Apple Releases Updated iMac Models With 21.5- and 27-Inch LED Screens

[TheBunnellFarm]

1. DisplayPort is a primarily computer-to-computer technology at this time. It is not meant to connect devices that don't have video. So, your Blu-Ray player wouldn't connect to your computer via DisplayPort, but it should work.
2. Possibly. The support might already be there, for all we know... just waiting for Apple to activate it. Once again, you misunderstand how DisplayPort works. An external Blu-Ray player will NOT have a DisplayPort connection.
3. Only Blu-Ray video that's ALREADY been decrypted.
4. All OSes have their bugs. Hey, that's what this forum's for! Search first, then ask if your search doesn't find what you seek.

What are the advantages of the iMac 27" with core i7 and the largest processor over the i5 and smaller processor.

I'm ordering today. My primary usage will be the new Final Cut Studio Pro 7 (Full Suite) and Logic 9 for both music and video.

I got "bombed" with the G5 2.5 water cooled dually Power Mac in 2004, I'm still in recovery.

 

[TheBunnellFarm]

1. DisplayPort is a primarily computer-to-computer technology at this time. It is not meant to connect devices that don't have video. So, your Blu-Ray player wouldn't connect to your computer via DisplayPort, but it should work.
2. Possibly. The support might already be there, for all we know... just waiting for Apple to activate it. Once again, you misunderstand how DisplayPort works. An external Blu-Ray player will NOT have a DisplayPort connection.
3. Only Blu-Ray video that's ALREADY been decrypted.
4. All OSes have their bugs. Hey, that's what this forum's for! Search first, then ask if your search doesn't find what you seek.

I actually meant this for you biggie52, maybe both of you could answer this pressing issue for me please. Thank you.

 

[Trek2100]

How long will Blu-Ray be around?

Blu-Ray is still not in the vast majority of homes, approximately 12 million. Yes, I have it but then I tend to buy the latest and greatest toys (because I can). Who knows how long it will be around. Don't forget, vinyl is making a comeback although unless for nostalgic resons I don't know why. I'm glad I kept my Denon direct drive turntable. Gee, do they still make moving coil cartrides Fortunately, mine is still fine.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/10/19/blu-ray-players-sales-up-13-which-is-modest-i-guess/

 

[Loudest]

Blu-Ray is still not in the vast majority of homes, approximately 12 million. Yes, I have it but then I tend to buy the latest and greatest toys (because I can). Who knows how long it will be around. Don't forget, vinyl is making a comeback although unless for nostalgic resons I don't know why. I'm glad I kept my Denon direct drive turntable. Gee, do they still make moving coil cartrides Fortunately, mine is still fine.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/10/19/blu-ray-players-sales-up-13-which-is-modest-i-guess/

Blu-ray has 10x the bit rate of over-compressed streaming video. I recently picked up a Samsung Player from Fry's that also does Netflix streaming for only $159. Other than old movies and kid's stuff, I always get the Blu-ray version rather than streaming.

I agree that someday it will get replaced, but for the next 5 years or so Blu-ray is still going to be the best bet for watching movies and sharing home videos with your family and friends.

 

[zweigand]

Blu-Ray is still not in the vast majority of homes, approximately 12 million. Yes, I have it but then I tend to buy the latest and greatest toys (because I can). Who knows how long it will be around. Don't forget, vinyl is making a comeback although unless for nostalgic resons I don't know why. I'm glad I kept my Denon direct drive turntable. Gee, do they still make moving coil cartrides Fortunately, mine is still fine.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/10/19/blu-ray-players-sales-up-13-which-is-modest-i-guess/

Some people apparently think that saying "Blu-ray isn't going to be the dominant format of entertainment in the near future" == "Blu-ray is going to die and you are going to feel stupid for owning that BD player"

No.

Blu-ray will be around for a long time. It will be in a large percentage of homes once the players become cheaper. But the majority of the people will NOT be using Blu-ray as their main source of entertainment (and definitely not in their iMacs). They will be streaming the content they want, when they want. The fact is that people like to RENT movies, and they want to be able to do it without lifting a finger. If you fall in love with a movie you may very well go get it on Blu-ray. That's IF the movie is even worth spending the extra to get it in super duper vision. We all know blockbusters like Transformers are excellent candidates for Blu-ray …but does anyone give a crap if "Cheaper by the Dozen" or "Mrs. Congeniality" is BD quality? I'm guessing an upscaled DVD or 720p streaming is MORE than adequate for the typical teen comedy or chick flick.

