With a jaw-dropping $99 pricetag, a robust feature set, and compatibility with nearly every known media format, Asus’ new O!Play HDP-R1 HD Media Player looks flat-out incredible.

If the future of multimedia download and storage is this simple and cost-effective, DVD, Blu-ray, and CDs really are doomed. The O!Play offers buzz-word features like 1080p high-def video, high speed file transfers, easy playback of local, network, or internet content, and one-click music sharing at a price so low it makes Apple TV unreasonable.
The O!Play comes with its own remote control, along with HDMI, composite audio/video, and optical digital audio ports. Asus really …read more

Let me preface that this is pure speculation. I haven’t read, yet, that this is actually true. BUT…
Apple just released a new decoder that is visually lossless and provides uncompressed HD quality at SD data rates. This means HD quality in a smaller file size, which has been one of the biggest obstacles listed for why there isn’t HD content on the iTunes store today.
Of course, Apple isn’t saying anything about this being a possibility, but smaller file sizes with the same lossless quality streamed straight to your Apple TV… It’s only a matter of time.
You can get the new …read more

The software update to Apple TV is now available. During MacWorld, Steve Jobs said that Apple will be releasing a software update to the Apple TV in order to give it more features. He publicly admitted that their first try with Apple TV wasn’t successful and the software update should make it better. Props to Apple for that.
What’s new with Apple TV? Well the big thing is a the movie rentals aspect. You’re now able to rent and buy movies, tv shows and other content via the Apple TV. Computer not required.
Apple TV 2.0 also has some new features …read more

Apple has yet to release the software update for Apple TV but that hasn’t stopped Apple from putting up the guided tour ahead.
The guided tour is available in streaming format or as a download for both the iPod as well as a larger version.
Checking out the guided tour it really adds to the argument that the Apple TV 2.0 is a much better device that more people will probably give it a try. I really love the seamless integration with the iTunes Movie Rental Service. There’s only two things that suck about it right now. One, although not Apple’s fault, …read more

According to this press release by Apple, YouTube videos are now available on the Apple TV. Existing Apple TV owners can update their software via the software update utility in the Apple TV.
On June 29th, a week from now, Apple will begin selling the iPhone. Included in the iPhone is the YouTube app that allows iPhone users to download and watch YouTube videos on the iPhone’s stunning 3.5 inch display.
To make this possible, YouTube has begun encoding their videos using the H.264 codec. On the iPhone’s launch there will be 10,000 YouTube videos available. More will be added each week …read more

Patrick Norton and David Randolph take you through some interesting hacks for the Apple TV. I’m not a fan of reading to much, especially long how-to articles. So it’s really good when there are video versions such as what Systm is doing for Apple TV hacks. It’s easier for me to follow videos than articles.
Covered in this video are the upgrading of the Apple TV’s hard drive as well as cloning the system from the existing drive to the new one. The installation of SSH to access your Apple TV directly through your local network. Installing codecs to let you …read more

Buzz has been high the last few days as Apple started shipping Apple TVs. While a lot of good has been said about the Apple TV, we also need to be objective. The people at iLounge are just that. So they wrote a piece stating 10 reasons why you shouldn’t jump on the bandwagon and buy yourself an Apple TV. Here are the reasons why.
10. You have a fifth-generation iPod with video and a $20 bill in your pocket.
9. You don’t have a high-definition TV, or don’t use one as your primary set.
8. You have a large movie collection that …read more

We’ve been testing Apple TV for the past 10 days or so, and our verdict is that it’s a beautifully designed, easy-to-use product that should be very attractive to people with widescreen TV sets and lots of music, videos, and photos stored on computers. It has some notable limitations, but we really liked it. It is classic Apple: simple and elegant.

That’s what Walt Mossberg and Katherine Boehret have to say about Apple TV.
Making things simple. That’s one of Apple’s criteria when creating products. The iPod made listening to music simple and now Apple hopes that it can make watching …read more

While it’s true that the Sony of late has been losing some of it’s luster, it’s still one of the biggest companies and brands in the world. Sony is one of the most recognizable and well respected brands in electronics and technology. Everyone has heard of either the Walkman and/or the Playstation. Most of the people I know has at least one Sony appliance in their home. In our home alone, we have 2 Sony TVs and my dad uses a Sony VAIO laptop. We also have gone through all the generations of the Playstation save for the most current …read more

That’s what the Apple TV was relegated to, “The Other Product” status. It’s not to say that the Apple TV is a bad product. The iPhone just over shadowed the Apple TV. It wasn’t as revolutionary as the iPhone.
What’s the Apple TV you ask? Why it’s the center of your entertainment life. The Apple TV connects to your TV via HDMI or component audio and video ports. You then pair your Mac or PC’s at home (up to 5) and it then syncs your iTunes content to the Apple TV. This allows you to watch your media in the comforts …read more