Apple Looking to Bring EPIX Movie Streaming to Apple TV, Potential Television Set

[carlgo]

Here's my problem with streaming. If you have a great internet connection you STILL get hiccups. If you have an average connection, a mere 5 minute cache would solve 90% of the problems.

If you have any sort of wireless or lower connection and want to view any HD content such as 720p or 1080p, you are pretty well screwed.

So. To the extent it uses "streaming" it should have large cache. Like 30 minutes to the full length of all content you want to view that day. This works best with a download and via token scheme. Some tokens are valid for a single viewing (inclusive of rewind/review). Some are 3 day "rentals". Monthly, perpetual, whatever.

I don't like LIVE streaming. I have a place with great internet and FiOS still annoys me as compared to cable or satellite. I have a place with DSL "fast" and it is nearly unusable for streaming to the point even the apple events are choppy at times, a month later. Wireless or dial-up only? Don't make me laugh. I have one of those too.

Cache. Local stored content. A hybrid between Apple TV 1 and Apple TV 2. Please. Thank you.

Rocketman

Agreed. Who has the speed to download anything decent, unless you are ok with overnight delivery for the next day's viewing.

Apple seems to be putting a lot of their future into a download world that not that many people seem to have access to. I sure wouldn't give up DirecTv for a nerdy, slow alternative.

 

[macpeach55]

I would personally love a NFL link on Apple TV

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Agreed. Who has the speed to download anything decent, unless you are ok with overnight delivery for the next day's viewing.

Apple seems to be putting a lot of their future into a download world that not that many people seem to have access to. I sure wouldn't give up DirecTv for a nerdy, slow alternative.

The weird thing is, in Europe we mostly have very fast Internet at reasonable prices, but except for iTunes most of the content to many people is uninteresting. The Netflix link, for instance

 

[old-wiz]

Epix is available on FIOS cable, but is totally different from every other pay channel - not a single movie on Epix is closed-captioned. For some reason they stripped out the captions, probably so that it would play on mobile devices. You can see a movie playing on Epix with no captions, and switch to a different channel and there's the same movie but with captions.

 

[BTW]

EPIX, VUDU, HULU PLUS, and Pandora would all be good additions. It would make me use my Apple TV a bit more indeed.

 

[DUSTmurph]

How about being able to just plug a 32GB USB thumb drive into an Apple TV for internal storage?

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Oh sure! That's like asking Ford to offer an F-150 with a Toyota Tundra V8, or Exon to provide a pump at each station with BP gasoline.

Or an iPhone with a Samsung screen. oh wait.....

 

[jmcgeejr]

[url=http://cdn.macrumors.com/im/macrumorsthreadlogodarkd.png]Image[/url]


Reuters reports that Apple has been negotiating with movie streaming service EPIX for the rights to stream content to the Apple TV set-top box. According to sources, the deal would also extend to future streaming devices such as the much-rumored Apple television set.

Image

Sources note that talks between Apple and EPIX remain preliminary and that no deal is expected in the near future. Still, the rumors suggest that Apple is continuing to push forward in its attempts to secure content as it seeks to build a bigger footprint in the living room.

EPIX has an exclusive streaming agreement with Netflix that extends through September, so it seems unlikely that any agreement with Apple could go into effect before that time, but it also remains unclear how the financial situation would shake out for EPIX in adding Apple while Netflix loses its exclusivity.

Article Link: Apple Looking to Bring EPIX Movie Streaming to Apple TV, Potential Television Set

F, this, I want apps so I can run Plex or whatever video software I choose just like on my iPad/iphone/ipod

 

[qwerter]

That's great and all...

But what about Hulu? It's honestly the ONLY thing keeping me from ditching my Roku and snagging an Apple TV.

 

[inkswamp]

Just buy EPIX?

How many people are going to suggest this? It doesn't make sense.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but go re-read the article and pay closer attention this time to the people who own EPIX. EPIX is nothing more than a storefront for streaming content. Apple would gain absolutely nothing by buying it as they would still be in the position of negotiating with the companies behind it.

 

[Rumple]

If Epix is exclusive to Netflix why does the Roku box have it? Netflix own Roku or something?

 

[kes601]

EPIX is already available on the Roku box. You just need an EPIX subscription to access it. I'm sure the same could be done for the AppleTV.

Also, I thought Starz Play was the exclusive contract Netflix was losing out on.

 

[Tayler Made]

BBC iPlayer, anyone!?!

TED +1 too

 

[baummer]

EPIX's deal with Netflix is that Netflix gets access to EPIX's streaming content after it has been on EPIX for 90 days. This agreement has no bearing on whether or not EPiX could be on AppleTV, as it's currently available on a variety of devices (Xbox 360, Roku, etc.). I think the quality of reporting on this site is falling down, especially since the conclusions Eric draws in regards to how long it might take for EPIX to appear on an AppleTV are irrelevant because he completely misunderstood the agreement between EPIX and Netflix.

 

[HabeshaGuy]

Apple needs to add lots to the apple tv, it is seriously disabled. Stop blocking apps from third parties that compete with iTunes
Add:
Vudu, amazon, blockbuster vod. Allow amazon prime streaming
HBO, epix, Cinemax, showtime, starz apps
Sirius/ XM, spotify clients
Allow tv channel like third party apps. To allow Internet tv channels and third party content.

Stop censoring what people can access via apple tv. Allow adults to watch content from whatever legal source they want, including adult content

What I find hard is calling these people 'adults'.

