Yeah so I want to be able to watch TV content without buying it. I've been very happy so far with NetFlix. $8.99 and I can stream content all day long. Was a little rough at first, but they've kept at it and now the quality is stunning on my 24" monitor. Also the content has really improved to the point I'm seriously considering ditching our Dish subscription and using this + the few OTA hdtv channels we can pick up.
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AppleTV Survey
- Thread starter ipedro
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Exactly my experience. I think I'm close to 2 years cable free! Estimated savings ($110 x 24 months = $2,200)
Wait now.... let's not go all iPhone on the Apple TV.
What I would like it to be is a full fledged Mac that connects to my TV.... like a Mac Mini Pro. That way there'd be no need for an SDK or app store ala the corny iPhone.
Merge the MacMini and Apple TV and then put full 1080p purchases in iTunes.
TiVo vs. Apple TV
I recently purchased a HD Tivo and I have owned an apple TV for about a year.
I am seriously considering ebaying my apple TV, now. If I could have just plugged an eyetv into my apple tv and had menu's my wife could understand, then I would never have needed to waste my time with a Tivo.
Apple, if you are listening out there - stop shipping a glorified ipod and develop a world class competitor for tivo.
also I second an app store for the apple tv. If apple shipped a decent wireless games controller for apple tv, an ap store would rock.
I recently purchased a HD Tivo and I have owned an apple TV for about a year.
I am seriously considering ebaying my apple TV, now. If I could have just plugged an eyetv into my apple tv and had menu's my wife could understand, then I would never have needed to waste my time with a Tivo.
Apple, if you are listening out there - stop shipping a glorified ipod and develop a world class competitor for tivo.
also I second an app store for the apple tv. If apple shipped a decent wireless games controller for apple tv, an ap store would rock.
as an AppleTV owner where no iTunes store, i bought for my grandma.
she doesn't even operate a DVD player, but she can with an AppleTV, at least to watch her fav old movies, enjoying the random photos screensaver, though searching out her music is little difficult... i'm happy that can make her happy
but, it took me weeks to encode her DVD/CD, scanned & searched covers/contents, to program this as different playlists in iTunes, so they can easily sync.... and i think if Apple found a way to help me out in this process, that will be great
she doesn't even operate a DVD player, but she can with an AppleTV, at least to watch her fav old movies, enjoying the random photos screensaver, though searching out her music is little difficult... i'm happy that can make her happy
but, it took me weeks to encode her DVD/CD, scanned & searched covers/contents, to program this as different playlists in iTunes, so they can easily sync.... and i think if Apple found a way to help me out in this process, that will be great
Yeah. When Steve introduces new products, though, he does mention that customers wanted certain features. He particularly emphasized it for the aluminum Macbook. Phil also mentioned the antiglare option for the 17" Pro specifically as a customer request.
They probably do care what their customers want. They're just follow a philosophy of "saying no" to everything so they can focus on one particular thing.
Video playlists was certainly an embarrassment for them. Now, the Mac Mini going more than 18 months and counting without an update? They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. If you're going to say no to the Mini, then discontinue it. Or even come out an say, "hey, you know, we're probably not going to update this thing for a while, so everyone who's waiting on it should buy one now." What's wrong with that?
hulu.com
I second this motion. One or two more hulu.com competitors will do the trick.
expand podcast selections
stop charging people for TV shows. yes I know that there are people out there that buys TV shows. To them I ask, what could possibly compel you to buy TV shows such as Heroes?
the advertising model will work over the internet just as it doesn't on TV
Cinch
I second this motion. One or two more hulu.com competitors will do the trick.
expand podcast selections
stop charging people for TV shows. yes I know that there are people out there that buys TV shows. To them I ask, what could possibly compel you to buy TV shows such as Heroes?
the advertising model will work over the internet just as it doesn't on TV
Cinch
My one more thing...
Unless they put a Blu-Ray palyer in the thing, or sell an external one a la the MacBook Air SuperDrive, 1080p support isn't all that important to me. Nope, my "one more thing" before I'd even *think* about buying an AppleTV is codec support comparable to the VLC (http://www.videolan.org/) Player.
I don't want to spend the next year transcoding more than 10 years worth of digital media to yet another "format of the day" that is compatible with a single player that I'd need to replace in a year or two in order to keep up with the latest codecs.
Yes, I could plug my old G4 MacMini into my TV, I have the DVI ports for it. It's just that I don't want to use a full blown computer, particularly if Apple ever gets around to updating the MacMinis (What is it? Two years now with no refresh, amounting to bargain basement hardware at full price.), for what amounts to being an over glorified VCR. Not to mention the Apple Menu burnt into my screen last time I hooked my Mini up to the TV!
