Apple TV takes the idea of a media streamer a bit further in that it allows you to store content on its 40GB hard disk, which you can then quickly access on your TV.

This means you don't have to switch your computer on to watch slide shows or movies or listen to your iTunes music collection.

In some ways it couldn't be simpler to operate. If you are using Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), you connect the Apple TV to an HD Ready TV using HDMI (no cable provided), plug it into the mains and follow the onscreen installation instructions.

Key in the access key to your wireless hub and after pairing the Apple TV to your computer you simply select Apple TV as a device within iTunes to start synching your media files.

Making a connection You can't connect the Apple TV to a CRT unless it has component video inputs as there's no Scart or other analogue video output. You can at least connect the sound to an amp using the analogue stereo or optical digital audio output. There is also an Ethernet port, if you're using a wired network rather than a wireless one.

The onscreen menu is a model of simplicity and the graphics are all clear and simple to follow.

Synching content with your computer is similar to synching an iPod to iTunes and you can manually select what files you want to copy over or leave it to automatically suck up everything until it fills up. As well as the auto-sync function that works with one computer you can stream iTunes content from up to five additional computers.

In terms of formats, the Apple TV supports MP3, AAC, WAV and JPEG files and it's relatively easy to convert to these from other audio and photo formats respectively.

Things get a bit tricky on the video side because the maximum resolution on iTunes is 640 x 480, which isn't even as good as VHS. The only video available in the UK are video podcasts, music videos, movie trailers and some Pixar short films.

In terms of performance, the Apple TV itself works superbly. Image quality of photos is excellent if you have a decent HD Ready screen. Sound quality is limited by the sound system being used.

Video from a home-shot movie can look superb, but the problem is showing VGA-quality video on a high resolution screen doesn't make much sense and this is the best you can expect from the content available on the iTunes store.

Converting other HD sources to Apple-friendly material can be done but it's a time consuming process that makes you think twice about the idea of spending quite a hefty sum on what is otherwise such an alluring product.