Apple TV now offered with 160GB BTO version
Posted in Apple by Derek at 1:18 pm
This post was published 2 years 5 months 22 days ago and its content may not be valid anymore.That slim Apple TV sitting next to Apple fanboy television sets just received a considerable upgrade option. New (potential) Apple TV customers now have the option to order with a 160GB hardrive pre-installed from the factory. The new 160GB version will set you back $399 making it more obvious that your money would be better spent on a full blown Mac computer – think Mac Mini.
Personally, I’ve enjoyed the convenience of the Apple TV. There are some things that do bother me. Say for example, the fact that I refuse to sync my computers. It just takes too much damn time [even on a 802.11n network).
If you own an Apple TV, are you still happy?
I’ve got an Apple TV in my bedroom and I do sync…but I tend to just watch streamed anyway. I’m watching ripped DVDs, so it’s not high definition content, but I don’t think I’ever had a dropout. The main advantage of syncing is that iTunes tells me if the video file can’t be shown on the Apple TV.
I am very happy. I’ve installed Democracy (have a watchdog that keeps it running) and the “perian” hack + ATVFiles plugin so everytime I get home there are always new shows to watch.
Democracy window is not shown, only when I “killall Finder” so aTV interface remains unchanged
I do not do sync
I have had my ATV for a few months now, and love it. I am not a video/audiophile, so the lack of certain features (not much and HD content, no 5.1 sound) really doesn’t bother me all that much. To me it is about ease and convenience. Whilst I do love technical challenges (I am an engineer and work as an IT Architect, so I am no afraid of anything tech), sometimes I love my kit to “just work baby”, and this does it.
I stream off of a central media server in my home office, and never sync. I have pretty steady spent the past couple months converting my movies (both home and purchased) and storing on my media server. For me at least, it is all about convenience. I can switch over to it, and have access to dozens of movies, TV shows, etc. No more staring at the movie cabinet trying to decide what to watch.
I recently installed the AwkwardTV hacks, which has opened a whole new world of formats for me. I also have recently set it up to mount SMB shares (Unfortunately, I am a Windows user), which combined with other plugins, should enable me to play ISO’s.
I did evaluate other products before I purchased. I SERIOUSLY looked at the XBOX 360, but passed.