Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Announces Apple TV (Formerly 'iTV')
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It looks a lot like a Toshiba I had in my lab. Unfortunately that monitor is right now at CES so I can't say for sure...
This thing is good. In fact I've been waiting for it to buy since intoduction. But there are couple aspects right now. Could you tell me:
1. In the system requirements written to use network. But if I don't have a network at home, could I just directly connect mac to this thing?
2. If I have movies on my mac in ac3 sound, or 5.1, and then, I'll connect apple tv to my 5.1 receiver, I won't be able to watch them in 5.1?
1. In the system requirements written to use network. But if I don't have a network at home, could I just directly connect mac to this thing?
2. If I have movies on my mac in ac3 sound, or 5.1, and then, I'll connect apple tv to my 5.1 receiver, I won't be able to watch them in 5.1?
If you can't tell the difference between 1280x720 and 1920x1080, get your eyes checked.
Exactly, you'd expect them to pioneer an exciting new 1080p HD format like Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Just goes to show Apple isn't pioneering new ground, is it?
c'mon, it's the most popular sony model. at least in europe 😉
http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProd...w_en_GB&pageType=Overview&category=TVP+LCD+TV
beaster
macrumors member
DirecTV HR10-250 Tivo does all the above, with a stock 250 GB drive. I bought mine for $200 with a 1-year contract with DirecTV. I don't think DirecTV sells this model anymore, but their HR20 is similar and goes for $299.
-Sean
Yes, although you can add it after the fact.
MS sells an 802.11g USB adapter for $99. Nothing would stop them from supporting n, if you can't already do it with a generic USB nic.
Yes, with the 802.11g adapter.
The 360 unfortunately doesn't support digital video out via HDMI or DVI (yet). It does however support HD via VGA or component.
smueboy
macrumors 6502a
Nice specs, but i'm not willing to pay a monthly fee for a DVR.
I'd rather something like this:
http://www.topfield-australia.com.au/product.asp?SKU=TF7000HDPVRts
Didn't ring a bell and doesn't look like any of the Sony LCDs I've seen recently in the US.
Anyway, this is the Tosh I was thinking about. I thought there were control buttons on the front band but I'm wrong, just logos. Oh well, it's square and black 😉
balamw
Moderator emeritus
Don't forget the cost of the service contract.
I have a pair of HR10-250s, but still preordered my aTV as soon as the store came up. I only wish that DirecTV had let TiVo loose with the software, TiVo2Go and the Home Option would have made the HR10-250 much more compelling....
Note too that the HR10-250 will become obsolete (except for ATSC) as soon as DTV switches over to MPEG4 completely, and the HR20 does not record OTA HD programs. The TiVo Series 3 is an $800 device that does actually do it all, except of course work with Satellite TV.
B
If this product had DVR function which also can be used to store the show on iPod, i'd be so excited.
But as far as I can see, this is only for showing stuff in my computer on TV which I can do it just fine with one cable.
I'm so disappointed.
But as far as I can see, this is only for showing stuff in my computer on TV which I can do it just fine with one cable.
I'm so disappointed.
Ok I live in UK, love Apple products, have cash to burn. Been waiting for iTV for months (now aTV). Obviously I am not the only only slightly underwhelmed by todays announcement. In short, the total lack of tv/movie content is making this a non starter. Also the strange limiting on the resolution output of files (when I have been streaming 1080p resolution Transport Streams to my windows pc for months) It's not very often that I have found a windows solution that is better implemented that Apple. And this is through a standard 802.11g belkin router. Ok the xbox 360 is little more expensive, but it is a games console as well so nothing lost there. I really was hoping for a higher specced output resolution and some announcement of new content outside the US. All this and I have my xbox 360 hd dvd player hooked up as well and that was cheap as cheaps and plays HD movies as well, not bad for a Microsoft machine. Was really hoping the aTV was gonna blow this away with some new elegant solution to home entertainment.
eenu
macrumors 65816
Didn't ring a bell and doesn't look like any of the Sony LCDs I've seen recently in the US.
