Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple TV - "Worst Gadgets of the Decade"
- Thread starter strike1555
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Eraserhead
macrumors G4
GreatDrok
macrumors 6502a
What you're describing here already exists on the market. It is called a 'computer' and comes with a DVD (or even Blu-ray) drive, TV card to allow it to record live TV, software that will rip DVDs and has other software that can run any video file you might have. The output of the graphics card has the necessary connections to plug into a monitor, TV or whatever and a large internal storage as well as the ability to play iPlayer or Hulu content.
Why on *EARTH* would Apple TV need to replicate a computer? The whole point of the thing is to *NOT* be a computer. Capability brings complexity so to reduce complexity you need to reduce capability.
I have the following equipment currently plugged into my TV - TiVo, Freeview HD, Apple TV, Blu-ray player, LD/DVD player, SVHS VCR, Xbox 360 with HD DVD drive, Wii and a PS2.
The most used is the TiVo but right after that comes the Apple TV. It is convenient and simple to use just like the TiVo and my wife and son love it. I disagree that the HD output isn't good quality. I've got Blu-ray and HD DVD and play them along with the ATV HD rentals through a 100" HD projection system and I think the ATV rentals are pretty good. Blu-ray is definitely better but for a quick HD rental the ATV is very good.
Eraserhead
macrumors G4
But that software doesn't all have a consistent 10 foot interface on a PC, and besides I don't want to spend enough money to buy a PC that is small and quiet and has all that functionality.
So 10 boxes 😱. Wouldn't you like to slim that down to just the games consoles and an Apple TV?
GreatDrok
macrumors 6502a
I'm sure someone could do it but it isn't going to cost what the ATV costs. More likely it will cost the same if not more than a regular computer.
It all goes through a Yamaha AV amp with HDMI switching and upconversion. This drives both the LCD TV and my DLP projector. I really need to do something about the wiring which is a nightmare. I would love to get all the media onto the ATV but I don't have sufficient disc capacity available or time to do all the encodes to convert my large library of tapes, CDs, LDs, DVDs, HD DVDs and BDs. I have converted much of the most watched stuff and have around 600GB sitting on iTunes streaming to my ATV but that is mostly TV shows or films for my son to watch. At the end of the day, once you have a large range of formats it is difficult to get rid of the boxes if you still want access to that material.
BlizzardBomb
macrumors 68030
In the UK, the value you're getting is horrible. You could either buy a 160GB AppleTV for £219 or an Xbox 360 or a PS3 with a Hard Drive and with bundled games and controllers and the ability to stream movies anyway.
Seeing as AppleTV doesn't need an amazing graphics card/ processor and doesn't have a DVD drive, I don't see how dropping it to £150 should be an issue.
Seeing as AppleTV doesn't need an amazing graphics card/ processor and doesn't have a DVD drive, I don't see how dropping it to £150 should be an issue.
Bye Bye Baby
macrumors 65816
GreatDrok
macrumors 6502a
Both the Xbox 360 and PS3 cost more to make than they sell for and thus lose their respective companies money. Contrast those with the Wii which is technically on a similar level to the ATV and sells for similar money.
I love my AppleTV
- play non iTunes videos
- attach external HD
- use Firefox
- Send tweets
- use bittorrent
- use openvpn
- and much more...
- play non iTunes videos
- attach external HD
- use Firefox
- Send tweets
- use bittorrent
- use openvpn
- and much more...
Couldn't disagree more with the article - one of the best products I've bought, over a year without cable and haven't missed a beat, and now have much more flexible access to all of my family's content (music, movies, TV, phone + AV cable when away, AirTunes, etc.).
Of course it could happily do with a hardware bump so it can compete better on specs (1080 native, 720p/30), and would be amazing if they extended the app store to the device (at the same time they extend it to the oh-sure-it's-coming-Mr-Snuffleupagus-tablet), but even as is I love it. Have already had 7 friends (and counting) buy one, just by letting them walk into the TV room and play around for a few minutes.
I'm firmly convinced that those who don't appreciate the Apple TV simply don't understand how it should really be used (the old "there are two kinds of people - those who love me, and those who don't know me yet") 😎
Of course it could happily do with a hardware bump so it can compete better on specs (1080 native, 720p/30), and would be amazing if they extended the app store to the device (at the same time they extend it to the oh-sure-it's-coming-Mr-Snuffleupagus-tablet), but even as is I love it. Have already had 7 friends (and counting) buy one, just by letting them walk into the TV room and play around for a few minutes.
I'm firmly convinced that those who don't appreciate the Apple TV simply don't understand how it should really be used (the old "there are two kinds of people - those who love me, and those who don't know me yet") 😎
Eraserhead
macrumors G4
But that is no big deal.
