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

Booooo!

Boooo to Apple!

Streaming only on the AppleTV? Why, oh gawd, why?

I want storage! Why you may ask? So I don't need to have my main Mac online just to serve up a movie!

Is that too much to ask for? I want my movies STORED by the AppleTV. Streaming does NOT always work 100%. If I'm using my Mac for work in my study, why should I suffer with disk and network activity being chewed up so the kids can watch a movie downstairs?

I have a pile of Disney DVDs. I rip them, and load them onto the iPad for the kids. But streaming off the iPad to the TV isn't a viable solution either. If I'm streaming a movie, I can't use the iPad! Two devices for one task? Why, Steve, why?

There's a USB port on the AppleTV. Would it be so hard to allow us to plug in a drive and save a local copy for FAST, RELIABLE access? You know, kinda like yesterday's AppleTV? (Okay, it had an internal drive, but you know what I mean)

Sign...I was hoping for something better than this. I won't be buying one.
 
mrzippy said:
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.
Click to expand...

So what? 1080i/p steaming works with DirecTV, and a bunch of other stuff, albeit with severe compression. Most HDTVs are 1080<something>, not 720p. So your TV has to upscale 720 to 1080 introducing even more artifacts.

1080<x> should be an option. If your internet speed is to slow, then opt for the lower resolution. Simple as that!
 
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.
Click to expand...

Amen to that, 'kin rip off. I'll be waiting to see what content is available for UK before I let apple rip me undies off and spank my arse with that UK apple tax.
 
kimble3 said:
The biggest problem with the device is that most blu-ray players sold today do the same thing. In fact, the Netflix instant streaming is a much better deal than anything on iTunes and is probably the best feature of the device.

The thing that disappoints me the most is that its still a "just another box" solution to hook into your home theater. I was really hoping for something more central and integrated. My current Apple TV needs three remotes just to get things set up to watch a movie and with the new version nothing has changed...
Click to expand...

I totally agree. Netflix is by far the best purchase that I've made (in terms of media purchasing). With just that feature, I don't see why people would rent TV shows and movies from Apple—unless it isn't on Netflix yet.

I have a PS3 and a Wii and I can stream Netflix on it. It requires the disc, but hopefully in the near future it won't. It's not as great as when I connect my MBP to my TV, but I can still do it 3 different ways (4 if you include my iPhone). I don't see the big deal about this new Apple TV. :confused:
 
Netflix was the only way I was getting one @ $99. I was going to spend the same on 2 Roku boxes a few weeks ago that would only offer me netflix that I would use on it. I have my two ordered already. I am disappointed that there is not a refresh on the iPod classic though.
 
Sorely tempted for this, however as others have mentioned disappointed with exchange rate to pounds. Does anyone know what the cost is going to be for movie and TV show rentals in the UK? If that is high that will be the dealbreaker.
 
Žalgiris said:
Simple. It competes by actually working.
Click to expand...


I have a WD TV Live that I paid $70 for and it plays every file I throw at it flawlessly. My only complaint is that the interface isn't as simplified and easy to use as the Apple TV. That doesn't affect me but it does family members who aren't as techie.

I personally don't care about NetFlix capability. I love the smaller form factor and sincerely hope that it will be able to process & play 1080p .m2ts & .mkv files once hacked. Otherwise, it isn't as cheap or useful as the WD TV Live.
 
£99 or $99

I've heard all the Apple lines before about pricing in the UK including sales tax, but this is ridiculous! The dollar:pound exchange rate is a good as it's been for 6 months and still they have the nerve to charge the same amount.

Frustrating and money grabbing.

I'll make it 100% clear here that I'm *not* saying the device is *not* worth £99 (I'm a first gen Apple TV customer, and the new one is nice), but why this price? Answer: they're charging it because they can and we'll pay for it but I just feel ripped off.

Ripped off, but still likely first in the queue. Hate myself :)
 
zhenya said:
I think the big thing that is being missed here is that you will be able to stream content direct from an iOS device to the AppleTV. That's huge.
Click to expand...

I agree, that's one cool feature.

All I want to know now is when I can expect to see it in Dutch stores. I already own an Apple TV that I got from the UK but I think it's on it's last legs as the menu is now a pig to use...maybe I'll get my brother to stick one in the post for me.

All in all I think it's a good update. All of those thinking that iOS would be used and it would have been a glorified iPod need your heads checked, Apple has got it just right to appeal to the less tech savvy out there. :D
 
MacLoverUK said:
Yes, we understand out taxation.

With the 17.5% VAT removed that makes it £84.25.

At the current exchange rate £84.25 translates to $129.41 so we are being ripped off to the tune of $30.41 - nearly one third the US price again.
Click to expand...

