buzzbishop
on - last edited on by
ElizabethS
I unboxed an Apple TV ($119.99) for Christmas and ever since I plugged that little network bridge in connecting my tv to my Macbook and the internet, the time spent on traditional tv has slowed.
The ability to network a tv to the web and a hard drive isn't new, Microsoft's Media Centre PC has been around for years, you can use gaming consoles to connect multiple media sources, but the simplicity of the Apple environment has me in love.
One HDMI cable to your tv, a plug in the wall and an internet connection (wireless or wired) is all you need. The Apple TV is easy to set up on your home wifi network and you can easily share media content from iTunes to be seen on the Apple TV. It takes minutes.
I love to make mini movies about my kids and I can dial up their YouTube channel or scroll through my own iTunes roster to bring back skating memories for them on the big screen any time they want.
I've ripped their dvd collection to iTunes, so now when Diego, Toy Story or Backyardigans are demanded I can hit it up within seconds.
Extra content is also available through video podcast subscriptions. I can catch ESPN's PTI, Leo Laporte's TWiT, or Sesame Street's Word on The Street. If you don't subscribe to video podcasts, you can search through a variety of top lists and categories to find what interests you.
My iPhone and iPad are also on the network and with AirPlay, I can control the content on the screen with my iPad. Whether it's scroll through a photo montage, select a movie or play some music, I have complete remote access in the Apple ecosystem.
I'm in love with the Apple TV, but I'm not ready to get monogamous just yet. It's a little insular. You start to miss "live" events. Sure, you can get Global National or CBC newscasts in the podcast sections, but it's like eliminating radio from your environment and only listening to cd's or iTunes - there's a spontaneity that escapes your media consumption. Everything you're watching is pre-packaged and subscribed to. You end up building a higher wall on your personal echo chamber and limit your abilities to discover something new.
Live sports is also eliminated from the equation. Yes, there are backdoor ways to watch games online, but a pixelated laptop doesn't match the glory of a 46" HD panel.
If you're looking for an easier way to consume the media you already own and have some versatility in getting online content on bigger screens in your home, grab a handful of Apple TV.
catch the buzz ... pass it on.
