Google to Supply Video for Apple iTV?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Newsweek reports (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14868469/site/newsweek/) that Apple and Google are in talks about supplying videos to Apple's iTV product when it ships next year.

Is it possible that when iTV ships next year, you may also be able to choose a menu item called Google Video, and then zip through the best of the thousands of user-submitted videos on the search giant's service? Google's consumer product chief, Marissa Mayer, tells me that indeed, the two companies are engaged in talks.

Apple's iTV was previewed last week (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/09/20060912161621.shtml) at Apple's Media Event. The $299 set-top-box is positioned as a "DVD player that happens to play Internet videos [instead of DVDs]" according to Jobs. The box is wi-fi enabled and allows users to play music and videos from their iTunes library on their television. One additional feature, however, is that it can also connect to the internet. In Steve Jobs' demo last week, he showed that it could stream movie trailers from Apple's Movie Trailers page (http://www.apple.com/trailers/). It would not take much to also allow it to pull videos from Google Video (http://video.google.com/).

The partnership is interesting in that Google is a competitor (http://news.com.com/Google+entering+video-on-demand+business/2100-1025_3-6021998.html) to Apple's iTunes and also offers CBS television shows for $1.99/each.

[rdowns]

It's all about the content. Apple gets it.

[Dunepilot]

Suddenly this device makes a lot more sense. What are the chances they might include some hooks to YouTube as well?

[noservice2001]

right.... of course

[NewSc2]

Suddenly this device makes a lot more sense. What are the chances they might include some hooks to YouTube as well?

good idea, but YouTube's quality isn't that great and what really makes YouTube is their comments section, and the ability to embed videos on other pages.

[polyesterlester]

good idea, but YouTube's quality isn't that great and what really makes YouTube is their comments section, and the ability to embed videos on other pages.

Well that, and the selection.

[darwen]

Stupid idea. I hate it.

iTV should be a quality product with quality content brought to it. Movie trailers and Movies/TV shows bought on the iTunes music store are far different then that of YouTube and Goggle Video.

I hate these "anyone can upload websites." There is plunty of good content on them but unfortunatly there is just to much crap. I rarely see a quality video on YouTube. If I had an iTV with this "functionality" I would feel like apple was providing me with crap just because they needed some sort of free content that was worth watching on the device. Add a DVR, not a bunch of crap.

YouTube is not compatable with this device. The interface is completely different and anyone who has attempted to upload content to YouTube should understand that the quaity it is compressed to makes it un-viewable. Keep in mind people, Steve specificly said "your new high def TV." Who wants to stream a 100meg video to that? Google videos are a little different but not a lot better. If this does happen, I am happy it is not YouTube.

I see no advantage in this. The only content I would watch over google video on my TV is copy written content that either:
a) I should be downloading off of iTunes legally.
b) Stuff I diddent to record on my DVR.

I hate this idea. It's all about the content? I agree, but quality beats quantity. Dont provide content, provide great content. Add a DVR.

[Abstract]

If I had an iTV with this "functionality" I would feel like apple was providing me with crap just because they needed some sort of free content that was worth watching on the device. Add a DVR, not a bunch of crap.

Well, you see, the problem is that you're not the only person in this world.

Are you going to be the person who will determine what videos are high enough "quality" to be streamed to iTV, and which videos are not?

What about people who want to stream child porn or some disturbing fetish videos from their computer to iTV?? I certainly don't want that sort of thing to be streamed or viewed anywhere, but I can't control what gets streamed and what people like.

Don't like the service? Don't use it. Some other people out there might actually enjoy watching videos from Google from their iTVs.

[markfc]

"The $299 set-top-box is positioned as a "DVD player that happens to play Internet videos" according to Jobs."

So...does this mean it does have a dvd drive?

If it does, I'll have one on the day of release.


Mark

www.crushmy307.co.uk
Crushed by the power of the Internet!

