Apple Announces Apple TV (Formerly 'iTV')

[APPLENEWBIE]

One thing to consider

There is a lot of negativity about formats that Atv won't play. And those comments are reflective of what folks on this forum would like to see in a product from apple. However, the Atv will be of interest to those of us who think that the apple store for movies and TV shows is really not a bad deal. For instance, I can by a season of popular shows like NCIS for around $30. Yesterday at Barnes and noble, a season costs about $59. Likewise, for most people a $10 downloaded movie at itunes resolution is plenty. Many people will just rent anyway from the local store. There are some movies that I will buy from iTunes, so I can see them when I want. And I would rather pay $10 to $15 for the download than $20 to $29 for some recent releases.

What I am saying is just this, Atv will have utility for some of us. Granted more features is better than fewer features, but lets give apple a little time to develop this gizmo.

 

[macphin]

But can I connect a mac to AppleTV directly, without Airport Extreme, or any other router? Because in system requirements written that "Wired or wireless network" is required.

 

[iDave]

But can I connect a mac to AppleTV directly, without Airport Extreme, or any other router? Because in system requirements written that "Wired or wireless network" is required.

Yes, directly from Mac to aTV, either wirelessly or via ethernet.

 

[macphin]

Yes, directly from Mac to aTV, either wirelessly or via ethernet.

Oh, OK, thanks. I thought that it will neccessary to buy n-based router to get all advantages.

 

[sjk]

And with misleading advertising if the formats are indeed limited. The current ad reads, "If it's on iTunes, it's on TV."

Yeah, I noticed that after posting. I'm still not sure if it means the store, the program/library, or both. It's a good example of the ambiguity that can occur by referring to any or all of them as simply "iTunes", making Apple just as guilty as anyone else who does it.

"Under Apple TV's Extras menu is a prominent Update Software command--suggesting quite clearly that AppleTV is a young dog that ca be taught numerous new tricks."

Would that include adding new codecs to support other file formats?? Or would new hardware be needed for that? If that feature is for adding new codecs, I wonder if that would allow 3rd party codecs??

I'd have to double-check, but am pretty sure there was an EyeHome firmware update that "enabled" whatever DivX (or was it MPEG-4?) playback was supported by the codec in its Sigma decoder chip. Similar Apple TV "software" updates could have limitations imposed by hardware components.

I also noticed on Elgato's site they haven't had a chance to play with it, but are expecting users to have to do an export to the formats specified on the box. However they preface it with, "At this time...," implying someone will change, either their format to MPEG4 or H.264, or Apple supporting MPEG1/2.

That possible implication recently crossed my mind, too.

EyeTV 200 supports recording with MPEG-4, but the quality was noticeably worse than MPEG-2 (which ain't so great or consistent with analog cable here) when I did some comparison tests awhile ago. That, and less convenient DVD-Video burning, gave MPEG-4 no advantage (even with smaller file sizes) over MPEG-2 for me.

Are there any H.264-capable PVRs on the market?

I'm still hugely intrigued with it - it's still winning out over putting a Mac Mini in my living room.

Same for me. I basically want a decent wireless media streaming solution without unnecessary hardware in the living room. If I want to keep using my 480i TV it's looking more like EyeHome may still be a better short-term and cost-effective solution than Apple TV (which I'd hoped would have more of a superset of EyeHome capabilities/compatibility).

Seems we're kind of on or near the same wavelength.

 

[sjk]

Are those accurate? Where did you get these specs from?

Probably Pentium M-based Intel chip at heart of Apple TV (@appleinsider.com)

 

[janstett]

I accept the selling of iTMS. They want people buying and viewing legal payed-for material. But here in Norway, this thing is not useful at all! We dont have any movies or sitcoms in iTMS -- only the music.

Even if you use it only for your music, photos, and video content you get in there yourself, you still don't think it's useful? Have you never wanted to listen to music that's stored on your Mac somewhere else, like your bedroom or home theater?

 

[cicottrell]

One would think, if the USB port is for service purposes, it would be a USB B port. But it's an A port, just like on the back of every computer, to add peripherals.

Agreed, however, surely all servicing and upgrading can be done wirelessly, a la Software Update? Just download software/firmware updates from the net, like we do on our Macs... Why the USB port at all? It must be there for a reason.

 

[WilliamLondon]

There is a lot of negativity about formats that Atv won't play. And those comments are reflective of what folks on this forum would like to see in a product from apple. However, the Atv will be of interest to those of us who think that the apple store for movies and TV shows is really not a bad deal. For instance, I can by a season of popular shows like NCIS for around $30. Yesterday at Barnes and noble, a season costs about $59. Likewise, for most people a $10 downloaded movie at itunes resolution is plenty. Many people will just rent anyway from the local store. There are some movies that I will buy from iTunes, so I can see them when I want. And I would rather pay $10 to $15 for the download than $20 to $29 for some recent releases.

