Apple Introduces Updated Apple TV with Netflix Integration, TV Show Rentals

[bigpatky]

Sorry but you're wrong. Especially as I subscribed it. It's $18 for three months and you only have to pay it once.

actually, you're both wrong, at least as far as hulu plus is concerned. a playstation plus sub is only required during the hulu plus preview period. i'm not sure how long it's lasting, but it can't be too much longer. when that is over, hulu plus requires no playstation subscription, just the hulu plus subscription.

 

[Chase R]

Looks like I'll be sticking with a Mac Mini. I really wanted this Apple TV to replace it, but only 720p (really? its almost fawking 2011!), VERY limited codec support (why does Apple seem to shun MKV?) and no purchases make this seem pretty lame.

I guess Apple has used too many resources on the new iPhone and iPods that the Apple TV got put on the back burner. It's basically an iPhone chipset in an ugly black box. C'mon Apple, we know you have the technology to give us 1080p and at least H.264 in the level 4.1 profile!

 

[mikerudolph22]

Vudu

Stop moaning about it only doing 720p NOW!

This is a steaming device and at current average internet speeds streaming at 1080p would NOT be possible in most cases.

The VUDU online video service streams 1080p onto my Samsung TV quite well, in fact. I tried it out the other day.

Frankly, I'm really disappointed with this one. I understand most of apple's content is 720p as of now. I was so excited about the update since the old AppleTV was certainly getting 1080p...umm

 

[SiskoKid]

actually, you're both wrong, at least as far as hulu plus is concerned. a playstation plus sub is only required during the hulu plus preview period. i'm not sure how long it's lasting, but it can't be too much longer. when that is over, hulu plus requires no playstation subscription, just the hulu plus subscription.

That just goes to my original point. That just because it wasn't shown by Steve Jobs today doesn't mean it won't be added in the future.

So people really need to freakin' chill out.

 

[mikerudolph22]

free 1080p

Consumer Reports will say that they "cannot recommend" the AppleTV because it is flawed in only having 720p resolution and then Apple will offer a "free chip upgrade program".

 

[nilo]

No analog audio out?

People want analog (stereo) audio output!

 

[Defthand]

HDMI-CEC is a lost opportunity

I wonder if future Apple TV updates could enable support for HDMI-CEC?

THAT would be cool.

Unfortunately, the HDMI-CEC feature, which would have allowed multiple linked A/V components to be controlled by a single remote, was lazily implemented by the HDMI Founders. They failed to establish a common software protocol. Instead, manufacturers had to invent their own software controls. Consequently, the CEC feature won't work with linked components by different manufacturers; the linked components have to be the same brand. I learned this when I recently tried to link a LG television with a Yamaha A/V receiver.

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

I have to wonder about that "Air Tunes Replacement" called AirPlay. Does that mean that AirTunes will no longer work with the new box or does that mean that AirPlay is the new standard in the new iTunes and therefore will work with everything previous called "AirTunes"? I mean it would be pretty cool to be able to stream music from my iPod Touch directly to any AirTunes device without the main computer or remote being needed (seeing as my entire house is loaded with AirTunes devices).

 

[DoFoT9]

steve was wrong: the attention in this thread indicates to me that there certainly is enough people wanting an TV> they just never made the right one!

 

[Bakey]

No Apps, no deal. Need iPlayer, 4OD, DemandFive, SkyPlayer, and LoveFilm.

I can't be bothered to read the rest of the thread as this is yet another lame arse product update. Apple... Your once bright light is slowly dimming!!

Anyway, I'm +1 with your comments - who gives a rats about Netflix?

Deffo need iPlayer and without a shadow of a doubt the aTV should be able to support international movie stores such as LoveFilm.

Dull, dull, dull, dull...

 

[JPark]

Please tell me again how this is better than my Mac Mini Media Center which is also small, cool and quiet,

Can play any media I want and is not limited to Apple centric codecs through software like Movist,

Has a better GUI through software like Plex,

Gives me full the full web experience,

and though I can connect a wireless keyboard, there is nothing like controlling it using my iPad or iPhone as a remote with TouchPad.

