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You guys don't understand patents

Some here have pointed out that some of the features, such as overlaying a menu transparently over a picture, has already been done. But if there's a patent attorney on here, could you please confirm my belief that the patent goes to the person who came up with the concept first and made some type of prototype, even if others bring the thing out commercially in the meantime? Then once the patent is issued, the owner can go after those who can't document having developed the concept earlier. Am I right?
 
What will be the source of information for the DVR?

The big open issue continues to be the source of information about program schedules. I use a box that supposedly gets its schedules from a signal sent out by local CBS stations, but most of the time, it's filled with holes, and only has a few hours. TIVO is great for filling the information gap, allowing people to set up things such as season passes, where you can record every new broadcast of a program and skip the repeats, regardless of time shifts, etc. but the service is expensive. Many of us solely watch or record over-the-air broadcasts, supplemented on rare occasion by an internet broadcast or a skipped program found on iTunes or Hulu or a TV network's site. Apple is great at supplying total solutions, hardware, software, service, so it will be interesting to see how it fills the missing element here. (Perhaps it is somewhere in this patent filing, but I don't see it.)
 
Obviously TV is not dead.
You're probably referring to Live Broadcast TV, which is also not dead.
I'd like to see you watch the Super Bowl on Netflix.

You know what I mean.

Tv ratings have been falling and will continue to as everything goes streaming
 
Of course, the first question that needs to be asked is if you understood the ending. And if the answer is "they were dead the whole time" then you didn't! :D Just rewatched the series this summer and the whole show totally held up very well. Great drama, great characters, great story and a "couple" loose ends.

And since this post got off topic, I'll say that I did stream some of my rewatch on my iPad, iPhone and Apple TV. lol

So basically Prometheus on TV.
 
An end to channel surfing? Enough people willing to download programs and wait for them to come in over their pathetic phone lines?

Actually, Apple should simply buy or launch a satellite company, or use a system of circling drones and control the whole thing. Use it for internet and cell use as well. Everything else is just second rate.
 
This is why your going to see an "Apple TV" now and not 6 years ago. Eventually I think Apple is hoping to be your DirecTV or TimeWarner. They've been forging partnerships with large production companies by streaming movies and series' through Itunes already. It's only a matter of time before they acquire local broadcasts and stream them live over the web. The entertainment industry has been heading into the direction of web distribution and "on demand" access for consumers for a while now; and Apple has put themselves in great position to take advantage.

Apple is cleaning up your entertainment area. No more Coax run throughout your house. No need for a dvd or blu ray. No cable boxes. Everything will be built into the TV. And for people who don't have the money to purchase the presumable very expensive "AppleVision" will go the AppleTV route.

They're not there yet...not even close. I have an ATV2 and I do stream from iTunes, Netflix, Hulu and my personal library. I'm also going to try NHL Gamecenter this season instead of renewing Center Ice.

BUT

Still can't compete....nowhere near....the variety of content DirecTV delivers to me. They have a LONG way to go.
 
so when are we gonna see Apple go after TiVo?

Absolutely- maybe they'll offer TiVo. Gets TiVo out of making hardware, which must be a pain.

The operative word here is record.

Apple's never offered recording, deferring to iTunes Store sales instead.

Recording isn't dead, just like broadcast television isn't dead. As long as advertisers will pay for exclusive content on free-to-air, there will be a need. Netflicks just doesn't/can't have everything. They are forever the studios' b!tch.

It may, a long way into the future, when studios buy them out, but not in the foreseeable. Even then, studios will be trying to play the scarcity game. They don't know any different.
 
In 2006, LOST was in its 2nd/3rd season. And it was one of the first shows available for digital purchase through iTunes (along with Desperate Housewives). Absolutely makes sense that this would be on their sketches.

Plus, it is one of the best network dramas of all time and I'll have words with anyone who says differently! :D

(Long time reader of the forums, first time poster. Congrats! This caused me to sign up! lol)

I love lost, it's a shame a lot of people didn't really get it, whether the show as a whole or the finale
 
Are standalone DVRs still popular? My TIVO has been in a drawer since 2007. Now with the cable companies handing out DVRs, doesn't it make it harder for people to go to the trouble of going out to buy another one. (Though I recognize that a lot will due to it being from Apple.)

The interface looks a little like FIOS, with the browsing for shows with what's currently playing on another window.
 
In before Apple start's to sue anyone who uses a similar interface and DVR....:rolleyes:
 
If apple does make a TV, it will (hopefully) be a well considered DVR that can stream movies & television channels to or from any apple computer or iDevice, as well as streaming to the TV from all these devices, which already is happening. They also will work as remotes. Includes all their products, doesn't rely on them, adds a huge, new service for multiple product owners and allows people to watch seperate shows at the same time if need be. Running iTunes for rentals and acting as a media hub
 
I have an LG 3D smart TV a Sony Bravia TV and a PVR box from my Cable service provider. There is a ton of room to improve the menu system. I also have a second gen ATV. The PVR menu is slow, clunky (Not as slow as the LG Smart TV) and they put it over the show. I prefer the video keep playing in the corner so I can surf for the next show without missing the end of the current show. Please fix the mess Apple. :apple: :D :apple: I have Faith.
 
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