Apple TV with 160GB Hard Drive - MB189LL/A

My Apple TV (ATV) worked fine for over a year. That changed with the latest software upgrade. Apple support is the worst I've experienced. Syncing with iTunes has stopped since their latest version 2.3 of the ATV software. A number of people are having this issue and reported it on the Apple support forum. Apple Support was totally unhelpful. Wanted me to pay for "extended care" since I bought my ATV last year. I said it's not my out-of-Apple support ATV, but their new software that's the problem. Told me it was "buyer beware" with respect to updates your ATV prompts you to do, and that my only recourse was to role back to the factory default (version 1.1) - that is unless I wanted to pay for support. So I asked her if she'd heard of the problem, and she said no. Excuse me? What would I be paying for then? Why can't this company support the software they just released for free like any other responsible manufacturer??? They are shooting themselves in the foot because now that I've rolled back to 1.1, I can't buy the new content they're pushing from the iTunes store. So much for the Apple mantra that "it just works."

And here's the icing on the cake - when I posted my experience on the Apple Support forum and asked for help, they deleted it as a "non-constructive rants or complaints." Apparently, customer dissatisfaction is something they don't want to hear about or for others to know. Interestingly, when I searched for my problem with the search function on Apple's forum, I couldn't come up any postings on point. I then went to Google and found relevant posts on the Apple forum right away.

So to be clear, I loved my Apple TV until Apple released this upgrade to its software. If there is a solution to this problem, good luck in getting it out of Apple since they don't even acknowledge there is a problem which is posted on their user forums.

Think long and hard before placing yourself at the mercy of Apple's support policies. And I certainly wouldn't buy this product until Apple announces that the problem has been fixed.

Setup took a while, downloading of iTunes library and my photos taking the most time. I've only had to reboot it once due to hanging up. Itunes movie rental library is limited. Video podcasts are great, many are higher quality than those that I download on my TiVo series 2. I also enjoy the screen saver feature with my digital photos flowing while I'm playing songs from my iTunes library.

The content on the Apple iTunes store does not offer 1080p for purchase, but you can rent 1080p content or add it (if you can get it) from your computer. There are also 1080p video podcasts. 5.1 digital surround is now supported and you can rip your DVDs using 5.1 with Handbrake software (free download on the web). Handbrake works with Mac OS 10.5 or > and Windows (if you are unfortunate enough to not have a Mac).

Caveats: It does run hot. The video used to lag, but this seems much better with the latest releases of the OS. The GUI can stick and then jump - so you click 3 times with no effect and then it jumps the 3 positions, etc. The remote control is a pain when typing passwords or searching youtube, etc.

If you have an iPhone (I think iPod Touch also) you can use the Remote Application to control your Apple TV (or iTunes) from your iPhone. It's great and much better than the remote that comes with the Apple TV.

I highly recommend a direct 100 Mb ethernet connection or 802.11n. Do not use this product with 802.11g or slower.

Don't bother with the 40GB version. It's just too small. You'll wish you had the 160GB. The 40GB is only good if you don't buy content - only rent movies. But watch out - if you keep you music on it, you'll want more space.

The Apple TV is great even just as a music jukebox! Even if you don't use it for video. We use it all the time for music. It's easier than hooking up an iPod and having to pick up the iPod to change songs, etc. The GUI on the HDTV screen is so much better. I looked at similar MP3 components for audio only - this was cheaper and had a far superior GUI. It is so easy to use that my wife can do it (she is not technology savvy).

The other great thing is that software updates are free and come automatically over the internet. New features and fixes!

Bottom line: There is no other product like it on the market in terms of cost, intuitive interface, quality, and features.

basically a hard drive that sincs wirelessly to your itunes library, the hdmi connection to your tv provides premier audio and video that will tantalize your eyes and soothe your ears. the 160 gig version will store all your music, movies and much much more. highly recommend this product.

I have had this Apple TV since it first came out and paid almost $400 for it. It worked great until iTunes software updates around the 7.2 something... anyhow, after that update people have been having problems with the port settings. You call Apple and they read from queue cards and have no idea what they are doing. They always blame someone or something else, like your router (I also use an Apple Airport router, which i bought because i was told by Apple it was my router and buying theirs would fix my Apple TV problem...NOPE) Don't get me wrong, I love Apple products and I am amazed at the BUGS in this product. There are many folks with the same issues...just go to google and type in "apple tv port 3689" enjoy the reading. I am going to ebay this piece of junk, so look for it there if you want it.