90
Criteria
Comments
Rating
- Media support Doesn't allow other media solutions such as Plex of XBMC.
- Video quality Some of the best 1080p video quality I've seen. Almost near the quality of blu-ray when watching iTunes content.
- Audio quality Not bad but nothing to brag home about. Supports up to 5.1 which might not be enough for some media center users.
- Ease of use It's definitely the best solution out there, especially coupled with its easy remote and companion apps, but I still believe Apple hasn't quiet figured it out.
- Design and form factor The Apple TV 3rd Generation is truly beauty in a box.
Detailed review
Hardware/Design:
The Apple TV 3rd Generation 3.9in square, 0.9in tall and 0.6lbs heavy, presents beauty, simplicity and power all in such a small form factor. Coated with a glossy black finish, the Apple TV 3rd Generation is exactly identical to its predecessor, but then again, why change something that works? Insanely quiet and cool to the touch, the Apple TV 3rd Generation is truly beauty in a box. Accompanied with built in 802.11n WiFi, a dedicated Ethernet port, an HDMI port and an Optical Audio port, the device shines when it comes to minimalistic design.
Sporting Apple's proprietary A5X chip, a step up from last years A4 chip, this device is a screamer. Although it's only a single-core rather than a dual, it gets the job done. There are virtually no performance issues and overall, the hardware works well with the software. While preforming tasks on the device, I never once had an issue with the speed except the occasional "starting download" screen during an iTunes movie rental (although that's more related to the internet connection than the processor in my case).
Sound quality is something that is somewhat lacking. While the sound isn't horrible by any means, it isn't something to brag home about. Limited to 5.1, the Apple TV 3rd Generation seems to compress audio more than other devices out there. It isn't noticeable unless you're an audiophile, but it's something to take note of.
Remote/Companion Apps:
The Apple TV 3rd Generation hasn't changed one bit in the way the remote and companion apps work with the device. There's not much to say here other than the fact that typing with the bundled remote is a pain. I highly advise the downloading and usage of an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad companion app as a substitute for the Apple TV remote.
Software/UI:
The Apple TV 3rd Generation makes significant strives over its older sibling, the Apple TV 2nd Generation, by finally allowing users to watch 1080p content. In addition to content now being able to be purchased or viewed in 1080p, Apple TV's AirPlay feature has also been upgraded to a 1080p bandwidth (as long as the content being streamed is already 1080p definition). AirPlay Mirroring however has stayed at the current 720p definition.
Apple has drastically changed the UI on the Apple TV family by presenting various rows of icons much like an oversized iPad screen on which one navigates with the included Apple TV remote. The UI presents easy access to the different options that the Apple TV presents, however, I still don't think Apple has quiet gotten it right yet.
Many users are upset with the noticeable absence of Apple TV iOS apps, but I found it to be a relief. Using the remote or companion apps would not create a pleasant user experience, and instead, Apple has opted to just keep it simple and allow AirPlay Mirroring. While AirPlay Mirroring is an amazing technology, it's limited to 720p which is quiet a shame since the new Apple TV 3rd Generation is all about the 1080p. Also, AirPlay Mirroring seems to stutter and lag a noticeable amount when playing games. I hope this is something that will be fixed in a future update.
The inclusion of Hulu+ and Netflix in 1080p definition are welcomed additions, but I still wish the apps themselves would have been updated. Compared to the iOS, Xbox 360, PS3 or even Wii UI, the Apple TV seems to falter. The other bundled apps are nice, but no upgrades have really taken place.
iTunes Match is a welcomed addition as well which allows users to store their music content (up to 25,000 songs) in the cloud and to stream them while on the Apple TV. While this works very well, I still wished the UI for it would be revamped. I find it painstaking scrolling through all of my artists to find a song or having to manually type it in.