I would love to buy an AppleTV. The only thing stopping me is knowing that I won't be able to throw whatever file I have at it WITHOUT having to take it apart and make all kinds of tricky, warranty voiding, software modifications in the process.
Unless they put a Blu-Ray palyer in the thing, or sell an external one a la the MacBook Air SuperDrive, 1080p support isn't all that important to me. Nope, my "one more thing" before I'd even *think* about buying an AppleTV is codec support comparable to the VLC (http://www.videolan.org/) Player.
I don't want to spend the next year transcoding more than 10 years worth of digital media to yet another "format of the day" that is compatible with a single player that I'd need to replace in a year or two in order to keep up with the latest codecs.
Yes, I could plug my old G4 MacMini into my TV, I have the DVI ports for it. It's just that I don't want to use a full blown computer, particularly if Apple ever gets around to updating the MacMinis (What is it? Two years now with no refresh, amounting to bargain basement hardware at full price.), for what amounts to being an over glorified VCR. Not to mention the Apple Menu burnt into my screen last time I hooked my Mini up to the TV!
I would love to buy an AppleTV. The only thing stopping me is knowing that I won't be able to throw whatever file I have at it WITHOUT having to take it apart and make all kinds of tricky, warranty voiding, software modifications in the process.
That has already happened. I love how so many people here get upset with each other for having strong opinions in either a positive or negative aspect regarding the AppleTV. I'm glad I can add mine
... The AppleTV, in its current form, blows. I realize people here love iTunes to death but being chained to a wall got old really fast for me. I highly recommend installing Boxee on your AppleTV; it's not difficult and turns the AppleTV into the media centre it always should have been. The ONLY thing it lacks for me is Netflix streaming. The Boxee team tried but just couldn't do it with the limitations of the 1GHz AppleTV processor. Install Boxee, you'll be glad you did. cheers.
QFT
The TivoHD beats the
TV in every area but user interface and amount of on-demand content. The TivoHD has access to the Amazon Unbox store for on-demand content but it is also a world class DVR and has access to Netflix's entire streaming catalog if you have an account with them too. So basically, if there isn't anything Tivoed and I don't have anything in the mail from Netflix then I have the option of renting something from Amazon or streaming an older title from Netflix. Oh and Netflix already has a really big library of titles to stream.Basically, Apple should copy the TivoHD only make it smaller, use their cleaner interface, and add a Blu-Ray Player and they will have a winner. If they can't get deal with Netflix then they can offer unlimited subscriptions for older iTunes titles for $15 per month or less.
Hulu wouldn't hurt either. $2 per episode for TV shows is insane even with season passes saving a few bucks.
Besides a TivoHD I also happen to have a PS3 and I will say Apple does have Sony beat at least. The online catelog from Sony is expensive, there is less of it, and it takes forever to download. Plus, the interface is worse.
Well, this should put to rest rumors of an imminent revision that incorporates something substantially new. Market data takes quite a while to make it into new/updated products.
It looks like a long-term strategy for Apple to know its customer base. Kudos for asking! Steve usually assumes he knows what we want -- or tells us what we want. He's always been right with me!
Although you'd think the Hardware for the next AppleTV would be all but locked in to meet the price point by now.
So most of what they will get out of the survey will either go into software or marketing tweaks.
As others have AppStore on AppleTV would be cool, but only if they are thinking of allowing lightweight real apps to run like iWorks.
Interest they should ask about remote controls. One of the ideas floating around in Apples patent apps is method for Devices to broadcast an interface to a central control device. Get AppleTV to be the hub for that so the system still works if all the people with iPhones are out of the room. Might be interesting.
I have a hunch we'll not see BR in anything Apple any time soon, if at all.
It appears technology is moving away from physical media (be it some flavor of compact disc, hard drive, etc.) and more toward content delivery - much in the cloud computing/push content vein.
We're seeing this in iPhones & iPod touches: devices that, in conjunction with an app like Simplify Media (whose functionality I suspect we'll see in an eventual iTunes update), can remotely access iTunes Libraries via wifi (or 3G). Rendering something like a massive/more expensive 120 GB iPod a bit irrelevant when content can be delivered wirelessly to cheaper, more efficient device.
We're seeing this in the MacBook Air: a device that no longer includes an optical drive.
We're seeing this in content providers like the Netflix (and similar services): where content is streamed to devices, never once requiring any physical storage space for said content.
It's fairly clear to me that Apple not only has a firm understanding of these concepts, but are actively moving in that direction - whose side benefits include less waste.
I don't own an TV (yet). And I find it refreshing, if not long overdue, that Apple is openly seeking feedback form TV users. It's no secret may feel this device holds immense potential. And understanding what the user wants/expects is a positive step in providing the user that experience.
All in due time, I suppose.
stop charging people for TV shows. yes I know that there are people out there that buys TV shows. To them I ask, what could possibly compel you to buy TV shows such as Heroes?
