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Apple TV Details and Specs
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Really?
Once again , the OP:
"Sorry, but this product doesn't appeal to me. Why would I want to download movies from iTunes for just a few bucks less than the DVD costs and not even get 1080i quality? I mean, I didn't spend a few grand on a 50-inch HD plasma to watch anything less than HD quality movies."
Sorry, but I [personally] do not view the point in spending $299 to add another piece equipment ontop of my AVR, DVD/CD Player, Cable Box and surge box just so I can buy movies online through iTunes. Now, as an Apple fan I have nothing negative to say about such a great company that develops quality, progressive technology. However, this
TV just seems a way for Apple, Inc. to increase spending in iTunes through the inherit TV restrictions. That's like saying "Yes, I want to spend $299 on a piece of equipment that only plays things I need to buy from that company. Sign me up!" 
Mostly because it doesn't have composite or s-video out that most 4:3 sets would have.
You probably can hook this up to a 4:3 TV via component/hdmi, but the TV would have to be able to handle a 720P signal.
As for extending the codecs, since this probably uses quicktime on the
TV end, Apple really should allow codecs to be added just like you can with Quicktime on a mac and windows.As for DVD playing support... you can always rip DVDs to H.286 format, but it would really be a good idea to allow users to stream dvds to the
TV. One less box at the TV and makes use of a already existing DVD drive in the PC/Mac.You're referencing the wrong statement:
KIDHERO: "Then don't buy it. Steve Jobs isn't forcing a gun to your head. Nice sense of self-entitlement you've got there. "
That is what we were referring to.
Is this about the Apple TV or regional ITMS content?
Just curious:
How many of those complaining are not located in America?
This product is not really ready for non-American markets. The content isn't there. Would you guys rather Apple not sell the Apple TV to you at all until the content is in place, or would you prefer to at least have the option for music/home-brewed content? If the latter, I don't see the point in constantly pointing out that the product is not so useful if you don't live in America. We get it.
Just look at America and assume that whatever is in place there is what Apple hopes to eventually have going in your country.
Just curious:
How many of those complaining are not located in America?
This product is not really ready for non-American markets. The content isn't there. Would you guys rather Apple not sell the Apple TV to you at all until the content is in place, or would you prefer to at least have the option for music/home-brewed content? If the latter, I don't see the point in constantly pointing out that the product is not so useful if you don't live in America. We get it.
Just look at America and assume that whatever is in place there is what Apple hopes to eventually have going in your country.
According to the e-mail I just got from Apple, they'll be in Apple stores "this weekend".
Hopefully mine's still on target for Friday delivery.
B
Oh, sorry, Yes, I agree with you!
( The OP I quoted was the thread that led to the quote above ).
Audio bitrate
There seems to have been a lot of comment on the video resolution and bit-rate that Apple TV supports. But I've not seen much in this thread yet about the supported max. bit-rate. I'm surprised it is limited to 160kbs. Annoying for those of us who have a ready made collection of H.264 movies with 192 AAC. From the specs page:
H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store): Up to 5 Mbps, Progressive Main Profile (CAVLC) with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 1280 by 720 pixels at 24 fps, 960 by 540 pixels at 30 fps).
The previous specs up on Apple's web-site did not as far as I recall mention anything about the bit-rate limit on audio for movies, only the overall supported bit-rate per second. If this is true that ATV is limited in this way then it is very disappointing. I don;t understand why the audio side would be restricted in this way.
There seems to have been a lot of comment on the video resolution and bit-rate that Apple TV supports. But I've not seen much in this thread yet about the supported max. bit-rate. I'm surprised it is limited to 160kbs. Annoying for those of us who have a ready made collection of H.264 movies with 192 AAC. From the specs page:
H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store): Up to 5 Mbps, Progressive Main Profile (CAVLC) with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 1280 by 720 pixels at 24 fps, 960 by 540 pixels at 30 fps).
The previous specs up on Apple's web-site did not as far as I recall mention anything about the bit-rate limit on audio for movies, only the overall supported bit-rate per second. If this is true that ATV is limited in this way then it is very disappointing. I don;t understand why the audio side would be restricted in this way.
I remember the exact same thing. I thought the maximum audio bit rate was 320kbps but now it seems to be 160kbps. I don't think anybody would actually hear the difference, but still it is certainly disappointing
To the people complaining:
I really dont get some of you guys. You're most likely the same people who complain that the iPod doesnt have this or that feature. Just give it up.
Apple aims to appeal to the mass consumer with products like this. They're not gonna go & gum it up with every feature under the sun & just confuse the end user.
Most people just need a simple way to display their iTunes content from their computers to their TV & this is it.
