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Apple TV (2nd generation)

8.1 User Score Write Review
Compare It Apple tv 2nd gen

Tech Specs

Hardware

Width 3.9 inches
Depth 3.9 inches
Height 0.9 inches
Weight 0.6 pounds
Color Black

Software

Platform iOS
Audio codecs supported WAV, AAC, MP3, AIFF, Apple Lossless, Audible
Video codecs supported H.264, MP4, M-JPEG
Media streaming AirPlay, PC, Mac
Notable app support Netflix, YouTube, MLB.TV, Flickr, Vimeo

Output ports

HDMI output(s) 1
Digital optical audio output(s) 1

Connectivity

Ethernet 1
Wi-Fi Yes
Built-in Wi-Fi support 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11a
USB 1

Bundled remote control

Connection type IR
Remote model Apple Remote
8.1

Average User Review

of 13 total reviews
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  • Design 9
  • Software 8
  • Content selection 7
  • Performance 9
  • Accessories, remote 7

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  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by Zach Gilbert (Currently owns)

    February 5, 2012 10:08 pm

    I've had this since Apple launched the product and I've seen it evolve into a excellent substitute to many of the other streaming options. One thing I've found with Air Play mirroring is that performance is greatly affected by signal strength. One or two bar less in your wifi meeter means a drastic change in gameplay via your iPhone to the Apple TV,

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  • 7.0
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    Reviewed by jkiffney (Currently owns)

    January 5, 2012 11:16 am

    For integration with other apple products such as iPhones - airplay works great. It is flawless and seamless. The apple TV doesn't bring a lot of useful content by itself. Adding apps would be a great benefit so things like Amazon or CBS could stream to the device. Also, an analog audio out would be a plus also.

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  • 8.0
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    Reviewed by Canucker2 (Currently owns)

    December 27, 2011 02:19 pm

    Apple Remote very basic but works with Harmony One. Content improved in Canada recently. Best (killer) feature is AirPlay streaming of HiDef content from iPhone or iPad. Innocuous and minimalistic design and good price (for Apple). Well worth it if you own a flat screen TV and use iTunes or have an iOS device. Interface is very simplistic/minimalistic but that's what Apple is trying to push (it’s the anti-GoogleTV).

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    • Accessories, remote 7
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  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by freetab (Currently owns)

    December 20, 2011 05:56 pm

    The Apple TV provides a wide variety of content in a small package. All you have to do to set it up is plug it into a TV and into a power outlet. Turn it on, go through a five minute setup, and you're done. After that, you could access iTunes movies, TV shows, your iCloud photo stream and your iTunes Match library. You also have access to some sports and news stations along with Netflix and internet radio. My absolute favorite feature is AirPlay. With literally a click of a button, you can watch videos or listen to music from your iDevice or computer. I even tried out the mirroring feature with phenomenal results. However, there are a few cons to this device. First and foremost, there's no Hulu. I mainly like to watch TV shows on Hulu and my only options are iTunes and Netflix. I guess I'll have to stick with my Xbox for that. The remote also seems very strange to use. It's a nightmare to type on the keyboard with this remote. You have to back and forth between each letter just to type a simple name. An alternative though is to use the remote app for iOS. It provides a gesture pad that lets you to navigate around the software in a much simpler manner. When you type, it lets you use the onscreen keyboard, which is wonderful to use. Overall, the Apple TV is a great device. There are a ton of areas where I would like to see improvement, but nonetheless I still enjoy using it to view all of my content.

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  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by SirGibler (Currently owns)

    December 20, 2011 05:14 pm

    The Apple TV is in one word: great. Sure, 1080p would be great and a less minimal remote would be more than welcomed, but these aren't huge omissions. With Photo Stream, AirPlay, and iTunes Match, the Apple TV is the perfect addition to any iOS user's television. For $100, the Apple TV is a great addition to any television.

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  • 8.0
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    Reviewed by magneticmediafed (Currently owns)

    December 20, 2011 04:55 pm

    I have a few boxes that stream content. This is always the one that I turn on first, and with the inclusion of the MLB app last summer, it's proven to be something of a blank canvas. I'm always anxious to see what capabilities get added with future software updates.

