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Žalgiris;10919091 said:
Maybe, but anyway i can understand if they go with 720p for the first gen device.

Maybe, but I would consider the 2006 :apple:TV the "first gen".

They upgraded the hard drive and some software a few years ago. One might argue that as a second gen.

This thing should be either the real second gen or a third gen. It would be disappointing to have no better HD resolution than the one from 2006.
 
Just dreaming...

I cannot wait to cancel my cable subscription, paying for all that crap makes me sick... I must be one of those hobbyist I guess.

I bought seasons of Lost, some 24, and other TV shows. I rent movies through iTunes. With the previews, I tried a bunch of TV shows. Usually one episode... I think the first episode of every season should be free. I would like to get discount price to buy a movie after rental. Shave the difference if I want to keep it. but what am I talking about? All of this has be negotiated, agree upon by thousands of people literally. So, not in my lifetime (I'm 40). There is no business incentive to product great TV, not anymore.

And that's not even taking into consideration the 'national' conditions. Like me as a Canadian iPad, iPhone and AppleTV owner; I cannot go to ABC's site and watch TV. No that's forbidden, I have to go on either Global or CTV sites, which are Flash based. So no TV viewing for me except from iTunes. Even the Canadian public TV site is Flash based! Anyway...

I think the only way for Apple is through syndication. So I think Apple should start its own network, its own production studios, its own music label. Then they would have a freeway to the consumer with iTunes. I mean, TV ratings and CD sales have never been that low, thanks to reality TV and kiddy-music. By doing that, Apple could attract great talent. And if a TV show is syndicated, it means that it can be acquired no? So what if the next Avatar is produced by Apple, the next 24, the next Beatles? Lots of people could be cut off from the food chain if artists works directly for Apple. But I don't hold my breathe. They do have what it takes for that though,... It would fun to see the TV networks / cable providers scrambling like PC OEM are scrambling right now for a tablet PC ;-)
 
Cheaper? Sure. Viable? Well...

Let's use Survivor as an example.

They have a crew of 300 people. The low end of the film crew receives between $300-$500 a week for their services. The higher end receives $600-$1000 a week for their services (editors, directors, etc.). They spend about 5 months shooting abroad. So in general, about 5 million goes to the film crew, excluding travel fees, stay and food (which amounts to about another mil).

Now, what about equipment? To film abroad, they have to make arrangements with the government. Many times this involves a fee. They import their equipment by the way, which can be quite costly. They also rent helicopters for aerial shots, etc. Also remember the 1 mil the winner receives, set pieces, etc. etc.

So for the nature of assumption, let's assume a 12-15 mil filming fee. That's quite a bit. How do they make this back? (a) Sponsors (b) Advertisements (c) Fee Per Showing (d) Season DVD sets. All of which are necessary for the Studio and the producer to make a profit, and pay the people who work on it.

My point is this, rentals and purchases via iTunes just doesn't provide the same revenue that advertisement, reruns, etc. do. And while if a large scale switch to this type of system occurred and they did make a profit, the whole thought of change and an unproven system bring about this rejection.

You have no idea what you're talking about.
 
"Most consumers aren't ready to cut the cord to their cable company......"

Really?? I sure am! The prices are insane if you want to watch only two or three shows on two or three channels of the hundreds they force you to subscribe to.

We just cut the cord on DirecTV... I am hoping Apple comes out with a great product. We only watch a couple of shows, but I am hoping that FoodNetwork joins the iTunes bandwagon, then we'll have everything we used to watch. Here is look to the 1st!!!!

Jeff:D
 
One word, actually 3 letters: iOS

Think about it, it has to appeal to international market, iTV for the US and concentrate on TV content is not going to make it a feasible product, why do you think it'll be $99? How many TV shows would you have to buy just for them to make enough profit? I'd imagine they are selling it at loss in the beginning, think apps, games, social networking, face time...

What apps do you need on your TV? Is that in addition to your desktop, laptop and iPod? ARM-based device is not going to be competitive with XBOX, PS3 or even Wii. It's one thing to play mediocre games while waiting for a dentist appointment but who would want to play these games on TV at thome?
 
I would LOOOOVE to ditch TWC. I hate them, and their service is absurdly expensive. The trouble is, it's football season. Sports is a deal-breaker on these devices. Oh well.
 
I'm hoping this version is a bit more open than my :apple:TV. If it comes with normal USB port and the flexibility for third party Apps, a company like Elgato can set in with a HD Tuner add on so that you can watch your sports (and local news, etc).

Those things need to get covered in some way to maximize appeal. One of the easier methods would be to build in a tuner, or make adding one on as an OPTION. Instead of trying to imagine/position it as a replacement for cable/satt, maybe it is better to see it as something to add on, much like a BD player or Tivo are not typically viewed as a replacement for cable/satt.
 
I'm hoping this version is a bit more open than my :apple:TV. If it comes with normal USB port and the flexibility for third party Apps, a company like Elgato can set in with a HD Tuner add on so that you can watch your sports (and local news, etc).

Those things need to get covered in some way to maximize appeal. One of the easier methods would be to build in a tuner, or make adding one on as an OPTION. Instead of trying to imagine/position it as a replacement for cable/satt, maybe it is better to see it as something to add on, much like a BD player or Tivo are not typically viewed as a replacement for cable/satt.

"a bit more open"? That is very unlikely. It seems that everybody agrees that the purpose of this device for Apple is to generate profits from iTunes.
 
The rumor is that apps are likely. If we might get apps like the apps on iDevices, the would be more open "software" that might let some content flow from Netflix, hulu plus, HBO, ABC, etc.

