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Apple TV 'Take 2' HD Image Quality
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I won't get one until it is capable of DVR, Tivo, live t.v. capabilities, etc whathave you. It may never happen and therefore I may never get one. ah well. I think it is a nifty little box, but not enough for me to buy when I'm fully capable to watch movies as is. And with netflix coming in the mail and the fact that it is still quicker to even walk (or drive if it is snowing) the mile to the movie store . . . it isn't the all purpose-can't live without it device. it's getting close, but not enough for me yet.
So you have a DVD player and a Tivo right now...2 boxes...but the fact that the AppleTV only replaces ONE of those things isn't good enough? It has to do both jobs?
Tough crowd.
It's not an issue with H.263 and 4 so much as an issue with any 4:2:0 color subsampling at lower resolution when it's not being smoothed before display (and I'm pretty sure Apple's H.264 rentals are 4:2:0).
Interesting
Find it interesting that this movie appears to be one shot with 16:9 and 4:3 in mind, with the widescreen version actually showing LESS of the image than the SD.
In the past, SD or Fullscreen versions were panned and scanned, showing only a portion of the image, losing the left and right. But as you can see in the HD cable version, there is actually MORE area at the top and bottom, creating closer to 4:3 image (almost 16:9).
I'll bet if you purchase the fullscreen version of the DVD, it will actually show more image than the widscreen. Normally I wouldn't buy the fullscreen because it's cropping off the left and right, but they've started shooting them this way. Actually cropping in to get the widescreen.
Don't worry, when they shoot the film there's plenty of rez to go round.
Find it interesting that this movie appears to be one shot with 16:9 and 4:3 in mind, with the widescreen version actually showing LESS of the image than the SD.
In the past, SD or Fullscreen versions were panned and scanned, showing only a portion of the image, losing the left and right. But as you can see in the HD cable version, there is actually MORE area at the top and bottom, creating closer to 4:3 image (almost 16:9).
I'll bet if you purchase the fullscreen version of the DVD, it will actually show more image than the widscreen. Normally I wouldn't buy the fullscreen because it's cropping off the left and right, but they've started shooting them this way. Actually cropping in to get the widescreen.
Don't worry, when they shoot the film there's plenty of rez to go round.
I've downloaded some HD TV and movies on XBOX Live and I'd say it' looks comparable to the Apple TV pics. Definately better than upscaled DVD. Somewhat Better than Comcast HD because there is too many artifacts in live HD TV.
Still on the fence for Apple TV mainly because I really want a TIVO like option. If it had that, it would be a nobrainer for me.
I've used EyeTV on my Mac. Not sure why they couldn't just implement something like that...
Still on the fence for Apple TV mainly because I really want a TIVO like option. If it had that, it would be a nobrainer for me.
I've used EyeTV on my Mac. Not sure why they couldn't just implement something like that...
I agree with your points for sure.
But for the time being, Blu-Ray is still early, so the library is not that large yet, and hardware prices are high. That's why AppleTV is not that far away from Blu-Ray in those aspects, right now. The available library of both pales to DVD, and hardware cost is close.
Personally, I'm sticking with DVD until Blu-Ray prices drop. As you say, by next holiday season player prices will be closer to $100 than $300, and the library will be much larger.
But for the time being, Blu-Ray is still early, so the library is not that large yet, and hardware prices are high. That's why AppleTV is not that far away from Blu-Ray in those aspects, right now. The available library of both pales to DVD, and hardware cost is close.
Personally, I'm sticking with DVD until Blu-Ray prices drop. As you say, by next holiday season player prices will be closer to $100 than $300, and the library will be much larger.
The iLounge article and pictures is very interesting. While it may be hard to really see the differences in screen shots, there is some visible difference. More important, their explanations of the differences are good.
I'm not an authority but I believe it was shot Super 35. Movies shot like that can be framed for Full Screen and Widescreen at the same time while filming. Cameron does this. Helps to preserve a good "Pan and Scan" version.
Seems like movies shot on HD at the right resolution could do this as well.
It's a different style of shooting that James Cameron has used a lot in his films. You've pretty much got the idea right on how it's done, but it's a choice by a few directors, NOT a change in the way all DVDs are being made.
And even then, I wouldn't say the full-screen version is the "real" version just because it shows more picture.
Rather, I see the difference as "the one shown in theaters" (widescreen) and "the one made just for full-screen DVDs."
Now, between those two choices, which one seems more "real" to you? I pick the "shown in theaters" version.
maybe, i'm just saying from my perspective eliminating one box isn't worth it when i'm set up and happy as it is. it seems like a great unit and if starting out from scratch, maybe i'd consider it, but i'm set. all i'm saying is that if i could run live tv through it and record it on top of downloading, storing, watching rented/purchased movies . . . it might be more appealing. that's all. it just isn't the all encompassing digital solution i personally am willing to pay for . . . yet . . .
Read to understand, then discuss
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/02/13/apple_tv_take_2_an_in_depth_review_part_1_whats_new.html
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/02/13/apple_tv_take_2_an_in_depth_review_part_1_whats_new.html
I'm on a regular Comcast cable connection, and I was able to start watching the movie within a minute or two of purchasing.
If Apple TV had Blu-Ray, I'd buy one
If Apple TV had Blu-Ray, I'd buy one...
Come on Apple, make it a fully-functional entertainment device -- or add Blu-Ray to the Mini...
If Apple TV had Blu-Ray, I'd buy one...