Oh, and thanks for the link.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

Because a server processor is exactly what you want to use for Photoshop or editing video, right?

Yes, a dual quad xeon is exactly what I use for 3d rendering and animation.

It's not that difficult to build a Core i7 box for under $1,000 that will have 95% of the CPU power of that $3,000 Mac Pro, and will also have GPU power that would put that same Mac Pro to shame.

I need rendering power- more cores and faster clock speed with HT. I'm more concerned about the time spent rendering than the GPU.

"The closest thing Dell has"? Excuse me, that display is spec'ed higher than anything Apple offers.

It's lower-res than the 27" iMac, and not an IPS panel.

So for half the cost of the current iMac I can get a faster system.

Again, not when you add in that 27 inch, lower res monitor from Dell. Then it's only a cost advantage of $100-$200.

For about 1/3 the cost of the Mac Pro, I get very similar CPU speed with a speed difference thats negligible, and I get GPU power thats several times more powerful. All it takes is about is about an hour of my time total.

Find me a dual quad core xeon with hyper threading at 1/3 of the Apple price, and I'll buy two.

Even still, no person's time is worth $2,000 an hour, the amount you'd save by going with a self built PC over a Mac Pro.

Seriously, show me the parts, and I will make sure I find the time to build a dual quad core Xeon at 1/3 of the cost! I'd like to have a dual quad 2.93, which is $5400 from Apple (that's with my edu discount, still WAAAAY too much). If I can build that thing for $2000 myself, I will personally send you a thank you note. Via snail mail!

You can PM me with the details if you like.

 

[Chappers]

Windows 2000 is Windows NT.

Not sure why you feel it relevant to suddenly announce this but if it makes you happy

Windows 98 and Windows ME never had any major virus issues. Not anywhere close to what Apple claims. At least Windows 98 (and 95, and earlier versions of NT) had pre-emptive multi-tasking. When did Apple finally get it? Oh yeah, the end of the year 2000.

I guess all that antivirus software out there (still) for Win 98 is yet another lie I think you believe all this stuff. Then you go off on a tangent again. Lovely.
I as a new Windows user - I joined forums. I mentioned what you said about no virus issues since 95 - turning of the UAC and surfing without antivirus software. The most polite answer I got to your amazing suggestion was "If he's not joking, he is very misguided". Spreading FUD about Windows is your thing - I understand. Honestly I'm glad that I asked others for help with Windows.

Oh, and don't forget that Apple recommends anti-virus and security software as well. If you want to try to say "Windows DEMANDS IT" you can't overlook the fact that Apple's own product pages suggest security software just as strongly as Windows does. Don't forget that, starting with Leopard, (again) every app you download and try to install results in a warning from the OS.

Repeating things don't change the fact that one small disclaimer on Apples web page is very different to the OS (Windows) reminding me every time I start up until I installed the software. So I presume that MS think viruses are a real threat otherwise their OS wouldn't keep asking for antivirus software.
So who do I think is correct - you or Microsoft...... mmmmmm I wonder.

The only thing misleading would be Apple's ads and the things that come out of Apple fan's posts regarding Windows

Oh another tangent to distract the argument.

Actually, those two time outs were for heated debates with Polaris, who got them as well. Not for anything else.

I've had heated debates without being timed out. You have to be quite rude apparently.

 

[jmpage2]

I think it's particularly funny that mosx continues to cry about how the Apple LED displays are "edge lit" displays and are inferior to CFL lit displays.

What a joke. All LED lit televisions on the market, including the impressive LED Samsung use "edge lighting" technology.

Why? Because it works.

The lighting mechanism for a panel also has nothing to do with the panel technology itself.

You can't change the fact that IPS panels are vastly superior to TN and other low quality panels for color accuracy and color reproduction.

