Not for everyone, but for many!
Apple TV is currently on its third generation and has matured with age. Its primary goal is to give you access to the content you have bought on iTunes, or to stream your additional movie, TV and music files from a PC or Mac running Apple's software.
You can purchase or rent iTunes content straight through the small box, so don't technically have to have another Apple device. However, with Apple AirPlay meaning it can mirror and stream content to a large screen from your iPhone or iPad, it would seem unlikely that you wouldn't have one of those too.
Like many Apple products, Apple TV is a doddle to set up and use. It is presented in a straight forward, clean way, with bold apps and a very Apple-centric style.
Unlike many of its rivals, much of the content available through the box - specifically the iTunes movies and shows - offer trailers and previews in 1080p, so you can check to see whether you fancy something before paying for it.
Apple AirPlay mirroring is essential too, as the lack of app support for major UK services, such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Player and 4oD, can be compensated through using an iPhone or iPad to stream them to the box.
It is also capable of 1080p output and much of the content is presented as such. And iCloud support means you can view all of the pictures stored in your Photo Stream.
Although there are several third party apps, they are not as varied as on many rivals and often seem US-centric in nature.
In all other respects, Apple TV is locked to Apple's ecosystem and therefore suffers from the same problems or benefits as the company's other devices, depending on your point of view.
New apps seem to be added once in a blue moon, and there isn't the versatility exhibited on rival boxes. Apple also restricts application user interfaces to ape its own, so although Netflix has profiles and the same functionality as on other devices, it isn't presented the same and can be confusing and awkward to use in comparison.
It is easy to recommend Apple TV to owners of iPhones, iPod touches and iPads, less so to everybody else. If iTunes is your life, you should consider an Apple TV even if you already own a smart TV.
Its simplicity in use and quality of output is superb, but do be aware that AirPlay streaming BBC iPlayer, for example, gives you a less than HD version of that particular service as it is dependant on the iOS app, which was not designed with TV use as its primary concern.
You also cannot AirPlay Sky apps - Sky Go and Now TV - from an iPad or iPhone, so if you subscribe to either of those services, you need to look elsewhere (in fact, for Sky Go, only the Xbox 360 has support outside of mobile devices). You can access Now TV's sports coverage at a daily rate, but not the entertainment channels or movies.Read full review