Come on Apple, make it a fully-functional entertainment device -- or add Blu-Ray to the Mini...
Apple tv rentals are close to blu ray?
lol
Wow- how can it be close to blu-ray when im pretty sure the hardware inside an aaple tv cant decode a 1080p file properly?
I have 3 tvs in my house all 1080p. (Sony xbr series, Samsung 56" lcd, Sharp Aquos)
On 2 of the tvs i have apple tv connected..i rented an hd movie..
and to me the quality is more compared to a up-conversion quality dvd.
FAR FROM EVEN GRACING TBLU RAY.
Wow anything to justify a purchase. Dont get me wrong apple tv is a good piece of convenient equpment. but far from blu ray
lol
Wow- how can it be close to blu-ray when im pretty sure the hardware inside an aaple tv cant decode a 1080p file properly?
I have 3 tvs in my house all 1080p. (Sony xbr series, Samsung 56" lcd, Sharp Aquos)
On 2 of the tvs i have apple tv connected..i rented an hd movie..
and to me the quality is more compared to a up-conversion quality dvd.
FAR FROM EVEN GRACING TBLU RAY.
Wow anything to justify a purchase. Dont get me wrong apple tv is a good piece of convenient equpment. but far from blu ray
Yeah, Super 35 shoots what amounts to a standard academy aperture movie (roughly 16:9) which is then soft-matted in theaters to 2.35:1 (the more "epic" screen shape), rather than Cinemascope which is an anamorphic 16:9 shooting format that results in a 2.35:1 screen shape when "unsqueezed" in the theater.
all you 1080p snobs need to give it a rest (and yes i have a 1080p projector that i use for movies, in addition to my 42" LCD 720p that i used for most of my video display needs).
first of all no set actually delivers 1080p on moving pictures, the actual horizontal resolution drops pretty significantly when there's motion on the screen. in fact most of the recent high-end sets barely break the 720 resolution barrier for motion res
http://www.hometheatermag.com/images/archivesart/1107hookHDTVrez.jpg
secondly unless your watching from on a screen bigger than 50" from a fair distance 1080p is a waste of money
first of all no set actually delivers 1080p on moving pictures, the actual horizontal resolution drops pretty significantly when there's motion on the screen. in fact most of the recent high-end sets barely break the 720 resolution barrier for motion res
http://www.hometheatermag.com/images/archivesart/1107hookHDTVrez.jpg
secondly unless your watching from on a screen bigger than 50" from a fair distance 1080p is a waste of money
Bluray will always look/sound better, because its full 1080p, whereas AppleTV HD is 720p. "HD" means a lot these days.
I haven't yet rented anything, but I really pleased with the improvements to fast-forward and rewinding.
I haven't yet rented anything, but I really pleased with the improvements to fast-forward and rewinding.
Amen Brother! Who cares?! "Wah Wah It's not 1080p!"
Once you actually sit down and get into a movie, your not going to notice 720p or 1080p difference. I just can't imagine people sitting there watching a movie and thinking, "I can't follow the story line becasue my darn picture isn't 1080p!" Be happy with what you've got. 1080p will come.
And one more thing...
People need to chill about not having DVR in the Appletv Why the hell would Apple put a DVR in AND sell the tv show content on Itunes???? Anybody think of that? Yes, Apple please give me the option of buying a TV show from you OR recording it on your box. Which one do you think people would go for?
It's a business model people. Think about it.
That said, I love my AppleTv.
Thanks gkarris & blindzero for the replies!
I'd expect the bitrate for 720p rentals to be somewhere in the region of 6 to 6.5Mbps; so I'd assume if you have a downlink faster than that (or, around 6.5Mbps with no contention) the movie would be ready to play almost immediately - as soon as it can be determined that data rate is steady.
If you're connection is slower than that figure, you'll likely have to wait a lot longer, depending on the length of the rental. I've a 7Mbps with no contention, pretty much specifically so I can try this out if/when it becomes available here.
Edit: of course, the servers presumably are under relatively little load these days. If and when AppleTV HD rentals take off, it'll be interesting to see how they handle the load.
I'd expect the bitrate for 720p rentals to be somewhere in the region of 6 to 6.5Mbps; so I'd assume if you have a downlink faster than that (or, around 6.5Mbps with no contention) the movie would be ready to play almost immediately - as soon as it can be determined that data rate is steady.
If you're connection is slower than that figure, you'll likely have to wait a lot longer, depending on the length of the rental. I've a 7Mbps with no contention, pretty much specifically so I can try this out if/when it becomes available here.
Edit: of course, the servers presumably are under relatively little load these days. If and when AppleTV HD rentals take off, it'll be interesting to see how they handle the load.
At least it is better than expected news. It seems as if this product will keep evolving at this point. Take 2 sure made it more intriguing though.
Apple TV- File level access
Do you have file level access to the hard drive on the AppleTV?
I would like to be able to copy some of the large media files over to it without using iTunes...
Can you use iTunes to offload tv shows and movies over to the AppleTV and then have it removed from my computers hard drive?
Please advise.
Derek
Do you have file level access to the hard drive on the AppleTV?
I would like to be able to copy some of the large media files over to it without using iTunes...
Can you use iTunes to offload tv shows and movies over to the AppleTV and then have it removed from my computers hard drive?
Please advise.
Derek
J
jmadlena
Guest
So you think he should replace one of those boxes with another box... or add a third box? So he should have two, or maybe three boxes, when he wants to reduce the number of boxes?
So unless the sarcasm of your comment is lost on me, I don't get it.