For Christmas, I had received a $200 Gift Card to Best Buy. I like these ideas as I could make a purchase I probably wouldn't make if I didn't have the easy cash to throw around 
I kept seeing those eerie Kevin Bacon commercials talking about an interesting concept with internet and HD TV. I looked into the few choices available and narrowed it to Apple TV2 and Google TV. I seriously considered the Sony Blu Ray with Google TV, but the $400 was just too much even though it would ultimately only cost me $200. Logitech was on sale for $250, so I went for it. The thing that had pushed me in that direction was the web browsing on TV, and the searching.
So we were watching the Football game a week into having it, every 2 to 3 minutes the screen would blank for a second and resume. Tried different stations and it was across the board. Disconnected the Logitech, and no problem
So I returned to Best Buy and swapped it out. Everything worked well for a week, then we were watching "The Cape" Sunday night, and I had the complete reverse problem, connection was gone for 2-3 minutes with a second of connection
I figured I would switch it to the Sony with Blu Ray, but I still just could not justify spending $400 on it, I wanted to, but it just was not going to happen. I also figured the only thing we were using the device for was for Netflix, youtube, and buying "Walking Dead" from Amazon Marketplace. I didn't use the internet nearly as much as I thought I would as I have my Droid X and iPad handy most of the time anyway, and the Picture in Picture during browsing wasnt that pleasant an experience,
So having looked into the Apple TV originally comparing it to the Google TV, I felt it would probably be best not to have to have the device I was looking for be a hub in between the TV and Cable box. Not only that, but now with it costing much less than it's Google TV competitors, it allowed me to perform a needed upgrade on my network from Wireless G to Dual Band Wireless N, I am guessing the older router may had possibly caused those Google TV connection problems
Didn't matter, I ultimately got what I want.
Last night I had the opportunity to play with it a little more than the first night. Airplay was INCREDIBLE!
I knew it would stream my iTunes on my computer to the TV, but I used it to stream a couple videos from my iPod Touch to my TV, as well as my iPad to the TV and was extremely impressed...the video was such high quality. I am now seriously considering getting an Airport Express at some point to stream music to my bedroom stereo.
Netflix did have a little issue at the very beginning of the show I streamed, it started with a long pause and only sound, then the video sped up real quick and caught up and I didn't have the problem again.
I am hoping Apple sees the potential of this and eventually adds some apps including Safari. This is definitely what I was looking for though, and I feel it is SO worth the price.
My only question is this. Apparently if I rent or purchase a movie through Apple TV, it is only available on Apple TV and cannot be used on the other devices as opposed to if I download it through iTunes through my PC, iPod, or iPad. Is this correct?
If I download a video to iTunes on my PC, iPod, or iPad, can I stream it directly to the Apple TV without Airplay? In other words, if I go to iTunes through Apple TV and go to download a Video that I already downloaded to one of the other devices, would they look to charge me again?
Hope this helps someone looking at both, and hope someone could answer my inquiries
I kept seeing those eerie Kevin Bacon commercials talking about an interesting concept with internet and HD TV. I looked into the few choices available and narrowed it to Apple TV2 and Google TV. I seriously considered the Sony Blu Ray with Google TV, but the $400 was just too much even though it would ultimately only cost me $200. Logitech was on sale for $250, so I went for it. The thing that had pushed me in that direction was the web browsing on TV, and the searching.
So we were watching the Football game a week into having it, every 2 to 3 minutes the screen would blank for a second and resume. Tried different stations and it was across the board. Disconnected the Logitech, and no problem
So having looked into the Apple TV originally comparing it to the Google TV, I felt it would probably be best not to have to have the device I was looking for be a hub in between the TV and Cable box. Not only that, but now with it costing much less than it's Google TV competitors, it allowed me to perform a needed upgrade on my network from Wireless G to Dual Band Wireless N, I am guessing the older router may had possibly caused those Google TV connection problems
Last night I had the opportunity to play with it a little more than the first night. Airplay was INCREDIBLE!
Netflix did have a little issue at the very beginning of the show I streamed, it started with a long pause and only sound, then the video sped up real quick and caught up and I didn't have the problem again.
I am hoping Apple sees the potential of this and eventually adds some apps including Safari. This is definitely what I was looking for though, and I feel it is SO worth the price.
My only question is this. Apparently if I rent or purchase a movie through Apple TV, it is only available on Apple TV and cannot be used on the other devices as opposed to if I download it through iTunes through my PC, iPod, or iPad. Is this correct?
If I download a video to iTunes on my PC, iPod, or iPad, can I stream it directly to the Apple TV without Airplay? In other words, if I go to iTunes through Apple TV and go to download a Video that I already downloaded to one of the other devices, would they look to charge me again?
Hope this helps someone looking at both, and hope someone could answer my inquiries