[wasimyaqoob]

I'm just gonna buy one because it looks so nice and it can sit next to my 42" Sony Bravia HD TV :)

[BornAgainMac]

If you have a hi-def display, it just means you have a wider selection of content that you can view. It doesn't mean you have to view content at it's highest possible quality. I think it is excellent to expand non traditional video into the living room like Google video and Apple's movie trailer site. Internet surfing, music, photos have been done already by WebTV and Tivo. Time for something new. Perhaps on-demand CNN and BBC coverage. News stories that you can finally control what is playing on your TV.

Higher quality will evolve over time. I would like to see Apple Keynotes viewable on iTV.

[rockthecasbah]

Who would want to watch Google video or Youtube on a TV? They are so pixalated and low quality in just the small window on your computer screen alone, the picture would be practically unrecognizable on a tv...

[bigandy]

Well, you see, the problem is that you're not the only person in this world.

[snip]

Don't like the service? Don't use it. Some other people out there might actually enjoy watching videos from Google from their iTVs.

i agree completely. i think it's a good little timewaster to enjoy. and that's a brilliant first sentence comeback ;)

[Bonte]

Who would want to watch Google video or Youtube on a TV? They are so pixalated and low quality in just the small window on your computer screen alone, the picture would be practically unrecognizable on a tv...

Its special Google selected material so i'm sure they will pick the best quality for this. There are some other sites to so it can grow, why not a picture site or comics?

[Mikey Mike]

Didn't a Google Director become a Director at Apple recently???

[BRLawyer]

Awesome news...Apple and Google will be leading this race in no time...MS is dead in the water...the quality of the content doesn't really matter, what matters is the spectacular union of 2 major brands that represent the top edge of innovation and "coolness"...this will be awesome if true.

[mechamac]

DVD player?! Well why didn't Steve say so in the first place! Much better.

[MikeDTyke]

What we haven't seen so far and seems so obvious.

An interface to the iTunes store!

If i'm sat in front of my TV, bored i'm not going to run upstairs to my Mac/PC to load up iTunes, browse the podcasts/movies/music, click download. Then run downstairs, remote in hand waiting for it to appear.

For this to be a proper CE experience, we need to be able to buy from the iTV.

M. :D

[MikeDTyke]

Awesome news...Apple and Google will be leading this race in no time...MS is dead in the water...the quality of the content doesn't really matter, what matters is the spectacular union of 2 major brands that represent the top edge of innovation and "coolness"...this will be awesome if true.


The Quality of content ALWAYS matters. Which is why SJ should be beating those studios into submission and move on from this Disney rubbish. With the minor exception of POTC and every Pixar prior to cars, Disney tends to be utter sh*te.


M. :p

[iJaz]

The iTV is getting more and more interesting!
I thought it would com without a DVD player, but now it seems to be one included. And the more content Apple can secure, the better! :D

[nick.hill]

I can't wait!! - I'm watching more and more stuff from the BBC website, which whilst not the best quality, I can put up with it.

I think we may find broadcasters/Google et al raising their standards when they realise where it's being used.

Kind of like the way you see - "Download for iPod" on some sites now.

[Compile 'em all]

Okay, I don't get this. So they will be selling movies through the iTunes store
and at the same time allowing you to play the DVD version on the very same
device :confused:

[ImNoSuperMan]

Who would want to watch Google video or Youtube on a TV? They are so pixalated and low quality in just the small window on your computer screen alone, the picture would be practically unrecognizable on a tv...
Well a CD looks much better on my 52" projection TV compared to 13" MB. The Hi REs screen of the MB makes any low quality stuff look ugly and pixelated. But a TV can handle the same thing much better. So IMO low res content on regular TV is not as bad as it`d look on a computer screen.

DVD player?! Well why didn't Steve say so in the first place! Much better.
I still doubt it. DVD drive in iTV wasn`t mentioned during the event. Are you sure it`d have a DVD drive?
The $299 set-top-box is positioned as a "DVD player that happens to play Internet videos" according to Jobs.

