Apple TV was released last year, and can stream movies and TV shows from the Internet to your TV screen. Most of the content is controlled through the iTunes Store, allows users to buy or rent TV shows and movies from a variety of publishers. And iTunes, you can view content from YouTube and Netflix in the U.S..

What Apple TV does well, is based primarily on ease of use. The display is clean and clear and very intuitive to use. The aluminum supplied remote control has a Click Wheel like feel that is immediately familiar to anyone who owned an iPod. Unfortunately, the simple remote control lets you enter text with a long and difficult process. But with one interesting feature is that if the consumer also has an iPod touch or iPhone can use the touch screen keyboard to enter text. Even using an iPod or iPhone, Apple TV menu navigated by reading the movement on the touch screen.

iPod and iPhone connectivity does not stop there. Using a feature called User airplay, iPod touch and iPhone push video and music content from their mobile devices to their televisions. This is useful if your TV is connected to an audio system that you can browse your iPod library and select songs wirelessly from your handheld device.

One of the biggest competitors to Apple TV is Roku XDS. The Roku was evaluated in the same way that Apple TV allows a direct comparison. As Roku has a clear advantage is with the amount of content available. And Netflix, Roku gives access to the Amazon Video on Demand, Hulu and Pandora Plus. Lose the contents of iTunes, but iTunes content, especially when it comes to TV programs, can be a bit ‘thin on the ground.

Another advantage is that the Roku can be used with any TV. Apple requires an HDMI port, but Roku is satisfied with a standard definition TV, which is good news for those who are yet to be updated. The user interface is easy to use, and consists of channels for each provider. There are about 100 in total, but vary in usefulness.

There is a clear trade-off between Roku and Apple TV. Those who already use iDevice many may feel more comfortable living in an environment of iTunes, and can see the benefits in both airplay and hope for future upgrades that further integrate their mobile devices Apple with their permanent home theater set-up. Apple device also offers a more elegant and desirable to see in terms of both hardware and software.

Rokus said that the interface is still very useful, if not as attractive as Apple. It also offers much more content to Apple if you’re trying to take some pressure away from your Sky box or even remove it entirely.

In summary, both players are strong competitors and maybe your choice depends on whether you prefer the style or substance. Apple TV works fine, but the Roku allowing most of the functionality.