Last week, Apple shipped Apple TV, a $299 box that allows Mac and PC owners to wirelessly play movies, TV shows, music, photos and podcasts on a full-size TV set. Apple TV places an interface on the home TV display that allows viewers to navigate their computer's digital media collection via remote control.
The device, which Apple said offers "near DVD quality," works over an existing WiFi network, including the newest and fastest version of WiFi — 802.11n. It has a 40GB hard drive capable of storing up to 50 hours of video, 9000 songs, 25,000 photos or a combination of each and is capable of delivering 720p HD output.
The device can connect to a broad range of widescreen TVs and home theater systems and comes standard with HDMI, component video, analog and optical audio ports. It is not designed to work with conventional 4:3 aspect ratio displays.