Apple TV New products

The recently refurbished Apple TV is a huge improvement over its predecessor, but in many ways Apple is playing catch-up in the streaming video space. A wide variety of products already contain much of the same functionality, although the Apple TV has some advantages. This is how it stacks up.

Streaming Decoders
The first thing we think when we saw the new Apple TV was: Roku. The Digital Video Player Roku has been around since 2008 and currently has means for transmitting a variety of services including Netflix, Amazon VOD, Pandora and MLB.TV. And Amazon already has the TV rentals $ 0.99 - plus you get to keep, rather than just rent. Roku also cut prices on its line of players earlier this week, the Roku HD player now costs $ 70.
The great advantage of Apple TV in this case is its ability to stream content from networked computers. The Apple TV can extract music, movies and photos from a networked PC running iTunes, the Roku does not have that ability completely, at least for now. The Apple TV also will integrate more easily with other devices using the standard Apple AirPlay again.
Logitech Revue with Google TV is also coming soon, but it is difficult to know how to compare at this early stage.
Blu-ray
New Blu-ray are almost the same thing about streaming media such as Blu-ray. Entry-level Blu-ray players lack of Wi-Fi, but cost about $ 130 and are capable of streaming more services than the Apple TV. Step-up to the $ 165 LG BD570 and get Wi-Fi, DLNA support (to play music, photos and music from a networked PC) and streaming of Netflix, Vudu, and Pandora.
The advantage of the Apple TV in this case is its low price, with built-in Wi-Fi, and again the fact that more easily integrate with other Apple devices. The user interface on the Apple TV is also a step ahead of the interfaces offered on many Blu-ray players. However, the Apple TV needs a record player, and the addition of a single device that can handle DVDs, Blu-ray, and streaming media for about $ 65 more than the Apple TV is likely to be attractive to many buyers.
Game consoles
If you have a PS3, Xbox 360 or Wii, Netflix can be heard in all these devices. (The PS3 and the Wii now require that you insert a disc, but it is likely that the restriction be lifted soon.) The PS3 and Xbox 360 both have their own TV and movie stores, and both are capable of playing music , movies and photos from a connected PC.
Once again, Apple TV costs less and work better with other Apple devices. For those who seek only the simple media streaming, it is probably a better choice. But if you already have a PS3 or Xbox 360, probably will not see the need to add an Apple TV to your home theater.
Perspective
Our initial impression is that the market for the new Apple TV is going to be limited because much of its functionality is already available in other devices. Technology enthusiasts who are more interested in ditches his cable subscription and get all your TV content and movies from iTunes the same audience that probably already own a Roku HD, Blu-ray player or game console. Apart from Apple's great interface, there is much more to offer, at least from the spec sheet.
On the other hand, for those who like to stay within the universe of products from Apple, the Apple TV offers much more refreshed than its predecessor. Netflix streaming combined with the low price of $ 99 will make an easy impulse buy, especially for those with iPads and iPhones will be able to take full advantage of new functionality AirPlay.
Of course, we will suspend our final opinion until you get to put a sample test through their steps. And we're still hoping that Apple may release a firmware update that allows true functionality based application, which will open the Apple TV to all the other great services streaming media (Pandora, Hulu addition, Rhapsody), available at the IPAD / iPhone.
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