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

TRAG said:
For the ability to stream Netflix, this seems pretty cool. Renting TV shows and videos, no. But a dedicated Netflix device, I'm all for that. But only 720p? WTF (facepalm)
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I think it is about bandwidth. If you wind up having lots of people downloading lots of 1080p video with 7.1 channel uncompressed audio, you will have lots of people yelling about how slow the downloads are. Then you will have lots of people yelling about breaking the download caps of their ISP (after downloading one 30 minute cartoon).

Honestly, I prefer 720p with lesser compression to 1080p compressed to the point it looks like a 1950's black and white movie that spent the last 60 years in the microwave. Apple 720p looks better than the 1080p I get OTA or from my cable company.
 
Real relief coming to long-suffering ATV fans

Very cool of Apple to get real on this device including the amazing price. It shouldn't sell if it can't store. Netflix is a winner and Apple loves winners.

:D
 
Love the new AppleTV but I think 5 bucks is wayyyyyy to much for a HD movie rental. Red box is 1.50 for Blu-Ray and Netflix is 11 bucks per month for unlimited ( or really about 10-12 ) movies via Blu-Ray and unlimited streaming movies and TV shows. I do like the 99 cent TV show rate. I don't have FX and love the show Justified.
 
MacLoverUK said:
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.
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I think more than the exchange rate thing the really annoying bit is that apps that are 99c in the US App Store are 59p in the UK App Store so why is the Apple TV £99?

I know VAT is about to go up but it doesn't make that much difference. Maybe they will use that as an excuse to adjust app store prices?

I would have got one at £79 but now I won't. I would definately pick one up if they integrated a Freeview HD tuner and let you record to orbit they seem to be moving away from that and so I doubt that'll happen.

Also the features list for the UK does not mention TV show rentals which is surely part of the point, would they be 99p or 59p I wonder? Content providers really need to hurry up and get global with these kinds of deals to get people interested.
 
To little to late

Someone please explain to me why I want to pay $5 to rent an HD movie when I can drive to 3 different redbox locations within 4 blocks and rent a blu-ray for $1.25? Am I saying the device as a whole is a fail? Absolutely not I see this as a wonderful airport express with a UI and I like that, except for I have run out of HDMI ports on my Pio Elite amp (a little to much geek gear apparently) so it really doesn't matter. That being said I'd find a way to make it work if the rentals were cheaper, hell charge me a 50 cent premium and it would keep me from leaving the comfort of my home, but for an additional 4$ a movie Ill gladly keep going to the nearest RedBox. :(
 
Felix76 said:
You do not understand that the US prices are quoted WITHOUT SALES TAX! $99 + 8.25% sales tax in my state = $108, which is making the difference only about $20 now. Assuming import duties, tax to support musicians and all other European taxes account for $10, you're only paying about $10 or so more that I do.
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How difficult is this to understand? $99 = £64.20. So adding VAT gives £75.44.

How do you get From £75 to £100? That'll be the additional 33% Steve tax.

And it can't play BBC iPlayer, ITVplayer or 4oD. All of these are free online catchup services. Free. As if anyone would pay 99c (call that a pound Steve) to rent a single episode of something made by Fox?

I love my two old AppleTVs but this new one is just a joke.
 
When Steve announced this I was very excited, Ill be honest I can see the appeal of just renting.

It soon occurred that you rent and stream all this content. My vision based on the rumours was that if I already owned the content then i would be able to steam my copy of Up or Iron Man2 from Apple whenever I liked and didnt have to stream from my Mac.

Would it not have been better to have purchased Iron Man 2 and then for it to remain on the server and therefore allowing you to stream to your hearts content??? Surely this is storage management for the user and not the user having to store the film on his PC, HDD etc

Also its disappointing that UK and others will not have the equivalent of Netflix available.

I really wanted this new Atv, I really did. Ill admit i like my 160Gb Atv but there is absolutely nothing here to upgrade for. I think the actual box is a little gem, I dont care it doesnt have composite outputs or stream 1080p and if I lived in te US then yeah Id buy it.

Here in the UK we dont get the features that it was designed for so sadly i wont be (down)-upgrading. Shame.
 
Small White Car said:
I am certain people here will $&%^ about the lack of purchasing, but there are 2 things to remember:

1) You can still do it on your Mac and stream them. (Get off the couch for 30 seconds!)

