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Final Cut Updates in March or April? Xserve Controversy and Jobs on Blu-ray
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It's my understanding that content providers do understand the limitations of bandwidth. It's strange that there are no digital copy discounts, unless there is a restriction in place with other parties that is prohibiting such a practice.
In any case, I hope content providers are taking note and offer heavy discounts for Digital copies as it will be more enticing to they customers.
geez, do you have ANY idea?
the content providers and publishers don't want this anymore than the vast, vast majority of consumers do.
discounting heavily the digital copy then cuts out the 'bricks and mortar' shop, once thats done, there is no way back....it would be a sad, sad time...
iTunes store is the bag of hurt
I'll never understand how the iTunes store does so well when the studios and labels only allow Apple to offer poor quality movies/tv shows/music at a price that is often higher than in stores/amazon.
I recently grabbed the complete Sopranos DVD box set for £50, iTunes store would cost over £180 and be of lesser quality without any extras. Likewise the X-Men complete box set on Blu-Ray was cheaper than the iTunes SD versions. I know that convenience can be king, but if you have a decent TV and surround system it's wasted buying anything from the iTunes store. I've never even purchased a song from iTunes because unless it's lossless I'd be putting my decent speakers to waste.
I'm sure that digital distribution is the future, but until it can give me the same or similar quality as optical media at a similar price I can wait. The odd thing is that I now buy all my games from Steam (all the games will be exactly the same as the boxed versions more or less), which seems to offer a service tailored to the user rather than the content creators. If I can buy GTA4 (weighing in at over 30 Gig) for £6.49 and download it to as many computers as I own, and/or back it up to an external HD/DVDs to instal on any other computer why can't the studios/labels allow Apple and other digital distributors to do the same, my only guess is greed.
I also agree with those that think that the Blu-Ray bag of hurt is Steve Jobs not wanting it on his platform as it may hurt iTunes sales, and stop people from being locked into the platform, because if Steve Jobs is so against Blu-Ray why doesn't he use his influence at Disney to stop all their films being released on Blu-Ray (often with a DVD and digital version included)? After all if Blu-Ray is so bad for Apple why is it alright for Disney and Pixar?
I'll never understand how the iTunes store does so well when the studios and labels only allow Apple to offer poor quality movies/tv shows/music at a price that is often higher than in stores/amazon.
I recently grabbed the complete Sopranos DVD box set for £50, iTunes store would cost over £180 and be of lesser quality without any extras. Likewise the X-Men complete box set on Blu-Ray was cheaper than the iTunes SD versions. I know that convenience can be king, but if you have a decent TV and surround system it's wasted buying anything from the iTunes store. I've never even purchased a song from iTunes because unless it's lossless I'd be putting my decent speakers to waste.
I'm sure that digital distribution is the future, but until it can give me the same or similar quality as optical media at a similar price I can wait. The odd thing is that I now buy all my games from Steam (all the games will be exactly the same as the boxed versions more or less), which seems to offer a service tailored to the user rather than the content creators. If I can buy GTA4 (weighing in at over 30 Gig) for £6.49 and download it to as many computers as I own, and/or back it up to an external HD/DVDs to instal on any other computer why can't the studios/labels allow Apple and other digital distributors to do the same, my only guess is greed.
I also agree with those that think that the Blu-Ray bag of hurt is Steve Jobs not wanting it on his platform as it may hurt iTunes sales, and stop people from being locked into the platform, because if Steve Jobs is so against Blu-Ray why doesn't he use his influence at Disney to stop all their films being released on Blu-Ray (often with a DVD and digital version included)? After all if Blu-Ray is so bad for Apple why is it alright for Disney and Pixar?
You're right about the executive entrance. But it's a weak argument. Those executive Macbooks still need to be reimaged.
As for the "Live with it" comment; sorry, but screw you and Apple for that attitude. I'm the one with fifteen hundred Macs that have to be imaged, updated, require directory services, etc... And I'm the one supporting those in an organization that isn't willing to extend AD to cover the loss of OD -- as they'd rather just pull the plug on the Macs altogether and get on with far more reasonably priced Dells.
Which is precisely what I've told our App reps. You want "live with it"? Here's a live with it: I'm done championing Apple in meetings only to have the same company screw those that actually work to support the users and machines. At this point, I'm migrating all (read ALL) Apple related services to other platforms (SUS and Netbooting to *BSD, our management platform to Linux and OD to vanilla OpenLDAP). What isn't able to migrate (Podcast Producer, FC Server) is getting cut. There will not be a single Mac Mini Server or Mac Pro Server purchased to reward Apple for their very generous three month warning. I've got better things to do than spend my day patching their annoyance over enterprise needs.
Apple may indeed have big plans for the future, but they've seriously burned bridges with those that REQUIRE enterprise level solutions and have to plan accordingly. My boss and his boss now know that Apple simply does not bring trustworthiness to the table. Apple could show up tomorrow with whatever solution they want; I'LL have no part of it. I simply cannot trust that it'll last more than a fiscal year or not wind up EOL'd as soon as the check clears.