Not to mention, I can buy and own all of my content. Yes storage may present some challenges but I'm happy to own my content forever and watch it as many times as I want.

Your setup also costs 6x as much.

 

[farmboy]

They're imported to the USA too, they're not built there!

Even once you extract sales tax from the equation they're still ~15% pricier in the UK and I can see why people get in a flap about it.

M

Please, God, we know that they have an inordinate number of cloudy days and an incomprehensible appreciation of cricket, but they also have Top Gear and Gemma Arterton, so would it be asking too much for you make them stop? Is there a British word for "qvetch"?

Import duties/tariffs-currency rates-marketing costs, Apple-manufactured value vs. wholesale vs. retail, the Just Because They Feel Like It Fee.....again, must we do all this every. single. time?

(And if you genuinely get in a flap about 15% on a product which is almost the definition of non-essential, you must not have any real problems to worry about).

 

[ob81]

Well...

I guess that they are looking in the right direction with the whole rental thing. They took away features though, which is weird. I am guessing that the old ATV will not be updated to support netflix and $.99 TV?

 

[KScottMyers]

Apple TV
Price: $99
Resolution: 720P
Includes: Netflix, YouTube

Support Video Formats: M4V, MP4, MOV

Supported Audio Codecs: HE-AAC (V1), AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound pass-through

Built in Wi-Fi N


WD TV HD Live Plus
Price: $109
Resolution 1080P
Includes: Netflix, YouTube, Flickr, Pandora

Supported Video Formats: AVI (Xvid, AVC, MPEG1/2/4), MPG/MPEG, VOB, MKV (h.264, x.264, AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC-1), TS/TP/M2T (MPEG1/2/4, AVC, VC-1), MP4/MOV (MPEG4, h.264), M2TS, WMV9

Supported Audio Codecs: MP3, WAV/PCM/LPCM, WMA, AAC, FLAC, MKA, AIF/AIFF, OGG, Dolby Digital, DTS

Wi-Fi only available through extra purchase.


So tell me again, how the Apple TV can compete with the WD TV HD Live Plus and other devices?

Why does Apple come out with a great design, superb UI, but ruin the functionality?

I have the WD TV HD Live Plus. Worst interface possible. Can't be controlled by anything but their crappy remote. Searching is almost impossible. For these reasons alone I would get the Apple TV.

 

[amanset]

Not entirely, any video content you import (from DVDs with Handbrake or from Blurays with MakeMKV+Handbrake) into iTunes on a Mac will stream to the device as well. And photos. But for that content, it's quite pricey and I'd like 1080p.

I'm weird, I tend to put my DVDs and BluRays into my PS3. In fact, seeing as I tend to only buy BluRays these days I'm not sure how I would import them as Apple refuses to put BluRay drives in their computers.

 

[amanset]

(And if you genuinely get in a flap about 15% on a product which is almost the definition of non-essential, you must not have any real problems to worry about).

Brits get in a flap about these things in general as the media has convinced them that there is something called "Rip-off Britain" where they pay more for stuff than the rest of the world. The reality is more like for quite a few things they do pay more but they also pay a lot less for a lot of things.

 

[GovtMule]

WOW!!! I was very much looking forward to the new iPod Touch's but the AppleTV is awesome! I use a MacBook Pro but my media center is still controlled by Windows 7 Media Center. I will have to go through some hoops to convert all my stored media over to iTunes compatibility but may do that for this device. My only complaint though is that I would have liked to see some sort of TiVO type capability, at least for SD content. My family uses that feature extensively on our current Media Center. I don't really know how to shift over to this type device completely yet, but will certainly be thinking about it as the form factor beats the heck out of my Antec Fusion chassis setting in my entertainment center. Very interesting Keynote for certain.

 

[sfh]

Apple FYI

$99 does NOT equal £99.

So why is Apple TV £99 over in the UK where the current exchange rate makes that $152.

