Apple TV MD199LL/A [NEWEST VERSION]
- Stream HD movies and TV shows rented from iTunes, plus content from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr, and MobileMe
- Smaller, redesigned device with HDMI and digital optical audio output; connects to network via Wireless-N or Ethernet
- Silent, cool, and very low power operation in an enclosure that's less than four inches square
- Music, videos and photos can also be streamed from PCs and Macs
- Comes with 7-button aluminum Apple remote; can be controlled by iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch via Remote app
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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, ease of use, value, and connectivity of the TV. For example, they mention it works flawlessly out of the box, it's user friendly, and the user interface is superior to that of other devices. That said, they appreciate the sound quality, image quality, and appearance. Opinions are mixed on performance.
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Customers like the quality of the TV. They say it's functional, incredible, and works flawlessly out of the box. Customers also say it works well with their devices and is a wonderful technological accomplishment. They also find the remote to be useful and the YouTube app to be excellent.
"...It's small, yes. But it's very functional and we make sure to put it on the coffee table or an end table when we aren't using it so that it does..." Read more
"...This comes with power cord only. Truly a plug and play device. One of the simplest, trouble free electronic devices I've ever utilized...." Read more
"...The second and third Apple TV's I purchased worked flawlessly out of the box, have been running for over a month with moderate to heavy use and no..." Read more
"...A wonderful technological accomplishment, but Apple doesn't seem to realize that just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD do..." Read more
Customers find the product very user friendly, simple, and sleek. They also appreciate the user interface for Netflix and YouTube is much simpler and refined than other devices. Customers say the setup is easy and the parental controls are super easy. They say it's a simple yet elegant solution to accessing their media library.
"...Its so much easier to search on the iPhone or iPad, for streaming YouTube, movie trailers, music or videos...." Read more
"...It's very user friendly.Lastly, we used this setup plus a Winegard FreeVision TV antenna to eliminate cable TV. We're *very* pleased...." Read more
"It's simple out of the box but be aware you will need to purchase HDMI and ethernet cables on your own. This comes with power cord only...." Read more
"...They all connect to one iTunes account, which made setting all the parental controls super easy...." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the Apple TV. They say it's well worth the price, the rentals are less expensive than those offered on Apple TV, and there is no monthly cost associated with the device. Customers also mention that it'll add service to a television in that part of the house and is an inexpensive digital signage solution. They also say it comes with free content that you can't get through other channels.
"...Now ATV does come with free content some of which you can't get through chromecast such as option to watch some channels live through your ATV..." Read more
"...cable bill because of widespread internet content, and it is much cheaper than a HTPC. My advice mirrors other reviewer's...." Read more
"...Quick note about cost: other than buying the device, there is no monthly cost associated with the Apple TV...." Read more
"...Free, simple, and elegant...." Read more
Customers like the connectivity of the tuner. They mention that it has the functionality of streaming internet videos as well through Netflix, YouTube, and other services. They also say that it can wirelessly stream any content on their tablet, phone, or laptop. Customers also mention that they can stream purchased content directly from the iTunes store. They say the quality is fantastic, it has all the streaming channels they'd want, and can run HBO Go.
"...Setup is dead simple. It seamlessly integrates other Apple devices.It also integrates with our iPads and iPhones...." Read more
"...It has both wired and wireless internet capacity, I use the wired connection and when I do so with my..." Read more
"...Highly dissapointed as chromecast doesn't have support for HBO Now I had to use mirrorcast only to find the picture unwatchable...." Read more
"...ITunes Store, with its vast holdings and resources, plus the availability of YouTube (not available on my Roku box), make up for the absence of..." Read more
Customers like the sound quality of the tuner. They mention that the Airplay function works well, and is impressive with the speed and sound quality. They also like the Apple TV's included Airplay, which sends the audio to the TV. Customers also say that the music reproduction is awesome, and the sound comes through crystal clear.
"...Youtube works well and the radio is nice also. It's excellent. The interface is really clean. Setup is dead simple...." Read more
"...Moreover, I'm amazed at the effectiveness of "Air Play", which enables the user to "mirror" movies and videos on an iPod, iPad, or iPhone on a..." Read more
"...about the Apple TV is that it includes a high fidelity TOSLINK optical audio out connection in addition to the HDMI connector...." Read more
"...Works perfect! The sound is great too, in stereo! I watched a movie last night streaming from my iPhone!!..." Read more
Customers like the image quality of the product. They say that it gives them super HD quality picture, crystal clear, and excellent. They also say that the resolution on the TV is very nice, and HD movies never looked so good. They mention that the video quality is brighter, and appears to offer more definition and clarity than previous models. Customers also say the product supports 1080p HD, whereas the previous model was restricted to 720p HD.