They love selling Macs and iOS devices to our schools; but they have no interest in providing the actual tools needed to deploy and maintain them, nor guaranteeing they'll be there for us -- which is why we've only got 1500 Apple logos compared to 14k Dell logos.
And at this point, I fully support the notion of reconsidering our refresh plans.
Exactly, thank you. People seem to forget that there's about to be an end to the broadband smorgasbord.
You want a bag of hurt? Your wallet is going to feel it the first time you get slapped with 250-500 GB overage because of all the iTunes, Netflix Steam and Hulu streaming. And that's being conservative.
Proof? I logged 350 GB alone in December and that was all Netflix, a handful of Steam purchases and VPN.
Think of the household with five people with their own desktops, laptops, iPads, PS3's, Xboxes streaming whatever, whenever. I'm predicting a physical media renaissance in the next year or so...
I agree with you. I haven't bought physical media in *years*. Awhile back I ripped all the CDs and DVDs I had and said that was it. The system isn't perfect yet, but with Amazon (iirc when you buy movies or music amazon remembers), Netflix, and OnDemand I've never had any problem finding the content I want to watch.
Selection for NF streaming isn't a technical problem, but a studio one. The studios want consumers to buy media because it continues their 'buy the same content in a new format' scam.
When it comes to streaming quality, it's only improving. Going from 720p to 1080p isn't like going from VHS to DVD or even DVD to HD. There comes a time when for most people it's 'good enough' and convenience wins out. Of course there will always be the 'geeks' who have 100"+ TVs and 8.1 surround that require BR or whatever format is hot (remember laserdisc!), but they will remain the minority.
Fair enough, in terms of mass-market consumer media like TV shows, movies and music.
But what about home produced content? I mentioned in an earlier post about my AVCHD frustrations that I recently attended a Christmas concert, recorded a 1.5 hour video, and was asked to send a copy to a friend's grandfather. I burned him a DVD. In a world without physical media, how do you propose I do this?
The file's too big to email.
It's not necessarily something I want to make public, so no YouTube (1.5 hours is too long for YouTube anyway).
So do I send him a thumb drive? Set up my own streaming media server? Seed a torrent? What's more convenient than burning a little DVD (or Blu-Ray, or whatever comes down the line) and sending a packet in the mail?
No, Luckily I don't live anywhere near where the $ is the currency.
I'll up the ante. I predict that 10.7 will be the last pure OS X client OS and that new "Macs" will be hybridized OS X/iOS MBAs as of 2013 (Suggesting that Lion has a two year lifespan).
You'll have iPhones and iPads for your 'up to 10"' needs and Airs specced out at 11", 13" and possibly a 15" "workhorse" model.
Apple's focus for the future is consumer model spending, not content creation -- and I'd wager that they will do very, very well with that.
The "old school" crowd (like myself) will get annoyed and migrate back to *nix, over/back to Windows or (in my case) away from IT altogether. For the record, I love my iPad and I'm curious to see where it goes from here, but I'm pretty vocal about my belief that Apple's interest in "Computers" is over.
Steve liked the Mac over the Apple II line, he liked NeXT for developers, not users (just look at the pricing if you need proof); and he's going to like more robust iOS devices over current computers that let people "tinker".
Appliances and media consumption devices are very lucrative.
If you are talking about DI's (digital intermediates) from film 2k is still the most common unless it's an FX shot, AFAIK. 8k is rare and typically only used for IMAX. Of course film is slowly being replaced by digital and most of the digital video cameras are HD and projectors in theaters are 2k. 2048x1080 (aka 2k) isn't that much bigger than 1920x1080.
Billions of dollars have been spent in the transition from SD analog to digital and HD. I sincerely doubt that everyone from consumers buying TV sets to TV stations buying broadcasting equipment are ready to spend billions again to migrate away from HD.
HDTV has been around in one form or another for decades yet it's only been within the past 5 or 6 years that it's really taken off and that's in no small part thanks to TV manufacturers ceasing production of SD TVs.
Lethal
"Apple will be focusing the next version of Final Cut more on mainstream users than professional-level users"
Sure would be nice if this meant stuff like AVCHD support as opposed to emulating their portable device experience in a desktop environment.
I still don't see how software that costs a thousand bucks would have a "mainstream user base" that's more important than professionals.
Sure would be nice if this meant stuff like AVCHD support as opposed to emulating their portable device experience in a desktop environment.
I still don't see how software that costs a thousand bucks would have a "mainstream user base" that's more important than professionals.
This is exactly what I mean,
and Company along with Steve Jobs live in a City that has broadband and WiFi easily accessible. If you live in a a city that does not have the luxury then you are out of luck friend.Look at places like Japan who have 4G access whereas other places do not.
I remember an article a few weeks back where European mobile phone networks want
to cover some cost of building new infrastructure to accommodate smart phone products.Guess what, it is not
problem. Believe me I do not like it either, however whatever the reason, I do not foresee Blu-Ray on a Mac anytime soon. I do however would like to support the format. I can buy my own Blu-Ray external drive if I wanted, however without the software support to view movies, its a lost cause. Well, he *did* sell all his audiophile stuff when the iPod HiFi thing came out
Seriously, though, it's one thing to consider Bluray as something that puts a great picture on your HDTV; it's quite another when it's a "bag of hurt" with respect to paying licensing fees and/development costs.