I WILL NOT BE RIPPED OFF. I WILL NOT BE BUYING AN APPLE TV.

Good there will be one more available for the rest of the world!

 

[aegisdesign]

$99 ~ £64 at current exchange rates to the UK.

So on what planet can Apple justify $99 = £99, even if you considered sales tax?

I was wondering about that too. The difference could of course be 'import duty' as some have suggested so I checked with HMRC.

Firstly, it's going to depend on how the AppleTV is classified. If it's a computer there is NO import duty. If it's an MP4 player the duty is 13.9%. If it's in with DVD players, it's 14%. So, worst case scenario is 14% duty on £64 + VAT on top of both. That would be about £85, not £99 so there's a bit of Apple rip off the UK tax applied it seems.

The WD TV Live has been mentioned as competition so I though that might be enlightening as to differences in UK/US pricing.

US price is $149. UK Price is about £100 inc VAT (ie £85 without VAT). $149 is £96. So, in the UK there seems to be an £11 increase that could be because of 'import duty'. £11 is roughly right if it's not classed as a computer. Add £4 for currency fluctuation and £100 for a $149 media player is pretty much spot on.

Then I thought about the old AppleTV. It was £219 in the UK (£186 exVAT). That's $287. So the old model was actually cheaper than in the US making the argument about exchange rates and import duty silly. Apple are just charging us more in the UK for the new AppleTV.

I bet the content deals are wank and the the rental prices stupid too and I bet it won't have BBC iPlayer support or any of the other free services you can get already on a Wii or Xbox or even some TVs built in.

 

[Žalgiris]

I have the WD TV HD Live Plus. Worst interface possible. Can't be controlled by anything but their crappy remote. Searching is almost impossible. For these reasons alone I would get the Apple TV.

I bricked 3 these things while upgrading with official firmware. It's a hack for geeks nothing else.

 

[BillyBobBongo]

The reality is more like for quite a few things they do pay more but they also pay a lot less for a lot of things.

Indeed! Come to Holland to buy a pair of jeans or shoes....then go to England! My wife usually does and returns with a melted credit card.

It's in the English nature to whine about stuff I'm afraid!

P.S. I'm English

 

[RC-30]

This is a great deal for the masses, but the saavy choice is still a mac mini or PC equivalent (used if you want a low price) that will give you iOS and storage along with anything internet you will ever want.

 

[Frazzle]

I'm weird, I tend to put my DVDs and BluRays into my PS3. In fact, seeing as I tend to only buy BluRays these days I'm not sure how I would import them as Apple refuses to put BluRay drives in their computers.

I'm probably weirder, I tend to rip my dvds and blurays so they're not destroyed by pets or children and so I can get rid of those stupid prohibited user operations. Of course, you must be tech savvy enough to purchase and connect an external bluray drive if you want to use a Mac for ripping BD.

I have a bare BD drive lying around with one of those SATA-to-USB plug thingies. Can switch between PCs and Mac with no hassle. Mac OS X does know that it's a BD drive and recognises the discs as well. So there is some support there...

 

[Defthand]

Your eyes are better than mine

I' say it. Most of the tech people will decry this because it will not play 1080p. Are you ready? 3, 2,1, go!

You were right. Too funny.

I have to agree that many current A/V standards are either misunderstood by novices or are over-hyped. I doubt most people can distinguish between 720p and 1080p on a HD tv viewed at the appropriate distance for the screen's size. I know NO ONE can distinguish between a 720p image and 1080i image; they are fundamentally the same.

 

[FoxMcCloud]

When will stuff be attached to our accounts instead of drm files?

Like if I buy a movie or music or app atm and my Mac explodes and I get a new one, I log into iTunes...can I redownload what I have already bought or will it not know and I have to buy again?

Maybe shortly this will happen? So we can buy stuff on ATV even though we can't store it anywhere.

Also I would like to store my movies and music and photos on my time capsule. Why can't ATV look at it and play what's on it? I don't want my Mac on all the time iTunes open