you are right....but that is due to industry protectionism by the networks, apple left the backdoor open on the apple tv, and there are ways to unlock it to other fileformats, and even run it as a solocore mac with osx!
after unlocking it it is as easy and fun as everything else mac!

http://www.appletvhacks.net/

won't be long before apple ships proper content and more open platform...

I think the Apple tv is the best. It is also the most poorly marketed device apple has made since the newton which was years ahead of the palm pilot.

http://www.apple.com/appletv/

I looked into those.
on the wall you'd have cords dangling down...
as a nightlight on a bedstand...some potential....

but they cost as much as a television....
televisions can display images as well as, well television....

I'd prefer to have the Apple tv (or a simple adapter for my computer) streaming my movies/slideshows/music to my tv's and/or projector, when I want my images showing in my rooms.

I notice a difference with built-in flash, external flash, internal meter (exposure accuracy), also.

the af version is easier, for those who like the AUTO modes.

I use a handhled flashmeter, manual focus/exposure and so either works great for me.

ok here's a shot I would've missed for sure with my m lens....(the built-in flash fires at full power only).

Oreo, ((he's completely psych-cat-ic) would never sit still for photos.....attacks everytime the flash goes off!) sitting in front of the Christmas tree....

objective...get nice colors from the lights, use flash to overpower the ambient light (compact flourecents), and some seperation from the background....

grab the ds2, (already set to manual, aperture at 1.4), depress the AE-L button to get a shutter speed of 1/20sec, iso 200. pop up the on camera flash, focus one eye, lock, recompose and fire....

I doubt there'd be time to grab an external flash and set it up.....

so the af lens, with p-ttl was fast and accurate....

Hey Galoot...
I gotz 'em both.....
I have no issues with the m.
Gerri (my better half) finds she can get better images with the af due to eyesight issues.
She uses flash more often and uses pttl.
I prefer to use "manual everything" including flash.....

image quality seems equall.

my understanding is there's lenses made from some soft plastics filled with fluids that can morph shapes and are optically superior to glass.

but like all military conspiracy theories....we'll have to wait for "Trickle down" technology......

of course the superzooms are great, and useful and I use 'em.....

there was a time when no pros used any zooms, due to poor quality of the zooms.
there may come a day (probably sooner than we think) when it will be commonplace to have a superzoom lens and software combination that will rival or exceed various primes at every focal range and every aperture....

but they're not there yet.

there's personal preferences...I wouldn't use the word "Cheating".
that's kinda like saying people who have automatic transmissions, aren't really driving, all the while forgetting, your great grandfather had to use a crank to start his engine, and would've balked at the idea of hooking up a starter motor and power assisted steering and braking as "cheating" oneself out of the true experience of driving! (That not motoring...how can you "Feel the road" with all that crap, and clean hands to boot?).

three parts potasium nitrate (saltpetere) to two parts sugar. or was that three parts sugar...maybe try 50/50.....
mix the powders together or alternatively, melt the sugar over low heat (recommend a hot plate outdoors). when sugar melts, add saltpetere and cook till it carmalizes, spoon drops onto a nostick baking sheet, and let cool.
Disclamer....this stuff burns hot and fast (even without air) and don't sue me if it explodes on you.

or try a glycol/glyceryn based fog machine.... or dry ice and warm water....