21st 2007 9:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Why can't it download stuff directly?? Why doesn't it has a DVD drive?

You'd be FAR better off buying a cheap HTPC in my opinion!]]>Mar 21st 2007 9:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Xbox Media Centre]]>Mar 21st 2007 10:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
will be steamrolled]]>Mar 21st 2007 11:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Don't most folks already have a DVD player?]]>Mar 21st 2007 9:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 9:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Comparing this to 'Media Center' ? Can you not read the details? Jeezzz .......

Go ahead, sit back and wait 3 years for Microsoft to clone it, and make it brown.

Oh, yes, i have a 360 and a MacMini in my entertainment center ... the best of all worlds, so i dont need a Apple TV - but i admire it !! ]]>Mar 21st 2007 3:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
outside of "ooo apple pretty" someone care to 'splain why this is a good deal? Now, say it can be hacked to run MythTV and maybe you'd have a point.

]]>Mar 21st 2007 9:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 8:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 11:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/]]>Mar 21st 2007 9:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 10:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 10:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 10:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Why don't you go complain that that new wheelchair by Segway is stupid and overpriced because it doesn't interface with your home-built rig? That would be just as irrelevant and perhaps more productive.

C'mon-- everyone now: what else can we complain about that isn't geared toward us? Anyone? Anyone? NoooOOOooO?]]>Mar 21st 2007 10:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Well.. I guess that depends on your taste.. LOL]]>Mar 21st 2007 10:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Boy, I didn't see this one coming, at all!

*rolls eyes*]]>Mar 21st 2007 10:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/ cuz your mac mini doesnt have standard tv/display jacks.

Uhh. DVI and HDMI are (for the purposes of an AppleTV or Mac mini) the same thing. Just a different plug on the end of the cable. Seeing as how the Apple TV doesn't even come with a cable to connect to your TV I don't see how your argument makes any sense. ]]>Mar 21st 2007 2:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Xbox Media Center

http://www.xboxmediacenter.de

Get that rolling on your original Xbox, and whats more, you can download a xTV skin for this to replicate Apple TV:

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=583541

Enjoy!]]>Mar 21st 2007 11:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
Apple TV is a good solution for people who have an iPod (which is about 100 million) and would like to watch iTunes movies and music (which is the most successful legal media service).

I'm not a huge Apple 'fanboy', but all of your other 'better' solutions are limited in some way, just like Apple TV is. It's simply to get your iTunes stuff on your TV. It's not the end-all solution.]]>Mar 21st 2007 12:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 11:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/Mar 21st 2007 2:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
anyone can do the same with a laptop with an s-video out, a cheap adapter from radio shack, free software, and if you really wanna splurge, a USB remote.

Don't get me wrong, i love apple...but..
MAYBE, just maybe, i would think this was a good idea with time shifting/DVR functionality, but it doesn't.
Save your money and buy a cheap laptop with an S-video out. Hell, even a xbox360 can do half of that and more for a few bucks more.]]>Mar 21st 2007 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/
This is for people who have bought into using iTunes as their media mgmt system. This is for people creating home movies in iMovie. This is for parents of teens who are downloading content from iTunes.

Basically, as with most of Apple's stuff, this is "for the rest of us".]]>Mar 21st 2007 9:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/21/mossberg-reviews-apple-tv-simple-and-elegant/XBMC has some significant flaws, though.

1) It runs on the clunky old ugly, noisy XBox 1, which without heavy modification from Xecuter can't be turned on and off via remote control.

2) It can't function wirelessly without a bridge, which in general can be unreliable and a pain to configure, especially for networks with security measures.

3) The XBox's power lacks the juice to decode h.264 at a decent resolution, among other things. It's an XviD champ, but it's not equipped to handle higher-def format.

And once again, for the style conscious, the XBox is ugly and noisy. XBMC is the greatest media center app ever developed without a doubt, but its developers closed-minded reliance on one platform has limited its functionality in age. It blows away MCE2005 and especially that abortion that Vista calls a Media Center, but its limitations are derived from its usability ONLY on an aged, piece of crap console.

Personally, after being addicted to XBMC for quite a while, and I still use it in my bedrom, I've switched off for my main room, to a Mac Mini Core Duo with Wireless-N hooked into my 42" plasma running Front Row with the latest SVN build of Perian. FR has some design flaws, but all in all, with a high capacity of digital media to stream, it does its job like a champ with pretty much everything that's thrown at it, and just as importantly, the Mini is dead silent, tiny, and incredibly attractive.

If they manage to hack ATV to take quicktime components, namely Perian, I'm in feet first.]]>Mar 21st 2007 2:12PM