Apple TV

Not too long ago, in a galaxy far, far away... no, scratch that. Anyway, not too long ago, VHS video tapes were the way to watch movies. You popped one into your VHS player and away you go. It was easy, and amazing when the technology first debuted in 1969 by Sony; it was the first widespread video cassette.

Basically, videotape was a means of recording television pictures and accompanying sound onto magnetic tape which could be read by a helical scan video head which rotated against the moving tape. Ya, don't ask how or who figured that out; it just worked and it was great... until DVDs.

The digital revolution introduced digital video formats. Eventually HDTV production and technology was distributed. The digital video disc (DVD) was thought to put a end to the VHS for good... and eventually it pretty much did.

Now we face the possible decline of the DVD. In the modern technology world, the Internet allows for downloading of video in practically any format. No postage or waiting for shipment, no ordering or waiting in line at Blockbuster while sifting through your wallet searching for your membership card.

You can download movies, music and even television shows. The only tricky part is getting those multi-format files you've downloaded to play on your television. Now there is an answer.

In the ever so converging world of multimedia, some people are already wiring their PCs directly to their Televisions. The thin line between television and the world of PC has been crossed.

Apple TV is now on sale for the commercial market. For $300 you now have the ability to bridge the gap yourself, at home. This isn't the first attempt. Microsoft Xbox 360 and Netgear's EVA8000 also hit the market with the PC to TV technology.

The new Apple TV is a small 1 inch tall by 7 inch box that can inconspicuously attach to your television. Unfortunately for old school television viewers, this new toy requires a widescreen HDTV setup.

What is Apple TV exactly? It is an ipod of sorts, for your television. Your downloaded files from your PC are transferred wired or wirelessly to the 40 GB hard drive, and it even keeps the copy updated. It can't record like a TiVo, at least not yet... but that's what upgrades are for.

What is most important about this and the similar devices hitting the market is the simple fact that with the possibility of combining your PC with your TV you can eliminate the need for DVDs or any external disc or tape. The formula is simple, download and play.

Of course with any new technology or device, some bugs must be worked out. But in time the transition from PC to TV will be as smooth as MP3's to an ipod.