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)
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Our Price: $399.95 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $110.00 (click here) Category: Home Theater See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Apple TV MB189LL/A with 160GB Hard Drive [OLD VERSION]
Customer Review: Fun
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this product for my restaurant as I am hoping to show music videos. I was very excited to get this "toy" and try it out. In the box you get the Apple TV, a power cord and a remote about the size of a 2nd generation ipod shuffle. As previously mentioned, there are only a few buttons and no scrolling feature like on the regular ipods. Upon connecting the power cord to the wall the device turns on (there is no power button). It then takes you through an initial setup where you configure your device to sync with your wireless computer. Once that's done your device starts to download everything from your computer which takes longer than if it was hooked up via cables, but not a big deal. The device is cool because you can purchase music, movies and videos right from your living room and they will auto sync with your computer. It boasts 1080i/p HD, but I haven't had a chance to try that out (not many music videos in HD). Here are some tips if you decide to buy this: 1. After initial setup, make sure you check for software updates. As of the date on this review you should be up to version 2.2 (the Apple guy told me whenever iTunes updates, so does Apple TV). 2. If you want to use 1080p, you won't have that option initially until you get the latest update; in the meantime choose 1080i (you need to make a choice to continue). 3. Get the proper cables to hook up to your tv- if your tv has HDMI, get HDMI. 4. While there is no power button, there is a standby mode, so get familiar with it. 5. The unit gets hot, very hot; I suggest you get one of those laptop coolers and put it underneath the unit. 6. The included control can get annoying because when you want to type you have to scroll to each letter, however, if you own an iphone, you can get the 'remote' app that will allow you to use your iphone as a remote providing you with a full qwerty keyboard. Other than some minor things, like a freeze up I had the second night I used it, I love this thing. It is fun to download media on the fly.Customer Review: A iPod for your HD TV - OK - UPDATED - USELESS
Summary: 4 Stars
UPDATE:
I love Apple products and I think they do a great job. However they have lost points on the Apple TV... $300+ for a piece of garbage. There is a problem with these devices when connected via Wireless N and HDMI....they FREEZE - I had to power cycle my unit atleast once a day during the week and once an hour over the weekend when it was used most.
I am RETURNING IT!!!!
Do your self a favor...save up and buy a Mac Mini to replace this.
Another item you dont want from apple is the overpriced 1tb Time Capsule...it is slow as molasis...sorry...had to throw this in.
We have recently converted this family to everything apple...computers, router, etc. The results are fantastic due to the ease of use and build quality you can expect from a company like Apple.
The last item on the list was the Apple TV.... I got one and was up and running in about 5 minutes with an hdmi cable to my receiver. GREAT...
I paired it with my itunes library so it could sync...again...very easy. I got some hi-def podcasts and enjoyed them asap....again very easy.
Everything worked and then I noticed the thing froze up.....nothing..nada...zip....5 minutes later it asked me if I wanted to reboot. It started again.... I have had it freeze on me about 4 times thus far and that is why I am giving it 4 stars.
The only other gripe I have with this is that the mp3 songs from my itunes library dont sound that great through the HDMI connection. However, I am attributing that to my receiver for the time being and will hope that it gets better.
Another tiny quirk....if you have a mac laptop and use the apple tv remote...make sure you point the remote to the apple tv..otherwise you will notice that remote is controlling your laptop and the apple tv....it can get annoying. :-)
Enjoy!
Customer Review: Dub & Dumber: iTunes/Apple TV only offers dubbed foreign movies.
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm a MAC. But because of iTunes prejudicial policy of only offering atrociously dubbed foreign films, as well as charging outrageous prices for not only HD movies and tv shows, but also for SD when compared to the cost of DVD's and BD, I have sold my Apple TV and given up on iTunes as far as movies go (I also don't download their music, preferring to buy CD's and rip them in Apple Lossless to retain high-rez quality). Although the SD and HD downloads looked impressive on a 1080p plasma, it's questionable whether or not the HD content can truly be called HD given the bandwidth limitations and compression/bitrate used.
