Apple TV Orders Shipping

[rphares]

good news. glad apple came through. looking forward to playing with one in an apple store

I wonder, are they in the Apple Stores today?

I'm set to recieve mine on the 23rd and am curious if I'll be among the first (of the public) to play with this thing?

 

[AndyR]

Dam! I'm going to be near an Apple Store on Friday! Gonna have to tape my Amex into my wallet to stop it leaping out like a migrating salmon at the first sighting of the glowing Apple logo

 

[QCassidy352]

I have no desire to buy an TV. I just don't see the point of it

I agree. So I can watch content from my computer on my TV... who cares? Maybe if I had hundreds of movies and TV shows and a big screen TV... maybe.

 

[fomoco]

Handbrake, or mediafork?

Handbrake.
These are my settings for ripping.
Video Section: Change Average Bit Rate (kbps) to "3500"
Destination Section: Change Codecs to "AVC/H.264 Video / AAC Audio"
Audio Section: Change Bitrate (kbps) to "192"

The file size is roughly half of the original DVD and they look good. Really good. I am currently filling up a 1TB WD drive. Thank god for netflix and blockbuster.

 

[rphares]

I agree. So I can watch content from my computer on my TV... who cares? Maybe if I had hundreds of movies and TV shows and a big screen TV... maybe.

[sarcasm]Yea, I don't see the point either. I mean - why would you want to import your home movies via iMovie and have a collection of those. And who would want to be able to flip through your iPhoto albums when your family is over.

And not to mention the pain of having an awesome display of your CD cover art on your tv when you're having a party.

And to watch video podcasts? Pffft - who needs 'em.

And that's all ASIDE from the iTunes purchased material. I just don't see the point in any of that. What a waste energy by apple - this will go under just like the ipod did![/sarcasm]

 

[Some_Big_Spoon]

wake me when there's a dvr hack.

 

[neilk2350]

heres what i dont get

To save money. I'm going to buy one to ditch cable TV service. I'm paying something along the lines of $85/month to the cable company. I only consistently watch about 4 shows. If I buy the AppleTV and buy season passes for the shows I watch, it will pay for itself. OTA HDTV reception is pretty good and that can cover me for wanting to watch football or basketball.

This would be an absolute homerun if there were only a decent way to rip DVDs into iTunes.

so in order to watch a Hi def movie how do you get it on your apple tv. also are people gonna rip all there regular movies to hard drive to have them when they want them? you'd need a lot of space and i'm waiting for the version with a cable card.

 

[jhero]

It's crazy how much u guys are paying for HDMI cables

monoprice.com = the best

 

[ccreighton]

No ATV's at the store...yet?!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I called an Apple store down here in Houston. They gave me a cryptic message along the lines of "we don't have them on the shelves." And to call back "around noon everyday".

When I asked if she meant to call back today around noon since they can't tell me anything right now she said "you could do that!". Not sure what it means but I'm getting one as soon as they appear in that store.

(1st post ever...)

 

[snowmoon]

so in order to watch a Hi def movie how do you get it on your apple tv. also are people gonna rip all there regular movies to hard drive to have them when they want them? you'd need a lot of space and i'm waiting for the version with a cable card.

I have a hard time differentiating between the original DVD and mediafork AVC/AAC at 2500/192. This results in video at about 1GB/hr. With the average content running 100minutes/disk you can store ~260 disks on a 500 GB drive. Encoding takes about 2x realtime for 2pass encoding. If you have more than 260 disks, then you can probably afford to spring for a little more storage.

I will probably pass on the Apple TV and go straight for a Mac Mini entertainment center loaded up with an eye tv hybrid ( or two ).

We dropped Cable a long time ago and I will probably switch up to FiOS once it's available since it's cheaper and faster than TW RoadRunner. With 20mbps down a 4mbps up it's smokin'. It will make it even easier to watch the ED/HD video casts that are out there. It's a strange new world out there for media companies and they are just not keeping up with the demand.

 

[wallinbl]

so in order to watch a Hi def movie how do you get it on your apple tv. also are people gonna rip all there regular movies to hard drive to have them when they want them? you'd need a lot of space and i'm waiting for the version with a cable card.

If they would put DVD ripping functionality in iTunes, I'd be all over that. I'd rip everything and watch it from AppleTV. Much better than swapping out discs and dealing with the previews that have that nifty 'Operation is currently prohibited' feature so you can't skip them. As far as HD movies, I wasn't watching that much on HBO & Showtime anyway.

 

[donlphi]

Cool. I wonder when we'll see some games on it. Even though the code is in there, we don't know when they'll actually implement it..

my understanding was, you would just be able to play the new iPOD games on your TV

I don't think there will be NEW games specifically for it.

 

[QCassidy352]

[sarcasm]Yea, I don't see the point either. I mean - why would you want to import your home movies via iMovie and have a collection of those. And who would want to be able to flip through your iPhoto albums when your family is over.

And not to mention the pain of having an awesome display of your CD cover art on your tv when you're having a party.

And to watch video podcasts? Pffft - who needs 'em.

