Your Review of the Apple TV

I am looking for some customer reviews that own the device. What's good; what's bad. All is appreciated.

I don't have one.
But I could suggest you to go with WDTV; it has more than the AppleTV. Like; 1080p Full HD Support, Facebook etc.

I had a WDTV.

Don't get a WDTV.

Get an ATV2.

I asked for people who own the device. Anyway, my mom went out to dinner, and she happens to pass the mall (Apple Store). She got me one... awaiting... she takes a while...

I have one and I love it, I mostly use the Netflix integration and it works amazing.

I mean, of course other devices have netflix, but the UI is much nicer than others I've used.

And there's a giant selection on the iTunes store, and of course the seamless iTunes sharing from your computer.

For $100, it's a great deal. But part of me still wants to try Roku, WDTV sucks, no two ways about it.

I have three; two of the gen2 models new from Apple, and one of the older gen1's I bought off of eBay. All three are jailbroken/hacked.

About the only real positive for the gen2 over the gen1 is the Netflix streaming. Comes in very handy with kids around. Most .mkvs and mp4 run fairly well on it from local (I'm using a NAS attached to my router) storage, which makes sense as those (as I understand it) are decoded at the hardware level on the box, rather than on the fly.

Gen1 is based off of OSX, and it (aside from Netflix) is the superior experience for me after some time with each. Gen 1 offers hardware-level decoders for tons of formats with perian, local storage on the box and a generally better Hulu experience for me streaming TV/movies. I've had no skips or stutters with my hacked gen1 box playing 720p XviDs, avis and so on that seem to choke a bit with the gen2.

Both are good buys, depending on what you're looking for . . .but as far as slinging media around my house, the gen1 plays a little better with my set up.

If you're considering the gen2 device, make sure you understand its limitations: great with Netflix, a decent XBMC front-end (depending on your media format, IMO) and a small form factor. Plex seems to run pretty well on it as well, but it's not quite the media catch-all it could be, though.

Is it worth 99 bucks? I'd say so, even with the above caveats.

I just take my MacBook and plug in my MiniDisplay to HDMI adapter then hook in an HDMI cable.

Badabing badaboom my laptop is on my screen and I can watch Netflix, play iTunes, or anything else.

Well, yeah, I've got an HDMI out on my computer too to do the same thing, but I think the idea behind AppleTV is to cut down on having the lug your box to your TV everytime you want to do that.

It's a lot easier to hit the menu button on aTV on my upstairs TV to start up Blue's Clues than it is to go get my box and hook it into the TV. I'm pretty lazy, though . . .

I own a WDTV Live HD, ASUS O!Play Air Wireless N HD Media Player, and a jailbroken ATV2.

I had a choice, replace the WD or Asus.

I've put the WD in a drawer to collect dust. For my video media collection which is either mkv or normal avi files (no bdrip avi's), the ATV2 out-shined the WD. If your collection contains ISO's, HD avi, mp4 do not go with the ATV2.