    There is, of course, one big problem: the remote. It's not really even the remote's fault as the system doesn't need more than simple navigation. The problem is specifically with keying text, which is incredibly cumbersome with a d-pad and enter-button. Siri to the rescue?

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  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by kevinjohngomez (Currently owns)

    December 20, 2011 10:02 am

    I really enjoy this device. It's a much more sophisticated experience to that of competitors like Roku. The industrial design is spot on. It's really compact and solid. Being made of plastic seems a little low-end for Apple, but it's certainly high-grade plastic. The only flaw in my opinion is it's lack of apps. iTunes, Podcasts, and Netflix account for about 75% of my entertainment, but I'd really love access to Hulu.

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  • 7.0
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    Reviewed by Dan Chilton (Currently owns)

    December 20, 2011 09:46 am

    If you have kids, this sandwich-shaped bad-ass is a must have. Actually, I take that back. If you have kids AND a Netflix subscription, then this beautiful Texas-toast-sized box is a (your respective deity)-send. The software could stand to be a little more open and offer more codecs, but who are we kidding here -- this is Apple, and that boat sailed a long time ago. I've been tempted to jailbreak this little puck, mainly so I could get VPN functionality and more codecs, but I'm too lazy. Even still, I love this Micro-Machine-warehose-sized box. I really feel like I'm living in the future when I can sit in bed and pull up any baseball game my heart desires with the click of a button on a Spartanly designed aluminum sliver.

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    • Accessories, remote 6
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  • 8.0
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    Reviewed by drumsmack (Currently owns)

    December 20, 2011 05:06 am

    It plays nice with other recent airplay capable Apple hardware, but works great on its own as well.

    My 42in Sharp Aquos (09) is only 720p so the Apple TV resolution limit is fine for me. I mainly use this to watch Ted video podcasts and infrequently rent movies this way. I also use it to stream music from my apple devices into the home theater 5.1 setup occasionally. AirPlay mirroring is slick but I prefer to surf in the pad with the power hungry CCFL Aquos on standbye.

    My only complaint is that software updates wipes the wifi password: and must be reset with the slow method (included remote with on screen keyboard) otherwise I would have raterd this 10 as well. Nice clean simple UI.

    The remote is an example of minimalism gone too far: but it works fine. Button cell lithium makes replacing the battery kinda silly but not for a long time!

    The hardware is sleak and incredibly small for a home theater setup: the hdmi dongle looks massive on the tiny device. Power consumption is awesomely small whilst the visual and audio performance is massively awesome.!

    What a great price/ value as well. Even for a frugal shopped this is butter in Apple hardware prices.

    In terms of performance it boots instantly and is snappy in general. Lots of content but nothing to rival the web yet! It also lags behind Comcast in so many critical content ways.

    ITunes prices are stiff for movie rentals: if you are going to watch more than 2 per month go with a Netflix account to save $ !

    Not perfect but it gives roku a run for the money, especially if you are invested in Apple hardware that can AirPlay to this magic black puck of av goodness.

    Very well done!

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  • 8.0
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    Reviewed by wickemu (Currently owns)

    December 20, 2011 01:40 am

    The Apple TV is perfectly sized to fit in any home theater, and its added functionality for those with iPhones or iPads is undeniable. Its interface isn't the best, but when used with the remote app on an iOS device, it is very easy to access the content you want. 720p is less than desirable; 1080p is a must for anyone with a big screen.

    I have all of my content sorted through iTunes, and with Home Sharing enabled, I can access every morsel of that through the Apple TV. Additionally, with various iOS or mac apps, you can push video or audio in non-sanctioned formats and have them transcoded on-the-fly. Pushing Pandora music is also very smooth.

    This isn't the best it can be until it's 1080p, and it is definitely not as smooth without the iOS remote app, but it is still one of the most-used devices in my AV cabinet.

    The Breakdown

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