Cinch
You must watch Heroes off an antenna because that's the only way you don't buy your TV shows.
I spend less then half the money I did on cable and TIVO with my apple TV AND I don't have to watch or fast forward the commercials. Plus I can watch shows that aren't being broadcast this week.
Once you get over the 'I'm buying a tv show' mentality and realize it's just pay as you go cable, with a bigger and more timely library you really realize how useful apple tv really is.
Just say'n
f
That has already happened. I love how so many people here get upset with each other for having strong opinions in either a positive or negative aspect regarding the AppleTV. I'm glad I can add mine
QFT. The best thing Apple could do is either help Boxee get Netflix working on the existing AppleTV or release an Atom/ION AppleTV (or cut the Mini price in half
).
QFT. The best thing Apple could do is either help Boxee get Netflix working on the existing AppleTV or release an Atom/ION AppleTV (or cut the Mini price in half
Agreed. If Apple could get a Netflix deal and a Hulu deal to stream content then they could own the living room even without DVR or Blu-Ray functionality.
That said, for the average joe who probably isn't even thinking about dropping cable, DVR and/or Blu-Ray functionality would be a really big selling point.
If they put in an app store and figured out how to either releasse a Wii Remote like device (didn't they patent something like that not too long ago?) or use iPhones/iPod Touch's as input devices then they might be able to take a bite out of the gaming market as well.
=)
Good Idea!
You have understand that lots of kids are here just writing useless comments. Wish this was for hardcore apple fans. )
Good Idea!
You have understand that lots of kids are here just writing useless comments. Wish this was for hardcore apple fans. )
Purchasing TV...
I don't know why people do buy TV shows on iTunes. But I can tell you why I don't buy them.
The full season's pass costs almost as much as buying it on DVD. It's a digital download and, in the volumes Apple would be purchasing, bandwidth is cheap. There is also no "physical" product to manufacture, store, or transport (other than the aforementioned cheap bandwidth). You would think the price per show / season would be seriously reduced from the DVD. The problem is, its not and if I'm going to pay nearly the same cost as the show on DVD, I'm going to spend the few bucks more (and yes, it really does often only work out to a few bucks more) and buy the DVD. At least this way I have a nice shiny, quality controlled, pressed disc as backup should my computer crash, or my self made backup DVD's rot away.
And, should I later decide to exercise my right of first sale, I could sell my DVDs to someone else. Something you can't do with digital downloads.
The only way they'd get me to purchase TV on iTunes is when I purchase a full season download of a show, I also receive in the mail a DVD box set of what I just purchased. I'd even pay up to 10%-15% *more* than the Season cost for the DVDs alone if they did that.
If they did that, I could finally get rid of cable.
stop charging people for TV shows. yes I know that there are people out there that buys TV shows. To them I ask, what could possibly compel you to buy TV shows such as Heroes?
I don't know why people do buy TV shows on iTunes. But I can tell you why I don't buy them.
The full season's pass costs almost as much as buying it on DVD. It's a digital download and, in the volumes Apple would be purchasing, bandwidth is cheap. There is also no "physical" product to manufacture, store, or transport (other than the aforementioned cheap bandwidth). You would think the price per show / season would be seriously reduced from the DVD. The problem is, its not and if I'm going to pay nearly the same cost as the show on DVD, I'm going to spend the few bucks more (and yes, it really does often only work out to a few bucks more) and buy the DVD. At least this way I have a nice shiny, quality controlled, pressed disc as backup should my computer crash, or my self made backup DVD's rot away.
And, should I later decide to exercise my right of first sale, I could sell my DVDs to someone else. Something you can't do with digital downloads.
The only way they'd get me to purchase TV on iTunes is when I purchase a full season download of a show, I also receive in the mail a DVD box set of what I just purchased. I'd even pay up to 10%-15% *more* than the Season cost for the DVDs alone if they did that.
If they did that, I could finally get rid of cable.
I made a list of 12 things I'd like to see in another thread ( https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/647369/ ) and I *HAVE* already bought one...oh wait. I bought TWO, not one. So spare me the lines about what-ifs and one mores. AppleTV could do SO much more if Apple would just let it. I shouldn't have to hack it to get more services and options. At least one hack already made my movie video disappear so I had to restore and rehack even. Just so I can watch Hula.... Sheesh. Add it already Apple. Add a visualizer so I can watch something other than slideshows. Add a subscription model so I can ditch cable and don't jump ship to Netflix. Stop asking questions you don't care about and just DO IT ALREADY. It's obvious what people want and even more obvious what else it could do (say a browser like Couch Surfer, which is pretty cool to check the message forums or news sites during commercials on tv, etc.)
Meanwhile, the poll appears to be closed. I guess they don't really care to hear too MANY opinions.
