There was a lot of hype that apple tv would revolutionise the tv industry and make apple a mainstream competitor home entertainment. What came was not the impressive revolutionary device that was expected. Rather all that came out was an inferior media extender that allowed you to watch itunes videos on your tv.

If all Apple set out to do was let you watch itunes video on your TV then it has succeeded in doing that, but that's neither revolutionary nor impressive, but it will keep the hardcore Apple fans happy. It appears that apple will sync your itunes playlists with the apple tv hard drive much like it does with your iPod. I guess the reason for streaming from the apple tv rather than directly from a home computer is because it means you can still watch the videos if your computer is off.

I have an Apple TV connected to my Avant in one room and a mac mini connected to a projector via Beosystem 1 in another room. With the new Beosystem 1/Avant software update, both can be controlled with the Beo4. I actually, think that it's better to spend just a little more for a mac mini rather than the Apple TV. The mac mini is more versatile and can play more types of video, such as divx. I think that the Apple TV has missed the mark by not offering downloadable movies that can be rented. Rather, the iTunes store only has movies for purchase. There have been rumors that Apple might someday offer movies that you can rent and download; however, I fear for Apple that it might be too late to save the Apple TV.

You might want to take a look at the Xbox 360 as a media server. The Xbox 360 has a surprisingly impressive catalog of tv shows that you can download and own and both standard definition and high definition movies that you can download and rent for a reasonable price. Also, with today's Xbox system update, you can now play divx movies on the xbox. 

Hi Beojeff,

 You can control your AppleTV with your Beo4. My dealer installed my BeoVision 7-40 MKIII, flashed the AppleRemote software but nothing happend. If you press menu on your Beo4 while seleced AppleTV, do you see a menu appearing on the screen? Any help would be welcome

 I use my AppleTV for viewing HD photographs (1080i works perfect) and for music. I use my TVset also as audioplayer so this is perfect. There are better ways of steaming films,

Good question about the Beo4 control. I was confused at first, too. Actually, you don't use the "menu" command on the Beo4. I'm at my office and don't have a Beo4 in front of me, but as I recall you use the "exit" command on the Beo4 for the menu function of the Apple Remote. You use the "go" button on the Beo4 as the "enter" command on the Apple Remote. The directional arrows are used. Otherwise, there are no other functions that are used.

When you hit "menu" on the beo4, there are red, blue, green, and yellow squares on the TV; however, they don't seem to have any function. Perhaps this if for future use.

 Hope this helps.

Well that all sounds underwhelming... I think i'll give it a miss.

thanks for the info

jazz
 

I'm actually very impressed with ATV. It really is an Ipod for your home entertainment system. In fact ATV makes more sense with B&O than with most other gear. Let me stipulate several things: I'm not an Apple fanatic. In fact I haven't owned a Mac since 1988! There are many home media servers available that are also very good. In fact BeoMedia is one, but at several times the cost. Finally, there are many limitations and possibilities so the ATV has a long way to go.

 
Having said this, the problem with ATV is that it's a part of a CE segment that is in its infancy. ATV however, is what the future of TV will be. Some day you will be able to watch streams or downloads of video from many different sources in the same way that today you can listen to a stream of music or just one song from an album. We can debate the merits of "narrow casting," but it will come.

 
It's hard to find fault with ATV's implementation of a video/music server compared to others. At $299 it is not only on the lower end of the price scale, but technically it is designed for the non-technical elite. This is critical. It is however, a closed system (typical of Apple), though this hasn't seemed to have hurt the Ipod.

 
Jobs did describe ATV as a hobby for Apple. This is probably due to the fact that their other products ship in the MEGA millions. Nevertheless, I hope they continue to develop this product. With patience it can become a very important part of our entertainment future.

Now, why is it a good match for B&O? Well, I have a ML system in my house. I don't know of any other home entertainment product that so easily adapts to new technology. For example, I can listen to music from the front 2 speakers and mute my Avant's picture. Brilliant. I can also listen to the ATV from all the link rooms in the house. Cool. The reason I was asking Beojeff about the upgrade and the cost is because I am now using Lintronic, which is great, but if I get fast scroll with the B&O solution, that would be even better.

 
Alex

 

I was very tempted by the apple TV also but ended up buying a PS3 instead as this was only £100 more and for that extra £100 you get a lot more for your money whilst offering the same features plus a Blueray player, Internet Browser etc

If you install the free Tversity software on your PC this allows you to watch any format of movie (quicktime, divx, xvid etc etc) on the PS3 via your wireless home network without needing to re-encode the files (i believe this works for the xbox 360 too)

there is no chance of beo4 compatibility as the ps3 has bluetooth remote instead of infrared but i do not have a beovision (sadly) so this is not a problem for me.