[prady16]

Well, i still see myself buying a Mac Mini and attaching a TV Tuner to it rather than buying an iTV. The inclusion of a DVD drive just makes it more similar to the mini. I am pretty sure i didn't see a dvd slot on the iTV from the pictures. Here is one from Engadget:

[Malcster]

This is gonna be key for people outside the US who *still* dont have access to TV & Movies through iTunes, were all going to be stuck downloading /ripping/encoding etc all our own content otherwise!

This is a great move in my opinion and just pushed my chances up a little in purchasing one of these.

It hasn't got a DVD drive.

[Cappy]

The idea is to sell hardware gadgets. Content that consumers want access to will sell the hardware. Same thing as itunes/ipod over the years.

[markfc]

I will be disappointed if the finished iTV doesn't have a built in DVD player.

I don't want yet another box under my TV, combine the two and they are on to a winner.

[puuukeey]

Google video,youtube (http://www.google.com/trends?q=youtube%2C+google+video&ctab=2&geo=all&date=all)

Why the ass would you pair iTv with content? this is the internet, we don't need people to "supply our content"

[BRLawyer]

The Quality of content ALWAYS matters. Which is why SJ should be beating those studios into submission and move on from this Disney rubbish. With the minor exception of POTC and every Pixar prior to cars, Disney tends to be utter sh*te.


M. :p

If quality of content really mattered, MS wouldn't be a monopoly now...I am talking here about a union of two GREAT brands, even if some of the material is crap...

For the average public slightly acquainted with IT, Apple + Google represents the maximum of coolness in media offerings, trust me...it would be like joining Apple and Sony for gadgets and consoles...almost unbeatable.

[Lollypop]

Google video,youtube (http://www.google.com/trends?q=youtube%2C+google+video&ctab=2&geo=all&date=all)

Why the ass would you pair iTv with content? this is the internet, we don't need people to "supply our content"

If it not going to be supplied where are we going to get it?? I still dont have access to the iTunes store, the iTV WILL be a bust in SA, there has to be some sort of content if the iTV wants to ever do something in the media centre market.

[puuukeey]

Stupid idea. I hate it.

iTV should be a quality product with quality content brought to it. Movie trailers and Movies/TV shows bought on the iTunes music store are far different then that of YouTube and Goggle Video.

I hate these "anyone can upload websites." There is plunty of good content on them but unfortunatly there is just to much crap. I rarely see a quality video on YouTube. If I had an iTV with this "functionality" I would feel like apple was providing me with crap just because they needed some sort of free content that was worth watching on the device. Add a DVR, not a bunch of crap.

YouTube is not compatable with this device. The interface is completely different and anyone who has attempted to upload content to YouTube should understand that the quaity it is compressed to makes it un-viewable. Keep in mind people, Steve specificly said "your new high def TV." Who wants to stream a 100meg video to that? Google videos are a little different but not a lot better. If this does happen, I am happy it is not YouTube.

I see no advantage in this. The only content I would watch over google video on my TV is copy written content that either:
a) I should be downloading off of iTunes legally.
b) Stuff I diddent to record on my DVR.

I hate this idea. It's all about the content? I agree, but quality beats quantity. Dont provide content, provide great content. Add a DVR.

We can't all put out "quality content" (http://www.finalcutproduction.com/report.html) like this mr Final Cut Pro!!!

the last two parties I want deciding what i have on my iTv are you and apple. Please overlord of quality, excuse the rest of the world for not spewing forth bloated budget hollywood productions or derivatives there of.

[puuukeey]

If it not going to be supplied where are we going to get it?? I still dont have access to the iTunes store, the iTV WILL be a bust in SA, there has to be some sort of content if the iTV wants to ever do something in the media centre market.

the internet (tubes jokes aside) is like a ocean of content. its just endless.
apple can either act like a boat. which is a tool to see the entire ocean
or it can act like beach shower where you get a little tiny trickle water.