I really dont get some of you guys. You're most likely the same people who complain that the iPod doesnt have this or that feature. Just give it up.
Apple aims to appeal to the mass consumer with products like this. They're not gonna go & gum it up with every feature under the sun & just confuse the end user.
Most people just need a simple way to display their iTunes content from their computers to their TV & this is it.
I think the folks who are wishing this product had DVR functionality are missing the point. The AppleTV will never be a DVD player, Divx player, or DVR. Apple has created a new, easy, cheap(?) way for their own iTunes content to be delivered to your TV. Period. It is a vehicle to make video content on the iTunes store more attractive to consumers. It is the iPod of movies and TV.
Apple would not develop, manufacture, and market a $300 product, only to have its customers use that product to view content purchased from anyone other than Apple themselves. Apple is banking on the notion that AppleTV = more iTunes Store sales. Pure and simple. For Apple to add to the long line of products with a TV tuner/DVR for your current cable/sat subscription, or the many fine set-top DVD players out there, would be quite uninspiring. Give Apple some credit for NOT doing that.
Instead, they are asking us to re-think the way we consume our programming. And while I don't think we're even close to the death of cable/satellite TV subscriptions, Apple is bringing the idea of on-demand, a la carte programming one step closer to the mainstream. Instead of looking at all the things this product can't and won't do, I'd recommend looking at what it can do, because it's obvious Apple thinks this is what the future holds.
Apple would not develop, manufacture, and market a $300 product, only to have its customers use that product to view content purchased from anyone other than Apple themselves. Apple is banking on the notion that AppleTV = more iTunes Store sales. Pure and simple. For Apple to add to the long line of products with a TV tuner/DVR for your current cable/sat subscription, or the many fine set-top DVD players out there, would be quite uninspiring. Give Apple some credit for NOT doing that.
Instead, they are asking us to re-think the way we consume our programming. And while I don't think we're even close to the death of cable/satellite TV subscriptions, Apple is bringing the idea of on-demand, a la carte programming one step closer to the mainstream. Instead of looking at all the things this product can't and won't do, I'd recommend looking at what it can do, because it's obvious Apple thinks this is what the future holds.
Your prediction has been registered with us; we kindly ask you to return in 6 months to check whether some crow is required. Thank you.
This is because the AppleTV is supposed to be an iPod for your TV. For awhile, I had my iPod connected to my TV, but it was difficult to use as I had to go up to the TV and iPod to navigate any time I wanted to change the video. Thankfully, the remote does allow fast-forward...
And really, if Apple allows 720p downloads, and from all major studios, then the AppleTV WILL be a hit. HD content, available for less than Bluray or HD-DVD... Apple could take out both "new" formats before they can make a foothold. This is the most likely avenue for Apple to pursue.
Though, they may add VIDEO_TS playback and allow iTunes to copy that to the computer, thereby allowing anyone to move all their DVDs to their computer, much like they did with the iPod - that would also ensure the AppleTV's success.
i jut get the feeling that this is an intermediate/ transitioary product. this is a motavator to get movies and television providers on the itunes store.
the next couple of versions of this product will be alot better. i think Apple is just keeping it simple untill the dust settles and they have a better idea of the lay of the media land.
the next couple of versions of this product will be alot better. i think Apple is just keeping it simple untill the dust settles and they have a better idea of the lay of the media land.
Here is a really simple Apple TV checklist.
If any of the following is true...
1) You don't live in America and you would not pay $300 to get access to your digital music collection through your home theater set-up
2) You are one of the .01% of the population that has tons of illegal DivX/XviD content that you are not willing to re-encode
3) You already have a computer hooked up to your TV and you don't feel like you'd rather have a more simple solution
...then you do not want to an AppleTV. You don't need to look at specs, you don't need to debate: this product is not intended for you at all.
Assuming you live in America, it seems like 95% of the population would at least potentially buy this product. Seems like a potential success to me.
If any of the following is true...
1) You don't live in America and you would not pay $300 to get access to your digital music collection through your home theater set-up
2) You are one of the .01% of the population that has tons of illegal DivX/XviD content that you are not willing to re-encode
3) You already have a computer hooked up to your TV and you don't feel like you'd rather have a more simple solution
...then you do not want to an AppleTV. You don't need to look at specs, you don't need to debate: this product is not intended for you at all.
Assuming you live in America, it seems like 95% of the population would at least potentially buy this product. Seems like a potential success to me.
So I'll be able to play any movie that works in iTunes by just dropping the appropriate codecs into /Library/QuickTime and perhaps make a few ref-movies, then? Great!
