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Exclusive: Apple Plasma Displays to Rock MWSF (PowerPage.org)
- Thread starter jholzner
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TMA said:
Bingo! If Apple wants to do this, they need a DVD-player, PVR, iTunes, cable-card, with a really well designed interface and the ability to wirelessly connect to the rest of the home network. If done right this would frickin' rule.
Great... so now you have to upgrade your T.V. every 5 years when the CPU inside it isn't powerful anymore? At least the iMac is still useful for things... but a 42" T.V. is hard to use as a 'guest computer'.
If the CPU and TV were separate... maybe. But maybe I just need to get closer to the RDF?
If the CPU and TV were separate... maybe. But maybe I just need to get closer to the RDF?
AtHomeBoy_2000 said:
Before anyone gets excited, this is an old image and turned out to be fake. See http://guides.macrumors.com/Gallery_of_Apple_Mockups_and_Fake_Products
Thank you!!!!!AtHomeBoy_2000 said:
The Apple New Year is coming up on the 10th, and MWSF without elevator photos would be like regular New Year without the ball drop.
It is the high point of my pre-MWSF week
Real, fake, Apple legal this, black drapes that... who cares? Just so long as it's a PHOTO in an ELEVATOR, I am happy. But it's very easy to use it as a guest TVMechcozmo said:
nagromme said:The Apple New Year is coming up on the 10th, and MWSF without elevator photos would be like regular New Year without the ball drop.
It is the high point of my pre-MWSF week
Well, to be honest, I had never seen that picture before, nor had is seen it to be proved fake. So, I will admite I got a little over excited there. Once my error was shown, I put my foot in my mouth and removed the picture.
LCD vs Plasma
OK, I'm no TV expert, but I know a bit:
1. Never, Ever base your quality opinions on a TV while viewing in a superstore. Often they are splitting the same signal between hundreds of TV's..and therefore the quality is rubbish. Often, if you ask - they'll switch it to an individual input or put in a DVD for you.
2. Plasma screens last a lot less longer than LCDs. That's why manufacturers are now getting picky about guarantees - they know that people are going to come back two years later and complain about burn-in or other problems. they're simply not designed for long life..
3. Arn's right. You do get massive Plasma's and they're cheaper too. But should people really be looking at 60" TV screens anyway?
OK, I'm no TV expert, but I know a bit:
1. Never, Ever base your quality opinions on a TV while viewing in a superstore. Often they are splitting the same signal between hundreds of TV's..and therefore the quality is rubbish. Often, if you ask - they'll switch it to an individual input or put in a DVD for you.
2. Plasma screens last a lot less longer than LCDs. That's why manufacturers are now getting picky about guarantees - they know that people are going to come back two years later and complain about burn-in or other problems. they're simply not designed for long life..
3. Arn's right. You do get massive Plasma's and they're cheaper too. But should people really be looking at 60" TV screens anyway?
If Apple already had a mac mini media center type thing, I would be more inclined to believe this. Given they are still just gently going in to the home entertainment market, I can't see jumping head first when something simple like a mini would do for so many people.
Plus, the price is wayyyy out of most consumer's price range. It just does not make good bussiness sense. HDTV is not main stream yet. Really large flat screen (either LCD or Plasma) are still not at a good price point yet. I can see this eventually happening, but not now.
You also have to look at what it would do to the imac. Do I buy a $2k 20" imac or spend $600 more to get over twice the size? Not to mention the current price of the 30", which would have to drop.
Good rumor, but I will put my eggs in the "not going to happen" basket. I don't even want to see it happen (at least at those prices) because I think it would be a HUGE mistake.
Plus, the price is wayyyy out of most consumer's price range. It just does not make good bussiness sense. HDTV is not main stream yet. Really large flat screen (either LCD or Plasma) are still not at a good price point yet. I can see this eventually happening, but not now.
You also have to look at what it would do to the imac. Do I buy a $2k 20" imac or spend $600 more to get over twice the size? Not to mention the current price of the 30", which would have to drop.
Good rumor, but I will put my eggs in the "not going to happen" basket. I don't even want to see it happen (at least at those prices) because I think it would be a HUGE mistake.
lets see....regardless of the fact that this is a real shot in the dark rumor...
On a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 is "I dont not want an Apple Plasma" and 10 is "I want an Apple Plasma more than oxygen" ... then Im a 9 trillion billion zillion.
Now, everyone...please help me with the rest of this sentence:
"Honey, we really needed this...from now on, we'll be able to simply...blank...when we want to...blank..."
no potty talk mind you
On a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 is "I dont not want an Apple Plasma" and 10 is "I want an Apple Plasma more than oxygen" ... then Im a 9 trillion billion zillion.
