Gotta escape the hype (gotta admit thout that steve did do a good job with the presentation!)


The AppleTV does have a lot of good points! Permit me to list them:
1. Support for Standard Definition and High Definition TVs
2. No need to have a dedicated PC hooked to your TV, unlike Microsoft's Media Center PCs
3. Easy Integration with iTunes (Music, Films, TV shows, audiobooks, podcasts)
It really does simplify the process!

But ultimatelly the product really sucks - why? It doesn't allow me to use my media:
1. DVDs that I own and have ripped to my external HD for convenient access
2. Video that I have captured myself, or digitized myself
3. I know there are a number of people with el gato TV sets, and thus have recorded TV shows


These are just a few examples that really handicap the AppleTV. I realize that apple is attempting to gain (more) leverage for its iTunes store, but as a consumer it makes me not want to buy this device. If iTunes had a built-in DVD ripper, in the same way it rips CDs, and if I could use that content - then I would probably reconsider my position. Perhaps we should wait for AppleTV 2.0