Apple Announces Apple TV Take 2 + Price Drop

[HiRez]

*sigh* Seriously, you have a MONTH to press play. If don't have the time within a 24 hour period to watch a 2 hour movie, I don't think those extra 6 hours are going to make or break the deal.

Actually it makes a huge difference. Most people only have a short window of time each night to watch tv/movies, between when they come home from work, after dinner is made and the dishes washed, and when it's time to go to bed (even shorter if there are kids involved). That window is typically 4 hours or much less, even assuming nothing "comes up" (doesn't something always?). So the extra 6 hours gives you TWO days (windows) in which to watch the movie, instead of one.

That's why it's important. For students or people with no jobs, flexible schedules, tons of time on their hands it doesn't matter. But to most people leading a typical chaotic adult life where time is at a premium, it does.

 

[ipedro]

It's not changed in the update, and I wouldn't count on it ever changing. The lack of internal volume control is intentional--Apple TV leaves audio processing to the external components and just acts as a pass-through. This minimizes conflicts with AV components, since most customers are using AV receivers and manage the volume for their entire system that way.

Cable boxes are the biggest offenders to the rule of deferring to the AV receiver--TVs go on internal mute, DVD players don't mess with volume, and the AppleTV follows this trend.

Thanks for answering my question. I still think that there should be an option to control the volume. The up and down buttons aren't in use at all. In the meantime, I still need to keep my big remote around for one purpose only: volume control.

I guess I'll put the remote away and control the volume on the TV itself.
An alternative would be to get the simplest, smallest universal remote I can find. Anybody know a good one?

 

[matticus008]

Actually it makes a huge difference. Most people only have a short window of time each night to watch tv/movies

Absolutely. But I think a better solution is a reduced rate to extend the rental.

New releases are often on 24-hour loan, too. Combined with studio stupidity and misplaced fear of the "too long" rental, wouldn't it be nice to be able to extend the rental an additional 24 hours for $1?

It's not an ideal solution, since many would complain about the "late fee"--but this is offset by an ability to re-rent the same title later at the reduced rate, which would also promote less pirating--it'd be far easier to pay $1 for a movie you've already seen and might want to watch twice in a year than to torrent it.

Thanks for answering my question.

No problem!

An alternative would be to get the simplest, smallest universal remote I can find. Anybody know a good one?

Unfortunately the only ones I know that can reproduce AppleTV signals are the Logitech Harmony remotes (which are quite nice and Mac-compatible...but start at $85 on Amazon).

 

[davewolfs]

What is the quality like? Can it display 1080i output?

 

[Buran]

Any sign of closed captioning?

 

[BobVB]

So the extra 6 hours gives you TWO days (windows) in which to watch the movie, instead of one.

And of course the really important point is it costs the movie studios NOTHING to extend the time a bit. Does their business model think they are going to lose money because from all those people who were going to buy the movie twice in a 36 hour period? Or that they are going to invite other potential customers over in the few extra hours for a second showing?

But then I'm never going to rent a single movie so do what you will - but accepting too little for your money is NOT to your advantage especially since you aren't asking for anything that costs anything.

 

[gnasher729]

My point is that in the public mind in the UK, 1080p is the standard. Almost any new TV you can buy is 1080p. All the marketing in the shops reflects this and anyone looking for a new TV wants 1080p (regardless of whether they know what it is). So why would Joe Public they think a 720p AppleTV is a good match for their 1080p TV?

You must live in a different UK than I do.

 

[gnasher729]

What about support for ripped DVD's? With Leopard and frontrow, you can watch ripped DVD's, so there is a solution (plug in your computer to a HDTV) Would be great if ATV2 supported this as well. I have no interest in renting movies.

That was always supported on Apple TV and remains supported. Apple TV plays everything that is in your iTunes library and all the photos in your iPhoto library.

 

[gnasher729]

There has never been a 1080p 19" HDTV.

Although I have seen a TV _advertised_ as 19", 1080p, with 1366 x 768 resolution 😱

It seems that some people advertise not what the TV can display, but what it accepts as input. For example, you won't find a TV anywhere that can _display_ 1080i but not 1080p. However, there are many TVs that are advertised as 1080i because they can handle 1080i input and convert it to 720p.

