Pros
- Wirelessly stream content rented or purchased from iTunes to your TV in 1080p
- Stream video, music, and pictures from your computer or iOS
device - Works with Netflix, HuluPlus, and many more
- Nice complement to your current iOS setup
Cons
- No streaming staples like Amazon, Pandora, or HBO GO
- Not as easily integrated with Windows ecosystem
- No component outs for SD TVs
Our Score
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The Geek’s Take
If you’re a fan of the Cupertino Clan, Apple TV was made for you. The device lets you wirelessly stream content purchased or rented from iTunes straight to your HDTV across your existing wifi network. In addition to the iTunes goodness, Apple TV also plays content from your computer through iTunes or from your iOS device via Airtunes and offers quite a few streaming services too. The interface is best in class, typical of Apple, and set up is a snap. If you don’t mind missing out on a few key streaming apps, Apple’s second generation TV may be for you.
Full Review
Content
The strength of Apple TV lies within its ability to play iTunes content straight from your desktop or laptop. That’s any movie or TV show, rented or purchased from the vast iTunes library of over 15,000 titles and 90,000 hours of TV. Really, if it’s not on iTunes, it’s probably not available anywhere. The downside of course, it that the content isn’t free. Still, if you have no qualms against paying for a season of your favorite show or the latest new releases, it’s hard to beat what Apple TV offers.
Along with the iTunes content, Apple TV also offers some of the bigger streaming services like Netflix, HuluPlus, and Youtube. The selection pales in comparison to Roku’s selection in that arena though, lacking Pandora, HBO Go, Crackle and quite a few others that we’ve come to expect via the Smart TV revolution.
Features
Where Apple TV really sets itself apart from the rest is how easily it integrates itself into the Apple universe. A couple of key ways it does this:
- Airplay – beam music, video, or pictures to your HDTV from an iOS device (iphone or iPad) connected to your wireless network
- stream music from itunes
- Airplay mirroring – Mirror the screen of a Mac running Mountain Lion OS to your HDTV. This means if you have a new Mac, you’re not limited to the streaming options that Apple TV offers.
- iTunes match – more of an iTunes feature than Apple TV, but for $25 a month, you can store your music in the cloud, accessible from anywhere, including the Apple TV. No computer needed.
Set Up
As you’d expect with an Apple product, setup is simplistic and intuitive. Simply connect the Apple TV to your HDTV via HDMI and follow the onscreen prompts to configure and join your existing wifi network (or wired network if you’re going that route). Then enter the 5 digit key from Apple TV into iTunes on your computer to sync them. That’s really all there is to it.
Value
At just under $100, it’s tough to argue that Apple TV isn’t a great value. Sure, you can get the Roku LT for half the price, but consider that Apple TV offers 1080p output and ethernet jack and it’s easier to justify the price. In fact, it lines up just right with Roku’s top of the line Roku 2 XS both in features and price.
Where you’ll really pay is the purchase of iTunes content, which of course is what Apple is counting on here. Just a few purchases a month does make the monthly cost of usership significantly higher than that of its Roku competition, albeit with a better overall selection.
Summary
In the streaming box category, we can only recommend two products – Apple TV and Roku. If you’re okay paying for a wide selection content rather than picking and choosing from what’s free, Apple TV may be the way to go for you, especially if you’re already knee deep in Apple’s ecosystem in your home. It’s also a little more versatile than the competition, even if its free streaming options are limited. Overall, we give Roku the edge, but only slightly. Apple TV is still an easy choice for a Highly Rated selection.
About Josh Covington