Either you do it yourself with free tools or you use a commercial product, such as patchstick.ca
Eraserhead
macrumors G4
That's great if you know what you're doing and it does work well if you have someone good to keep it up and running, the thing is its still not easy for non-technical users. The reason the iPod and iPhone do well is that you don't have to know how to do that stuff.
BlizzardBomb
macrumors 68030
While the still PS3 does, the 360 doesn't any more. The Wii makes a ridiculous amount of profit per console sold because the parts inside are incredibly low-end, but it still has an optical drive which the AppleTV lacks (not that it should need one) and again comes with bundled goods where as the AppleTV only comes with a remote.
Apple also makes additional money on the rental and movie side so even if they only sold it at break-even (which judging by the parts inside would be around £100 if that), they would still spin a healthy profit on most AppleTVs sold.
ljonesj
macrumors 6502a
i wanted something that could play all media formats, hook to my 42in tv, play music and let me play around with osx, and allow me to carry it around even thou without a screen to a friends house and play world of warcraft so i choose a mac mini but the apple tv is good for the ones that dont need that
I firmly believe Apple TV will be an integral part of Apple's forthcoming subscription television/content services. I think this is the year (2010) of the next generation Apple TV and Apple will use all the feedback from this "hobby" to design a device truly worthy of the logo and markedly better than the current version of the product.
That said, I don't have many qualms with the Apple TV, as I stated earlier. It does exactly what it is *supposed* to do -- extend your iTunes library to the living room or the bedroom, garage, etc. It was NEVER meant to be a full-fledged computer experience, so those whining about not being able to surf the net or what have you...come to grip with reality please. (And even that is possible with a little hackery 😛 )
That said, I don't have many qualms with the Apple TV, as I stated earlier. It does exactly what it is *supposed* to do -- extend your iTunes library to the living room or the bedroom, garage, etc. It was NEVER meant to be a full-fledged computer experience, so those whining about not being able to surf the net or what have you...come to grip with reality please. (And even that is possible with a little hackery 😛 )
xPismo
macrumors 6502a
I'm always surprised how people dislike the Apple TV.
I dig my Apple TV -- mostly for being so simple. Anyone can pick up the remote and use it. That said I have modded it (320Gb HD, atv version of patchstick software) and now its still dead simple and is also everything I was looking for in a replacement for my Cable box, DVD player, and TiVo. So:
My computer - hardware i already have - does most of this for me (DVD playback, rip, TV recording using EyeTV, h.264 encoding). Why do I want it in my AppleTV too?
Which is what the current Apple TV does, it works just like an iPod or iPhone by living in the walled garden of iTunes. . . I could set it up at my parents house and know they would be able to use it immediately.
You want it to do all the above and still be dead simple for the non-geek to use?
I dig my Apple TV -- mostly for being so simple. Anyone can pick up the remote and use it. That said I have modded it (320Gb HD, atv version of patchstick software) and now its still dead simple and is also everything I was looking for in a replacement for my Cable box, DVD player, and TiVo. So:
My computer - hardware i already have - does most of this for me (DVD playback, rip, TV recording using EyeTV, h.264 encoding). Why do I want it in my AppleTV too?
Which is what the current Apple TV does, it works just like an iPod or iPhone by living in the walled garden of iTunes. . . I could set it up at my parents house and know they would be able to use it immediately.
You want it to do all the above and still be dead simple for the non-geek to use?
Cave Man
macrumors 604
Except that it doesn't. There are a lot of videos that play fine in iTunes but won't play on the Apple TV.
It's been easy enough to use. I'm happy with it. I'm also happy supporting this device that leads to whatever's coming next.
I think Gizmodo is correct in that it is Apple's worst-selling product in the ipod and mac family.
But the ATV is great at what it does. Get your iTunes content to your TV. Nothing else does that better.
and nothing else gives the consumer as much movie, tv and music selection as far as I know. And is as easy to use.
IN the Gizmodo list I think the ATV compares sort of to the Segway. A device that is nice, but hasn't found a much of a market per se. Segway was alot more hyped though. Apple has downplayed the ATV since the beginning.
But the ATV is great at what it does. Get your iTunes content to your TV. Nothing else does that better.
and nothing else gives the consumer as much movie, tv and music selection as far as I know. And is as easy to use.
IN the Gizmodo list I think the ATV compares sort of to the Segway. A device that is nice, but hasn't found a much of a market per se. Segway was alot more hyped though. Apple has downplayed the ATV since the beginning.
I disagree with the list in the sense that most of the other products were significantly flawed (AppleTV isn't- underspecced!=flawed) or were total failures in the marketplace (AppleTV isn't- "worst selling product"!="massive money pit"). So no, I don't think AppleTV should be compared with FlexPlay DVDs or ATRAC-only music players. For the same reason, I also think that Sony's MemoryStick line probably does not deserve to be on the list.