 

[EricBrian]

Still won't buy this thing because still can't attach external harddrives to it. And, still can't record TV.

 

[HiRez]

Absolutely. But I think a better solution is a reduced rate to extend the rental.

New releases are often on 24-hour loan, too. Combined with studio stupidity and misplaced fear of the "too long" rental, wouldn't it be nice to be able to extend the rental an additional 24 hours for $1?

I'd rather have more time (as BobV says, it's not like they need the disc back to rent out again), but yes, that wouldn't be a bad compromise. I'd be OK with that.

 

[jaw04005]

What is the quality like? Can it display 1080i output?

This has been answered numerous times, as this product has been out for almost an entire year—but NO it does not support 1080i video playback. However, the menu system is outputted in 1080i (if selected).

On a side note, why does it even matter? Can you honestly tell a difference between 720p and 1080i content? I would bet not especially considering these HD rentals will be heavily compressed.

Your TV converts the HD signal whether it's 720p, 1080i or 1080p to be compatible with its native display (timing, refresh, color balance, etc) no matter what. There is NO true video passthrough (on HDTVs, HD "monitors" is another story) as all resolutions are processed internally via the TV.

For example, a 1080p HDTV will process a 1080p HD signal (from say a Blu-ray player) no matter what. You can turn some of the more noticeable image-enhancement processing off (on most TVs, not Samsung), however it's still processing the video.

I would bet most consumers don't realize that they need an HD signal to get HD content on their televisions. Let alone know the difference between 720p, 1080i and 1080p.

Read the full specs:

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

"Compatible with enhanced-definition or high-definition widescreen TVs capable of 1080p/1080i 60/50Hz, 720p 60/50Hz, 576p 50Hz (PAL format), or 480p 60Hz, including popular models from these manufacturers: HP, Hitachi, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, NEC, Olevia, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Polaroid, Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, Vizio, Westinghouse"

 

[davidwes]

*sigh* Seriously, you have a MONTH to press play. If don't have the time within a 24 hour period to watch a 2 hour movie, I don't think those extra 6 hours are going to make or break the deal.

As for 5.1 audio... "Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound pass-through" from the tech specs of the AppleTV page. I'm guessing they're updated... That doesn't sound like 5.1 aac converted to Dolby to me...

Umm. You come home at 6, start the movie. Your child get sick, You cat pees on the carpet, anything really. You stop the movie and after dealing with everything decide your to tired to finish the movie that night. Well guess what, your movie will be gone when you get back from work the next night. Adding just 6 hours would fix this problem.

 

[sonofcolin]

That was always supported on Apple TV and remains supported. Apple TV plays everything that is in your iTunes library and all the photos in your iPhoto library.

Really? Never knew you could add Video_TS folder to itunes, let alone VOB files.

 

[bommai]

Now that AppleTV supports Dolby Digital 5.1, what kind of container file are they using. MKV I hope. Does this mean Quicktime is going to get an update to play MKV files with AC3 stream for audio. MP4 cannot do it.

 

[BobVB]

Now that AppleTV supports Dolby Digital 5.1, what kind of container file are they using. MKV I hope. Does this mean Quicktime is going to get an update to play MKV files with AC3 stream for audio. MP4 cannot do it.

Yeah I was hoping the QT update today added that but an MKV rip didn't play. I wonder if only the AppleTV will be able to play the new HD DD5.1 films?

 

[Eriden]

Never gonna happen. That's not their market. Why would they let you record for free what they can charge you for to download?

Quite true. Though if broadcasters like NBC continue to hemorrhage from iTunes, El Jobso may just rethink the AppleTV hardware and swap in a TV Tuner or two.

In any event, I'm sticking with Netflix for the time being.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/02/netflix-developing-movie-set-top-box-with-lg/

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/13/netflix-to-loosen-restrictions-on-internet-viewing-option/

 

[winterspan]

Was seriously considering dumping Netflix until I read that HD titles cost more.

Ugh. I would think Apple wouldn't play the "penalize the HD users" game. HD should be the new standard, not some sort of special high-end price.