With regards to the dubbed foreign movies iTunes offers; I cannot watch/listen while a beautiful foreign film is ruined by dubbing. It's a travesty. I loved the convenience of renting and buying movies with Apple TV/iTunes, but this was the last straw for me. Customers should boycott all the dubbed foreign films until iTunes replaces them with the original language (but with my comments being censored/deleted I don't see that happening as no one there, including customers, doesn't seem to care). Based on the reviews people actually watch and enjoy them. Inconceivable!@%#
So what now? I've gone back to DVD's and purchased my first Blu-ray player ( Marantz BD7004 Universal DVD Disc Player (Black) ). At least I know I'm getting HD with this (as long as the transfer is good). My first BD was stunning. I might try the VUDU Set Top Box for Movies On Demand once I get a reply as to whether or not they dub foreign movies. But as far as Apple TV, I'm through with it. I'm extremely disappointed with Apple. Set up wise, it was easy for the most part. A few glitches with syncing to iTunes and the update, but overall very simple.
Customer Review: Nice piece of hardware, but no internet radio?
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm a PC guy... (Amazingly, I haven't purchased an iPod yet!) This is the first Apple product I've bought and used in many years. For the most part, I like it. It does what it is advertised to do.
Since I bought an Apple TV, I've been forced into using iTunes. iTunes is required to be running in order to sync or stream from Apple TV. iTunes is not a bad program, but due to Apple's desire to provide a simple interface, they fail to offer some of the more complex features available in other music players. The main feature I find myself missing is per-podcast settings. (For example, only download and keep the latest newscast, but keep all episodes of my favorite radio show until I delete them). Other than that, I'm pretty happy with iTunes.
I have a library of over 9000 music files. Both Apple TV and iTunes handles my library quite well. It synced to the TV very quickly over my hardwired network... in just over an hour. So long as you have your music organized, you can find what you are looking for easily on the TV. Of course, it's not as easy as typing in an artist name in iTunes.
After tinkering with iTunes, I discovered it allows you to create a playlist with internet radio stations in it. I have a few internet radio stations I love to listen to, so I place them in this Radio playlist. The playlist synced over to Apple TV, but showed no entries. In addition, there is no way to manually search iTunes radio directory. It wouldn't be hard for Apple to add these features, and hopefully they will in future software update. As far as I'm concerned, this is a glaring omission from the Apple TV feature set.
Overall, I'm fairly happy with the box. And my concerns can be fixed with future iTunes/AppleTV software updates. I've got my fingers crossed. Then again, if I get impatient, I can always hack the box. (Of course, this would void my warranty.)
Customer Review: Very Good Product
Summary: 4 Stars
I really love this thing. I have it connected via component cables to a home theater reciever for audio and seperately to my tv for video, controlled with a Logitech Harmony Remote (also iPhone / Apple Remote App ).
Music
Entire 4,000+ CD library hooked up to my home stereo, no weird techy workarounds to get music playing on my home stereo, no wizzing fans, no running into the other room to change a song. iPod dock was fine but nothing can touch the easy of use and convenience of using the Apple TV as a Network Audio Server. Turn the TV off after the music gets going and you can control it with iPhone or iTouch (entire playlist is right there on the luxurious iphone screen in your pocket).
Video
I have a 32" HD-LCDTV, at 32" the normal resolution of video from iTunes video store is virtually the same as TimeWarner HD Cable Channels. HD vids are available, only necessary for larger screens I think.
I usually rent movies rather than buy, better selection than cable on-demand. Can do it right on the TV, great selection of stuff I actually want to watch. Rentals are $3-$5 - play in about 30 sec. Good surround sound, indistinguishable from a DVD. I cancelled Netflix a few weeks after getting this.
Pros
Techphobe Spouse actually likes and uses it (she looooooves the slideshow feature)
Easy Apple Interface
Plug it in and it works instantly (configuration with a LAN could be taxing if you're unfamilliar with how to set one up)
Cons
Apple Universal Remote went right in the garbage, as always.
Entering text via Apple Remote remote is brutal.
Hates Firewalls
Limited storage
Wishlist
Pandora (without hacking) on the AppleTV, just like the iPhone version
Let me type in text with an iPhone or Touch
Expandable Storage