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Apple and Video iPod/iTunes?
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Mac said:Imagine having to watch "Lord of the Rings" on an iPod Mini color screen - 1 inch..... Yoohoo. What a treat
But hooked up to a 50 inch Plasma showing HD quality should rule maximum.
Dude I REALLY want to see you take that on an airplane. Next time you have to fly please IM me and I will book a seat next to you. I have GOT to see someone get a 50" plasma on a plane.
SiliconAddict said:I think more that a new addon would be needed. The thing simply can't be an all in one device without seriously impacting the portability of the device. Unless Apple wants to give up the notion of portable, pocketable music in the iPod video they are going to have to do something different. My thinking is a modular device. You get an iPod photo that we all know and love but the package comes with an optimal sized device that probably looks like a subnotebook. Or subsubnotebook. Really small.
Something like this:
But a lot slicker, a lot bigger, and it would feel like one device when they are joined. And doubtlessly it will only work on the iPod Video just like the iPod Photo adapter for cameras only works on the photo. *just my WAG* You mileage may very on it.
I was talking to my Boss and we were thinking of the same thing. The iPod would slide into a housing with a screen and conect via the dock. it would be slick and portable. who knows we will see.
If they are going to do a video iPod, they are going to have to do it so the screen takes up the whole of one side of the case, a bit like this.
Although I expect Apple won't have any buttons on the front and will probably make it a touch screen.
Although I expect Apple won't have any buttons on the front and will probably make it a touch screen.
Diatribe said:
I wouldn't call podcasting a revenue stream yet. Until Apple starts (1) offering some sort of subscription plan to get access to premium content, (2) forcing ads onto each download or (3) requiring podcasters to pay to be carried, there's not going to be a revenue stream at all.
I see No. 1 happening soon, but Nos. 2 and 3 probably not.
Possible premium content: NPR's "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered," Rush Limbaugh's show (blech!), made-for-pod content from shows like Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" or other original content.
I just don't see a ton of opportunities for repurposing the same content as there is free elsewhere (like radio or cable) and getting people to pay for it.
Made-for-podcasting content by name-brands would be a much more interesting way to go. I could see MAYBE paying for a Comedy Central package that had made-for-pod audio web-isodes of "Stella," "Reno 911" and "South Park." Maybe.
Video, I think, is a whole different ballgame.
I'll buy but $1.99 seems pricey... let's see the hardware...
I thought iPod was too expensive, iTMS was too expensive, and I've spent a ton of money on each.
$1.99? We'll see.
slffl said:
I thought iPod was too expensive, iTMS was too expensive, and I've spent a ton of money on each.
$1.99? We'll see.
I am being hopeful but what if Apple is just waiting for content to become avaliable. Once they have something then they will release a firmware update for the color screen iPods. As for the intial start they would have quite a few machines ready to start downloading the content as well as a new selling pitch for future buyers ie "The music you love, Now with some video " (I made that up so it = Lame ). Video will just an extra feature of the iPod at first. As things progress, I beieve then they will develope a "more suitable video iPod". I just think it would seem to be a big risk to dedicate a brand new iPod to video.
Also along with "videos" ( who knows of what) i see some sort of visualizations as kinda a screen saver for the iPod. If you look at the Itunes phone picture that is making rounds it looks as if it has it already.
Like one member says people are already watching stuff on their phones. why not let it be a Ipod. there screens are comparable in size and resolution. Again, who knows just my 2 cents.
). Video will just an extra feature of the iPod at first. As things progress, I beieve then they will develope a "more suitable video iPod". I just think it would seem to be a big risk to dedicate a brand new iPod to video. Also along with "videos" ( who knows of what) i see some sort of visualizations as kinda a screen saver for the iPod. If you look at the Itunes phone picture that is making rounds it looks as if it has it already.
Like one member says people are already watching stuff on their phones. why not let it be a Ipod. there screens are comparable in size and resolution. Again, who knows just my 2 cents.
Apple will
1. sell a music player (any iPod) on which you can put your music, or music you buy through Apple's store.
2. sell you a combination music player and photo viewer (iPod photo, now iPod) on which you can put your own music and photos, or music you buy through Apple's store.