And that's all ASIDE from the iTunes purchased material. I just don't see the point in any of that. What a waste energy by apple - this will go under just like the ipod did![/sarcasm]

Hey newbie, thanks for being a smart***. Great way to start around here.

My point is that you don't need an TV to do any of the things you suggested. You can view those things on your computer screen, or you can hook your laptop to your TV if you really *must* have it in your living room instead of whatever room you keep your computer in.

And your reference to the ipod is just oh-so-clever. Clearly, given that the ipod was wildly successful, everything else apple ever releases will be as well, even products that do entirely different things and target entirely different markets. (see? I can use sarcasm too! How impressive! )

Don't talk to me about ipods. I had a 1st Gen before 95% of america knew what they were. My family and friends thought I was nuts, that I was taken by another apple product that nobody needed. I disagreed because the usefulness of the ipod, the need that it filled, was clear. The ipod filled a need that genuinely existed - people had been trying to carry large amounts of music with them for years, and it usually entailed a CD player and a big book of CDs.

I don't see that usefulness or need here. I've never had the slightest desire to display album art during a party rolleyes: ), show my family photos on my tv, or blow up video podcasts on a big screen. I see the TV as a device that you're trying to think up uses for, not one that does things that people actually wished they could do prior to TV's existence.

That said, if you want to spend $300 to move content, which you already own, 2 rooms over, go ahead.

 

[shen]

can't wait for the reviews, i think it may be an under-hyped product and we may see a lot of them leave the stores.

still, i opted for the mini as media center approach, so where is my mini update apple!

 

[a456]

I have no desire to buy a coffee maker. I just don't see the point of it.

To make coffee?

 

[KingofAwesome]

Hey newbie, thanks for being a smart***. Great way to start around here.

Hey, thanks for insulting new people. We want them to feel unwelcome, so that they don't ever risk contributing anything useful or entertaining.

My point is that you don't need an TV to do any of the things you suggested. You can view those things on your computer screen, or you can hook your laptop to your TV if you really *must* have it in your living room instead of whatever room you keep your computer in.

Really? Everyone will be satisfied with watching video on their computer screens or bringing their laptops into the living room? That's quite an interesting assertion, especially the parts where everybody has room for multiple people to sit and watch the computer screen, and they also have laptops. Unless you're saying that the $1000+ laptop makes more sense for everyone than the $300 ATV.

Don't talk to me about ipods. I had a 1st Gen before 95% of america knew what they were. My family and friends thought I was nuts, that I was taken by another apple product that nobody needed. I disagreed because the usefulness of the ipod, the need that it filled, was clear. The ipod filled a need that genuinely existed - people had been trying to carry large amounts of music with them for years, and it usually entailed a CD player and a big book of CDs.

We're all very impressed with your achievements, and are glad that you've chosen to use your experience in a productive and helpful manner.

I don't see that usefulness or need here. I've never had the slightest desire to display album art during a party rolleyes: ), show my family photos on my tv, or blow up video podcasts on a big screen. I see the TV as a device that you're trying to think up uses for, not one that does things that people actually wished they could do prior to TV's existence.

Do you really think that the consumer market should be limited to devices that YOU want? I think we might be better off letting companies decide what they want to release using some guidelines set forth by the laws of the countries they operate in, and then if the companies don't force us to buy them, we can make a choice. You shouldn't have to burden yourself with deciding what companies can and must produce. You've got more important things to do.

That said, if you want to spend $300 to move content, which you already own, 2 rooms over, go ahead.

I would also like to welcome the new user to this forum. I hope you find as many useful and insightful discussions as I do, despite the presence of some people who feel that they have much more jurisdiction in a publicly-accessible forum than you.

 

[maxp1]

Gonna wait for the second generation myself. Although TV is cool and all I just don't watch enough TV to make it worth having right now (and I don't own and am not interested in a HDTV at the moment). Now in a year or so I bet they'll have figured out the market for the thing and added a bunch of new interesting features that will make it worth it for me to buy one. Or TV may die a pathetic death before then due to a lack of interest.

 

[Hugh]

I don't have a HDTV either and since I live in the UK can't buy movies (regardless of resolution) from the Apple store. Until both of those issues are rectified I'll be happy enough with my own encoded material - DVD rips, EyeTV recordings, iPhoto and iMovie projects and a graphical interface for itunes on my regular TV. The main criteria for getting value for this in the first instance is that you have a widescreen set. Sure HDTV will be sweet, but not essential to enjoy the benefits of Apple-TV - At least I hope so

Now see I don't have a widescreen set. I just have a noraml 32'' TV. Sure the image is going to biger on the TV , but wouldn't look better on the computer screen?

I just thought about this. Can a Mac do suround sound? Can you streem the
suround sound? If it does, I can see reason to buy the AppleTV.

Hugh

 

[mickeymikey]

I don't see that usefulness or need here. I've never had the slightest desire to display album art during a party rolleyes: ), show my family photos on my tv, or blow up video podcasts on a big screen. I see the TV as a device that you're trying to think up uses for, not one that does things that people actually wished they could do prior to TV's existence.