This is exactly what I mean,
Look at places like Japan who have 4G access whereas other places do not.
I remember an article a few weeks back where European mobile phone networks want
Guess what, it is not
I work in city with free wi-fi
I have 15meg unlimited ADSL at home for £7.50 ($12) a month.
I stand by the first line of my first reply to you.
The next version of final cut will suck like the last update. No way can they catch up to adobe. And unless apple replaces Xserve with blades or something different than Mac pro's, allot of folks have or are moving back to windows and adobe or others. Glad I sold my Mac pro while I could get something for it. Moved on.
As for blu ray, don't think apple will ever allow it. They would rather stream all content and ream us all. But seems like all companies are going to streaming. As what was posted earlier, broadband prices will rise and caps will be utilized to ream us more. That is what will be "the bag of hurt". Our wallets!
As for blu ray, don't think apple will ever allow it. They would rather stream all content and ream us all. But seems like all companies are going to streaming. As what was posted earlier, broadband prices will rise and caps will be utilized to ream us more. That is what will be "the bag of hurt". Our wallets!
You ignored the part about quality. Netflix on a decent size TV is barely watchable. Good enough if you want to kill some time but absolutely inadequate for serious movie watching.
FCP supports AVHD ingest now but it sure would be nice to playback right on the timeline. Or more critical, a 64-bit native program that uses more than one or 2 threads and all the ram on a Mac Pro, or played back video without having to render 9 times out 10? For all the people whining about Adobe, they sure are beating Apple in the performance category lately in the pro video market.
Disagree
I disagree. At a certain threshold, the bulk of the market stops caring about "quality" beyond a certain point. Consider .mp3 supplanting cd's and the complete failure of all the "super" audio formats. Even with HD video, I would argue that approx 10%-20% of the buyers of HDTV's are driven by HD content (the bulk of that football nerds and Star Wars nerds I bet), while the rest are driven by the fact that the tv is "bigger", "better", and most of all "thinner". You're giving the typical consumer way too much credit. Sure, there will be the 5% and 10% of the media buying public who want ultra ultra high quality, but for most people, DVD quality on a decent LCD/Plasma screen is all they want.
I disagree. At a certain threshold, the bulk of the market stops caring about "quality" beyond a certain point. Consider .mp3 supplanting cd's and the complete failure of all the "super" audio formats. Even with HD video, I would argue that approx 10%-20% of the buyers of HDTV's are driven by HD content (the bulk of that football nerds and Star Wars nerds I bet), while the rest are driven by the fact that the tv is "bigger", "better", and most of all "thinner". You're giving the typical consumer way too much credit. Sure, there will be the 5% and 10% of the media buying public who want ultra ultra high quality, but for most people, DVD quality on a decent LCD/Plasma screen is all they want.
That is something that many people don't get in particular in the states and you live in the Netherlands not some third world country, just imagine how the biggest part of the world actual will not get Internet speeds anywhere close to what is needed to stream full HD content on a regular basis.
So I guess
should have never went with USB 1.0 with the original Bondi Blue iMac G3.By your logic they should have stuck with whatever was already popular or established in the consumer market then to adopt USB.
I also see that
is spending millions if not billions on a new data facility, just so they can put in a Blu-Ray drive on they hardware and screw scalability of 480p/720p/1080p/etc... so they can stick with whatever Sony decides to do with Blu-Ray.You are forgetting something in your analogy, consumers buy what is affordable, guess what if Blu-Ray today were not affordable it would not be alive. Here is food for thought,
can offer whatever content is available on iTunes Store in any resolution they want and offer promotions or deals for the end consumer.Think about this, you buy a DVD movie title in 1999 and 8 years down the road that movie title is on Blu-Ray 720p then in another year its offered again as a 1080p title. So given that you might have spent 15 pounds for the original title back in 1999 and now want the same title offered on Blu-Ray 8 years later (however you are not aware that the studio will release a 1080p version a year later) you would have spent possible another 15 pounds for the 720p version and maybe another 10-15 pounds again on the 1080p version.
So consider this you have 3 physical copies of the same movie title one on DVD, one on Blu-Ray 720p and another on Blu-Ray 1080p.
You would have spent possible 40-45 pounds on that one movie title. Now if there is newer technology such as Ultra High-Def with makes 720p and 1080p look like a postage stamp you will shell out even more for that same title. While iTunes Store can either offer you the higher definition for free or for a discounted price.
iTunes Store is about buying titles, not the actual content. Yes, the iTunes Store resolution is nothing close to 1080p, however you are forgetting that its scalable, something physical media cannot do. You can only go with 1080p and downsize, going with 480p and upsizing to 1080p will not render great results. On the other hand if the title is digital it can be offered and viewed in any format even for a mobile phone screen, where as a Blu-Ray will require it to be ripped, encoded and decoded for any mobile device.
Your comments are short-sighted.