 

[Trek2100]

Sorry for the mis-understanding

Some people apparently think that saying "Blu-ray isn't going to be the dominant format of entertainment in the near future" == "Blu-ray is going to die and you are going to feel stupid for owning that BD player"

No.

Blu-ray will be around for a long time. It will be in a large percentage of homes once the players become cheaper. But the majority of the people will NOT be using Blu-ray as their main source of entertainment (and definitely not in their iMacs). They will be streaming the content they want, when they want. The fact is that people like to RENT movies, and they want to be able to do it without lifting a finger. If you fall in love with a movie you may very well go get it on Blu-ray. That's IF the movie is even worth spending the extra to get it in super duper vision. We all know blockbusters like Transformers are excellent candidates for Blu-ray …but does anyone give a crap if "Cheaper by the Dozen" or "Mrs. Congeniality" is BD quality? I'm guessing an upscaled DVD or 720p streaming is MORE than adequate for the typical teen comedy or chick flick.

Oh, and thanks for the link.

Thanks, yes, what I said was not intended to mean Blu-Ray would not be the dominant format, at least for a while. I love my Blu-Ray mated with my Sony XBR7. I love the upscaling of my current DVD collection. Every movie I buy is in the Blu-Ray format. But, as everything else, something better will come along.

 

[jmpage2]

Thanks, yes, what I said was not intended to mean Blu-Ray would not be the dominant format, at least for a while. I love my Blu-Ray mated with my Sony XBR7. I love the upscaling of my current DVD collection. Every movie I buy is in the Blu-Ray format. But, as everything else, something better will come along.

It is, in fact, very likely that BD will be the very last mainstream physical format that we will see.

There is a possibility that in 5 years we will see a 4 or 8 layer BD technology that would allow for 4K (4X the resolution of 1080P) movies, although the market for such a technology would probably make it cost prohibitive.

In all likelihood we will continue to see streaming technologies improve to the point in which they eventually replace BD. However, it will take not only better audio and video quality for this to happen but also looser DRM standards that allow for things such as customers to burn their own copies of downloaded titles.

I fully expect that BD has a good solid 10 years of life to it at a minimum. BD is the VHS of this generation of home video, meaning it could end up having a total life of close to 20 years.... whether or not streaming advocates want to believe it.

 

[SirHaakon]

I'm aware of the "pro" users who want to burn their projects and stuff on BD but there is something called external BD writer. Expensive? Yes. Worth it for pro users? Probably.

Not probably, it's essential. I work in TV and film and it's not an option to have Blu-ray support in the system or not. We used to have to get by with a crippled version of after effects to render out files properly, but thankfully Apple has included support for Blu-ray codecs in the latest FCP. But while it's possible to burn Blu-ray discs, they can't be played back or tested in any way on a Mac. That's a bit ridiculous.

Also, it's not expensive at all. External BD *writers* are under $200 now, and media continues to fall.

As has been said before, most of us understand that "someday" Apple will probably make 1080p movies available... though at what starved bitrates remains to be seen. "Someday" they'll probably provide access for more countries to their "HD" content in iTunes, but who knows when. The point is that Blu-ray provides higher quality than any streaming service, can easily be transported from computer to computer, and is here now. It doesn't make sense not to support it.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

I fully expect that BD has a good solid 10 years of life to it at a minimum. BD is the VHS of this generation of home video, meaning it could end up having a total life of close to 20 years.... whether or not streaming advocates want to believe it.

I agree. Blu-ray is at least a standardized format. A blu-ray movie works in blu-ray drives. Streaming/digital download is not a format- it refers to any number of different formats in different OS's, formats, and devices.

hulu, youtube, netflix streaming (silverlight), amazon streams, amazon downloads, iTunes downloads, Zune store, Xbox Live video marketplace, Sony PS3 movie downloads, cable streaming on demand (pay and non-pay), satellite streams, etc. Some support macs, some don't.

And what are people hooking up to their TVs for this? Cable boxes, satellite boxes, roku players, windows media center PCs, game consoles, laptops, blu-ray players with netflix streaming built in. TVs with streaming built in are less common but growing, but even then they support the formats that the manufacturer has chosen to back.