Overall:
Overall, I do like the Apple TV 3rd Generation. 1080p content and video playback is a welcomed addition, but I wish that Apple wouldn't exclude other media solutions such as Plex to be installed on the device. Although the inevitable jailbreak will allow Plex or XBMC to be installed, I still wish I didn't have to use a jailbreak to get those features. It makes sense for Apple to restrict access to them, but if using the Apple TV as my home media setup, it's a feature that's just too hard to pass up. I would only recommend the Apple TV 3rd Generation if your life works within the constraints of the Apple ecosystem and if you're not a major audiophile.
The Apple TV 3rd Generation 3.9in square, 0.9in tall and 0.6lbs heavy, presents beauty, simplicity and power all in such a small form factor. Coated with a glossy black finish, the Apple TV 3rd Generation is exactly identical to its predecessor, but then again, why change something that works? Insanely quiet and cool to the touch, the Apple TV 3rd Generation is truly beauty in a box. Accompanied with built in 802.11n WiFi, a dedicated Ethernet port, an HDMI port and an Optical Audio port, the device shines when it comes to minimalistic design.
Sporting Apple's proprietary A5X chip, a step up from last years A4 chip, this device is a screamer. Although it's only a single-core rather than a dual, it gets the job done. There are virtually no performance issues and overall, the hardware works well with the software. While preforming tasks on the device, I never once had an issue with the speed except the occasional "starting download" screen during an iTunes movie rental (although that's more related to the internet connection than the processor in my case).
Sound quality is something that is somewhat lacking. While the sound isn't horrible by any means, it isn't something to brag home about. Limited to 5.1, the Apple TV 3rd Generation seems to compress audio more than other devices out there. It isn't noticeable unless you're an audiophile, but it's something to take note of.
Remote/Companion Apps:
The Apple TV 3rd Generation hasn't changed one bit in the way the remote and companion apps work with the device. There's not much to say here other than the fact that typing with the bundled remote is a pain. I highly advise the downloading and usage of an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad companion app as a substitute for the Apple TV remote.
Software/UI:
The Apple TV 3rd Generation makes significant strives over its older sibling, the Apple TV 2nd Generation, by finally allowing users to watch 1080p content. In addition to content now being able to be purchased or viewed in 1080p, Apple TV's AirPlay feature has also been upgraded to a 1080p bandwidth (as long as the content being streamed is already 1080p definition). AirPlay Mirroring however has stayed at the current 720p definition.
Apple has drastically changed the UI on the Apple TV family by presenting various rows of icons much like an oversized iPad screen on which one navigates with the included Apple TV remote. The UI presents easy access to the different options that the Apple TV presents, however, I still don't think Apple has quiet gotten it right yet.
Many users are upset with the noticeable absence of Apple TV iOS apps, but I found it to be a relief. Using the remote or companion apps would not create a pleasant user experience, and instead, Apple has opted to just keep it simple and allow AirPlay Mirroring. While AirPlay Mirroring is an amazing technology, it's limited to 720p which is quiet a shame since the new Apple TV 3rd Generation is all about the 1080p. Also, AirPlay Mirroring seems to stutter and lag a noticeable amount when playing games. I hope this is something that will be fixed in a future update.
The inclusion of Hulu+ and Netflix in 1080p definition are welcomed additions, but I still wish the apps themselves would have been updated. Compared to the iOS, Xbox 360, PS3 or even Wii UI, the Apple TV seems to falter. The other bundled apps are nice, but no upgrades have really taken place.
iTunes Match is a welcomed addition as well which allows users to store their music content (up to 25,000 songs) in the cloud and to stream them while on the Apple TV. While this works very well, I still wished the UI for it would be revamped. I find it painstaking scrolling through all of my artists to find a song or having to manually type it in.
Overall:
Overall, I do like the Apple TV 3rd Generation. 1080p content and video playback is a welcomed addition, but I wish that Apple wouldn't exclude other media solutions such as Plex to be installed on the device. Although the inevitable jailbreak will allow Plex or XBMC to be installed, I still wish I didn't have to use a jailbreak to get those features. It makes sense for Apple to restrict access to them, but if using the Apple TV as my home media setup, it's a feature that's just too hard to pass up. I would only recommend the Apple TV 3rd Generation if your life works within the constraints of the Apple ecosystem and if you're not a major audiophile.
good review!
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