Apple TV
Description (from B&H): Apple TV transformed the way we watch TV and movies when it first came out. Now this 3rd generation Apple TV is revolutionizing how we watch again, basing the experience around streaming, not syncing. Taking content viewing to new heights, this compact entertainment juggernaut allows you to stream movies, photos and music directly to your HDTV from your Mac or PC computer in high definition 1080p clarity.
Powered by a single-core Apple A5 chip, this Apple TV is touted to be faster than ever. Just connect the device to your HDTV with an HDMI cable, plug in the power source, (make sure your router’s on!) and you’re good to go.
About the size of the palm of your hand, the Apple TV will hardly take up any space at all. The included Apple remote gives you all the control you need to browse through the various menus with ease. Alternatively, you can also use your iPhone or iPod touch as a remote using the free Remote app from the App store.
Now fully integrated with iCloud, this Apple TV allows you to play content you’ve purchased from the iTunes store through iCloud. With over 15,000 movies and 90,000 TV shows to choose from, your options are never limited. You can also play them on your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Mac or PC without having to buy them again. This Apple TV also has Photo Stream from iCloud so you can view your most recent 1000 photos automatically from all your Apple devices. There’s no syncing or sending. Your photos are just there on your Apple TV so you can view them in crystal clear 1080p quality on your HDTV. Also available on this Apple TV is iTunes Match (₨1,524.67 a year), which boasts a scan-and-match feature that instantly adds all the songs in your iTunes library to iCloud.
With AirPlay Mirroring, you can use your iPad (2nd generation and later) or iPhone 4S to show everyone in the room exactly what you’re doing. Some iOS games even support dual screens, which turns your iPad or iPhone 4S into the ultimate controller. Popular apps make their return such as Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and more. You can also watch your favorite sports teams using the NBA, MLB and NHL apps (subscriptions required to access certain features).
Setting up the Apple TV is easy because all you need is a power cord and an HDMI connection (cable sold separately). Optical audio and Ethernet ports provide added versatility. The redesigned, intuitive interface is highly user-friendly. Simply click on the source icons for blazing-fast access to all content, and by electing to display the top menu while viewing movies or TV shows, you can easily switch between sections. Be sure to grab yourself the AppleCare Protection Plan for Apple TV to insure your valuable investment.