 

[rdlink]

Yep. Add more channels and I might switch from my Roku. I love the ATV interface and the ability for airplay, but Roku has so many channels and features (although I don't find myselft playing the games very often).

Yes, Roku has many, many channels. But here's the deal: So does cable. And it still sucks. Interface, usability, and quality of content is what matters. Much like Android vs. iOS I have to ask, What does Roku offer that I want that Apple TV doesn't have?

Heck, even ATV has a bunch of junk that I don't want. And the new interface just makes that more obvious to me.

 

[Komentra]

EPIX would be awesome. How about Vudu, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Instant Video? I hate having to switch from Apple TV to 360 to PS3.

I'm just dreaming I imagine. But then again there already apps for Hulu and Vudu on iPad and such. Why not Apple TV?

Also with the introduction of Walmart's disc to digital service I am going to be using VUDU A LOT more.

 

[tshrimp]

Yes, Roku has many, many channels. But here's the deal: So does cable. And it still sucks. Interface, usability, and quality of content is what matters. Much like Android vs. iOS I have to ask, What does Roku offer that I want that Apple TV doesn't have?

Heck, even ATV has a bunch of junk that I don't want. And the new interface just makes that more obvious to me.

I did not post to get into a debate of AppleTV vs Roku 2. Both are very very good devices. People like different things and thankfully we have a choice.

You think Apple TV has good content for your needs and that is great, so you should use Apple TV. For me they do not offer much in the way of Quality Content for the channels that I like.

The interface is also something that is an opinion. I like the ease of use of the Roku 2. It is extremely easy to use. It doesn't look as nice as the Apple TV, but that is not to say it looks bad or is difficult to use as this would not be correct.

Anyways. Enjoy your Apple TV, and as I said in my earlier post, when they get more content I will consider (and probably purchase), but for now I can get much more content for half the price (or same price for the highest end Roku 2).

Thanks for the response rdlink. Enjoy your Apple TV it is a great device, that is getting better.

 

[Buildbright]

I do not think the person who wrote this article understands the Netflix-Epix agreement. It pertains to direct content streaming through a another service. A Epix app on the Apple TV would not fall under the the Nexflix agreement. Reason why Epix is on Cable, iOS, and Roku.

 

[Peace]

I do not think the person who wrote this article understands the Netflix-Epix agreement. It pertains to direct content streaming through a another service. A Epix app on the Apple TV would not fall under the the Nexflix agreement. Reason why Epix is on Cable, iOS, and Roku.

Epix is owned by MGM , Lions Gate and Paramount Studios. I think what Apple is doing is trying to get the rights from those studios.

 

[Dowjohnny]

I hope they extend the services available in Europe too

 

[the read]

Here's my problem with streaming. If you have a great internet connection you STILL get hiccups. If you have an average connection, a mere 5 minute cache would solve 90% of the problems.

If you have any sort of wireless or lower connection and want to view any HD content such as 720p or 1080p, you are pretty well screwed.

So. To the extent it uses "streaming" it should have large cache. Like 30 minutes to the full length of all content you want to view that day. This works best with a download and via token scheme. Some tokens are valid for a single viewing (inclusive of rewind/review). Some are 3 day "rentals". Monthly, perpetual, whatever.

I don't like LIVE streaming. I have a place with great internet and FiOS still annoys me as compared to cable or satellite. I have a place with DSL "fast" and it is nearly unusable for streaming to the point even the apple events are choppy at times, a month later. Wireless or dial-up only? Don't make me laugh. I have one of those too.

Cache. Local stored content. A hybrid between Apple TV 1 and Apple TV 2. Please. Thank you.

Rocketman

Linky: http://www.google.com/finance?cid=15220351

I agree live streaming has too many problems. Apple also need to consider cost of rental. 1$ per film or TV show for 48hour rental would pretty much put an end to Piracy driven through torrent and file sharing activity over the net. The FBI are spending millions if not billions trying to stop people like Kim Dot Com from mega upload.

Good quality compression, volume of content, fast to market and cheap pricing is the way forward.

If Apple cannot negotiate low cost rental, piracy will still be the choice of the masses.

 

[GenesisST]

So we could play Impossible Mission, Temple of Apshai and Summer Games on our Apple TV´s

Another visitor. Stay awhile... staaaaay FOREVER!

One of the best games I've played! (Impossible Mission on my trusty C64)

But I guess that is not the same Epix, is it?

 

[bushido]

yay more overpriced 4,99 streams for one time viewing when u can get the same movie on BD for only 5 bucks more ^^

 

[macpeach55]

I hope they extend the services available in Europe too

I Totally agree.

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yay more overpriced 4,99 streams for one time viewing when u can get the same movie on BD for only 5 bucks more ^^

For me, where we live in Germany, no films are shown in OV nearby, so it means a journey or wait for the DVD/Blu Ray release. A mixture of Video Buster & ATV fixes pretty well all our needs - after all, I don't want to own every movie I see!

 

[YoungCreative]

If anything Apple should buy Hulu so I can get it on my Apple TV.

Apple could already offer Hulu if they wanted to do so. It is already on the iPhone and iPad. Apple is just trying to guard iTune Store sales. Hulu is 100% why I bought a Roku box instead of AppleTV. Apple is actually way behind on the competition...and it's their own fault.

 

[reedmartin]

Apple could already offer Hulu if they wanted to do so. It is already on the iPhone and iPad. Apple is just trying to guard iTune Store sales. Hulu is 100% why I bought a Roku box instead of AppleTV. Apple is actually way behind on the competition...and it's their own fault.

yes...wayyyy behind! :|