Your saying that you want apple to exclude content from iTv? you should be able to stream anything you want from your computer to your tv. just because apple is forcing you to use itunes (which is my beef) doesn't mean you can't drag stuff into it.

Why would you want iTv if your just going to watch plain old fascist tv all over again?

[zelet]

If Apple wants to make a killer set top box they need to copy XBMC and then make it a bit easier to use.

My xbox has been my media center for 2 years now and its been amazing. It supports iTunes streaming, it plays every media file known to man, it connects to my file server using samba (windows shares), and it connects to the web to download trailers from Quicktime, it can get videos from YouTube and GoogleVideo.

In short, its an open, non-restricted piece of technology that is only limited to the collective imagination of the entire web.

[airamerica]

Well, Google and Apple's long-term strategy is becoming clear... They will 'work' together on several projects until Steve steps down (retirement / Disney / health reasons). Then Google will buy Apple and launch an all out attack on Microsoft with desktops, mobile technology, content and web searching!

[craigatkinson]

Well, i still see myself buying a Mac Mini and attaching a TV Tuner to it rather than buying an iTV. The inclusion of a DVD drive just makes it more similar to the mini. I am pretty sure i didn't see a dvd slot on the iTV from the pictures. Here is one from Engadget:

Why would it need a DVD player? Your computer has a DVD player and it is streaming the video from your computer. So in that sense it does have a DVD player, but not built right into it.

[Xaimous]

I don't know so much about streaming from Google. I personally would like to view user created content but not "Top Visits" or something like that. Does google have a favorites or playlist feature like YouTube? If so I would like to see something tie in with that. select the content to be on that list.

I do know that you can download google videos... maybe that is all that means. it can play downloaded google videos.

[arn]

The iTV is getting more and more interesting!
I thought it would com without a DVD player, but now it seems to be one included. And the more content Apple can secure, the better! :D

It does NOT come with a DVD Drive.

arn

[arn]

Why would it need a DVD player? Your computer has a DVD player and it is streaming the video from your computer. So in that sense it does have a DVD player, but not built right into it.

I don't think you'll be able to stream from your DVD player. At least it doesn't seem so. It's not streaming pure Video. It's streaming data from your iTunes or iPhoto it seems.

arn

[Fotograffiti]

We can't all put out "quality content" (http://www.finalcutproduction.com/report.html) like this mr Final Cut Pro!!!

the last two parties I want deciding what i have on my iTv are you and apple. Please overlord of quality, excuse the rest of the world for not spewing forth bloated budget hollywood productions or derivatives there of.

Geez this was a rather angry response. You get pretty upset when someone questions your YouTube huh?

[Frisco]

I don't think you'll be able to stream from your DVD player. At least it doesn't seem so. It's not streaming pure Video. It's streaming data from your iTunes or iPhoto it seems.

arn

Very disappointing!

I hope Apple has some surprises in store for us.

[crees!]

If Apple wants to make a killer set top box they need to copy XBMC and then make it a bit easier to use.

My xbox has been my media center for 2 years now and its been amazing. It supports iTunes streaming, it plays every media file known to man, it connects to my file server using samba (windows shares), and it connects to the web to download trailers from Quicktime, it can get videos from YouTube and GoogleVideo.

In short, its an open, non-restricted piece of technology that is only limited to the collective imagination of the entire web.
Yes, but someone like me who doesn't play any video games wouldn't want to by a video game console just so they can watch movies. That doesn't make sense to people in my position.

[whooleytoo]

This seems a little odd to me - very low resolution movies (especially for your typical TV), low quality content (IMO!), and probably a lot of copyright infringement. It doesn't exactly sound like the ideal content for a 'boutique' brand like Apple.

[mdntcallr]

well, i would say great!

but i know google is kinda weak in this area.... perhaps they are launching more video sites. dunno.

Google in the video area isnt Yahoo, nor are they Youtube.

