Apple has this time clearly exaggerated ....

Now for the Apple TV.

Why Apple TV?
I have informed me and thought I already knew everything the device can not:
- No access to NAS
- No USB access to external storage media
- No analog audio output
...

So why now I bought the Apple TV anyway?

Just because Airplay:
I thought the idea was great to have (so it promises Apple) music and video on their TV, the iPad or Mac, wirelessly streaming can.

Search for a long time I have found Player Apps and installed on my iPad 2, with whom I now on my
Time Capsule or any NAS, can access and can stream the movies from there / music on my Ipad.

My goal was now to use these apps to the videos on the I can access my Ipad,
wirelessly transfer them to my TV.
The Apps incidentally have all the AirPlay icon, and thus was clear to me that everything is going to work.

Unfortunately, as always Apple has anything against it!

In all apps (eg Buzz Player, Ace player ...) with whom I can access the movies,
there is the same phenomenon:

I watch the movie, tap on the AirPlay icon, set the hook with Apple TV and ... Voila:

The sound is reproduced from my TV
The video remains on the iPad?

Who can give me this a meaningful application example?

After much testing, I can say,
that the video transmission with Youtube / websites and the video app from Apple works.

However, the video app on the iPad will only play videos in iTunes format!

Honestly, what is the nonsense?

Should I convert my 1_terrabyte_Festplatte with films now,
just because Apple thinks again having to install any senseless restrictions.

DIVX, AVI, MKV, MPG, etc ... can now play any DVD / Blu-ray player on the side.

OK, OK, there is still the mirroring so that it could work!

One can transfer the entire iPad screen on the TV using the Apple TV also still.
That's true, but unfortunately not in full-screen.
So I have about 50% of the screen surface, black bars ... ;-(

Even so the whole thing does not make sense, what Full HD resolution when mirroring in its original resolution and aspect ratio Ipad is transmitted.

Summary:

+ Movies borrow is too expensive and I do not need. (A matter of opinion)

+ Mirroring (transfer complete screen) actually makes only sense for slide shows, but then it should at least work in fullscreen!

Airplay + is only really when one undergoes the Itunes forced. For me no option. (A matter of opinion)

+ Music transfer went fine.
But instead makes a lot more sense Airport Express (digital + analog).
AE can be used as a router or access point.

+ Is less media player than any DVD / Blu-ray player.

I have already accepted many restrictions from Apple in my previous Apple devices:

- No NTFS
- No Bluray
- No drag and drop (eg iPad)
- ITunes you have to use for IOS devices
Synchronize your calendar and contacts only by Mac -
etc.
but so far have the advantages of the devices and their perfect interaction predominated.

When Apple TV Apple has clearly overdone it with the restrictions!

But if you want to borrow only movies via Itunes and exclusively used iTunes for movies, which is right here.
There are 2 stars from me.

I hope one or the other has helped the review.