Apple Announces Apple TV (Formerly 'iTV')

[eenu]

can someone explain how it doesn't do surround sound?

I have my movies encoded in handbrake from DVD with 5 channel ACC Audio. I'd have thought that the iTV will output these 5 channels via its optical out.

Can anyone tell me why it won't?

 

[gauriemma]

So everyone is in agreement this is for itunes content only? No divx or other video formats? If so they just lost my sale because I was planning to get one.

Do we know for sure that it won't play avi or divx files?

 

[gwangung]

Streaming, people, streaming!

The hard drive isn't for permanent storage; it's a cache to hold content streamed from your computer over whatever wireless mode is available---b, g or n.

You don't think that's going to be needed with 802.11b?

 

[andyblac]

can someone explain how it doesn't do surround sound?

I have my movies encoded in handbrake from DVD with 5 channel ACC Audio. I'd have thought that the iTV will output these 5 channels via its optical out.

Can anyone tell me why it won't?

dont think any amp supports AAC 5.1 only Dolby Digital 5.1

 

[simontarr]

The hard drive isn't for permanent storage; it's a cache to hold content streamed from your computer over whatever wireless mode is available---b, g or n.

You don't think that's going to be needed with 802.11b?

Good point. Very good point.

But why say 'Sync With iTunes'?

EDIT - Am I just looking at this from a 'too technical' point of view? Ie. Taking the word sync literally meaning your entire iTunes library cloned on the Apple TV.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Get your head around it, people, this is not a "set top box" or a "DVR" or a "Tivo"

It is an Airport Express for video.

Nothing more. "AirFlix" if you like.

 

[Wender]

Do we know for sure that it won't play avi or divx files?

Agreed. Since I can play divx and avi and about any format existing using Front Row, then I bet this device will play the same stuff residing in my "Movies" folder.

Your photos is in your "Pictures" folder and not in iTunes. They will be displayed. Apple would never make a product that can't show your iMovie creations on your TV. This will work like Front Row, I bet!

 

[FreeState]

Widescreen Only?

Designed for widescreen... thats great but will it work on non-widescreen TVs (I have a Sony Triniton that I use and love still - going high def sometime soon but want to use AppleTV on my current TV)

 

[rog]

I don't see the point of this. I would rather just plug in my iPod to my TV and save $300. My iPod has far more capacity anyway. Should be $149 or have 500GB if $299.

 

[eenu]

dont think any amp supports AAC 5.1 only Dolby Digital 5.1

Right......so why are people moaning that this product is cack and they should just get a mac mini? A mac mini playing handbrake files wouldn't do surround sound either!?

 

[iW00t]

DivX support is not listed under its tech specs, so I'd wait for the Rev B version of this before concluding that it will support DivX and other popular file formats.

Agreed. Since I can play divx and avi and about any format existing using Front Row, then I bet this device will play the same stuff residing in my "Movies" folder.

Your photos is in your "Pictures" folder and not in iTunes. They will be displayed. Apple would never make a product that can't show your iMovie creations on your TV. This will work like Front Row, I bet!

 

[bankshot]

So, a $300 box that brings iTunes to my TV?

No thanks.

Include DVR functionality and a slot loading DVD drive and then we can talk.

Exactly. It also needs the ability to import DVDs into my library just like iTunes does with CDs. I understand that the issue here is legal/political and not technical (the MPAA was successful in getting legislation passed making it illegal to rip DVDs), but it's so crippling to such a device. Advanced users can probably rip to H.264 manually and then add movies to iTunes, but that won't sell it to Joe iPod User.

Even so, I'd have a hard time buying one now because they didn't take my advice and put in a simple S-video port. It has analog audio out, why not analog video out? I know Apple likes to push interface standards forward, but come on. How hard would it have been, Steve?

For double the price, a Mac mini will do just about everything I want today - stream ripped DVDs from my collection on my server, and output to my TV via S-video. The only problem is that Front Row doesn't support VIDEO_TS folders, so I have to navigate using keyboard and mouse to select a movie in DVD Player before using the remote once it's playing. I've done this a few times with my Macbook, and it's still a pain.

Apple has long touted themselves as being the center of the digital lifestyle, but they aren't there yet. Not even close. Many of the problems are not on their end, but Steve Jobs needs to use his patented charisma to get other industry players on board, just as he did with record labels and the iTunes Store. This goes for the content creators as well as the service providers (ie, cable and satellite for TV). A true digital media hub needs to:

• Import, organize, browse, and play back legally purchased movies and music. Includes importing physical formats like CD and DVD.
• Record, organize, browse, and play back TV. Basically be a DVR. With long-term archival capability (and hey, if I need to pay $1 or $2 to permanently save a recorded TV show, that's reasonable).
• Organize, view, print (locally or ordering online such as photo books) photos.
• Synchronize content from any other machines/devices in the house.
• Pull content from online - whether from the internet or from cable/satellite providers.
• Support simple web browsing, email, etc at a minimum from the TV. More advanced stuff can be left for the dedicated computers.