2) I think Steve is right, this AppleTV contains the stuff the regular public cares about the most. I'm betting it will be much more popular because of the things it leaves out.

People want simple things to hook up to their TV. That's why only nerds like us hook up computers to televisions. If everyone liked that they'd have done it by now. But they haven't.

Simple. People want to rent The Bourne Identity.

They DON'T want to rent: 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

:glassy eyed consumer:
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Oh how I love the justifications of the fanbois

1 New 'Feature' - No ability to browse the whole store on the Apple TV - just the limited rentals

2 New 'Feature'- No ability to instant purchase content, have it stream straight away, and then sync back to my Mac

I get simple so Apple TV can go mainstream - but how hard would it be to have some 'advanced' options that you can select - if THE CONSUMER wants not what Steve thinks we need. This feature set sends the Apple TV backwards not forwards
 
Originally Posted by WiiDSmoker View Post
Buy a WD TV HD Live Plus and enjoy much more than the Apple TV can currently do.
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amigajoe said:
OMG - That's like saying 'Buy a Windows 3.1 PC - it will do everything a Mac can do. Apple, and perhaps Boxee, are the only devices with a good interface. (Perhaps Popcorn Hour, but it is so buggy !)
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I dunno. I'd like an Apple TV, but this isn't the update I was hoping for. It just doesn't seem as good as the WD TV Live I've already got. This isn't like Mac vs. PC -- this is Pretty Little Device that you Pay $99 for so that you can pay to rent more content from them vs. Handy Little Device that costs about the same and doesn't have rentals but can play more file types and higher quality files. Very different approaches to the same goal of putting videos on your TV.

The WD TV interface could be prettier, and built in wifi would be nice (although I don't need wiji for it at the moment, as it's the one device besides my NAS/media server that I've got wired with Ethernet straight to the router), but otherwise it appears to put the new Apple TV to shame... WD TV Live supports a LOT LOT LOT more file types than Apple TV, does 1080 video, can stream content from any computer or hard drive on the network in your house, you can plug USB drives right into it. Setting it up took a few minutes -- I'm sure the Apple TV will be easier for kids and grandparents to use than the WD TV -- but it's not that hard, and once it's up and running it's very simple and reliable. And the badly named WD TV Live Plus has Netflix in addition to Youtube, etc . . .

The only things missing from WD TV Live Plus compared to the Apple TV are iTunes video rentals (which are convenient but nothing to get excited about), the semi-slick Apple TV UI (great, but WD's hybrid list-folders/live "preview" video view within folders is very nice too, if you keep your videos stored in a good file structure; and, anyway, you'll be spending most of your time viewing content, not the UI) , and the ability to control the STB with your iOS devices (I'd love a WD TV Remote app for my iPhone)....

Nothing to be scoffed at. But these missing things still don't make Apple TV and WD TV Live Plus even -- WD still takes the win, 'cause it can handle more video file types and higher resolutions, while remaining relatively cheap and small and easy to use. In comparison, the new Apple TV is just a spruced up Roku Netflix box with iTunes. And if the Boxee Box is half as good as promised, it'll blow Apple TV out of the water too, even at a higher price point.

Well, maybe I'm overreacting. Apple could give us an Apple TV software update a year from now that'll make it the best STB out there. Or we could get a good hack that will turn the Apple TV into an awesome XBMC/Boxee titan. Or an update to the the new Airplay/Airtunes could that'll work with Apple TV in awesome ways. Maybe we'll see an Airfoil update that'll let us stream video from VLC on a Mac right to the Apple TV to your TV, kinda like the way Airfoil can do some sweet stuff with managing audio between a Mac and Airport Express.

But for now, as much as I was hoping the new Apple TV would be amazing, I'm gonna stick with my reliable WD TV and wait to see how the Boxee Box shapes up later in the year.
 
tallyho said:
How difficult is this to understand? $99 = £64.20. So adding VAT gives £75.44.
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Or £99 - 17.5% VAT = £84.25 = $130

Most Apple products sold in the UK have an extra 8-10% added (before tax). The new Mac mini also has a similar mark-up (30% ish) to the new Apple TV.

I know for a fact there's no import duty on computers so I wonder if the HDMI port means they are classed differently and are subject to import duty?
 
