Apple TV pros and cons

Cons: (Feedback already submitted to Apple).
1. No internal hard drive to store downloaded TV shows, movies or games.

2. USB port is locked so it won't allow adding an external hard drive for storage.

3. The Apple TV OS at this time only allows renting of shows and movies, not purchasing.

4. No ability to download games from App Store. I sent feedback recommending this with the option to have a wireless controller app for iPhone and iPod touch users to play games and combine the benefit of the Game Centre.

5. No option to have a daily, weekly or monthly live programming subscription service. I'd settle for commercials as long as it's cheaper than my current cable provider.

6. Rental fee pricing will add up to be more costly than cable provider when comparing to what you get in a monthly subscription.

7. No way to stream content to your iPhone, MacBook via Apple TV over the internet.

8. Only supports 720p not 1080p for HD content due to a limitation of the Apple A4 processor.

Pros:

1. Low cost to buy the Apple TV. Though using it may be more costly depending on the type of consumer.

2. It's small.

3. Runs more quiet than the previous model.

4. It's using Apple's A4 processor.

5. You can stream video from your iPhone, Macbook or iPod Touch to the Apple TV.

cris, just to be sure that you fully understand the implication of the "no hard drive to store" item in the list of cons, one of the great advantages of the earlier ATV is its easy user interface that lets you play movies and music without having to have a computer with iTunes on and running.

Well there is much more cons to pros for the Apple TV.
Considering Western Digital has a device as small even better, the live HD version of WD media player runs just over $100 bucks and can connect to a hard drive or Via wireless router and can play internet content live on your HDTV. 1080p and every video and audio format, where apple tv runs only quicktime formats.

check this out;

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=735

Lots of pro's and the cons seem to be quite subjective. For me as most people own at least one computer and do store movies and use iTunes there streaming makes sense and a HD has really no practical advantage unless your network 80211b wifi.
The unit has reportedly 8 gig of flash inside perhaps this will allow future expansion?

The usb port has always been for upgrades however if you could connect a drive it might be nice but then it would not necessarily stream back to iTunes should i want to use my computer for movies. I prefer using a network storage drive or HD on my Mac instead so the USB thing is a non issue for me.

Yes you can rent. Or purchase on your computer where you can stream. So yes you can purchase. The ATV is an add on to a iTunes ecosystem so again purchase is possible.

No Games. It is sad but since apple do not have all their ducks in a row right this second perhaps this is a feature premature for release? I would not be surprised if this one day showed up

iTunes Content can be streamed to your iPhone or iPod via Air Video or Orb Media apps both have free versions. Again iTunes is the constant here...Must have iTunes (but most do)

Only streams 720P. This is highly subjective but if you have a 46" TV or smaller and sit at a normal 8-10 ft away it is extremely difficult to see a difference that would be a game changer. This is not to say the difference does not exist. Clearly if you are 1 ft away from the screen 1080 has more detail but you would have to be that close. Also most of Apples iTunes conversions are quite good. Having compared some of my 1080 vids that did not have the best conversion Id say its a wash for most eyes.
So...If you have a 50"tv and have eagle eyes and must have the latest and best get the Western Digital or a Boxee box or Mac Mini (running Plex or Boxxee)

There are many options. Me I already have my iMac attached to HDMI for times when I need to geek out and do what the ATV cant do. However simply renting an iTunes movie on my mac is not family friendly when you consider the hookup and switching game that goes on (That version of me is long gone)
The ATV2 is a $100.00 adaptor for content and will make mosts lives just a bit simpler, will it do everything? No! But for the price its a done deal

Cheers

If you read the iFixIt breakdown of the new ATV- it is quite cool. Similar guts of an iPad/new Touch, a spot for a dock port. 8GB flash with a spot for another flash chip. Same A4 chip. So we know that the ATV is geared up to run everything the new generation of gear can. Sounds like the Hobby has turned into the Trojan Horse.

JavaJ wrote:
If you read the iFixIt breakdown of the new ATV- it is quite cool.

No, it's very disappointing, but unsurprising at the price point. They've cut corners to keep the price down. I'm sure in performance terms it'll trounce 1st gen (both have 256MB RAM btw), but it's a compromise on many levels.

Similar guts of an iPad/new Touch, a spot for a dock port. 8GB flash with a spot for another flash chip.

Perhaps, but there's no dock port, and it doesn't have the other flash chip.

Same A4 chip.

As rumured.

So we know that the ATV is geared up to run everything the new generation of gear can.

Fine, but still less powerful for pure video prowess than the majority of similarly priced media players out there at a similar price point.

Sounds like the Hobby has turned into the Trojan Horse.

Still a hobby if you ask me.

Airplay is the Trojan Horse not the AppleTV 2.