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 - Hamstrung by software limitationsThe Apple TV is an outstanding piece of hardware that is unfortunately married to less than impressive software. Technically, features like wireless N, integrated HDMI, a solid video card, an array of ports and a nicely compact form factor would make this little box the perfect companion to your TV... if only it actually did what it was capable of. The Apple TV software Take 2 is at best a hard to navigate, slightly overpriced video store. The catalog is limited and true new releases (movies that have just released to video) are mixed in with "new to iTunes" releases so you end up with a murky mix of lame films from the late 80's next to films that came out this year. The software itself offers very limited user customization (such as increasing the font size to make titles legible from across the room) and is picky as to what video formats it can play. Beyond that, the inability to utilize mass storage (external drives) via USB, the inability to use a keyboard via usb or wireless and the inability to integrate this product with complimentary devices like those from Elgato (Eye TV, Turbo.264, etc) make the Apple TV overall pretty limited, but not for any physical reason. Again - it is the way that Apple designed the software. The take away that I have from Take 2 is to hold onto your money and either buy a different device altogether or wait for Take 3. Rating:  - Worth the InvestmentBased on earlier reviews, I waited until Apple released the "take 2" update to purchase Apple TV. Setup is easy. Just connect it to the TV and plug it in. The unit had no trouble locating my wireless network and connecting with iTunes on my computer. Syncing the first time with iTunes and transferring movies and music to the hard drive on the Apple TV can take some time, but iTunes lets you pick what you want to sync. My only complaint so far is that I have not been able to get my learning ir remote to copy all of the buttons on the apple remote. Movie rentals are easy and HD titles start playing in a couple of minutes with my broadband connection (which isn't the fastest). I use the unit primarily as a music hub with my stereo receiver. My receiver has a built in ipod dock, but the graphic interface with the apple TV is much better. The menus are faster and the ablum artwork is displayed while the song is playing (similar to frontrow on the Mac). The album artwork even flips periodically so that you don't get a burn-in problem if you own a plasma. Rating: - Now a viable option with latest software updateAfter Apple released the free "take 2" update for the Apple TV (applies to all models), the box became quite a bit more useful. I would now not hesitate to recommend it to people with flat panel TV's looking for a great way to watch Podcasts, TV Shows, Movies, and YouTube. The built in movie rentals are great - they literally start playing about 30 seconds after renting and are great quality (even the non-HD ones). I also enjoy instant streaming of any podcast available on the iTunes store - I find myself using the Apple TV instead of watching regular cable TV. However, why can't you rent TV shows yet? The only way to get TV shows is to BUY them for $2 each, whereas you can rent an entire movie for only $3. As a music hub, the product also shines - I can have all my music permanently hooked up to my stereo, and by using an aux input on the stereo, I don't even have to have the TV on to listen to music. This new version also allows you to stream *and control* the Apple TV from any other Mac (or PC?) via iTunes, so you can stream music wirelessly to your living room. The old version could kind of do this too, but you had to set it up via the Apple TV which required turning on your TV set. Now, I can just turn on my stereo and start streaming while I'm sitting at my computer. YouTube is also fun, and as a photo sharing box, the Apple TV really shines. Photos synced from iPhoto, Aperture, or just a folder on your computer look stunning. Built in Flickr and .Mac support is also nice, although the Flickr option only shows public albums which is kind of disappointing. Rating:  - Simple, Reliable, Beautifully Designed.We purchased our Apple TV last year when they first hit the market and have always found it to be a great way to share photos, audio and videos between our computers and our home theater room. After the announcement at MacWorld I've been anxiously awaiting the "Take 2" software update and in typical Apple fashion I was not disappointed. The update took about 3 minutes to download and install, since doing so we've watched the 1st season of Dexter (nearly the greatest writing in television history), Michael Clayton, Mr. Brooks, Breakfast at Tiffany's and watching The Assassination of Jesse James tonight. The only downside I see to this product is that it's almost too easy to order movies, including Dexter we've spent almost $50 in less than two weeks, granted we no longer need our DirecTV at this point (mental note cancel dish service after writing this review and buy more Apple stock). The interface is a classic application of usability excellence, the fact that Apple can provide such a vast amount of features and functions with a 6 button remote is brilliant. Makes me wonder why all other manufacturers feel the need to produce remotes that require an advanced degree from Yale to operate. My feeling is that entertainment delivery has forever changed with the advent of Apple TV Take 2. Rating: - ExcellentThis is the first time I am reviewing a product on Amazon but I am thrilled to write this one. I cannot stress how easy it is to set up. Connect the HDMI cable to your TV and then connect optical cable to the A/V Receiver and connect to your wireless router and then off you go. It took me under 10 minutes to do that. I love playing music, watching photos and youtube video on this. I did rent a movie (Pirates Of The Carribean)and it was better than on demand version but no where near my blue ray player. Economics of renting a movie from Apple also makes this feature not very attractive to me. I will keep using Blockbuster till the economics makes sense. I agree with the other reviewer about music videos. You have to play one at a time and its a pain. With all this said I love my Apple TV and would highly recommend it.
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