In the near future, it could be that Apple will
3. sell you a combination music player, photo viewer, and video viewer on which you can put your own music, photos, and videos, or music and videos you buy through Apple's store.
It's interesting that you'd be able to buy streaming media (more expensive and time-consuming to download and store) but not the trivial-to-support still media: photos. There is no iTunes Still-photo Store and no talk of one.
I can see why - there's not much of a market for buying other people's photos and it's so easy to find photos online and trade them with anyone else. Stock photography photos are sold online for businesses, not for personal viewing. People pay for "adult content" photos but Apple wouldn't sell to that market.
What's left? The celebrity photos for which people buy magazines? Non-photo images, such as computer generated art, sketches of the latest fashions, or daily cartoon strips? I can't quite imagine people using iTMS to buy the latest photos of Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie (or Dilbert) for their computers or iPods.
1. sell a music player (any iPod) on which you can put your music, or music you buy through Apple's store.
2. sell you a combination music player and photo viewer (iPod photo, now iPod) on which you can put your own music and photos, or music you buy through Apple's store.
In the near future, it could be that Apple will
3. sell you a combination music player, photo viewer, and video viewer on which you can put your own music, photos, and videos, or music and videos you buy through Apple's store.
It's interesting that you'd be able to buy streaming media (more expensive and time-consuming to download and store) but not the trivial-to-support still media: photos. There is no iTunes Still-photo Store and no talk of one.
I can see why - there's not much of a market for buying other people's photos and it's so easy to find photos online and trade them with anyone else. Stock photography photos are sold online for businesses, not for personal viewing. People pay for "adult content" photos but Apple wouldn't sell to that market.
What's left? The celebrity photos for which people buy magazines? Non-photo images, such as computer generated art, sketches of the latest fashions, or daily cartoon strips? I can't quite imagine people using iTMS to buy the latest photos of Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie (or Dilbert) for their computers or iPods.
Porchland said:
I think, as long as it gets traffic on iTMS it supports their revenue streams. It may not one by itself but it helps tremendously to get people to the iTMS.
Should have phrased that better.
noelister said:
A two-piece unit doesn't sound very "Apple" to me. It's either going to be the current iPod with a screen that now -- ta da! -- displays video or a new device. And I still have a hard time thinking Apple will put video on a tiny-assed 2-inch display.
The Mustek PVR-H140 that someone posted a photo of above has a 3.6-inch screen, which is about the smallest screen I think you could functionally watch for more than 20 or 30 seconds without getting a headache.
At 4.3x3.2, the Mustek device itself is slightly longer and about an inch wider than the iPod. If Apple used a slightly flatter -- more letterbox -- display than the Mustek, the iPod could have a decent-sized screen without the form factor changing significantly.
Now about that scroll wheel....
Video iPod not for viewing video
I think you nailed it here... nobody wants to watch video (even silly music videos) on a small screen. The value of a video iPod would be in PORTABILITY... Imagine carrying movies and TV shows in your pocket, and being able to watch them on any computer or TV monitor. Also, combined with an iTMS-type service, it could become a great TIME SHIFTING device, just like TiVo. The video iPod could even form the basis for the much-rumored home-entertainment device from Apple??
Mac said:Imagine having to watch "Lord of the Rings" on an iPod Mini color screen - 1 inch..... Yoohoo. What a treat
But hooked up to a 50 inch Plasma showing HD quality should rule maximum.
I think you nailed it here... nobody wants to watch video (even silly music videos) on a small screen. The value of a video iPod would be in PORTABILITY... Imagine carrying movies and TV shows in your pocket, and being able to watch them on any computer or TV monitor. Also, combined with an iTMS-type service, it could become a great TIME SHIFTING device, just like TiVo. The video iPod could even form the basis for the much-rumored home-entertainment device from Apple??
biederman said:
Storage capacity is going to be the killer though, even a 60Gig iPod can't hold that much HD (and this is the year of HD, right?) video. So it makes sense to start with short music videos. Getting the Lord of the Rings trilogy on an iPod is going to take some real work, or a much bigger drive.
nagromme said:
I agree, unless Apple finds a way to configure the screen long ways on the iPod (widescreen). Which would then make it all screen and therefore it'd likely have to be touchscreen - That'd be expensive and unlikely. Although, weren't they doing something with a touchscreen anyway.