So I guess I'll still wait for a cheap blu-ray player and stick with Netflix, who will send me HD discs at day of release for no extra charge.

According to a few sites I've read including engadget/engadgetHD, many many people are not receiving HD movies on any kind of decent timeschedule... And supposedly they are not going to be increasing their HD volume until the format war is undeniably over...

 

[Fast Shadow]

If only this device were also a hi-def PVR as well as a media center. I would buy one tomorrow if I could make it the center of all things media for my home theater.

winterspan - as of last week the HD format war is undeniably over.

 

[winterspan]

720p or 1080p/i?

Calling 720p and touting as HD is a bit of a stretch these days. If it ain't 1080p/i it ain't HD.

Ha.. you expect 1080P via your average 2mbit cable connection? Yeah no thanks, I would much rather have the movie begin as fast as possible then wait for that... And by definition, 720P is HDTV. Screw 1080i... Interlaced anything sucks and should have NEVER been carried over to ATSC. What a joke, interlacing was meant to increase picture size via broadcast 60 years ago... Why is it still around???

 

[winterspan]

If only this device were also a hi-def PVR as well as a media center. I would buy one tomorrow if I could make it the center of all things media for my home theater.

winterspan - as of last week the HD format war is undeniably over.

yea I hope so.. <shudder>. god forbid microsoft pulls some ********, Ill freak out!

 

[jaw04005]

According to a few sites I've read including engadget/engadgetHD, many many people are not receiving HD movies on any kind of decent timeschedule... And supposedly they are not going to be increasing their HD volume until the format war is undeniably over...

You're talking about Netflix, not Apple.

 

[gvegastiger]

As long as Apple is selling TV shows and movies on iTunes you will never have an Apple PVR device. It just wouldn't make sense. Who would pay for the tv show if they could just record it on their Apple TV? Apple has made a name for themselves in the digital media arena bc they made selling digital content a viable revenue stream. Why on earth would they canibalize that after all the hard work with the studios by bringing out a PVR?

 

[zedsdead]

Ha.. you expect 1080P via your average 2mbit cable connection? Yeah no thanks, I would much rather have the movie begin as fast as possible then wait for that... And by definition, 720P is HDTV. Screw 1080i... Interlaced anything sucks and should have NEVER been carried over to ATSC. What a joke, interlacing was meant to increase picture size via broadcast 60 years ago... Why is it still around???

I feel the same way...Interlacing should not be here anymore, I think it had something to do with Sony. 720p looks better than 1080i in my opinion. 1080p of course is better than both, although the higher you get in resolution, the less difference you can really see on the average tv set.

 

[davewolfs]

This has been answered numerous times, as this product has been out for almost an entire year—but NO it does not support 1080i video playback. However, the menu system is outputted in 1080i (if selected).

On a side note, why does it even matter? Can you honestly tell a difference between 720p and 1080i content? I would bet not especially considering these HD rentals will be heavily compressed.

Your TV converts the HD signal whether it's 720p, 1080i or 1080p to be compatible with its native display (timing, refresh, color balance, etc) no matter what. There is NO true video passthrough (on HDTVs, HD "monitors" is another story) as all resolutions are processed internally via the TV.

For example, a 1080p HDTV will process a 1080p HD signal (from say a Blu-ray player) no matter what. You can turn some of the more noticeable image-enhancement processing off (on most TVs, not Samsung), however it's still processing the video.

I would bet most consumers don't realize that they need an HD signal to get HD content on their televisions. Let alone know the difference between 720p, 1080i and 1080p.

Read the full specs:

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

"Compatible with enhanced-definition or high-definition widescreen TVs capable of 1080p/1080i 60/50Hz, 720p 60/50Hz, 576p 50Hz (PAL format), or 480p 60Hz, including popular models from these manufactures : HP, Hitachi, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, NEC, Olevia, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Polaroid, Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, Vizio, Westinghouse"

I can definitely tell the difference between 1080i and 720P on my 60" Pioneer. I am asking about whether or not it supports 1080i natively because it DOES make a difference.

Frankly, I am tired of HD DVD and BR and if 1080i was supported without too much compression, I would drop both disc formats.