For me, it comes down to the model being used for offering content, and I have trouble with one-time rentals, or movie purchases you can only watch from the box, and not take with you a friends house.
I much prefer Netflix' approach of streaming the movies for a flat fee, though their HD library is weak at best. Still though, I support that model for accessing movies instantly and see that Netflix is adding more and more movies each week to their online service. Granted, their HD library hasn't grown much over the past few months, but since it doesn't cost me anything extra beyond my subscription, I can give them a chance to grow it.
I cannot comment on quality since I've never used Apple TV before, but for the HD streaming from Netflix, I say it's "good enough" for a one time viewing of a movie, which most times is the case. Besides, when I want quality, I just get the Blu-Ray version.
I didn't think I would like it but I love my AppleTV. You can transfer your purchases between your Apple TV and PC/Mac and then put it on your iPod. My issue with Apple TV is that it's closed and I think paying $1.99 for a TV episode that aired last night, "outreagously" expensive and then the cost of most of their stuff is pretty high. They charge $55 for a complete season of BSG in HD. Really??? For a digital download with no extra's they have the gall to charge the exact same amount as physical media?
The appleTV is also small enough to take with you to your friend's house. I've done that before, I'll rent movies, download them, then take the unit to my girlfriend's house (hehe...unit). 1 Power plug, 1 HDMI plug and it's good to go.
Get tvshows from sourceforge instead of TED. It consistently grabs the best version of the shows. ted sometimes fails to choose the right one to grab and I the episode a second time.
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For me, it comes down to the model being used for offering content, and I have trouble with one-time rentals, or movie purchases you can only watch from the box, and not take with you a friends house.
I much prefer Netflix' approach of streaming the movies for a flat fee, though their HD library is weak at best. Still though, I support that model for accessing movies instantly and see that Netflix is adding more and more movies each week to their online service. Granted, their HD library hasn't grown much over the past few months, but since it doesn't cost me anything extra beyond my subscription, I can give them a chance to grow it.
I cannot comment on quality since I've never used Apple TV before, but for the HD streaming from Netflix, I say it's "good enough" for a one time viewing of a movie, which most times is the case. Besides, when I want quality, I just get the Blu-Ray version.
I didn't think I would like it but I love my AppleTV. You can transfer your purchases between your Apple TV and PC/Mac and then put it on your iPod. My issue with Apple TV is that it's closed and I think paying $1.99 for a TV episode that aired last night, "outreagously" expensive and then the cost of most of their stuff is pretty high. They charge $55 for a complete season of BSG in HD. Really??? For a digital download with no extra's they have the gall to charge the exact same amount as physical media?
The appleTV is also small enough to take with you to your friend's house.
I've done that before, I'll rent movies, download them, then take the unit to my girlfriend's house (hehe...unit).
1 Power plug, 1 HDMI plug and it's good to go.
Apple TV + atvflash + External HD + TED (BT) = Awesome!
That's all I have to say about that.
Get tvshows from sourceforge instead of TED. It consistently grabs the best version of the shows. ted sometimes fails to choose the right one to grab and I the episode a second time.