Looking at this list, it seems that aTV does very little of it. I didn't honestly expect most of this (due in part to industry roadblocks), but I was hoping for a little more. I'm so tired of not watching my DVDs because it's such a pain finding and swapping discs compared to the ease of listening to music. DVDs need to take the same path that my new CDs take: Store -> Computer Import -> Box in the Closet.

Oh well.

 

[benpatient]

Uh, let's just say that you are wrong. Do you know what "streaming" is? It can store content locally. AND it can stream content from your Mac. In other words: It can stream content that is NOT stored on the device, it's stored on the computer!

while the macrumors news post does say "stream," apple's website for the appletv does not ANYWHERE that I can find say that it streams content FROM other computers on the fly. It in fact says "sync" everywhere I want it to say "stream."

Maybe they really mean "sync the itunes database info" just like you get in Front Row, and you can optionally put things directly onto the aTV just if you want access to it when the computers aren't connected or on. But that's not at all how it sounds. I've got 2 computers with iTunes libraries at home. One G4 with a 60gb library of music and one PC with 180 GB of music, vpods and other junk (lossless music for my HT system). That's not including all of the DVDs I plan on importing after my next hard drive purchase (500+ GB, i'm sure).

If it streams from connected computers and on the fly, storing the files on the 40gb drive, then that's one thing, but it doesn't say that anywhere on apple's site that I can find. It's an error of presumption on the part of this news post. I really, really hope I'm mistaken, because a 40gb library cap is a deal-breaker for me.

 

[hottyson]

So, a $300 box that brings iTunes to my TV?

No thanks.

Include DVR functionality and a slot loading DVD drive and then we can talk.

You are describing a Mac Mini with the EyeTV hybrid.

That combo is fantastic since you can record and rip cd and dvd but it runs at least twice the cost depending on the mini you use. Plus you can surf the web, Skype, etc... The dvi port on the mini should perform better too since you can 1080p.

 

[HelixOmnimedia]

Have i got this correct?

The movie or tv show is sent to the AppleTV via the internet?
So does it depends on the speed of your internet to what the quality of the movie/tv show shown through your tv?

 

[simontarr]

while the macrumors news post does say "stream," apple's website for the appletv does not ANYWHERE that I can find say that it streams content FROM other computers on the fly. It in fact says "sync" everywhere I want it to say "stream."

Maybe they really mean "sync the itunes database info" just like you get in Front Row, and you can optionally put things directly onto the aTV just if you want access to it when the computers aren't connected or on. But that's not at all how it sounds. I've got 2 computers with iTunes libraries at home. One G4 with a 60gb library of music and one PC with 180 GB of music, vpods and other junk (lossless music for my HT system). That's not including all of the DVDs I plan on importing after my next hard drive purchase (500+ GB, i'm sure).

If it streams from connected computers and on the fly, storing the files on the 40gb drive, then that's one thing, but it doesn't say that anywhere on apple's site that I can find. It's an error of presumption on the part of this news post. I really, really hope I'm mistaken, because a 40gb library cap is a deal-breaker for me.

This is exactly what I've been trying to say. Thanks!

 

[Porchland]

40 GB hard drive? Too small, in my humble opinion. It should have at least a 100 GB hard drive to be useful.

I doubt that I'll get an Apple TV until Apple:

* bumps up the hard drive to 100 GB;

* adds a TV subscription plan that somewhat resembles cable and satellite's pricing and content models;

* edges down the price (gradually) to $199; and

* allows me to rent movies for $4 for 24 hours.

The current offering just doesn't give me anything I don't already have. Apple is either going to have to match cable's pricing and availability or give me something that cable can't to get me into an Apple TV.

 

[balamw]

while the macrumors news post does say "stream," apple's website for the appletv does not ANYWHERE that I can find say that it streams content FROM other computers on the fly. It in fact says "sync" everywhere I want it to say "stream."

Read it again. http://www.apple.com/appletv/sync.html

Always on.

Apple TV streams as well as it syncs, so you can pair up to five additional computers and let friends and family stream their iTunes libraries to your TV. Apple TV stores up to 50 hours of video, ready to watch when you are. And if iTunes is still syncing what you want to see — or if you don’t want to sync at all — you can watch a stream from your computer right away.