Now, everyone...please help me with the rest of this sentence:
"Honey, we really needed this...from now on, we'll be able to simply...blank...when we want to...blank..."
no potty talk mind you
macnews said:
I agree wholeheartedly with you. I mean, sure, an HDTV+iHome would make for an interesting product, but I can't see them selling anymore of them then Apple has of their 30" LCD. A headless iHome makes just so much more sense; but a lot of people already have HDTVs or DVD Players, etc. It's a rumour a little hard to digest. On the other hand, the HDTV+iHome would certainly make for a very seamless product in which Apple could control the whoel experience; maybe good for those people who aren't useful with electronics (aka: grandparents or soccer moms, but then why would they even want one in the first place?)
Bad timing
I hope on one hand this rumour is rubbish.
As I have been persuading my partner we really don't need to upgrade the TV, the one we have already is more than adequate, and we should give it at least another 6 months.
However, I am also in dire need of a new PB, my rev A 12" is now bashed to glory, and smelled a little funny on Wednesday, not so good.
But a new imachome thingy would be great for me. I'd probably for go the new PB for another 12 months for that. (Assuming it lasts that long)
As an aside, I see a lot of people going on a bout burn in, as we have been looking at buying a plasma or LCD TV for a few months now, the newer, high quality pannels don't have so much of a problem with that as they did some 6 - 12 months ago, mainly because of a change in the display technology and a change in some sort of gas. (I'm not a complete tech head so can't rember all the detils)
Also I'm waiting for the "the plasma will need re-charging" line still, a chap in a leading store in the UK told us this was why we needed to get a 5 year warrranty as well.
I laughed so hard. Poor boy. Do I look like I was born yesterday?
I hope on one hand this rumour is rubbish.
As I have been persuading my partner we really don't need to upgrade the TV, the one we have already is more than adequate, and we should give it at least another 6 months.
However, I am also in dire need of a new PB, my rev A 12" is now bashed to glory, and smelled a little funny on Wednesday, not so good.
But a new imachome thingy would be great for me. I'd probably for go the new PB for another 12 months for that. (Assuming it lasts that long)
As an aside, I see a lot of people going on a bout burn in, as we have been looking at buying a plasma or LCD TV for a few months now, the newer, high quality pannels don't have so much of a problem with that as they did some 6 - 12 months ago, mainly because of a change in the display technology and a change in some sort of gas. (I'm not a complete tech head so can't rember all the detils)
Also I'm waiting for the "the plasma will need re-charging" line still, a chap in a leading store in the UK told us this was why we needed to get a 5 year warrranty as well.
I laughed so hard. Poor boy. Do I look like I was born yesterday?
If I'm gonna buy into a fantasy it won't be this bozo. I like the AppleInsider one better where a guy talks of 50" SED display. That would beat plasma by a mile. It would also weigh a ton. They are usually heavy glass cause they need a vacuum. But they are as good as a CRT yet flat as a plasma. Perfect. SED will come some day, and Apple pal Canon is working on some great ones.
I love the idea of a huge iMac, but more likely we will see some media Mac that looked more like a set top box. It certainly would have Firewire - the FCC says all set top boxes shall have Firewire. So I don't see Apple dropping it now! There is also a cool new standard called HANA being worked on (a very large alliance) which runs HDTV through all sorts of upcoming HD devices over a single Firewire cable, including multiple HD streams AND the necessary control signals - a one wire interface for all your home theater (Firewire cable) and a single unified remote control is promised by all these companies. Firewire will live.
In addition to Firewire, FCC says new boxes must have either DVI or HDMI. I'd bet on HDMI. Apple is a player in the new UDI standard, which is compatible with HDMI and replaces VGA.
So I see (not sure about next week but someday soon) a Mac with HD tuners, CableCard, Firewire/HANA, HDMI/UDI in a nice box. Why stick it with a display when this box will work with all the current and upcoming HD equipment? Keep the displays separate.
I can easily imagine huge computer monitors though. After all that's what the current HDTVs are, with stereo and tuner stuff also in (some of) them. We need a big screen with a nice FireWire/HANA and/or HDMI/UDI connector on it. Could it be Apple branded 50" SED? I'm up for it!
===
Here's a page about Canon's SED technology:
Here's a web site about HANA technology:
I love the idea of a huge iMac, but more likely we will see some media Mac that looked more like a set top box. It certainly would have Firewire - the FCC says all set top boxes shall have Firewire. So I don't see Apple dropping it now! There is also a cool new standard called HANA being worked on (a very large alliance) which runs HDTV through all sorts of upcoming HD devices over a single Firewire cable, including multiple HD streams AND the necessary control signals - a one wire interface for all your home theater (Firewire cable) and a single unified remote control is promised by all these companies. Firewire will live.