While these formats battle it out with exclusive releases of content, we lose as the customer by having our content splintered everywhere over multiple devices and multiple formats. While all of them may work, many do not work well.

Streaming/digital download is a mess right now. Unless, of course, you jolly roger everything.

Which you can't do without a computer. While many claim Blu Ray is not that common, it's got to be more common than the average consumer hooking up a computer to their TV.

my bet is Blu Ray is winning that race (for now).

 

[SirHaakon]

The majority of the people will NOT be using Blu-ray as their main source of entertainment (and definitely not in their iMacs).

They will be streaming the content they want, when they want.

The fact is that people like to RENT movies.

Oh I just love these people who speak for the entire world, claim nonexistent figures as fact, and can somehow see into the future.

Seriously, get off your high horse, man. Just because you may prefer crappy quality internet streams to Blu-ray doesn't mean "the majority of the people" agree with you.

 

[jmpage2]

I agree. Blu-ray is at least a standardized format. A blu-ray movie works in blu-ray drives. Streaming/digital download is not a format- it refers to any number of different formats in different OS's, formats, and devices.

hulu, youtube, netflix streaming (silverlight), amazon streams, amazon downloads, iTunes downloads, Zune store, Xbox Live video marketplace, Sony PS3 movie downloads, cable streaming on demand (pay and non-pay), satellite streams, etc. Some support macs, some don't.

And what are people hooking up to their TVs for this? Cable boxes, satellite boxes, roku players, windows media center PCs, game consoles, laptops, blu-ray players with netflix streaming built in. TVs with streaming built in are less common but growing, but even then they support the formats that the manufacturer has chosen to back.

While these formats battle it out with exclusive releases of content, we lose as the customer by having our content splintered everywhere over multiple devices and multiple formats. While all of them may work, many do not work well.

Streaming/digital download is a mess right now. Unless, of course, you jolly roger everything.

Which you can't do without a computer. While many claim Blu Ray is not that common, it's got to be more common than the average consumer hooking up a computer to their TV.

my bet is Blu Ray is winning that race (for now).

You make a valid point. There needs to be a standardized download/stream format so that consumers will have the ability to play these movies on any device they choose.

This is something that will take years to resolve. In the meantime the content delivery will be completely piecemeal.

 

[zweigand]

I agree. Blu-ray is at least standardized. A blu-ray movie works in blu-ray drives.

Sure you can download and stream movies, but in how many different formats?

It's not as confusing as you are making it out to be. First, you can remove all of the PC/Mac streaming solutions because that's not where people want to watch their movies.

The "formats" you are talking about are not really formats, they are providers …and providers can be added to existing hardware by simple firmware updates. Just look at all the TVs out there that don't have Netflix capabilities at the moment, but are either getting them right now, or in the near future. Samsung just updated a bunch of their TVs last week, and I know my co-worker's Sony Bravia is getting Netflix sometime soon. (it already has AVOD). The Roku team is also releasing an SDK soon that will allow any content provider to create a channel on their box. All the providers have to do is encode their content in a compatible codec.

 

[jmpage2]

It's not as confusing as you are making it out to be. First, you can remove all of the PC/Mac streaming solutions because that's not where people want to watch their movies.

The "formats" you are talking about are not really formats, they are providers …and providers can be added to existing hardware by simple firmware updates. Just look at all the TVs out there that don't have Netflix capabilities at the moment, but are either getting them right now, or in the near future. Samsung just updated a bunch of their TVs last week, and I know my co-worker's Sony Bravia is getting Netflix sometime soon. (it already has AVOD). The Roku team is also releasing an SDK soon that will allow any content provider to create a channel on their box. All the providers have to do is encode their content in a compatible codec.

Wow, you really just don't get it. Let's say that I pick for my stream/purchase HD options one of the major players such as Amazon VOD.

I still have to make sure that every TV/streamer, etc, that I purchase for my home is Amazon compatible. And if I want to take that movie with me for watching while on vacation where no broadband is available? Forget it. Want to watch it on a variety of my portable devices? Forget it. Amazon service tanks in five years and stops supporting the service? All of my "purchases" are meaningless.