Maybe Apple charges extra for attitude. If $30 is a deal breaker for you, move on.
 
notjustjay said:
I wonder if future Apple TV updates could enable support for HDMI-CEC?

THAT would be cool.
Click to expand...

HDMI-CEC does not seem to be of much use. There are so many proprietary extensions that mixing brands seems to be a recipe for problems.

An alternative is to invest in a Logitech Harmony remote. My Harmony One controls my HT receiver, HDTV, Blu-ray player, cable receiver and :apple:TV
 
mrzippy said:
You forgot import duty.

If you look on the UK iTunes store you will see they have now added "Includes £XX VAT, duty and levies.*"on many products, unfortunately not on Apple TV.
Click to expand...

No, I didn't. Import duty wouldn't add nearly 30% to the price. And if it did then that would affect ALL of Apple's products.

iMacs, MacBooks, MacBook Pros, iPods, iPads, iPhones, MacBook Airs, Nanos, Shuffles - ALL of them reflect correct exchange rate calculations that DON'T equal $1=£1.

This is a retrograde step for Apple back to the bad old days of the 1980s where even when $2=£1 we ended up paying 1 to 1.
 
I'm going to get one, but hate the idea of not being able to purchase and store on an attached drive. But oh well, at $99, I'll just get a new one when they re-introduce a model that will allow me to do so.

Apple is SO missing the boat by not creating a Media Center type of thing.

1) DVR
2) Media server
3) Blu-ray player
4) HD audio codecs (DTS HD Master/Dolby Tru HD)
5) Of course the just announced Apple TV features
6) Ability to access features, program DVR, stream library from/to iOS devices from anywhere.

Once Apple does this, they will rule the home media world.
 
No storage is kinda sad for me. I bought a few TV shows & movies and I don't want to have to keep my MBP on & awake to watch them on my TV.

For lack of 1080P, sad, but the geekheads seems to forget that not everyone has a fast enough internet connection to watch it in 1080P. Besides, my big screen TV is only 720P & I can't afford to get rid of it & get a 1080P screen.
 
Superdrive said:
Leading up to the announcement, I said I was going to replace the living room :apple:tv with a new one. However, the lack of purchasing items has me turned off. I'm going to sit this one out for now...even at $99.
Click to expand...

You can still purchase your movies and tv shows on your computer and then stream them to the new :apple:TV
 
Not a Dime until it is 1080p!

Apple TV... FAIL!

Come on Apple. I know most people won't know the difference between 720 and 1080. But being that most HD TVs are now 1080p you should at least support it. Even if most of the movies right now are only 720 at least we will know that when they HD movies come out it will be a software upgrade or just work.
 
Wow. Not!

So now Apple TV will do the same things as my Sony Blue Ray player, except it won't play Blue Rays. Wow. Really compelling. Oh yeah, I already have Fox and Disney - what a bonus.

These things are gonna sell like hotcakes!
 
Boxee??

Here is to hoping boxee comes up with a way to hack this unit as well to provide us with the rest of the functionality that we seek. Or, I might just wait to see how boxee's own box turns out. These kind of boxes at the minimum need netflix, hulu and pandora. Apple has such a great relationship with pandora anyone I dont know why this wasnt added.
 
edoates said:
So what? 1080i/p steaming works with DirecTV, and a bunch of other stuff, albeit with severe compression. Most HDTVs are 1080<something>, not 720p. So your TV has to upscale 720 to 1080 introducing even more artifacts.

1080<x> should be an option. If your internet speed is to slow, then opt for the lower resolution. Simple as that!
Click to expand...

Most TVs? Most means Greater than 50%. I guarantee you MOST TVs are not 1080p.
 
dml said:
Does anyone know if the software of existing AppleTVs will be updated to reflect today's announced changes to the product?
Click to expand...

From Engadget: Update: We just got confirmation from Apple that the new Apple TV will be streaming 720p video only (no big surprise there), and that existing Apple TVs won't be getting an upgrade to the new cloud-based software (again, not a shocker).

It might get some sort of update, that might include Netflix, but it won't be the whole new OS it seems. Then again, it might not get any update at all. :-(

-mpm
 
dissdnt said:
You guys think they'll push out the update to the original AppleTV?
Click to expand...
I would be shocked if the original Apple TV isn't updated in some way, but the real news is the lower cost of TV shows. I'm sure your legacy Apple TV wont just stop working, which means it will inherit the new pricing scheme.
The only feature up-in-the-air is Netflix.
 
Do any of the features carry over to current AppleTVs?

Its not like the device can't handle anything he mentioned.

The UI looks almost exactly like it is now, so much for the App Store inclusion.
 
720p, commercial-free, and on demand for 99c doesn't sound too bad to me. it's cheaper than buying DVDs.
 
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