Here's what it seems to boil down to. You can tell iTunes 7.1 to "push" whatever content you like to the aTV in the background, this content will be available immediately as it it stored locally. You can also stream content (i.e. "pull") from up to 5 PC/Macs or from the Aplle Trailers site without having it reside on the internal drive.

Interesting to note that is only claims to support 720p/24, which would rule out any HD TV which I'd expect to be 720p/30.

B

 

[caveman_uk]

Considering the UK doesnt yet have either a TV store or Movie store UK users have what reason exactly for buying an Apple TV ?.....

-mrploddy

Exactly, it's pointless. If anyone in the UK buys it they need their head examined.

Apple is obviously unaware that we have Sky+ here which does a hell of a lot more than show my photos on my telly.

 

[eenu]

This is exactly what I've been trying to say. Thanks!

Then you people need to learn to read and research properly:

" AirPort Extreme, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n wireless network (video streaming requires 802.11g/n)

or

10/100 Base-T Ethernet wired network "

So all new macs should stream after the firmware upgrade

 

[FreeState]

while the macrumors news post does say "stream," apple's website for the appletv does not ANYWHERE that I can find say that it streams content FROM other computers on the fly. It in fact says "sync" everywhere I want it to say "stream."

Maybe they really mean "sync the itunes database info" just like you get in Front Row, and you can optionally put things directly onto the aTV just if you want access to it when the computers aren't connected or on. But that's not at all how it sounds. I've got 2 computers with iTunes libraries at home. One G4 with a 60gb library of music and one PC with 180 GB of music, vpods and other junk (lossless music for my HT system). That's not including all of the DVDs I plan on importing after my next hard drive purchase (500+ GB, i'm sure).

If it streams from connected computers and on the fly, storing the files on the 40gb drive, then that's one thing, but it doesn't say that anywhere on apple's site that I can find. It's an error of presumption on the part of this news post. I really, really hope I'm mistaken, because a 40gb library cap is a deal-breaker for me.

Maybe you missed this....

Always on.
Apple TV streams as well as it syncs, so you can pair up to five additional computers and let friends and family stream their iTunes libraries to your TV. Apple TV stores up to 50 hours of video, ready to watch when you are. And if iTunes is still syncing what you want to see — or if you don’t want to sync at all — you can watch a stream from your computer right away.

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

(sorry looks like I posted this just as someone else did)

 

[joemama]

It can't record, that's the point. You buy your shows off iTunes.

This is why it will not sell well. People will not pay twice for the same content. Once for the cable bill, twice to download and stream it on a TV.

If it would work the REVERSE way that would be neat. Download shows to the HD, convert them to a compressed video file and send it over to your mac so you can upload it to the iPod.

That would be a killer product. Right now though, ho-hum.

 

[simontarr]

Then you people need to learn to read and research properly:

" AirPort Extreme, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n wireless network (video streaming requires 802.11g/n)

or

10/100 Base-T Ethernet wired network "

So all new macs should stream after the firmware upgrade

Maybe we should, but it seems that a greater percentage of people that have posted are a little bemused as to what exactly it does. I understand it much better now though.

Was I actually being stupid or have Apple just not explained things as well as they usually do?

 

[benpatient]

that's what I missed. whew.

thought I was going to have to keep my PC in the living room for another year...

I do believe that the 720/24 thing is a typo...at least I hope so...

One other thing seems weird. it says it REQUIRES an internet connection. Why?
(just turned off the internet in a silent protest against Comcast, and can't get DSL until BellSouth is fully absorbed into AT&T and starts offering naked 19.99 DSL, cause I'm not buying a land line)

 

[codo]

UK Users

As others have pointed out, clearly this device is useless without the content. Apple hasn't pushed to get television content on iTunes in the UK, and may have missed the boat.

Channel 4 has launched it's download service, ITV is launching (link: subscription required) theirs in the next few months (It will be advert supported and free) and the BBC is expected to launch it's iMP download service later this year. Considering the investment each broadcaster has made, are they going to put their content on iTunes? I feel Apple should have the content on iTunes for two reasons.

1) Channel 4 & the BBC's service use Microsoft DRM and therefore do not support the Macintosh platform. I presume ITV's will also require Windows. This locks Mac users out of content download, meaning we need iTunes!

2) Apple tv needs content. Movie trailers and music on TV is hardly worth £200.

What about movies? Come on! The movie download market is practically none existent here, so Apple has a better chance than with the TV networks, i think, as there has been little investment.

I still think the television networks will want to get onto iTunes, as there is a larger consumer base, however, i feel inclined to think they will be reluctant after investment in their own distribution products models.