Also, since I haven't seen it mentioned in this thread. One of the articles I read: Jobs said this is the year of HD. The iPod (Video) would most likely be used for HD movies to HDTV, not on the iPod. If released soon, it would be the only way to get hi-def current movie releases to your HDTV. And depending on pricing, I'd opt for a HD iPod over a HD DVD player.
This would also be a great way for all those who use Final Cut Pro HD and iMovie to actually output their videos in HD to HDTVs. You could now take your home movies to share at grandma's house and get her motion sick in HD.
IMO, Apple will, in some way, be the next media center in your living room.
macorama said:
I agree, it would be limited. However, my DVR from Time Warner San Diego (or see below) leads me to believe I could get just over 7 hours of HD content or 30 hours of SD content on a 60gb iPod. And, I don't know the specs of the HD codec. Of course, a new iPod for video would likely have a higher capacity, just as the iPod Photo increased the capacity. Was it double? I don't remember.
HD DVR from Time Warner Cable said:
skwoytek said:
We can only hope. Perhaps they planned this all along with the mystious unused connection in the Mac Mini. like other said It could be used for syncing iPods with iTunes but what it they invisioned it as connection to play movies and what have you, that were stored on the iPod. sounds like I media center to me.
I would still Like to see the iPod have the abilty to play little shorts if I desire. If some one does not like it they don't have to use that feature but it will be there for other to take advantage of.
I am careful with my ipod now but I cannot imagine what I would be like having a wide aspect screen on the back of it as someone stated. It just seems like it would make it more expensive and shorter battery life(I know that video on current iPods would drain the battery fast too). Who knows if the current iPod is able to even play video. I just like to think about all the stuff I don't know about. lol . I also enjoy hearing others views on my thoughts
. Even if they have have no bases or relevance.
Flowbee said:
Most of the ones I see there include live concerts (often unavailable on CD), interviews, documentaries and other footage making up a considerable amount of worthwhile content. Initially music companies tried releasing a handful of music videos onto a DVD, but consumers very quickly realised what poor value it was.
iPod video is a certainty in the future.
I'd really like to see apple allow you to *at least* play your home movies - i.e., stuff created with iMovie et al.
Music Videos would be OKish... don't know how popular that would be but at $1.99 each seems pretty cheap.
Movie video seems to make sense - they don't last too long and so make it easier to watch than a full length movie.
Full length movies would be great! However, Apple would have major DRM issues.
I'd really like to see apple allow you to *at least* play your home movies - i.e., stuff created with iMovie et al.
Music Videos would be OKish... don't know how popular that would be but at $1.99 each seems pretty cheap.
Movie video seems to make sense - they don't last too long and so make it easier to watch than a full length movie.
Full length movies would be great! However, Apple would have major DRM issues.
i don't get it
How on earth can Apple spend so many millions of dollars on R&D (apparantly it was even more expensive than ever last quarter) and not release a single new product in, what, 7 months?
Apple is constantly talking about new, exciting upcoming products but then they haven't had anything truly new and original since the original iPod! We all know it would be a great idea if Apple made a video rental store and used their 2 friggen year old Airport Express to broadcast HD video to your sweet TV. They could totally bypass the stupid argument over Blueray versus HD-DVD by skipping the physical format altogether! Either Apple has spent 2 years and 2 billion dollars on researching the technology to beat the DVD companies or they've been shoving investor money into the iFurnace.
How on earth can Apple spend so many millions of dollars on R&D (apparantly it was even more expensive than ever last quarter) and not release a single new product in, what, 7 months?
Apple is constantly talking about new, exciting upcoming products but then they haven't had anything truly new and original since the original iPod! We all know it would be a great idea if Apple made a video rental store and used their 2 friggen year old Airport Express to broadcast HD video to your sweet TV. They could totally bypass the stupid argument over Blueray versus HD-DVD by skipping the physical format altogether! Either Apple has spent 2 years and 2 billion dollars on researching the technology to beat the DVD companies or they've been shoving investor money into the iFurnace.