What I am saying is just this, Atv will have utility for some of us. Granted more features is better than fewer features, but lets give apple a little time to develop this gizmo.

That's fine, mate. But what of those of us that have the ITMS with only music?? We (those of us outside the US) have no access to television shows or movies in the ITMS, yet Steve's announcement is still supposed to have the same impact?? Just curious - if you had no access to the ITMS, would it still have utility?

 

[APPLENEWBIE]

"That's fine, mate. But what of those of us that have the ITMS with only music?? We (those of us outside the US) have no access to television shows or movies in the ITMS, yet Steve's announcement is still supposed to have the same impact?? Just curious - if you had no access to the ITMS, would it still have utility?"


NOPE. Hopefully it won't be too long before it goes extra-USA... and hopefully it will be worth getting.

 

[gwangung]

"That's fine, mate. But what of those of us that have the ITMS with only music?? We (those of us outside the US) have no access to television shows or movies in the ITMS, yet Steve's announcement is still supposed to have the same impact?? Just curious - if you had no access to the ITMS, would it still have utility?"


NOPE. Hopefully it won't be too long before it goes extra-USA... and hopefully it will be worth getting.

That is, after all, a legal matter and not connected at all to hardware or software. And could change at any time.

Not sure it makes sense to hold up releasing it when there are large markets that CAN use it to its full extent...

 

[WilliamLondon]

That is, after all, a legal matter and not connected at all to hardware or software. And could change at any time.

Not sure it makes sense to hold up releasing it when there are large markets that CAN use it to its full extent...

I agree, but question why they'd release it outside the US when there's nothing to buy on the ITMS.

For me I still like the idea of this device, and I'm investigating converting my GBs of videos to H.264. But I'm not a typical buyer of this I would imagine - most people wouldn't have a clue what H.264 is (not that I'm any great guru on the subject!<grin>). What's going to be the source of stuff they watch on this device?

I of course want this device to succeed for Apple - I'm of a mind that there is a media revolution going on and this device is bringing that revolution fully to the masses.

 

[sjk]

I agree, but question why they'd release it outside the US when there's nothing to buy on the ITMS.

Yep, that's puzzling.

What's going to be the source of stuff they watch on this device?

Right. Like I've said before, at least iPod owners have and can "easily" get content for it without relying on the iTunes Store and the same's definitely not true with ATV.

I'm of a mind that there is a media revolution going on and this device is bringing that revolution fully to the masses.

It's currently too content-crippled, IMO.

 

[iDave]

It's currently too content-crippled, IMO.

Well if all you want to do is play your music from iTunes on your home theater, or show photos, there's still a use for it. And it has a remote, something that Airport Express (which would serve up the music) doesn't have.

 

[sjk]

Well if all you want to do is play your music from iTunes on your home theater, or show photos, there's still a use for it.

And you know some people will waste^H^H^H^H^Hpay $300 just to do that.

And it has a remote, something that Airport Express (which would serve up the music) doesn't have.

Right.

Before its display died I was using my old iBook G3 as the remote in the living room connected to iTunes libraries on systems downstairs and streaming with AirTunes. That worked flawlessly for audio even with the redundant WLAN traffic. And video streaming with EyeHome worked flawlessly before it died a few months ago; 2006 was unkind to some of my hardware. I'd be seriously considering ATV as the EyeHome replacement if the specs/compatibility would work for me, but they don't so I'm not.

 

[bommai]

And you know some people will waste^H^H^H^H^Hpay $300 just to do that.

$300 is how much a squeezebox costs for just music. I don't accept Airport Express as a viable solution for streaming music since you cannot control it from the stereo system.

 

[iDave]

If AppleTV was not made available outside the US, you know there would be people bitching about that, even though there seems to be little (legal) use for it there.

 

[bommai]

But can I connect a mac to AppleTV directly, without Airport Extreme, or any other router? Because in system requirements written that "Wired or wireless network" is required.

To do this, you need your Mac to be connected to the internet through ethernet (not wireless). Then you go to network preferences and then go to sharing. You share your network connection through airport. Then you have to create a local network using airport on your mac. Then configure Apple TV to connect to that network. Now, Apple TV can contact your computer as well as the internet. Your computer is acting as a bridge. It will transfer all internet packets from the wireless to wired and vice versa for those external addresses.

 

[sjk]

$300 is how much a squeezebox costs for just music.

True. No bargain there.

I don't accept Airport Express as a viable solution for streaming music since you cannot control it from the stereo system.

Maybe not a solution for you but surely for those whose usage isn't hindered by that limitation.