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)
Our Price: $419.95
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Category: Home Theater
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Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: Apple ComputerBrand: Apple
Edition: Electronics
Format: CD
Release Date: 2008-01-15
Platform: Mac, Windows
Model: MB189LL/A
Publisher: Apple Computer
Studio: Apple Computer
Music Label: Apple Computer
Product features:
- Multimedia device connects to television for instant HD movie rentals, TV show purchases, and more
- Play iTunes music on your home theater speakers
- View all your photos in HD on your widescreen TV
- Built-in 160 GB hard drive for local content storage
- Measures 7.7 x 7.7 x 1.1 inches (WxDxH); backed by a one-year warranty
- Multimedia device connects to television for instant HD movie rentals, TV show purchases and more
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Apple TV MB189LL/A with 160GB Hard Drive [OLD VERSION]
Customer Review: A Truly Unique Entertainment device
Summary: 5 Stars
Apple TV is a fantastic product and I have to give it 5 stars! The device is different than anything mainstream on the market that I have come across - different from dvd, different from blu-ray, tivo, dishtv/direct tv, etc.
First the disclaimer on this review: I am an apple fan and have owned an apple computer for the last 4 years so this is coming from an apple user/network point of view. I can't comment on how well this works with itunes on a PC / PC network. You have to have a widescreen tv and broadband/DSL network connection - preferably WIFI or wired with ethernet port close to your TV so you can hook the device up (requires internet connection to function).
Pros:
iPods and iPhones are obviously a main staple for many of us today and this device is positioned to amplify the integration of these devices and products in our lives. The largest benefit is it adds value for files that many of us are likely already buying on itunes!!!
Apple TV is, by design, not designed to be the main storage or hard drive for your video files. My understanding from talking to the apple experts at the store and researching this product is it is primarily designed to move files from your computer (itunes library) to the device to allow you to enjoy them on your television.
The device can move them from programmed sync scheduled similar to tivo (all unwatched, oldest recently watched, etc).
Cost for files - compared to dishtv, direct tv, and comcast rental movies - these are a buck cheaper. They for the same price have many new movies in HD files for rental (4.99). I personally have dishtv, but don't have the HD packages. This gives me the ability to enjoy HD on my tv on demand and not pay the 20 bucks + per month for a full package. Purchase of movies ranges from 4.99 to 14.99. These same files can be moved to your iPhone, iPod, iTunes/computer, or Apple TV. This allows maximum usage!
Ease of set up - I have an apple powerbook, airport wifi router, and a plasma HDTV. Setup took about 5 min with plugging in HDMI cables (not included). Apple TV prompts for the language and then automatically detects the network. I submitted the security information for any computer and it automatically connected, then through prompts had me go to my powerbook and click on the new "DEVICE" on my iTunes and plug in a code given by the apple tv (all prompted). It configured to my itunes and sync'd up. That was it!! You can then manage the device just like your iPod or iPhone by automatically sync'ing or by custom sync'ing by specific files, unwatched, all movies, no music, add pictures or rolls from iPhoto, and other options.
That's it. no pain.
The experience is somewhere in between using a computer and a tivo type device. Aside from watching your video files, tv shows, etc that you own there are many cost effective options that are totally free!!! You have youtube available via wifi. This I found incredibly entertaining and adds a new dimension to family entertainment. Disclaimer - there are parental controls on the device, but I haven't tested it with youtube yet so can't comment on that aspect. It was enjoyable to look for files and I've wasted tons of hours just messing with the youtube as a new form of family room entertainment.
iPod video podcasts! This is a wealth of great info that is totally and completely free! There is stuff for kids like sesame street, dora, and many other options that are just 1 min - 10 min mini episodes to keep the kids and family occupied. There are also the normal pod casts such as Anderson Cooper's 30 min news beat from Fox News and many many others. These allow you to enjoy these as regular tivo streaming content.
Cost of the device is much cheaper than blu-ray. Though that is changing given blu-ray slowly dropping in price following christmas - but the discs are still ridiculously expensive - this offers content for more affordable.
TV picture - HD is available and looks great. I haven't experience lagged except when I've opened my laptop and it connected in the background and it was only a few seconds. Otherwise, the picture looks great - DVD to better quality. 1080i...
Reference the issues of space. I'm told that you can create a library on an external hard drive on your network and the device can accept and utilize up to five libraries. I haven't fully tried this, but do have 2 libraries on my device from the same computer. The external hard drive library will be attempted later - but gives you the idea that you can added a ton of space and not bog down your regular computer.
Similar to the benefits of the iPod - no discs to scratch. I have little kids so the dvd life is limited for any new disc we bring into our house. The ability to have the file instead of a disc is very beneficial. Combined with just an internet connection and/or just the device and you can take this to a hotel, family member, or other's house and plug in and hook to a tv and instant movies for the family!! ....benefits for the family and ease of packing for those younger families that travel.
You don't need to utilize the computer directly as it will allow you to download movies directly to the device and doing the streams for youtube and podcasts without a computer (device to WIFI network).
160GB is probably
Cons
Download times for movies can be pretty extensive depending on your internet speed - like 1 hr plus. However, it tracks the progress of your movie download and allows you to start watching your movie in about 20 min once you select a new movie. Its no different than in iPod iTunes download.
