Apple TV

[gta_bmx]

Apple TV should be a home run -- new low price at $99, Netflix/YouTube/Flickr compatible, and HDMI. My HTPC just died after I upgraded the ram, must've somehow shorted out something, so this Apple TV will be the perfect thing. All I was using the HTPC for was Netflix and watching podcasts. That's only reason why I didn't buy the old Apple TV, because it wasn't Netflix-capable.

If Apple can manage to get all or most of the TV channels to allow their shows to be on Apple TV, that'd be great. I only watch maybe 5 shows on cable, so if I can order a whole season of these 5 shows at 99 cents each for a total of about $75, that'd save me an $80/month cable bill.

[computoman]

After managing macs where I used to work and having owned close to 10 macs, I prefer not to be a beta tester for apple. I want to wit and see.

[phatlip]

I'll be getting one. Sort of a no brainer for only $99.

[tokenuser]

I like it. I like it a lot ...

But, I want to replace or remove a box, not add one.
aTV needs to be dual tuner set top box with DVR. A BR player would be good too, but kinda break the online metaphor.

Since it is iOS based, I am hoping it will be programmable. I have some great ideas for it ... $99 for a small server (using cloud storage) will be f'in amazing.

[angelbunny]

Has anyone here used apple tv before? I'm curious how it compares to plex. I mean, for $100 I can understand why people will buy it but if it isn't better than plex I'd personally rather stick with a mac mini.

[phatlip]

Has anyone here used apple tv before? I'm curious how it compares to plex. I mean, for $100 I can understand why people will buy it but if it isn't better than plex I'd personally rather stick with a mac mini.

A Mac Mini is better IMO. I'm just not willing to shell out an additional $600 for one though. The appeal to the Apple TV is the price. Apple cut features, and lowered the price because people wanted a device like the Apple TV- but weren't willing to pay Apple prices for one. These things are going to sell like hotcakes.

[davmoo]

I would buy a Apple TV unit...if it played DVDs or Blu-ray. I want One Box to Do It All, not a pile of boxes. As it is, the Apple TV box would do nothing for me but add to the wiring mess behind my TV. I'll be sticking with my media PC.

[computoman]

Since the new appletv will allegedly not be x86 based, I would want to wait and see what happens in the development world with it. I agree about the clutter issue both in terms of hardware and software..I dis-like having to deal with multiple platforms. Though I am not a fan of Boxee, it does give one the ability to stay with the same software lineage and make updates and control much easier. Since there are rumors of the demise of hdmi, I would like to keep those options open also

http://www.apple.com/appletv/specs.html.

[danhauk]

All I was using the HTPC for was Netflix and watching podcasts. That's only reason why I didn't buy the old Apple TV, because it wasn't Netflix-capable.

It might be worth it to check out Roku if that's really all you were using it and will be using it for. Their HD box is only $69.99 (or $99 if you want 1080p later this year) and they have a ton more channels than Apple TV currently does - Netflix, Amazon OnDemand (which has more movies and TV shows available than iTunes does), Pandora, Vimeo, Flickr, Facebook Photos, Revision3, and lots more.

http://www.roku.com

The only thing that is kind of a turn-off for me with Roku is the inability to connect to a computer to stream your own videos and music.

[jd1138]

I just checked the Roku site and saw that they also have a Rev3, TWiT channel. Looks like a Roku player is in my immediate future to replace my dead HTPC. Even if I get another HTPC for the main living room TV, I can then move the Roku to one of the bedroom TV's. The big ones for me are Netflix, Rev3, TWiT, Flickr and having some sort of way to rent new release films.