Hints From iTunes 7.1 (International Movies and AppleTV Games )

[biggarthomas]

Looks promising

This is all that I have been waiting for - movie and TV show sales in Canada. If that's what is on offer, I will but Apple TV on the very day that I can be sure that there is I can download reall content. I'm just not interested in the product if all it will do in Canada is to play music videos and National Geographic shorts. We are movie hounds in our house and we'll spend $50 to 60 per week on good movies, never go to crappy Blockbuster again and be very happy.

 

[biggarthomas]

Actually, it's 500 years

I could less about games and Apple TV right now... (my own personal problems with my job... ) but I am glad that Apple is making strides and i hope they do it right.

And the more posts I post the sooner I will get to put a picture up by my name.

Actually, it's 500 years but who's counting?

 

[Curtis72]

Why do people keep bringing up the Apple Pippin?
Just because a company tries something and it failes doesn't mean they don't try again.

Besides the Pippin was from the bad ole Apple days. The All New, All Different
has a proven track record

Gaming would be nice in the Apple TV but I prefer they integrate iCal and Safari into it. Or better yet the rumor remote desktop feature.

 

[Cult Follower]

This is getting me even more excited for something that isn't sure yet.

 

[Pooldraft]

I Support Your Bloated Software..............not!

 

[Pikemann Urge]

I like some of the comments here so far - many of you obviously understand the way Apple thinks (IMO) even though they might not actually do what we think they will.

I like: the idea of a 'communal' gaming experience, decent, old but not too old titles. In addition: the emergence of a potentially new market, maybe new developers, maybe old developers who want to revamp their old Amiga and ST games.

There are quite a few good, old games that we don't play anymore because hey we only have so much room on our desks. As much as I'd love that Amiga next to my day-to-day computer I just don't have the room.

For those who remember, imagine seeing these old titles slightly improved for the Apple TV:

- Armor-Geddon 1 & 2

- Battle Cars (freeware Amiga title, simple polygon graphics)

- Speedball 2

- All the Jeff Minter games

- Zee Wolf (neat little 3rd-person helicopter game on Amiga)

- Sensible Soccer

- Knights of the Sky (WW1 aerial combat)

I almost feel like getting into programming again. Imagine being a little developer just for the Apple TV. Without the huge pressure put on major game devs, wouldn't it be fun in comparison?

 

[tayklor]

Do we know why there was a delay for the TV? I'm sure someone has suggested this before, but perhaps it was something connected with the secret features of Leopard...

I have figured out the secret features of Leopard. It is that mac os x is on longer MAC os x, just os x it runs on the iPhone and TV too. also, look at the user interface of the iPhone and TV. GLOSY BLACK, maybe the new mac os x interface to.

 

[frank781]

Apple TV Games very feasible

In reading some of the comments I think that a lot of people are underestimating the potential of the Apple TV as a gaming console.

In checking on the leaked specs (per AppleInsider) the Apple TV Has the following specs:

Audio Output : HDMI, optical audio, analog RCA stereo audio
Hard Drive: 40GB
CD/DVD: None
Processor: 1.0GHz Pentium underclocked on a 350MHz bus
RAM: 256MB of 400MHz DDR2
Software (selected): Apple TV interface (modified Front Row)
Video RAM : nVidia G72M with 64MB DDR2 Video Memory
Resolutions: 720p
Wireless Features: 802.11b, g, n
Video Output: HDMI, component video

As a Comparison, here are the specs of a PS2:
CPU: 128-bit "Emotion Engine" clocked at 294 MHz,
System Memory: 32 MiB Direct Rambus or RDRAM
Graphics: "Graphics Synthesizer" clocked at 147 MHz
Audio Output: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound, DTS
Resolutions: 480i

Or the specs of the X-Box:
CPU: 733 MHz Intel Coppermine-based IA-32 CPU
64 MiB DDR SDRAM at 200 MHz
Graphics processing unit (GPU) and system chipset: 233 MHz NV2A ASIC
Audio processor : NVIDIA MCPX (a.k.a. SoundStorm NVAPU)
Integrated 10/100BASE-TX Ethernet
DVD movie playback
8 GB 3.5-inch 5,400 RPM hard disk

Compared to these highly successful consoles, the Apple TV doesn't look too shabby. If the success of the Wii shows everyone, is that the Games (and game play) are the keys to a successful console, not the horsepower of the console.

