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40 GB Apple TV Shipping Date Slips, Leads to Speculation of Updates Next Week

AppleTV is overdue for a storage increase. I think the current 160GB model becomes the entry point and there will be a 500GB version in the premium slot. They ought to be 500GB and 1TB, but that's not really Apple's way.

On the software side, I'd love to hook my 1TB external up to the AppleTV and let it stream iTunes content.
I'd also love to record on my AppleTV, but I know that's not going to happen anytime soon (ever).
 
I don't know why people care about the size of ATV. Just stream it! WIth wireless 'N' it shouldn't be a problem. Even with 'G'. I hope they aren't focusing on raising the storage. That would be a rip-off and waste of time.
 
Come on!

I do hope that Apple release a software update for existing owners. I would like support for external drives and an updated interface which improves things like photo viewing. Fingers crossed.
 
Shake 'n' Bake said:
I want a complete redesign of the software. The current Front Row-based stuff is crap.
Click to expand...

Yes

Kilamite said:
Give us a 1TB and 2TB models please in the form of an iTunes server that hooks to the TV.
Click to expand...

Yes

adbe said:
... if AEBS could also function as an iTunes server.

It'd be trivial to hang a large drive off the back of an AEBS and use it to drive a whole house full of AirTunes devices and AppleTVs. The average household could have whole-house audio, and three TVs all with access to a complete media library. Throw in a couple of Touches serving as remotes, and you have a very slick set up for under 2K.
Click to expand...

Yes, please :)
 
NightStorm said:
Who needs 40GB when you can stream everything from your computer (or in my case, my 4TB NAS)?

I say replace the 40GB with a 8-16GB SSD (for OS and caching) and be done with it.
Click to expand...

I agree - it's not really meant to store data, so I'm not sure bumping the hard drive capacity would make much difference. Although if the plans for the Apple TV shift, it could become much more important. Let's hope we find something out on Sept. 9th!
 
With QuickTime X - if there is an update on the software we could have HTTP live streaming from iTunes - no storage needed, or buffering for that matter :) Get it connected to the TV networks and Im set.

Oh and Jav6454

"r.v., prod·ded, prod·ding, prods.
To jab or poke, as with a pointed object.
To goad to action; incite.
n.
A pointed object used to prod: a cattle prod.
An incitement; a stimulus."


HTTP live streaming... here we come IMO....

See: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/09/01/inside_mac_os_x_snow_leopard_quicktime_x.html

And apples documentation of Live Streaming HTTP: http://developer.apple.com/iphone/l...diaOverview/iPhoneStreamingMediaOverview.html
 
adbe said:
It'd be trivial to hang a large drive off the back of an AEBS and use it to drive a whole house full of AirTunes devices and AppleTVs. The average household could have whole-house audio, and three TVs all with access to a complete media library. Throw in a couple of Touches serving as remotes, and you have a very slick set up for under 2K.
Click to expand...

Now THAT sounds awesome!
 
I get the feeling that this will be like the iPhone updates. There will be Apple TV 3.0 that will be available to all users; however, some of the features will only be on the new Apple TV units that require said hardware updates (such as 1080p).
 
adbe said:
I really can't see this happening. There is no such thing as *an* HDTV tuner. Each different region is going to need different tuners and TV listings, and in most cases there'll be no support for cable or satellite.

A recorder can still work in that it'd just take an HDMI in, and record the signal, however the experience would be far from what most users expect when they hear 'P/DVR' so Apple are highly unlikely to do it.

Frankly, the crucial short-coming of the AppleTV (1080p aside) is really in the iTunes model, and the Airport Extreme. AppleTVs would be left more or less as they are if AEBS could also function as an iTunes server.

It'd be trivial to hang a large drive off the back of an AEBS and use it to drive a whole house full of AirTunes devices and AppleTVs. The average household could have whole-house audio, and three TVs all with access to a complete media library. Throw in a couple of Touches serving as remotes, and you have a very slick set up for under 2K.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything you are saying.

I couldn't wait so I bought a HP mediasmart server and loaded itunes on it. Works like a charm. I have a 6TB server for backups and whole house audio and video. Hell even iphone and ipod touch throughout the house and away from home. One of the best things I ever bought.
 
Wait what? They still sell the 40GB model? Is this a joke?

Thats what, all of 1 season of some show, plus a few movies maybe?

wtf Apple, stop being so damn cheap.
 