Google kinda needs to get their stuff organized, yes they are a great search engine, have gmail, earth and a lil more. but videos? they could do better.

but hey, at least google is supporting mac. yahoo sucks. their music videos are NOT mac compatible.

[enda1]

Well i hope they come out with a couple of editions of this iTV. One (iTV mini i guess) which is as shown, just a streaming device with remote.

The other a STB replacement which can work independant of a PC (true media centre). Would have to have full computer built in so i guess would have a mini built in. So it would be able do all iTV mini could do plus record, browse internet, play DVDs etc.

[Multimedia]

Google is a Competitor With An Officer On Apple's Board of Directors. That's probably how the talks got started. :rolleyes:

[iSee]

iTV doesn't have a DVD player in it.
It doesn't have a cable TV input.

This product is an end run around both of these "old" technologies.

Apple is expecting (or at least hoping) that those distribution mechanisms will slowly but inevitably be supplanted by an internet distribution model--one which Apple will be at the center of. Music is the tip of the iceburg to Steve. They expect to dominate by putting the whole distribution chain, moving the content from whomever has created to your human senses (ears, eyes, whatever), better, more seamlessly than anyone else. Apple will win where it can deliver content when and how people want it, better than they can get it elsewhere (at a comperable price, of course).

iTV is part of their video distribution mechanism, and they aren't going to "waste" any of its capabilities on supporting the old media distribution models that they can't dominate.

I don't know if Apple will be able to fulfill their vision, but understanding it makes it clear why they aren't going to be making a PVR for cable/broadcast and will minimally support DVDs.

[iSee]

Well i hope they come out with a couple of editions of this iTV. One (iTV mini i guess) which is as shown, just a streaming device with remote.

The other a STB replacement which can work independant of a PC (true media centre). Would have to have full computer built in so i guess would have a mini built in. So it would be able do all iTV mini could do plus record, browse internet, play DVDs etc.

Er... Isn't that what a Mini is?
Order a Mini, an Elgato product, and maybe a connector for your TV and you're done...

[zelet]

Yes, but someone like me who doesn't play any video games wouldn't want to by a video game console just so they can watch movies. That doesn't make sense to people in my position.

So an iTV doesn't make any sense in your position either.

Oh, and btw, the Xbox plays DVDs, connects to iTunes shares (including playlists), and it gets internet radio stations. So for $100-$150 you get a DVD player that plays anything you download via torrents and anything streaming on the web.

[puuukeey]

Very disappointing!

I hope Apple has some surprises in store for us.

Actually I don't surf youtube that much.

But I do get angry, because I really feel that apple attempts to trade user freedom for ease of use. I think thats a false paradigm. you can have both.

I'm all for making technology accessible. but no one ever said you have to limit its capabilities. Especially on issues which at the very least approach taste police and free speech.

if I buy a piece of equipment that can stream hidef, why on earth should I not be able to stream screen savers, itunes visualizers, eyeTV, youtube videos, the web etc...

its just excess government.

ps... essex county.

[gugy]

No DVD gig deal. Come on, everybody's have DVD nowadays. Why people are whining so much about it. DVD is becoming a obsolete technology anyway. I bet in 5 years people will not be using it much.
I am interest in doing all the recording using elgato and stream to my TV. I bet Elgato and Apple are working on a DVR interface solution for the Mac using Front Row so if you want to record content you use your Mac instead of using the ITV. That way Apple doesn't have to deal with networks and movie studios complaining about digital rights etc. Apple can pass the blame to Elgato.
I believe the ITV has more functionality that Steve did not address at this time and I think Apple is trying to gather as much info to improve it by it's launch next year.
ITV is a winner IMHO, I think it will be a really cool thing to have. Can't wait for it.

[BRLawyer]

So an iTV doesn't make any sense in your position either.

Oh, and btw, the Xbox plays DVDs, connects to iTunes shares (including playlists), and it gets internet radio stations. So for $100-$150 you get a DVD player that plays anything you download via torrents and anything streaming on the web.