With all respect to your obvious senior status on the board, your personal lack of application for the TV is no reason to dismiss its use for the rest of the market. Sure, for many, it has little application, but there are those of us who have been waiting for a long time for such a device.

Like many, I have ripped my entire CD collection (~500 CDs) into iTunes, and I have purchased countless new "CDs" and songs from the iTunes store. Now that all this media lives on my Mac and iPod, I've been wanting a seemless way to distribute music to several rooms in the house. For a while, I've been using AirTunes to do this in four rooms, but it's pain to go to Mac in my study to change songs, etc. So, the ability to use a TV interface to access the iTunes share is perfect for me and my family.

For those of us with young children, photos and home videos are important items. The ability to easily share these with family and friends is a great way to spend time with loved ones. Sure, I could hook up my MB to my TV to do this, but I don't want to mess around with hooking it up everytime the relatives come in town. Set up the TV once, and your done.

The funny thing is that I bought a Linksys product about three years ago that claimed much of the same functionality, but it worked horribly. So, I'm not having to "make up uses" for the TV. I've been wanting to do all this stuff for a while. Sure, my needs and buget don't fit everyone, but I'm pretty certain that there are others with similar plans for the TV. It seems a little short-sighted to just generally dismiss an application for a product soley on one's own needs or lack thereof.

 

[Adobe75]

I'm hoping for a hack that lets any mac app stream video to the TV. I have too many episodes of Prison Break and 24 in EyeTV to convert them all to iTunes. And there's no reason the TV hardware can't do a 720p MPEG2 stream.

Also... EyeTV is smart about using external drives. Yes, it still keeps separate libraries, but when I plug in my FW drive, the library on it appears automatically. In iTunes, I have to quit, hold down option, and select my new library. So I have to interact with my computer before I can switch from my movie library to my music library on the TV. Although I could put all my music in my movie library too... but then any new stuff I download I have to sync up. BAH! What a pain

 

[jonnypolite]

To save money. I'm going to buy one to ditch cable TV service. I'm paying something along the lines of $85/month to the cable company. I only consistently watch about 4 shows. If I buy the AppleTV and buy season passes for the shows I watch, it will pay for itself. OTA HDTV reception is pretty good and that can cover me for wanting to watch football or basketball.

This would be an absolute homerun if there were only a decent way to rip DVDs into iTunes.

Absolutely, i'm in the exact same situation. THis is a great solution for us, combine with a media server and we're good to go.

 

[theman5725]

I'm hoping for a hack that lets any mac app stream video to the TV. I have too many episodes of Prison Break and 24 in EyeTV to convert them all to iTunes. And there's no reason the TV hardware can't do a 720p MPEG2 stream.

You could just use iSquint to eventually convert them all. Just set up a huge queue and have it sit there for a couple of hours.

 

[Peace]

I'm hoping for a hack that lets any mac app stream video to the TV. I have too many episodes of Prison Break and 24 in EyeTV to convert them all to iTunes. And there's no reason the TV hardware can't do a 720p MPEG2 stream.

Also... EyeTV is smart about using external drives. Yes, it still keeps separate libraries, but when I plug in my FW drive, the library on it appears automatically. In iTunes, I have to quit, hold down option, and select my new library. So I have to interact with my computer before I can switch from my movie library to my music library on the TV. Although I could put all my music in my movie library too... but then any new stuff I download I have to sync up. BAH! What a pain

Elgato said they were working with Apple to make both EyeTV and the TV work together.Hang in there I'm sure Elgato is getting ready to put out an update.

 

[savar]

I have no desire to buy a coffee maker. I just don't see the point of it.

Are you crazy?? Did you even see the Krups Keynote at WWCC2006?

 

[QCassidy352]

Hey, thanks for insulting new people. We want them to feel unwelcome, so that they don't ever risk contributing anything useful or entertaining.

I'm always welcoming, except when people come off as jerks for no reason right out of the gate. I don't react well to that.

We're all very impressed with your achievements, and are glad that you've chosen to use your experience in a productive and helpful manner.

Nobody's talking about achievements. I'm talking about the fact that it's not like I dismiss apple's products, or new products generally, out of hand. I just don't think THIS product is worthwhile.

Do you really think that the consumer market should be limited to devices that YOU want?

Of course not. But I still think the TV is a stupid product, and that Apple could have done better putting its resources in to developing other things. I never said you had to agree.

despite the presence of some people who feel that they have much more jurisdiction in a publicly-accessible forum than you.

First, I don't think you understand what "jurisdiction" means. Second, I never said he, or anyone, wasn't welcome to post. I just pointed out that rants might not be the best way to start out in a new community. He might have tried polite disagreement rather than caustic sarcasm.

With all respect to your obvious senior status on the board, your personal lack of application for the TV is no reason to dismiss its use for the rest of the market. Sure, for many, it has little application, but there are those of us who have been waiting for a long time for such a device.

Honestly, I have no interest in arguing with you all any more. If you like the TV then good for you, buy and enjoy. I still think it's an overpriced, under-featured niche product with little practical application. Since I think my position is clear, and the fact (and reasons) that many of you disagree with me is also quite clear, I'm just going to bow out of this argument now.