You seriously just don't get it. Until there is a DRM vendor neutral format for these downloads they are not worth it. I have a 3.5TB server sitting in my basement. If I'm going to buy an "HD" download I better be able to archive it on my own equipment and play it on any device I want.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

It's not as confusing as you are making it out to be.

To the main buying population of the US, that is, the 40+ market, it is very confusing. not very confusing to us, because we are awesome.

First, you can remove all of the PC/Mac streaming solutions because that's not where people want to watch their movies.

The stats and analytics for web providers say otherwise- people want it everywhere (even on the go), including the living room. The streaming numbers are coming overwhelmingly from computers - which are still not as common in the living room as one might think.

The "formats" you are talking about are not really formats, they are providers

It's formats and providers. Downloadables come in all different formats.

…and providers can be added to existing hardware by simple firmware updates.

I just had to update my mother's Sony HDTV with a firmware update because some weird auto-dimming feature was ruining the movie experience for her. She couldn't do it. It would only work with a FAT 32 formatted thumb drive, and even then, only with certain thumb drives of certain sizes.

Simple to us, not to most consumers.

Just look at all the TVs out there that don't have Netflix capabilities at the moment, but are either getting them right now, or in the near future. Samsung just updated a bunch of their TVs last week, and I know my co-worker's Sony Bravia is getting Netflix sometime soon. (it already has AVOD). The Roku team is also releasing an SDK soon that will allow any content provider to create a channel on their box. All the providers have to do is encode their content in a compatible codec.

I don't disagree that it's coming, but do these numbers (Roku boxes and streaming TVs) compete with Blu-Ray sales, or people streaming on their computers? Remember, you are only speaking of netflix. While they dominate the rental market, they do not dominate the streaming market in the same way.

Most TVs sold are not the high end TV's, but the el cheapo models at Walmart that are bare bones.

Even on the Bravias you speak of, there is netflix, amazon (sometimes), and like 3 other providers I haven't heard of. People need to create accounts for each one. I would say that digital cable has the advantage over the streaming capabilities of these devices.

 

[MacFly123]

send it to Colorware, they'll paint it

Ya, I'm guessing that might cause some problems with the whole multi-touch thing!

 

[PeterQVenkman]

Oh I just love these people who speak for the entire world, claim nonexistent figures as fact, and can somehow see into the future.

Actually, Blockbuster closed many stores recently, and they cited "Redbox" as one of the reasons. People love to rent (especially for only $1, I love Redbox), accounting for the overall decline in DVD sales.

To be more truthful, his statement would still have to say the rentals are coming overwhelmingly on physical media through netflix, redbox, walmart rentals, and even blockbuster's netflix competitor (if that hasn't caved yet).

I am willing to bet that when Redbox starts to rent Blu-Ray movies at $1 or $2 each, it will hurt Blu-Ray sales in a big way.

 

[saves the day]

Did you guys hear that the imac are using IPS panels? SAME PANEL IN THE ACD! Wow, im not going to be able to sleep

what does that mean?

 

[zweigand]

Wow, you really just don't get it. Let's say that I pick for my stream/purchase HD options one of the major players such as Amazon VOD.

I still have to make sure that every TV/streamer, etc, that I purchase for my home is Amazon compatible. And if I want to take that movie with me for watching while on vacation where no broadband is available? Forget it. Want to watch it on a variety of my portable devices? Forget it. Amazon service tanks in five years and stops supporting the service? All of my "purchases" are meaningless.

You seriously just don't get it. Until there is a DRM vendor neutral format for these downloads they are not worth it. I have a 3.5TB server sitting in my basement. If I'm going to buy an "HD" download I better be able to archive it on my own equipment and play it on any device I want.

DUDE. YOU don't get it. Who in the heck buys everything the watch? THEY RENT. I clearly stated above, that the movies that you LOVE …you will likely BUY on Blu-ray. Not only that, but what percentage of the population has multiple HDTVs and Multiple BD players!? Most people have one room they use for cinema. I also stated that HD DOWNLOADS are not going to take off HD STREAMING is. Nobody wants to back up all that data or mess with the DRM.