Yes, not to mention the fact that it's mainly a bad gaming console sold by Microsoft...I will pass, thanks...:rolleyes:

[TimUSCA]

You all need to READ the article... there is NO DVD PLAYER IN THE iTV!

"DVD player that happens to play Internet videos [instead of DVDs]"

[MacVault]

Stupid idea. I hate it.

iTV should be a quality product with quality content brought to it. Movie trailers and Movies/TV shows bought on the iTunes music store are far different then that of YouTube and Goggle Video...

I actually find a lot of good, free, full-length content on Google Video. A lot of times this is what I do instead of going down to the video store to get a movie - I watch something educational from Google Video. I would love to see this integrated into iTV!

[BornAgainMac]

Not having a DVD reminds me of when people got digital cameras and wanted to be able to print the pics. For many years, people couldn't accept the fact the photo was not complete until they printed it. Seeing it on the monitor wasn't enough.

Storage is getting cheaper to have your entire collection of DVDs in the palm of your hand. 3.5 inch drive anways.

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

I just hope they allow iTunes purchases via the iWeb - scrolling through the movie library from your couch and being able to buy (even more, rent) movies would be fantastic :)

[mmmcheese]

The Quality of content ALWAYS matters. Which is why SJ should be beating those studios into submission and move on from this Disney rubbish. With the minor exception of POTC and every Pixar prior to cars, Disney tends to be utter sh*te.


M. :p

Well, consider that children tend to watch movies until they wear out (on VHS), and Disney movies tend to be the usual fodder...I think that this content is perfect to test out a store. These are the kinds of movies that families tend to buy rather than rent. Many movies out there people will see once, and then forget about, but these kinds of movies are classics, and kids will watch them until their parents go insane.

[Bonte]

The iTV is in essence a cheap Mini with no DVD nor a usable hard disk, with a Mini and the streaming iTunes on the other computers in the network i can do exactly thesame except for the better wireless capability's.

[MikeDTyke]

Well, consider that children tend to watch movies until they wear out (on VHS), and Disney movies tend to be the usual fodder...I think that this content is perfect to test out a store. These are the kinds of movies that families tend to buy rather than rent. Many movies out there people will see once, and then forget about, but these kinds of movies are classics, and kids will watch them until their parents go insane.


Well i hope Apple issues a set of parental iSpecs with every Disney Crapola production. With an icky cuteness filter factor of 500 Minnie's.

M. :rolleyes:

[adroit]

Even though all the internet video isn't exactly the 'best' quality, I can't see apple releasing a HDTV enabled device that can only play 'poor' quality video though.

I'm sure we'll have access to some nice quality video somewhere.

Just my 2c.

[HecubusPro]

I hate these "anyone can upload websites." There is plunty of good content on them but unfortunatly there is just to much crap. I rarely see a quality video on YouTube.

Quality? Rarely. But there is a lot of entertaining and hilarious content on youtube.

So this must be the first big move by the Google exec on the Apple board. Interesting, but if it's not as easy as sitting at the computer to find and run videos, I doubt I'll ever use it.

[HecubusPro]

Yes, not to mention the fact that it's mainly a bad gaming console sold by Microsoft...I will pass, thanks...:rolleyes:

I guess that's relative and subject to opinion of course, but I buy just about every gaming console that comes out, and each one has quality titles. Of course, each one has crap titles too, but it's always interesting to see a newcomer in the market do well.

Initially, everyone spoke to MS's inevitable failure in the console gaming market, but they've managed to do quite well, producing some quality 1st party games, while some notable 3rd parties have embraced the xbox and the 360 with their own brand of great content.

Since I've had my 360, it's seen more play than any of my other consoles (of course, right now I'm playing Okami on the PS2, but before that I was deep into Saints Row and Dead Rising for the 360.)

So far this year, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, a 360 and PC title, is still the best game I've played on any other system--game of the year material for sure.