 

[the_ki]

Apple TV in Quicktime Pro

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this addition in the Quicktime Pro update. Here's my list of file types in the Export dialog.

 

[LimeiBook86]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this addition in the Quicktime Pro update. Here's my list of file types in the Export dialog.

Well that's good. That means people will be able to convert their home media to Apple TV content *pets Handbrake*

 

[DMann]

convert DVD to Apple TV

Well that's good. That means people will be able to convert their home media to Apple TV content *pets Handbrake*

I suppose a downgrade every now and then can do some good

 

[DMann]

Specs

In reading some of the comments I think that a lot of people are underestimating the potential of the Apple TV as a gaming console.

In checking on the leaked specs (per AppleInsider) the Apple TV Has the following specs:

Audio Output : HDMI, optical audio, analog RCA stereo audio
Hard Drive: 40GB
CD/DVD: None
Processor: 1.0GHz Pentium underclocked on a 350MHz bus
RAM: 256MB of 400MHz DDR2
Software (selected): Apple TV interface (modified Front Row)
Video RAM : nVidia G72M with 64MB DDR2 Video Memory
Resolutions: 720p
Wireless Features: 802.11b, g, n
Video Output: HDMI, component video

As a Comparison, here are the specs of a PS2:
CPU: 128-bit "Emotion Engine" clocked at 294 MHz,
System Memory: 32 MiB Direct Rambus or RDRAM
Graphics: "Graphics Synthesizer" clocked at 147 MHz
Audio Output: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound, DTS
Resolutions: 480i

Or the specs of the X-Box:
CPU: 733 MHz Intel Coppermine-based IA-32 CPU
64 MiB DDR SDRAM at 200 MHz
Graphics processing unit (GPU) and system chipset: 233 MHz NV2A ASIC
Audio processor : NVIDIA MCPX (a.k.a. SoundStorm NVAPU)
Integrated 10/100BASE-TX Ethernet
DVD movie playback
8 GB 3.5-inch 5,400 RPM hard disk

Compared to these highly successful consoles, the Apple TV doesn't look too shabby. If the success of the Wii shows everyone, is that the Games (and game play) are the keys to a successful console, not the horsepower of the console.

Thank's for the comps., Frank. Potential means everything right now, and TV's capabilities reveal an intent to attract a larger crowd, from movie watchers, music listeners, gamers, web-surfers, etc. Remember, Apple is not trying to compete with Sony, Nintendo, MS, etc. They're merely including gaming to make this unit the most versatile TV set-box out there, and will likely attract more consumers by doing so

 

[babyj]

In reading some of the comments I think that a lot of people are underestimating the potential of the Apple TV as a gaming console.

<snip>

Compared to these highly successful consoles, the Apple TV doesn't look too shabby. If the success of the Wii shows everyone, is that the Games (and game play) are the keys to a successful console, not the horsepower of the console.

Its pretty pointless trying to make direct comparisons between a games console and Apple TV. Games consoles are designed specifically to play games, which means custom processors and a custom os to do just that. I'd be very surprised if Apple TV could even get close to a PS2, Xbox or Wii.

There is also the question of exactly what the point would be. A Wii (which is aimed pretty much for the same demographic as a games playing Apple TV would be) costs less than Apple TV. So why not just buy a Wii as well?

Whilst there is no suggestion of a tie up, its worth pointing out again that Nintendo have stated that the Wii is a games console and not a media hub. So an Apple TV and a Wii is a pretty perfect pairing to cover everything.

 

[DMann]

True

Its pretty pointless trying to make direct comparisons between a games console and Apple TV. Games consoles are designed specifically to play games, which means custom processors and a custom os to do just that. I'd be very surprised if Apple TV could even get close to a PS2, Xbox or Wii.

There is also the question of exactly what the point would be. A Wii (which is aimed pretty much for the same demographic as a games playing Apple TV would be) costs less than Apple TV. So why not just buy a Wii as well?

Whilst there is no suggestion of a tie up, its worth pointing out again that Nintendo have stated that the Wii is a games console and not a media hub. So an Apple TV and a Wii is a pretty perfect pairing to cover everything.

True, the TV will never have the capacity of the Wii, but for many, having one media box, which also plays games well, is a more unified and attractive option (as well as less expensive overall)