Along with the file sizes, the update of moving movie files on and off the device does take time. Initially it can be frustrating, but by planning a head and waiting the 20 min to start the download, or begin sync'ing before you're ready to watch - you get used to it and once you have items to watch, the device is very easy to live with and utilize as a main staple of your entertainment.
Content - content is growing rapidly but obviously the device and its success and enjoyment is based on apple continuing to add the new releases to its inventory on iTunes. So far this isn't a concern and content is being added daily and all the new releases are on it!!
Youtube picture quality is okay and watchable but not HD or even DVD quality for some videos. Others it's great! ...you roll with them and enjoy them for what they are - many may not take up the full widescreen tv but the device will show them as large as it can while maintaining a decent picture quality - on avg 80-90% of the screen size.
The device is a bit revolutionary and requires some comfort with computers, files management, backing up files to external hard drives, servers, etc. The worst thing that could happen would be hard drive failure and not having the back up files saved. It was really easy to set up and the device does "just work" like much of what I have experienced with Apple products. The follow on skills is the management of your files and ensuring you safe guard them. If you aren't computer savy that you feel you don't know anything about backing up your files and basic file management...this probably isn't for you.
You need to have a widescreen TV or I'm told you'll get an error. I haven't tried it.
Overall - great device and definitely TONS of potential and a lot of fun. I've had Tivo, Dish tv's DVR, itunes, and iPod, iPhone 3G, and many other devices...played with blu-ray and HD-DVD....
This device is by far the most fun I've had out of the box as something truly "different"...
It was very easy to hook up. I have no major complaints and definitely would recommend to others to consider for their entertainment setups!
Description of Apple TV MB189LL/A with 160GB Hard Drive [OLD VERSION]
With Apple TV MB189LL/A, you can rent and watch standard-definition movies with stereo sound or stunning high- definition movies with pristine Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. Without leaving your couch. Apple TV also lets you browse millions of podcasts, including HD video podcasts, watch YouTube videos, view your Flickr and .Mac Web Gallery photos, and buy music and TV shows, all from your widescreen TV.With the Apple TV, you'll have instant access to a whole world of entertainment. Whether you want to rent HD movies, buy HD TV show, listen to your iTunes music collection, or show off your photos, Apple TV will bring all of it into your living room and onto your television without any computer required.
 Choose from the largest selection of on-demand HD movies. |
HD movies. HD TV shows. HD podcasts. With Apple TV, they?re all on demand. You get instant access to newly released Hollywood hits and popular classic and library titles, including the largest selection of on-demand HD movies. And now you can also purchase and watch your favorite TV shows in brilliant HD one day after they air.
The largest selection of on-demand HD movies.
Apple TV gives you instant access to the largest selection of on-demand HD movies. Choose a movie, and in minutes, you?re watching the opening credits with theater-like Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. HD rentals start at $3.99, and you have 30 days to start watching. Hit Play, and it?s yours to watch as many times as you want in 24 hours.
 The elegant Apple TV lets you instantly access a world of entertainment. View larger. |
 Despite the small size, Apple TV has a full complement of outputs. View larger. |
Choose from the most popular Hollywood titles, from comedy to drama, romance to classics, independents to thrillers. Standard-definition movie rentals are $2.99 for library titles and $3.99 for new releases. Short films ? including popular Pixar animated shorts ? are only $1.99. And if you like the movie you just rented, you can make it a permanent part of your digital collection. Movie purchases start at $9.99, and most titles are available the day they?re released on DVD.
Play your music through your home theater system.
With Apple TV, iTunes syncs wirelessly to your TV, so all the music you?ve collected can now be played on the best speakers in your house. The new Genius feature studies your iTunes library to automatically create a playlist of songs that go great together. You can also browse and buy music videos on the iTunes Store. And sync songs and videos purchased on Apple TV to your computer and iPod or iPhone.
Now appearing on HDTV: Your photos. YouTube videos. And podcasts, too.
Your photos deserve a bigger stage. And Apple TV puts them on your widescreen TV, where everybody can see them in stunning high definition. Select My Photos to browse photos that are on your Mac or PC. You can also access your Flickr or MobileMe galleries. And you no longer have to gather around a computer screen to see YouTube videos and podcasts ? Apple TV plays them big and bold on your TV?s spectacular screen.
Lots of Features in a Small Package
The Apple TV features a 160GB hard drive for storing content locally, and has an HDMI port, component video, optical audio, analog RCA stereo audio, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, USB 2.0, and 802.11n wireless networking. All this in an elegant box that measures just 7.7 by 7.7 x 1.1 inches (WxDxH). A remote control is included so you can navigate all your choices from the comfort of your couch.
System Requirements
Apple TV requires a Mac (running Mac OS X 10.3.9 or 10.4.9 or later) or PC (running Windows XP Home or Professional (SP2) or Vista), iTunes 7.6 or later (iTunes 8.0.1 recommended), and either an Airport Extreme, Wi-Fi 802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n wireless network (wireless video streaming requires 802.11g or 802.11n) or 10/100BASE-T Ethernet network.
Apple TV is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's on the Box
Apple TV, remote, power cord, documentation.
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