Review of the Apple TV as a Cable/Satellite Replacement

Does Apple's Slim Silver Box Have What it Takes to Compete?

So, at the beginning of July I was sitting in front of my computer purchasing some television program or another off of iTunes. I don't remember which program exactly but one I wasn't watching via my Satellite service because it either isn't on anymore or I simply was unaware which channel it was on. As I was sitting there I thought to myself: "gee this buying TV shows on iTunes deal is pretty cool, but I'd much rather watch these shows on my pretty Plasma Screen TV. It's too bad there isn't a simple way to do that." Because, yes I could do it by transferring the files to a laptop and plugging the laptop into the TV, but that's a bit more work than I want to do on a regular basis just to watch some TV. Then, I realized that I had heard of a device that could do exactly what I was thinking, stream content from iTunes to my televsion, The Apple TV.

So, I dug out my Satellite bill and started running some numbers. The plan my girlfriend and I have for Satellite TV costs just over $600 a year. The 40GB Apple TV costs about $300. After that you only pay for what you would want to watch. I ran the numbers on the shows I know we watch (like Heroes or The Shield or Mythbusters) that are available on iTunes. According to my calculations, based on what we watch the programming would run us about $300 to $400 a year. So, according to my numbers the first year of owning the device would probably be more expensive than Satellite, but subsequent years will be significantly less expensive. I think this is particularly true as I tend to watch a lot of reruns of Adult Swim programs and instead of paying a monthly fee that would allow me to watch them each month, I will have purchased the season once and can watch it again and again whenever I like.

After I figured out the financial viability I talked to a few of the more technically inclined people I know. Smart folks who have their fingers on the pulse and actually understand how the devices work and know all the fancy words. They all thought that it would be a good idea especially if it turned out to be financially a better option.