Apple TV changed the way we watch TV and movies when it first came out; now it's changing how we watch again. This permutation of the Apple TV is more compact, and based around streaming - not syncing. Movies, photos, music, TV shows and more stream directly to the Apple TV, and subsequently your HDTV, from the Internet or from the iTunes on your computer. Soon you'll also be able to wirelessly transmit to Apple TV from your iPod, iPad, or iPhone too.
Powered by the Apple A4 chip this Apple TV is touted to be faster than ever. Just connect the device to your HDTV with an HDMI cable, plug in the power source, (make sure your router's on!) and you're good to go.
About the size of the palm of your hand the Apple TV will hardly take up any space at all. The included remote gives you all the control you need to browse and select your media options - from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr, your iTunes, and even your iPod, iPad, and iPhone, with AirPlay. Alternatively, you can also use your iPhone or iPod touch as a remote using the free Remote app from the App store.
This Apple TV is all about rentals; you can rent single shows for 99¢ from the iTunes store. You have 30 days to start watching, and after you begin, 24 hours to complete viewing. Of course, when you purchase movies and shows from iTunes on your computer, you can watch those any time. Additionally, you can keep track of your favorite TV shows with Apple TV - Select your favorite shows with the remote and catch up with them when you can. And, of course, there's Netflix. Netflix subscribers can use the device to stream thousands of available movies and TV shows right to their HDTV over a broadband Internet connection.
Along with watching movies, TV shows, and Internet videos, Apple TV gives you access to photos and music stored on your computer as well. Share your photos in HD using the slideshow feature, and add a soundtrack from your iTunes. When you feel like delving into your music library pick out albums and songs, much like you do on your computer.
| CPU | Apple A4 Chip |
| Ports | HDMI Optical audio 10/100BASE-T Ethernet Built-in IR receiver Micro USB |
| Infrared | 1x Integrated IR Receiver |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11n Wi-Fi (a/b/g compatible) 2.4 and 5GHz |
| Supported Video Formats |
H.264 video up to 720p, 30 fps, Main Profile level 3.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format |
| Supported Audio Formats | AAC (16 to 320Kbps); protected AAC (from iTunes Store); MP3 (16 to 320Kbps); MP3 VBR; Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4); Apple Lossless; AIFF; WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound pass-through |
| Supported Image Formats | JPEG, GIF, TIFF |
| TV Compatibility | High-definition TVs with HDMI and capable of 720p 50/60Hz |
| System Requirements |
Computer: Mac or PC Software: iTunes 10 or later Hardware: Wi-Fi (AirPort Extreme, 802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n) or 10/100Mbps Ethernet iTunes Store account for renting movies and TV shows, and for Home Sharing Netflix account for streaming Netflix content |
| Environmental Requirements |
Operating Temperature: 32-95°F (0-35°C) Humidity: 5-95%, non-condensing Altitude: 10,000' (3000m) Storage Temperature: -4-113°F (-20-45°C) Humidity: 5-95%, non-condensing |
| Electrical Requirements | AC: 100-240VAC Built-in 6W universal power supply |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 3.9 x 0.9 x 3.9" (98 x 23 x 98mm) |
| Weight | 0.6 lb (272g) |