To really make a set-top box smoke (in sales), they need to cover the live sports and local news base. That's probably not going to be possible through iTunes, nor through other options via Internet for at least some time. However, a tuner- built in or added on- would be a great way to add lots of utility to this thing.

With everything else Apple offers, add-on hardware exists. Why keep this separate- especially if it is joining the iOS party?
 
I know better what i see. And "Maybe you should remove the Steve colored glasses" makes you look silly.

Translation, "Steve jobs told me 720p is what I need. Don't bother me with your facts and scientific proof, the word of Steve Jobs is all I need to hear".
 
"a bit more open"? That is very unlikely. It seems that everybody agrees that the purpose of this device for Apple is to generate profits from iTunes.

Their is zero chance this thing will be "more open", the entire point of this device is to suck even more money out of your wallet. Why would they allow you to download a better encoded video for free when they could charge for an inferior encode.
 
Translation, "Steve jobs told me 720p is what I need. Don't bother me with your facts and scientific proof, the word of Steve Jobs is all I need to hear".

Most people can't even tell when their aspect ratio is skewed. 1080P is great and all, but 720P is pretty enough for the bandwidth and hard drive space I have access to.
 
Their is zero chance this thing will be "more open", the entire point of this device is to suck even more money out of your wallet. Why would they allow you to download a better encoded video for free when they could charge for an inferior encode.

If it comes with iOS third party apps potential, it is a bit more open out of the box. It also would imply that content will be able to come from sources other than just iTunes.

If it released as an iOS platform without Apps, what's the point. Why not just launch :apple:TV OS 3.2 or 4?

I realize the hope for normal USB is more hope. But if the Apps are going to be there, why not allow for third parties to add some hardware as well... just like iPhones, iPads, iPods? Why does this one iDevice have to be so different?
 
What apps do you need on your TV? Is that in addition to your desktop, laptop and iPod? ARM-based device is not going to be competitive with XBOX, PS3 or even Wii. It's one thing to play mediocre games while waiting for a dentist appointment but who would want to play these games on TV at thome?

Because it's common knowledge that if lilo777 says you don't need something, then no one should ever feel differently. Screw personal choice! Nevermind the fact that numerous consumer electronics companies are building in access to apps on their TVs, Bluray players, etc. Only Apple can be viewed as stupid for pursuing the same idea.

"a bit more open"? That is very unlikely. It seems that everybody agrees that the purpose of this device for Apple is to generate profits from iTunes.

Once again, only Apple can be taken to task for having the gall to actually try to generate profits. No other corporation engages in such vile behavior. :rolleyes:
 
Most people can't even tell when their aspect ratio is skewed. 1080P is great and all, but 720P is pretty enough for the bandwidth and hard drive space I have access to.

And again, that's fine, offer 720p content for people like you. But don't limit the hardware so that others that can benefit from 1080p will be able to do so. Otherwise, you're limiting your buyer base.

There is no benefit at all to shipping 720p over 1080p capable hardware. Nothing whatsoever.
 
Cable/Satellite is not going anywhere. The US is made up of more than just single males living alone (or with their girlfriends), or young males living in their parents basement. Believe it or not there is something called family where you have mom, dad, children. There is another thing called single parent households. These are the people with mutltiple TVs and don't want to fuss with subscriptions to certain TV shows and Apple TV. They can get a 10.00 addition to their cable service and boom, record.

What percentage of single males versus families, I have no idea.

Jobs knows for now this is just a hobby environment, plus the fact that the content providers are not on board makes Apple TV a niche product.
 
If he has such non-belief in a product, why even bother ? A LG BD370 sounds like a better option everyday. Full DLNA streaming, including MKV container support and Blu-ray to boot. All connected either through Ethernet or Wi-Fi. For 149$ most places.

you betcha I recently bought two 590's one for the bedroom and one for my living room and am not looking back, between Netflix and all the content on my PC that I can stream in any format, i Have no need for my apple TV. The LG does everything I Possibly needs, and its wireless to boot.
 
Most people can't even tell when their aspect ratio is skewed. 1080P is great and all, but 720P is pretty enough for the bandwidth and hard drive space I have access to.

AR being off is far easier to spot than resolution of the source.
 
The TV studios are absolutely retarded for not going for subscriptions. But then again, TV studios and networks have shown time and again in recent years that they ARE in fact retarded. The world is passing them by, and I say good riddance.

Until there is a better option, I'll stick with watching my shows for FREE via whatever method.

That being said, I'm not buying an Apple TV/iTV in any case. I've had enough of proprietary crap. Give me a device that is open and has the option to let me watch my own content in any format OR buy/stream your content, and a good price, and I'll buy. Right now, that's definitely NOT going to be AppleTV any time soon ... if ever.
 
Personally, I think its just a first step scanrio. If Apple can't get the kind of support NetFlix can...that makes Apple look weak. BUT if Apple does the new iTV with iOS and now Netflix, HULU and hell, the NFL can directly sell you content...then Apple basically went around cable companies...I dont know about shows, but the NFL probably has enough clout to do this and tell the cable companys not to start a fracas over it...if i could get strming games from the nfl...for say 100-150 a season...cable would be 100% gone. I think this is very doable. Apple makes a little on the device and reaps the bennies on the app store....fast forward 2 years, a few million iTV;s sold and 10's of thousands of iTV apps in the store...they now have clout....adding facetime takes the iTV into a whole new realm....I disagree with other comments on here...this could really be a game changer!
 
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