Coming from Google TV to Apple TV2, thoughts.....

For Christmas, I had received a $200 Gift Card to Best Buy. I like these ideas as I could make a purchase I probably wouldn't make if I didn't have the easy cash to throw around

I kept seeing those eerie Kevin Bacon commercials talking about an interesting concept with internet and HD TV. I looked into the few choices available and narrowed it to Apple TV2 and Google TV. I seriously considered the Sony Blu Ray with Google TV, but the $400 was just too much even though it would ultimately only cost me $200. Logitech was on sale for $250, so I went for it. The thing that had pushed me in that direction was the web browsing on TV, and the searching.

So we were watching the Football game a week into having it, every 2 to 3 minutes the screen would blank for a second and resume. Tried different stations and it was across the board. Disconnected the Logitech, and no problem So I returned to Best Buy and swapped it out. Everything worked well for a week, then we were watching "The Cape" Sunday night, and I had the complete reverse problem, connection was gone for 2-3 minutes with a second of connection I figured I would switch it to the Sony with Blu Ray, but I still just could not justify spending $400 on it, I wanted to, but it just was not going to happen. I also figured the only thing we were using the device for was for Netflix, youtube, and buying "Walking Dead" from Amazon Marketplace. I didn't use the internet nearly as much as I thought I would as I have my Droid X and iPad handy most of the time anyway, and the Picture in Picture during browsing wasnt that pleasant an experience,

So having looked into the Apple TV originally comparing it to the Google TV, I felt it would probably be best not to have to have the device I was looking for be a hub in between the TV and Cable box. Not only that, but now with it costing much less than it's Google TV competitors, it allowed me to perform a needed upgrade on my network from Wireless G to Dual Band Wireless N, I am guessing the older router may had possibly caused those Google TV connection problems Didn't matter, I ultimately got what I want.

Last night I had the opportunity to play with it a little more than the first night. Airplay was INCREDIBLE! I knew it would stream my iTunes on my computer to the TV, but I used it to stream a couple videos from my iPod Touch to my TV, as well as my iPad to the TV and was extremely impressed...the video was such high quality. I am now seriously considering getting an Airport Express at some point to stream music to my bedroom stereo.

Netflix did have a little issue at the very beginning of the show I streamed, it started with a long pause and only sound, then the video sped up real quick and caught up and I didn't have the problem again.

I am hoping Apple sees the potential of this and eventually adds some apps including Safari. This is definitely what I was looking for though, and I feel it is SO worth the price.

My only question is this. Apparently if I rent or purchase a movie through Apple TV, it is only available on Apple TV and cannot be used on the other devices as opposed to if I download it through iTunes through my PC, iPod, or iPad. Is this correct?

If I download a video to iTunes on my PC, iPod, or iPad, can I stream it directly to the Apple TV without Airplay? In other words, if I go to iTunes through Apple TV and go to download a Video that I already downloaded to one of the other devices, would they look to charge me again?

Hope this helps someone looking at both, and hope someone could answer my inquiries

Thanks for the feedback everyone, you confirmed what I thought. What I HOPED was like when I download something to the iPad, it automatically downloads to iTunes when I turn iTunes on, and this allows me to synch to the iPod. Unfortunately, not directly to the Apple TV. The workaround IS extremely handy though

NYY FaN said:

I don't think you can really compare the two devices.. they're meant to do different things. ATV is simply for renting movies, youtube and netflix. It does its purpose well and in a simple and easy to use manner. Google tv on the other hand brings the web to your tv, as well as watch netflix/youtube/rent movies. For my own purpose I prefer the google tv since it makes searching for tv content a lot easier than the crappy and sluggish cablevision channel guide I have had to use over the years. I hope that atv is given more features but I'm content with what it is meant to be.

Also your problem with the google tv could be due to bad wiring, I havn't had any trouble with mine.

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There is a pretty good comparison though NYY Fan. The 2 do pretty much the same things in different ways with different features. The biggest differences are the Google TV gets connected in between the TV and Cable Box allowing you to basically use the Keyboard as the remote if you choose. The Apple TV is a stand alone device like your DVD or Blu Ray Player, but basically allows you to stream the same exact content. If I type something in to the Google TV, it will give me info that is available on a channel currently playing, or pretty much defaults you to Youtube or Amazon the way Apple TV does. I am very interested to see what direction both go, we are on the foundations of something very new in regards to Google AND Apple.

As far as the wiring, it was as basic as you got, HDMI from cable to the Google TV....2nd HDMI from Google TV to the Television. I know it wasnt my HDMI Cable because it works fine from Cable box to TV. I am a firm believer of options and competition as this creates better offerings to the consumer at better prices, so please don't mistake this for my device is better than yours. It's my device does what I am looking for it to do well and works for me I really am glad that Google TV does for you what you want it to do, I think my eyes were bigger than my stomach in terms of what I was looking for, Apple TV ended up being exactly what I did want.