[nostaws]

iTV doesn't have a dvd drive. It is a DVD player because the computer it is connected with has a DVD player. Building in a DVD drive would be redundant and a cost they could easily eliminate.

edit: ooh and if it can stream HD content, how about playing the latest mac game (Unreal tournament or something) on my HD TV (depending on latency).

[Mitch1984]

Suddenly this device makes a lot more sense. What are the chances they might include some hooks to YouTube as well?

I would like that but then that wouldn't please Google.
However I must question how this is going to work?
When I go on Google Video or YouTube I use the search function. I rarely watch say the top 10 videos on the home page.

[iSee]

I don't think you'll be able to stream from your DVD player. At least it doesn't seem so. It's not streaming pure Video. It's streaming data from your iTunes or iPhoto it seems.

arn

Was this announced?

It might be impractical to stream video directly, but I think streaming the mpeg 2 data off a DVD should work. You'd need a very consistent 10 Mbps. That's too fast for wireless, in many environments, but should be fine for a wired connection. I suppose a powerful Mac could transcode the mpeg2 to something smaller, on the fly, but I doubt that's the approach Apple would take.

The iTV would just need to decode the data stream... Anyway, I personally hope this is part of iTV. That way, iTV could be the only box next to my television, and all of my content could come through iTV's front row... :)

On the other hand, why would Apple go through all that trouble to support a DVD I rented from netflix when they want me to but movies from them?

[iSee]

iTV doesn't have a dvd drive. It is a DVD player because the computer it is connected with has a DVD player. Building in a DVD drive would be redundant and a cost they could easily eliminate.

edit: ooh and if it can stream HD content, how about playing the latest mac game (Unreal tournament or something) on my HD TV (depending on latency).

I think latency would kill that--I'd guess that HD that isn't encoded is too high-bandwidth to be streamed. So, something would have to encode the video, then stream it to the iTV, and the iTV would have to decode it and send it to your TV. There'd be way too much latency to play anything realtime.

You'd be better off with a direct connection from your Mac to your TV. You'd need the right connectors, though...

[gugy]

The key to ITV's success is the quality of the streaming. If we get exactly what Steve demo at the Special Event, then it will be killer.
I hope the technology improved since Airtunes and AirPort Express. I used and I returned it to Apple because I could not have the thing work properly without hiccups all the time while streaming audio. and my stereo was only 40 feet away from my computer and I don't have brick walls.
If ITV solve this issue and work flawlessly with video at HDTV resolution, this product will be amazing and Apple will make a load of cash.

[teme]

I wonder how they are trying to sell iTV to countries without iTunes store and to countries with iTunes store but without video content for sale.

It would be great if I could stream my divx-files from my computer to my TV using iTV, but they are not going to allow that.

[Mac Fly (film)]

If Google gets the quality up, then this could easily be a hit!
Apple is using quite clever tactics here, it's not taking the easy option of going with You Tube, it's thinking further ahead. They'll need Google search, and would love Google Video search on their iPhone's too. Anyway Google video can only get better, and Apple would prefer to be friends with Google than enemies.

[HecubusPro]

We've got two innovative companies here. I think the possibilities are fairly open. I'm anxious to see what's going to happen, especially after I get an iTv.

[prady16]

Yes, but someone like me who doesn't play any video games wouldn't want to by a video game console just so they can watch movies. That doesn't make sense to people in my position.
QFT

[rockthecasbah]

There's a reason there's no DVD player, this is assumed to go in a den where many people have at least 1 dvd player already. This adds to the theater experience, it is not a replacement for all of your other players.

[madmax_2069]

if its user submitted videos they want, they should talk to youtube. google video sucks.

youtube has way more of a selection of user submitted videos than that of google video. i myself would have taken a youtube route and added the google video to the lineup would have been better than just doing google video alone. youtube was made for that type of stuff. many people dont think about google having video's and only use it as a search engine. and the same people go to youtube to see video's. there are some bad quality videos on google video also and the same said for youtube but youtube has way more of a selection of videos that google has but having both would be the better choice

[skellener]

The big question will be whether Apple's iTV will work with any files on your computer (your own home movies, internet downloads from anyhere, or rips of your own DVDs) or will they only work with files purchased at the iTunes Music and Video Store?