"...It DID go full screen just as YouTube videos do. I couldn't tell on resolution...." Read more
"...Once I adjusted for all that the picture came in quite clear--not quite HD or bluray but definitely as good as or better than SD signals...." Read more
"...The video is crisp and responsive. It is a pleasure to use...." Read more
"...(download speed is greater than 10mbps), then Apple TV gives you super HD quality picture (1080) when you watch a movie...." Read more
Customers like the appearance of the tuner. They mention it's sleek, has a gorgeous picture, and has slick UI. The device itself is very nice, fast, and with the most recent software. The Apple Remote looks great and is well thought out. Overall, this is an elegantly engineered and well thought-out accessory that provides the best color and picture quality.
"...Fire TV is fast, attractive, and the voice search works.Its weird that Apple TV is so slow.. or maybe they have improved?..." Read more
"...The UI is user friendly and easy to navigate using the small, sleek remote control...." Read more
"...on an iPod, iPad, or iPhone on a large TV screen--and in detail that's strikingly sharp...." Read more
"...They designed a light, sleek (a real Apple word there) razor thin display unit that almost disappears when you look at it from the side...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the tuner. Some mention it's perfectly reliable and fast with no problems, and has some apps they like. They say the high-def delivery is amazing, and the performance is easily good enough for high-quality movies and TV shows. However, others say that it'll lag when streaming movies and causing delays when trying to navigate or type in passwords.
"...and Prime on my main TV, since Roku is perfectly reliable and fast with no problems, and has some apps I like besides the main ones...." Read more
"...The play/pause button on the remote will not stop and start video so if you need a break you'll have to control that from the device that's being..." Read more
"...This box has the highest build quality of all the boxes I mention below. The remote is aluminum and the box has heft to it...." Read more
"...I have found streaming movies lags when streaming three different AppleTV's at once, and I have 18mbps internet service...." Read more
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Ok so first there is always Apple packaging, if you have ever bought any of apples products in the past decade or so you know what I mean when I say you feel like you just got something special and very exclusive. I could tell you more but do you really care about that. I didn't think so, anyway simple enough its all just plug and play if you have a HDMI cable (amazon has bundles with a HDMI for a few dollars more) and the automatic set up/sync option (for those of us with and iphone, ipod or ipad with bluetooth) is very useful, you just turn bluetooth on and tap the Apple TV with it.
2 quick suggestions regarding setup:
- 1. Whatever you do, do not activate siri's voice (if you are at the initial setup screen for a while she well say tap the play button 3 times to activate voice "something" (I thought it was voice command but it is not. She just reads all information on what you are currently on all the time). I did this and at first thought it was cool ("she's talking to me") but she doesn't shut up and it gets really annoying. I was unable to figure out how to turn her voice off and had to clear all settings and start new.
- 2. As soon as you can get an app for your phone, ipod or ipad to act as the remote (may not need it anymore after you've set up everything including all the apps that you will use. There is nothing wrong with their remote (in fact I love it, never really put it down) but when you need to type things its a real pain in the A** without a keyboard. For instance when your activating apps and stuff that may require you to sign into itunes or entering your wifi password or something of the like.
their menu is just like on all there devices just a page with apps you could rearrange.
Now quick comparison with chromecast.