AppleTV does warrant a fair amount of criticism. The industry is at a point now where the machine really does need to do more in order to compete well. However, a strong product needing improvement is a far cry from being the "Worst Product of the Decade".
AppleTV does warrant a fair amount of criticism. The industry is at a point now where the machine really does need to do more in order to compete well. However, a strong product needing improvement is a far cry from being the "Worst Product of the Decade".
The absence of a single product makes the Gizmodo list somewhat suspect - where, oh where, is the Microsoft Zune? It is certainly comprable to what Gizmodo is saying about Apple TV, except that Microsoft pushed it hard and is losing a mint on it.
I like my Apple TV fine. There are plenty of things it could be that it isn't, but it is what it is supposed to be - an iPod for your TV. I use it so my kids don't ruin all the DVDs. It's great for that. Plus, I have rented and purchased a few movies online. It's a nice interface for digital content without swapping disks, etc.
I don't think it has been as successful as Apple had originally hoped - but the iPod wasn't an instant hit either. The inability to encode DVDs direct in iTunes is a problem that hinders Apple TV. There is no real way around that since digital movies and digital music are treated differently for digital copyright.
I've long maintained a couple of things about Apple TV - first is that Apple stays in the market to maintain talent and experience in an area that they think may be "the next big thing." By incrementally improving Apple TV, they stay current in the technology and the licensing business so that they will not ever have to start from zero if someone finds a successful model - or if they happen upon it themselves.
Second, Apple's model has long been focused on a single home computer with your media library shared amongst many other devices (iPods and Apple TVs). The problem is that with more people going to laptops or there being multiple computer houses, the need for centralized storage not tied to a specific computer is becoming a necessity. An Apple Home Media Server is the logical answer. Store all your music and video there and let it stream out to your various boxes. The new sharing features in iTunes is a step in that direction, but not a complete one. Apple likes its closed boxes and a Home Media Server without some sort of backup capability is problematic. That is probably something they are trying to wrap their minds around philosophically. They are also trying to figure out how much of a market there is for it and the appropriate price point (hint, something less than a Mac Mini is probably what they are thinking). So my theory is that Apple in 2011 will have some sort of integrated home system for desktops, laptops and TVs. If they can consolidate that home server with Apple TV, that would be ideal. At least if I were in the Apple product marketing division...
I like my Apple TV fine. There are plenty of things it could be that it isn't, but it is what it is supposed to be - an iPod for your TV. I use it so my kids don't ruin all the DVDs. It's great for that. Plus, I have rented and purchased a few movies online. It's a nice interface for digital content without swapping disks, etc.
I don't think it has been as successful as Apple had originally hoped - but the iPod wasn't an instant hit either. The inability to encode DVDs direct in iTunes is a problem that hinders Apple TV. There is no real way around that since digital movies and digital music are treated differently for digital copyright.
I've long maintained a couple of things about Apple TV - first is that Apple stays in the market to maintain talent and experience in an area that they think may be "the next big thing." By incrementally improving Apple TV, they stay current in the technology and the licensing business so that they will not ever have to start from zero if someone finds a successful model - or if they happen upon it themselves.
Second, Apple's model has long been focused on a single home computer with your media library shared amongst many other devices (iPods and Apple TVs). The problem is that with more people going to laptops or there being multiple computer houses, the need for centralized storage not tied to a specific computer is becoming a necessity. An Apple Home Media Server is the logical answer. Store all your music and video there and let it stream out to your various boxes. The new sharing features in iTunes is a step in that direction, but not a complete one. Apple likes its closed boxes and a Home Media Server without some sort of backup capability is problematic. That is probably something they are trying to wrap their minds around philosophically. They are also trying to figure out how much of a market there is for it and the appropriate price point (hint, something less than a Mac Mini is probably what they are thinking). So my theory is that Apple in 2011 will have some sort of integrated home system for desktops, laptops and TVs. If they can consolidate that home server with Apple TV, that would be ideal. At least if I were in the Apple product marketing division...
Apple TV is most certainly overdue for an upgrade. The lack of 1080p HD is a legitimate criticism at this point and the hardware just can't handle it. The reliance on PATA HDDs is dated, although Apple probably has a good deal on the ones they are getting. People calling for Blu-ray, direct encoding, etc. don't understand the product - it is supposed to function in concert with a PC. If you have a PC, then you don't need AppleTV to do all those things. Plus, Apple hasn't adopted Blu-ray for any of its own computers yet, so they aren't going to slap that thing into AppleTV. DVR is an interesting view since that is not something PCs do by themselves. Plus, the AppleTV is supposed to be right there beside the cable/antenna connection. Why not let it be a TiVO? Probably a horsepower and programming issue really, but the ATV could be the vector back to your desktop (see above about Home Media Server). Still, it goes against the Apple model of buying content from iTunes...
it's a glorified cron job runner, or whatever the backup software in UNIX is called.