So... Rental only... that's fine, but...

That means for the first year the new Apple TV is limited to only shows from Fox or ABC, because the others don't want to rent shows, only sell.

Apple TV is rental only, so you have no chance of watching other shows without a computer.

That means you have to start your computer, load iTunes, navigate through the ultra-slow iTunes store, find your show, buy it, wait for it to download and then wait for it to appear on the Apple TV, only to have to leave your computer on to stream it over the network, which kind of defeats the "ultra-small, ultra-energy-efficient" design of the new ATV, since you have to have a 200+ watt computer on in order to watch anything other than Fox or ABC...

I really want to like it, but it seems like it's horribly crippled before it even hits the market.
 
Remote

My biggest disappointment was that the remote is still not Bluetooth... I know I can use my iPad or iPhone as a remote, but honestly I'm not a big fan... It kinda feels wrong to me... It's fine for controlling itunes though...

I love my PS3 remote because I don't have to point it at the device... My current apple tv is a pain because I have to aim right at it and there are always obstacles in the way...
 
Live TV

Apple need to strike a deal to provide FREE Live streaming channels with every unit. There are channels that make their content 100% FREE on FTA and most likely would allow Apple to stream their channels

As a fan of FREE TO AIR satellite television, there are many channels that may allow this (increase their user base, more exposure to advertisers). I find myself watching 100% FREE TV (digital) on my C and Ku Dishes more than cable these days. Granted, there are not a lot of good channels up there, but there are a few, namely:

NETWORKS

WVXF-TV CBS-17 St Thomas, USVI
WSJP-TV WB/UPN-30 Aquadilla, Puerto Rico
WPRU-TV ABC-20 Aquadilla, Puerto Rico
WVGN-TV NBC-14 St ThomasNEWS

NEWS

ABC News NOW (24 Hour News)
Ohio News Network (ONN 24 Hour News)

ENTERTAINMENT

RTV - Retro television Network (Old TV Shows)
Tuff TV - Movies, Shows, Sports
The TUBE (Music Video
White Springs TV (Old Movies, Currently in process of relocating to new Sat)

EDUCATION
Montana PBS (The absolute best PBS in the US)
Patient Channel
NASA TV


I think if Apple could get a few channels to stream, others would likely jump in. An Apple TV that comes with FREE streaming channels would indeed, "Change Everything"....
 
tallyho said:
How difficult is this to understand? $99 = £64.20. So adding VAT gives £75.44.

How do you get From £75 to £100? That'll be the additional 33% Steve tax.

And it can't play BBC iPlayer, ITVplayer or 4oD. All of these are free online catchup services. Free. As if anyone would pay 99c (call that a pound Steve) to rent a single episode of something made by Fox?

I love my two old AppleTVs but this new one is just a joke.
Click to expand...

Hear, hear. Lets not get into the prices of the new iMac's, especially in Europe. Adding the same features as the previous model costs and extra €300.

Also there is no reason to miss a show in the UK. The TV companies repeat them about 5 times to fill their crappy schedules.
 
RalfTheDog said:
I think it is about bandwidth. If you wind up having lots of people downloading lots of 1080p video with 7.1 channel uncompressed audio, you will have lots of people yelling about how slow the downloads are. Then you will have lots of people yelling about breaking the download caps of their ISP (after downloading one 30 minute cartoon).

Honestly, I prefer 720p with lesser compression to 1080p compressed to the point it looks like a 1950's black and white movie that spent the last 60 years in the microwave. Apple 720p looks better than the 1080p I get OTA or from my cable company.
Click to expand...

Bunk argument is bunk. If the hardware supports 1080p, it has no impact on the content being streamed/downloaded, that can be 720p to save on bandwidth without any issues.

This thing also supports local streaming from a Mac, which is not bandwidth constrained.

Seriously, people keep repeating this bunk argument over and over and it still doesn't make anymore sense now than it did the first time. :rolleyes:
 
Apple TV vs older Mac Mini

I was really looking forward for this announcement, but am a bit, well not sure what.

I wanted originally to buy an older mac mini and use it as a media centre. But then rumors about the new Apple TV appeared so decided to wait.

But as it is, it's not really for me, no 1080p (I've got large collection of films and lot of them are 1080p), no other formats support, no other apps support (as of now) and then there's UK price.

