Introduction

Ever since Louis Daguerre took the first photograph and Thomas Edison lowered the needle on the first phonograph, media has been a part of our lives. The reproduction of still and moving images and sound is an art form that we are unlikely to see the zenith of in our lifetimes. Since the early part of the twentieth century, sound and video reproduction usually came in the form of magnetic tape, film or vinyl records. Now with the proliferation of digital storage methods, evolution has accelerated.

First we had optical media. The ability to store vast amounts of data on a coaster-sized disc was a huge breakthrough for AV enthusiasts. Now our vast libraries of tapes and records would fit on tiny discs that never wear out and don’t require cleaning. Even as a teenager, I was amazed at the quality and convenience of the first music CDs.

Today we have a newcomer in the marketplace: the all-digital player. If the data on an optical disc is merely ones and zeroes, why not do away with the disc entirely? With the advent of dirt-cheap hard disc storage and super-fast Internet speeds, you can stream your media right to your TV or audio system without the complexity of an optical reader. This is a relatively new category and the first product I’ve had the chance to review is the Apple TV.

I had considered adding one of these set-top boxes to my system when the first model came out in 2007. The idea of having a large rental library available at the beck and call of my remote is very appealing. An added attraction is the ability to stream all my iTunes content to my TV and/or audio system with no loss in quality or convenience. In the fall of 2010, Apple started shipping their second-generation box. This product really piqued my interest as it sells for a mere $99. After having the Apple TV in my living-room system for over two months, I can say this is a no-brainer addition to my gear rack. Please read on as I delve into the many features offered by this tiny component.