Biggest difference (and maybe the only one that matters, outside of content of course) between the 2 is that Apple TV has its own user interface (menu) that you can use to control it (via remote or remote app). Chromecast has no such function rather it is just a "middle man" really that is completely controlled by your everyday devices that you are very familiar with. Because of this you may find it a bit easier to use chromecast as you do the same as you would have before but after you just press that cast button. Chromecast doesn't really have apps but they do have support for some such as youtube netflix hulu the usual more common streaming services and because of this it turns your other device (phone) to a remote and takes over the connection to the internet. Positive for this is that you can still use your device (phone) for other purposes without interupting whatever you put on the big screen. I do not believe you can do this the same through Apple TV (but b/c you never needed to use your other device to go to these services in the first place, does that matter?) but still can be done just not the way you may be use to. That said using youtube and netflix are much quicker and easier, and in the formers case a lot more functional when its being controlled by your phone rather then Apple TV (I have yet to figure out if you can use your phone the same with Airplay [for ATV] as Chromecast). Chromecast unlike Apple TV, lets you mirrorcast your computer screen to the TV as well though if you try to stream video that way it will be very laggy/jumpy just not watchable so its good for just looking at a page but they even messed that up b/c the cursor is not visible on the big screen so your still looking at the laptop or computer screen when you need to click something or type in a new webpage. Such a shame b/c that could have been a big 1 up for chromecast (though it may be the only 1). Now ATV does come with free content some of which you can't get through chromecast such as option to watch some channels live through your ATV (providing you have the channel through cable already). Some channels like USA will allow you to watch some of their futured shows (recent, already aired) even without having their channel. I do not have USA yet I was able to watch Mr Robot (very promising) and Complications through ATV, but when attempting to watch a movie they had, it wouldn't let me b/c I do not have their channel. It has all the same apps as chromecast that offer free content (regardless of cable subscription) as well though the only ones that are relevant (to me at least) are Crackle and redbull TV. Side note: there are a lot of apps geared toward childrens TV which can't speak on other then to say that I saw a lot. My big app and the driving factor that made me buy both chromecast and Apple TV is HBO NOW. We all know they charge 15 dollars to have the channel through cable then an extra 5 for on demand a month and some ppl like myself only got cable b/c we want HBO. As soon as I heard HBO Now is offered as a standalone service and Game of Thrones Season 5 was starting the following week I did a flip and ran out to buy chromecast (didn't know anything about Apple TV yet). Highly dissapointed as chromecast doesn't have support for HBO Now I had to use mirrorcast only to find the picture unwatchable. After complaining to a friend of mine, he said (in a condescending manner) "Why didn't you just get Apple TV?" and if he said in any other way then that, I might have listened rather then getting defensive and ignoring him. Anyway I ended up watching the second to last episode at his house and finally saw what Apple TV was and more importantly HBO Now works flawlessly on it. So I bought one. Sorry I know I said it would be short. Chromecast seemed to squander every opportunity they had to do something better then ATV even when you think there is something, you'll find there really isn't but it was close. Anyway ATV is flat out better and if you already have the means to watch whatever you want whenever you want on your iPhone or iPad via a certain app most of us know about you could use airplay to send it to the ATV and watch on the big screen.
I did set up Plex for Roku, but I way prefer streaming from my iPad or iPhone to Apple TV. Its so much easier to search on the iPhone or iPad, for streaming YouTube, movie trailers, music or videos. Also any friend or housemate in the house with an iPhone can stream to the Apple TV. Besides, there is a fun element of seeing your little devise stream to a big TV.
I just checked and I could stream a movie from my iPad Amazon Prime app to Apple TV. It DID go full screen just as YouTube videos do. I couldn't tell on resolution. It looked the same to me when I went back to the Amazon app on the Roku and looked at the same movie clip. I can't swear to it though. If you intend to get the Apple TV and stream Amazon Prime, than I would check reviews on resolution or call Apple. I also don't know what would happen with various iPhones. I believe the resolution went up to at least TV resolution on the recent devises. I would say you DO want HD though if you have a big TV. From Amazon's end of things, I believe Amazon streams to the iPad or iPhone in HD. Last I read some months ago Amazon does not stream movies in HD to computers even if you paid for HD. As long as that is the case, in my mind that might knock Apple TV out of the running for streaming Amazon from a mac to Apple TV.
The other issue would be bandwidth. I am told by Apple tech help that when you stream from a computer or devise to your Apple TV, you are using double the bandwidth. I have fiber to the home so I haven't noticed any slowing down.
As for usability of the devises, I enjoy both Apple TV and Roku. They both handle well, and are quick enough, and both are user friendly.
With Apple TV just make sure you pair your remote with the Apple TV. I didn't know that mine wasn't paired, because the remote was working. But some flaky things were happening in one app which I was blaming on the app. When I called into Apple tech support they showed me how to pair the remote to the TV... phew... that fixed my problems.
UPDATE after 3/4 year of use. I have in the house 2 Apple TVs, a Roku and a Fire TV. I find the Apple TVs give you the spinning wheel sometimes, which is really annoying. Right now mine isn't pairing with the remote at all so I may have to exchange it on what I understand is a year warranty. I was at a friends house recently and his did the spinning wheel also. My opinion at this point is don't get Apple TV unless you want to stream from your apple devise like iPhone. I do stream music and video from my iPhone so I am still glad to have the Apple TV. But I use Roku for Netflix and Prime on my main TV, since Roku is perfectly reliable and fast with no problems, and has some apps I like besides the main ones. Fire TV has HBOgo now, so that's prefect for me on my second TV. . Fire TV is fast, attractive, and the voice search works.
Its weird that Apple TV is so slow.. or maybe they have improved? This review is based on a purchase of Apple TV spring 2013.
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--- The only thing I would want to add to this is some sort of a keyboard to make typing things out easier. But from what I've heard, I can connect my iPhone using an app and that'll allow me to use its keyboard. So, it's just matter of me trying that out.
Reviewed in Canada on November 24, 2014