In addition to Firewire, FCC says new boxes must have either DVI or HDMI. I'd bet on HDMI. Apple is a player in the new UDI standard, which is compatible with HDMI and replaces VGA.
So I see (not sure about next week but someday soon) a Mac with HD tuners, CableCard, Firewire/HANA, HDMI/UDI in a nice box. Why stick it with a display when this box will work with all the current and upcoming HD equipment? Keep the displays separate.
I can easily imagine huge computer monitors though. After all that's what the current HDTVs are, with stereo and tuner stuff also in (some of) them. We need a big screen with a nice FireWire/HANA and/or HDMI/UDI connector on it. Could it be Apple branded 50" SED? I'm up for it!
===
Here's a page about Canon's SED technology:
Here's a web site about HANA technology:
KindredMAC said:
In addition to Arn's comments (LCDs tend to top out at around 40"), I'd add a few notes:
1. LCD "lifetimes" vs plasma "lifetimes" are generally equivalent, although if you really wanted a "like new" LCD at the end of that lifetime you would replace the back light, and if you wanted a "like new" plasma at the end of that lifetime you just can't. That having been said, I don't see anyone out there offering to replace LCD backlights significantly cheaper than just buying a new set, so effectively you're in the same boat. Well, except that if you just replace the backlight you make Gaia happy and full landfills make Jesus cry.
2. "Artifacting" on LCD vs plasma ... I'm not sure what you're talking about here, as artifacting in the classic sense is a result of the image processing chip, not the display technology. However, LCD and plasma do have different color spaces, and I do notice "blotchiness" in dark shadows on my LCD sets which might not be there on plasma sets. The key is how well differentiated the color space is in certain ranges. That having been said, this isn't an inherent problem in LCDs in general, and I "fixed" my personal LCD screens by adjusting the gamma (and lowering the brightness from the factory default - I don't need a screen the brightness of the sun to squint at!). Best Buy, IMHO, is notoriously bad at mal-adjusting whatever sets they aren't "pushing" that week to make their "incentive" sets look better. That having been said, there are very real color space concerns with LCDs which aren't as much of a concern with Plasmas as Plasmas have
3. "Better motion" in plasma sets is a result of "image retention". Plasma pixels, somewhat like CRTs, have a noticable ramp-up and ramp-down stage, whereas LCD pixels are essentially either on or off. As a result, each frame tends to blend slightly with the last. Some people like the effect (it makes motion seem "smoother") while others dislike it (it also hides details in fast-moving scenes).
4. Other: LCDs are lighter and thinner and use less power (for same size screen), don't have altitude problems (also a big deal when shipping ... but not an issue for most people), don't burn in (more recent plasmas have a hard time burning in, and unburning them is fairly easy, so this is really only a minor issue any more), are marginally brighter and higher contrast in "real world" settings, and are less likely to be broken due to a short fall. Plasmas, on the other hand, don't have to deal with stuck pixels, poor black levels, and limited screen sizes. Other claims that are simply bogus: plasma sets have a much faster 'refresh' time than LCDs, but as I said above, that's with image fall-off, AND the LCD refresh times are still significantly faster than video frame rates; "lifetime" claims shouldn't be translated into hours of viewing, but viewed as comparative: while a screen may have a half-life of 30k hours, that's just when the screen is at half the original brightness, and a good 20k or more hours after you've started noticing that the picture kinda sucks! That having been said, at equivalent half-lives, the LCD after 30k hours is about the same brightness as the plasma after one ...
As with most competing technologies, there really is no universally "better" solution (otherwise the competition would have ended a while back), but there are many people out there saying that their chosen tech can use its left hand to slap the other tech silly while wearing a blindfold. But, of course, Gaia weeps if you choose plasma.
Clear as mud?
O'Grady is a tool....he has yet to be right on any of his predictions for as far back as I can remember.
Fiction = Art = Protectiion
Before you all jump on the silly story... it is just a technique to allow its posting... I believe as a work of fiction Apple would have less of a right to demand it be pulled down. Dont let it's hokeyness fool you... read between the lines...