Also not sure why the heck you brought up streaming to portable devices as a bad example. Streaming is the best answer to getting content on portable devices like the iPhone. Let me know how Blu-ray is going to solve that problem

 

[Corax]

Please stop compare prices from cheap pc-boxes with the iMac.
A normall ATX or Micro-ATX system is not comparible with the Logic-boards of a Mac.

When you compare, look at everything, not just CPU-RAM-GPU-inch specs...

For example, look for a system with a nano-ITX or mini-ITX motherboard, with all these goodies:
- Fast CPU (no slow ATOM) and still must fit in a small space.
- Minimal Nvidia GeForce 9400 graphics
- Minimal DDR3 memory
- Optical Digital Audio connections, with the stereo analog connections
- Multi displays capabillity
- Built in audio speakers
- High quality webcam (with auto ajustment)
- Mic built in
- FireWire800
- Very very super silent cooling
- Wireless bleutooth mouse and keyboard
- Display with not only the same amount of inches but also the same pixels per inch.
- High quality casing
Mac computers are a totall different leage than normall *-ATX systems, that hardware will never ever FIT in such a small place.

When you buy a very small *-ITX system with high end specs, such as mentioned above, it will not be cheap...if available.

By the way...I am very glad with the new iMac series.
I'll be spending my savings in a while for a new iMac, the i7 27" iMac.

 

[zweigand]

The stats and analytics for web providers say otherwise- people want it everywhere (even on the go), including the living room. The streaming numbers are coming overwhelmingly from computers - which are still not as common in the living room as one might think.

Currently, yes, because the TVs are just now getting this feature.

It's formats and providers. Downloadables come in all different formats.

Not talking about downloads …HD downloads suck.

*ragarding firmware updates* Simple to us, not to most consumers.

The Roku updates itself when idle …a lot of newer TVs also let you update over an ethernet connection (like my co-worker's W series Bravia)

I don't disagree that it's coming, but do these numbers (Roku boxes and streaming TVs) compete with Blu-Ray sales, or people streaming on their computers? Remember, you are only speaking of netflix. While they dominate the rental market, they do not dominate the streaming market in the same way.

The fact that people are watching streaming content at all on their computers shows that there is huge benefit to getting that content whenever you want it.

Most TVs sold are not the high end TV's, but the el cheapo models at Walmart that are bare bones.

indeed, and most of those people aren't springing for a Blu-ray player and $30 BD movies right now either.

Even on the Bravias you speak of, there is netflix, amazon (sometimes), and like 3 other providers I haven't heard of. People need to create accounts for each one. I would say that digital cable has the advantage over the streaming capabilities of these devices.

HD OnDemand rentals from Cable companies falls under streaming as well. Right now, that is probably taking the biggest bite out of Blu-ray sales. There are only a couple big providers that do "movies" …a lot of the other providers are doing Podcasts, and Youtube like stuff. That's not nearly as popular. If you have a netflix account, you already have access. If you have an amazon account (which is VERY likely if you buy anything on the internet at all) …you have access. You only have to set the account up once. After that, you can do almost everything from the couch.

Let me say it again …Blu-ray is here to stay! It's just not going to be the most widely used avenue to renting movies. Buying movies? They have a great shot at. It's just that fewer people will be buying movies due to the content already being available any time. You can rent an HD movie 4+ times easily for the price of buying it on Blu-ray.

 

[RebootD]

HD Streaming is a joke still in the US compared to BluRay. If you have a decent setup (HDMI TrueHD/DTS Master Receiver + 7.1 speaker setup) nothing compares in video clarity (15-25Mb/s) and audio quality (2-6Mb/s).

Seriously watch Band of Brothers, Wall-E and The Dark Knight on Blu and tell me any streaming service even comes close. If you do you are a dirty rotten lying liar.

This message brought to you by an early adopter who is trying to continuously convince himself he made a good decision in buying into the Blu format.

 

[RebootD]

You seriously just don't get it. Until there is a DRM vendor neutral format for these downloads they are not worth it. I have a 3.5TB server sitting in my basement. If I'm going to buy an "HD" download I better be able to archive it on my own equipment and play it on any device I want.

The people who I know complain the loudest about DRM on movies are the guys who download MKV and torrent copies for free anyway, this would just make it easier to do so. Why on earth would a company willingly make it easier for people to pirate their films?