[fawlty]

The iTV doesn't have a keyboard - so how do we search among thousands of google videos?

[HecubusPro]

The iTV doesn't have a keyboard - so how do we search among thousands of google videos?

I'm guessing there will be a Google specific UI native to the iTV that works directly with that system.

[skellener]

Or you can download files on your computer and drop them into iTunes. Then view them through iTV /Front Row.

[zim]

I found these video upload sites to be entertaining for about a week but now am completely bored of them.. yawn. Now if this was a talk about getting video podcasts onto the iTV, which I am sure you will be able to do, then that is something to be a bit more excited about.

[HecubusPro]

Now if this was a talk about getting video podcasts onto the iTV, which I am sure you will be able to do, then that is something to be a bit more excited about.

Now that is a divine idea. I had not thought of that before. I'm loving the idea of the iTV more and more. Let's hope that one has some truth in it.

[polyesterlester]

I found these video upload sites to be entertaining for about a week but now am completely bored of them.. yawn. Now if this was a talk about getting video podcasts onto the iTV, which I am sure you will be able to do, then that is something to be a bit more excited about.

Steve already demoed video podcasts on the iTV.

[rtdunham]

Okay, I don't get this. So they will be selling movies through the iTunes store
and at the same time allowing you to play the DVD version on the very same
device :confused:

I'm not convinced the "dvd included" claim is authentic. but i DO see some merit in a high-end iTV with a blu-ray player/recorder. That would be a pretty nifty dvr, wouldn't it? Others on the forum: problems with this idea? or expansion of it?

[darwen]

We can't all put out "quality content" (http://www.finalcutproduction.com/report.html) like this mr Final Cut Pro!!!

the last two parties I want deciding what i have on my iTv are you and apple. Please overlord of quality, excuse the rest of the world for not spewing forth bloated budget hollywood productions or derivatives there of.

Since you took what I said personally, let me explain more clearly what my post was actually saying. I never once claimed that I produced better content then others. Your criticism makes it sound like I think my content should be available on iTV. If you do a search through Google Video or YouTube you will notice that none of my content has been submitted (at least to me knowledge) on either site. I do not promote my work on those sites for reasons I have already stated.

I do have my own site where I feature my videos. This site is primarily for friends and family who wish to watch my work whenever they like. I understand that these free content sites are trying to provide that for everyone else. Some people do not have enough money or care to create their own site and these sites are of help to them. I understand that there is a benefit for such a website to exist.

If the iTV were created to watch videos from google video on a HDTV then the product is stupid. That is my opinion, sure, but an opinion that I am in-fact entitled to.

I dont feel that is why the iTV was developed and allowing this kind of content on it from the start will set a bad president for it. Others will agree with me when the criticism starts coming out. "Why am I spending $299 to watch a bunch of free content on my TV... which is a higher resolution then the video should be viewed at."

It is my opinion that this rumor will not come to fruition. Google Video is not meant to be played on HDTVs or really any TVs for that matter.

While it is my opinion that most of the content on the site is crap, I am not claiming the idea of the site is crap. I think the logic behind YouTube and Goggle Video are great (if they had a way of actually making money it would be better). They should not be streamed to a TV though. The resolution is to low and the content is not worth $299.

[theBB]

Reading comprehension is a lost art these days... Jobs says iTV is like a DVD player, another box in addition to your cable settop. It does not have to replace your settop, so Apple doesn't have to add a ton of additional circuitry that is already inside your cable or satellite settop. How you guys or gals go from "adopting the DVD player as our model" to "it seems certain that it will include a DVD player" is beyond me.

Actually, two sentences earlier the article says: "Instead of trying to be a digital workhorse with DVD drives, a hard disk and a tuner, it's simply a Wi-Fi-enabled connection machine ..."