Before you all jump on the silly story... it is just a technique to allow its posting... I believe as a work of fiction Apple would have less of a right to demand it be pulled down. Dont let it's hokeyness fool you... read between the lines...
what if, instead of bringing everything into one big expensive package, they are fragmented in such a way that useability doesn't suffer.
say for example you have an Apple TV. it has Airport, but it isn't very smart. it connects wirelessly to a seperate box to tell it what to do. this box can be bundled along with it, but since the box is seperate it can be replaced when it becomes obsolete. this box has a big hard drive (or a small RAID cluster even), Airport, Bluetooth, nice graphics and all the other bells and whistles, but no optical drive.
the optical drive comes in a very small package barely bigger than the disks it holds. it also is Airport enabled but not much else. however, it is battery powered. (has to last at least 24 hours of constant use on a charge of course.) you can put it in a stand and it'll charge magnetically (or however that works, without connecting a cord anyway). then you just put it beside the couch, and if you want to switch DVDs... well, you don't even have to get up. the remote of course is Bluetooth and has an OLED display that shows you just the right buttons for what you're doing. and you can rearrange them if you want.
now, Apple can ship a third box that does exactly the same thing as their TV in decoding the wireless signal, but presents S-video/DVI/etc connectors to plug in third party TVs. so then it can become the Mac Mini of the living room, sliding in seamlessly and never noticed.
anyone else see potential in going this route? not that it'll happen of course, but it's fun to think about.
say for example you have an Apple TV. it has Airport, but it isn't very smart. it connects wirelessly to a seperate box to tell it what to do. this box can be bundled along with it, but since the box is seperate it can be replaced when it becomes obsolete. this box has a big hard drive (or a small RAID cluster even), Airport, Bluetooth, nice graphics and all the other bells and whistles, but no optical drive.
the optical drive comes in a very small package barely bigger than the disks it holds. it also is Airport enabled but not much else. however, it is battery powered. (has to last at least 24 hours of constant use on a charge of course.) you can put it in a stand and it'll charge magnetically (or however that works, without connecting a cord anyway). then you just put it beside the couch, and if you want to switch DVDs... well, you don't even have to get up. the remote of course is Bluetooth and has an OLED display that shows you just the right buttons for what you're doing. and you can rearrange them if you want.
now, Apple can ship a third box that does exactly the same thing as their TV in decoding the wireless signal, but presents S-video/DVI/etc connectors to plug in third party TVs. so then it can become the Mac Mini of the living room, sliding in seamlessly and never noticed.
anyone else see potential in going this route? not that it'll happen of course, but it's fun to think about.
Naked mole rat would've been better...
I couldn't buy one of these anyway, but I sure would like to see this be true!
I couldn't buy one of these anyway, but I sure would like to see this be true!
I tend to believe this rumor. Apple likes control over the whole experience from top to bottom and what better way than an hdtv+mac combo. Plus, the whole hdtv market is SO confusing right now - lcd,plasma,dlp,1080p,720p. I can see apple simplifying the choice and make everyone want one of these. This HDTV market is only just now starting to take off - it's a really good time to get into the market if done right.
Think about this too - There are so many products trying to compete for space in your media rack - dvd, set-top-box, htpc, game console - let's take one giant step over all of our competitors with what's truely at the heart of the living room, the television itself.
I hope apple goes with some bleeding edge display tech (fed/sed) that has a real future, not plasma with it's short life span, lcd with it's slow refresh rates, and dlp with those expensive bulb replacements.
OK, I know alot of the geeks on this forum already have their hdtv's - don't worry, a standalone component will be offered for you too.
Alot of people agree that Apple will come out with a new media device. This has got to be it.
Think about this too - There are so many products trying to compete for space in your media rack - dvd, set-top-box, htpc, game console - let's take one giant step over all of our competitors with what's truely at the heart of the living room, the television itself.
I hope apple goes with some bleeding edge display tech (fed/sed) that has a real future, not plasma with it's short life span, lcd with it's slow refresh rates, and dlp with those expensive bulb replacements.
OK, I know alot of the geeks on this forum already have their hdtv's - don't worry, a standalone component will be offered for you too.
Alot of people agree that Apple will come out with a new media device. This has got to be it.
nagromme said:There IS no over-excited in my view
That's the problem this time. Too many rumors - there's almost no way any more than 1/4 of them can come true. It's almost like the rumor mongerers are just kicking out everything they can think of just because something HAS to be right, by pure chance if nothing else.
All I want is a 23" display! Hope Apple will update the ACD line to on tuesday! However, we haven't seen a legal action from Apple yet, so the rumor must be false!
Lepton said:
I agree 100%. Dont try and merge TV and compter, just make them talk better together. This HANA thing is going to be sweet. I hope it takes off. With it, we will FINALLY merge all the componants of a A/V setup into one unit (even if it is several companants linked by Firewire). I DOUBT Apple will merge a computer with a TV. More likely, they will offer TVs as a side thing. Much how Gateway and Apple are now. Make a little side business to expand the Mac/Apple brand name.