Anyway, this is the Tosh I was thinking about. I thought there were control buttons on the front band but I'm wrong, just logos. Oh well, it's square and black 😉
It's neither of the models you two have mentioned look at the base! the Apple one is circular
beaster
macrumors member
Check again. The OP said "720p vs. 1080i". That's 1280x720 = 921,600 pixels with 60 frames per second, vs. 1920x1080 = 2,073,600 with only 30 frames per second, resulting in only 1,036,800 pixels lit up in a single frame (ATSC broadcast standards). The difference is not huge, maybe 10%, in terms of pixel count per frame. You think Fox, ABC and ESPN would have standardized on 720p if it was inherently inferior to 1080i? They're not complete idiots folks. 720p generally shows fast-moving action better than 1080i (think sports), whereas 1080i generally looks better for static images, like the talking heads on the nightly news. But the differences are slight, and takes someone who knows what to look for to see them.
-Sean
balamw
Moderator emeritus
According to the links and a handy currency converter that unit is AU$1299, i.e. US$1000.
I'll take the TiVo.
B
bankshot
macrumors 65816
Ah, excellent, thanks! This is the biggest thing I've been wanting - the ability to navigate and play my DVDs without getting off the couch to fumble through discs and load them into the player. I'll have to try this out soon with the Macbook. If it works as advertised, I'll be very tempted to just get a Mac mini + large external drive.
beaster
macrumors member
I'd be paying for the serivce contract (from DirecTV or my cable company) regardless, since I want TV service. I pay an extra $5 a month for the DVR fee though, so OK, there's another 12 x 5 - $60 bucks. I understand where you're coming from though - DTV is able to subsidize the cost of the units because they get your TV subscription business.
I'd love to see Tivo/D* continue their relationship. Sadly, they probably won't, and I'll probably follow Tivo to the Series3 and Comcast when my HR10-250's die or D* turns them off.
BTW, I believe the HR20's can record OTA now.
-Sean
This is a greater concern for the UK;
USA tech specs;
Video formats supported: H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store): 640 by 480, 30 fps, LC version of Baseline Profile; 320 by 240, 30 fps, Baseline profile up to Level 1.3; 1280 by 720, 24 fps, Progressive Main Profile. MPEG-4: 640 by 480, 30 fps,
now the UK specs;
Video formats supported: H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store); up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480, 30 fps, LC version of Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps in .m4v, .mp4 and .mov; up to 768 Kbps, 320 by 240, 30 fps, Baseline profile up to Level 1.3 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps; MPEG-4 up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480, 30 fps, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps
Note the lack of HD formats in the UK model. I assume this is just a software issue and the hardware is the same. We must look at this product in relation to the xbox 360 hooked up to the connect 360 software, which at the moment is doing everything Apple TV can do and in high def resolution. Apple, you need to move faster in Europe or you will miss the boat.
smueboy
macrumors 6502a
My friend just ordered one for $A940, which is ~$US730. since everything is marked up in australia, if sold in the us it would be on par with the TiVo.
But my main point is, why can't Apple combine the best of what their aTV is, with the functions of a good DVR? Even if it cost $US800, it'd be a killer piece of hardware.
Larger HDD would be nice.
I still do not know if I will get this though.
One thing would be nice if they had TiVO installed in this, plus like have Slingbox connect to it 🙂
I still do not know if I will get this though.
One thing would be nice if they had TiVO installed in this, plus like have Slingbox connect to it 🙂
theBB
macrumors 68020
How much extra per month do you pay for DVR functionality? $5 a month is $60 extra in just a year, $10 a month is $120. Does it have streaming from your computer wirelessly? Ethernet?
In the end, if all you want is DVR, Apple does not have a product for you and, I suspect, never will. Since they announced it months ago (was it September?), it was very clear that it would not have this functionality. I cannot believe people are still getting disappointed about that. This is Airport Express with iTunes video.
Kill whom? $800 product would not sell many, the only killing would be Apple's profits.
balamw
Moderator emeritus
Yeah, I guess I missed the HR20 OTA activation party since I don't have one 😛
I'm seriously considering FiOS TV and a Series 3 when my DTV commitment is over or DTV turns off my TiVos. I've priced it out and it looks like I could break even (including the TiVo fee) and get the same channels with better PQ.
B
smueboy
macrumors 6502a
I'm sure many people would pay $800 for something that does what the $800 TiVo does PLUS what the aTV does in one package. I sure would, anyway.
But then, i like multi-function gadgets. Hence the iPhone (which is in essence an iPod, phone, camera, mobile os x) is a great idea [assuming it works as well as it promises to].