I think I'll go for older MacMini will install PLEX on it and hook it to my NAS
 
99$ = 99£ = 119€ = 152$

Hmm, somehow the maths looks weird, anyone spotting the mistake??

By the way: The ad says "119€ only". Netflix isn't available in Europe. As it looks there will be no update for my old Apple TV.

Doesn't really look like an amazing deal to me...
 
I watched the keynote live and I was seriously impressed until it got to Apple TV! New iPods are great, iOS 4.1-4.2 nice updates, iTunes 10 ok (except for the hideous icon) then Apple TV big let down.

Apple's 'walled garden' approach is fine for the likes of iPhone, wear the primary function is communication and apps add extras, but doesn't work so well for entertainment.

You can rent from iTunes, good idea- if little pricey. Can stream from a Mac/PC, good idea- except I would have to convert 100s of .avi, .divx etc. Can't plug in an external hard disk or stream from a NAS device. US has netflix, good- but where is BBC iplayer, 4od etc for UK (although I am lucky enough to have Virgin Media so no problem).

Then we get into the price! $99 = £99 for Apple TV, but 99c app = 59p, 99c song = 79p and $999 MacBook = £849.

I know Apple TV is just a way for Apple to make money from iTunes; but Apple have failed to understand that they won't make money from me if the device doesn't do what I want!

If I could watch my current TV/movie collection without a problem then I would get one and may be tempted to rent movies from iTunes (I never buy video from iTunes thanks to DRM).

As it is I will just have to stick to the interpipe and my DVD player with USB and divx...
 
Have just pre ordered one.

I think it could sell out honestly.

What I was looking for was to be able to watch PHOTOS, movies and listen to itunes on my main hifi W I R E L E S S L Y.

Yes I could run cables but its not practical for me. I'm so excited at the prospect of watching my 1000's of photos on my imac on my LCD TV, then browsing all my albums. The movie rental thing is also good and how many times do you want to watch something and as they say you could watch multiple times for the same cost as buying out right.

Mark my words an absolute winner.

This is a sleeper- [people don't realise how big this will be].

All your own content on any number of computers on your wifi network and also from your iphone or ipad wirelessly connected to your TV(Forget movies but good bonus) this is the big deal for me and only $129 (in Aus ) The cables and adapters would cost me more than that probably

A smash hit, honestly.
 
I'm another one that's a bit disappointed with this...

In his lead up Steve said that "we listened to our users and one of the things they said was they don't want a computer"

Well he heard, but it seems he didn't understand...

This Apple TV requires a computer more than the last one did. With my old ATV I can listen to all my music (which has been synced to the ATV) without turning on my computer. The kids can also watch their favourite movies over and over without the computer needing to be on.

Neither of these things are possible with the new ATV...

Now I like the smaller size, and it doesn't bother me that there is no built in hard drive (which allows for the drop in both size and price) - BUT I want to be able to connect my own hard drives to it - either directly using the USB port which is already there, or over wifi using a drive connected to my AEBS. That's what "no computer" means to me - simply the ability to access all my content from the ATV without a computer needing to be on.

And no Apps? really? It runs on an A4 processor and an iOS of some sort but rather than give us a proper iOS interface and allow us to stick our apps and games etc on there they've just rebuilt the old interface instead and seriously limited it - WTF? Missed a big trick there imo...

No ability to access users content without a computer being on
No Apps

No deal.
 
needthephone said:
Have just pre ordered one.

I think it could sell out honestly.

What I was looking for was to be able to watch PHOTOS, movies and listen to itunes on my main hifi W I R E L E S S L Y.

Yes I could run cables but its not practical for me. I'm so excited at the prospect of watching my 1000's of photos on my imac on my LCD TV, then browsing all my albums. The movie rental thing is also good and how many times do you want to watch something and as they say you could watch multiple times for the same cost as buying out right.

Mark my words an absolute winner.

This is a sleeper- [people don't realise how big this will be].

All your own content on any number of computers on your wifi network and also from your iphone or ipad wirelessly connected to your TV(Forget movies but good bonus) this is the big deal for me and only $129 (in Aus ) The cables and adapters would cost me more than that probably

A smash hit, honestly.
Click to expand...

Nothing in there that the old ATV can't do and has been doing for years?
 
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