I really wish Apple would $3!t or get off the pot on the AppleTV. The AppleTV is the only Apple product I'm >< from selling on ebay. You really have to hack it to make it useful. In hindsight I should have a Mac Mini. Much more power for only a couple $$ more.

I can't see Apple competing against its own business model of selling TV shows and pissing off television production companies and movie studios. I would love an Apple DVR as much as anyone but I don't think even Apple would get a free pass here. Even tivo got under fire for their 30 second skip, which isn't even "enabled" by default... can you imagine what a storm an Apple branded DVR would generate?

What I could see Apple doing is giving the AppleTV more power (you can easily record HD shows with EyeTV but not play them back if you hack the ATV) and opening up development in the form of Front Row plugins. Why not let Elgato and others develop FrontRow plugs ala iPhone? Plug in an HDHomeRun or a usb stick and you got a DVR—not Apple branded but damn close if the integration is there.
 
ob81 said:
I don't know why people care about the size of ATV. Just stream it! WIth wireless 'N' it shouldn't be a problem. Even with 'G'. I hope they aren't focusing on raising the storage. That would be a rip-off and waste of time.
Click to expand...

Because a lot of people don't have a spare Mac Mini lying around acting as an iTunes server.

Even with SLs wake on demand stuff, having a Mac running 24/7 to provide media streaming is more than most people want. The ATV is still way too dependent on having a host system to snuggle up to. Quite apart from the power wastage (not that the ATV itself is an angel here) it's just inconvenient and as a concept unnerving for the average user.
 
Remove the hard drive, stick in a small SSD for the OS, add a Firewire 800 port for an external hard drive and let users add their own drives or stream their content from the computer. Then have a second model with an inbuilt 3.5" hard drive for users that wish not to do this.
 
nick9191 said:
Remove the hard drive, stick in a small SSD for the OS, add a Firewire 800 port for an external hard drive and let users add their own drives or stream their content from the computer. Then have a second model with an inbuilt 3.5" hard drive for users that wish not to do this.
Click to expand...

In principle, yes, but I think the point behind the ATV is to *not* look like the average home-brew HTPC. More cables? Ugly assed external hard drives? General mis-matched clutter? I think Apple have a good understanding of the 'Wife' factor in consumer electronics.

A streaming only AppleTV sounds more like a path Apple would take, but as I've already said elsewhere in this thread, their current model falls far short.
 
How about NO hard drive?

I think since it's clear DRM isn't going away on the VIDEO (and app) part of the iTMS any time soon, I think this is where Apple is considering a subscription service. In otherwords: Apple Cable.

Stream all the shows you want each month for $40. All the Movies and shows you want for $60. the money goes directly to the studios, not to comcast/TW
 
Kilamite said:
Give us a 1TB and 2TB models please in the form of an iTunes server that hooks to the TV. 40GB model is just ridiculous with today's HD content and the general size of people's libraries.

Are we finally going to see Apple transition the Apple TV from a "hobby" to an actual proud product with some huge innovation?
Click to expand...

I have this right now. It's called a "Mac Mini".
(with 1TB drive, among others)
 
Shake 'n' Bake said:
I want a full DVR, i.e. Big HDD (500 GB or more), TV tuner (maybe dual), 1080p output via HDMI, etc. Faster processor (FYI, it's a 1 GHz Pentium M), more RAM, better GPU.

I want it to be fully networkable, i.e. I can get recordings anywhere in the house.

I want Blu-Ray.

I want a complete redesign of the software. The current Front Row-based stuff is crap.

And it needs to cost no more than what it does now.

That's about it. I'll let you know if there's anything else :).
Click to expand...

I think it sounds like you want a PS3 Slim to get an extra $100 price drop... :)
 
videoalex said:
I think since it's clear DRM isn't going away on the VIDEO (and app) part of the iTMS any time soon, I think this is where Apple is considering a subscription service. In otherwords: Apple Cable.

Stream all the shows you want each month for $40. All the Movies and shows you want for $60. the money goes directly to the studios, not to comcast/TW
Click to expand...

It needs a hard drive to power the OS. I would prefer an small SSD over a large HDD so the machine will run better. I also prefer to stream (provided I don't need to do any rewinding).
 
If Apple is going to make the :apple:TV a DVR, they are going to need to ship with more than the standard Apple Remote. I will want to manually key in channels, etc. However, I suppose if they could come up with an intuitive "Favorite Channels" functionality, I could use that.

We will see
 
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