iOS 5 Opens Door to True 1080p Apple TV

[gkarris]

All those features would mean two different products. And at 249$, it's 2.5 times as expensive for nothing.

They can enable hard drive support for the built-in USB port. Otherwise it already has 8 GiB of flash storage, maybe the next version will have 16 GiB. Keyboard and trackpad is supported via Blutooth (I think the chip inside the TV supports Blutooth).

The goal is to keep is low-cost. All Apple needs to do is a new integrated keyboard+trackpad all-in-one, but that's only a matter of making a new aluminium shell for the components of both units.

At 249$, people will start looking at a netbook instead. At 99$, there's basically no competition whatsoever.

Not really, cheap desktop, competing against other Intel Atom-Based Nano Computers running Windows....

 

[Consultant]

Would definitely buy it! Make it so!

 

[dhemmer]

Netflix

Now if they can just get Netflix to play without the continued buffering issue they would have an awesome product. I can play Netflix on every other Aplle device with no buffering. ATV2 sputters at lower bandwidth. I would rather have 720p and Netflix fixed.

 

[scottparker999]

Lack of 1080p is the reason I don't have an Apple TV. I decided to wait until version 3, and now that I purchased an iPad 2 the other day, I'm looking forward to the new model even more. The ability to AirPlay and video mirror to my LG setup sounds great! iCloud on Apple TV is going to be equally fantastic. Will we even really need AirPlay most of the time? Our photos and videos will just show up on the AppleTV without any action on our part. Now that's slick.

For itunes purchased content, yes. Beyond that, the pricing associated with expanding the 5GB iCloud limit might be a sticking point.

 

[redkamel]

i don't get the obsession with HD TVs and such. my monitor had higher resolution back in 2004

Your 2004 monitor was 42 inches?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

The Apple TV 3 Wish List

Here's the big 4 as I'd love to see them:

1. 1080p- a full on BD quality match without compromise, meaning don't eek out 1080p so you can just barely claim it. Make it capable of matching 1080p in the various formats up to 60p as well as in Mbps. Give us (finally) a true head-to-head alternative to the "bag of hurt".
2. App Store with enough flexibility so that third parties can deliver on the various wants that Apple chooses not to deliver themselves.
3. "Normalize" the USB port (maybe add another?) so that those desiring local storage of size can attach whatever they want and companies like Elgato could attach one of their devices + app to extend functionality for those seeking DVR-like capabilities
4. Borrow from the last gen TV navigation to bring back some of the nicer presentation of menu options for our own content, rather than pushing it all into the "Computer" menu. IMO, it was better to have the dedicated menus in the previous gen, with the entries in each menu for "My movies", "My TV shows", etc.

Personally, I'd also like to see an analog audio out for the many receivers that have "Zone 2" options that only work with an analog feed.

I assume all navigational features will be much more "snappy", even for long lists of content.

Apple, could you please add support for 5.1 audio from consumer camcorders? Been shooting with that in relatively cheap consumer camcorders for years and years and still have to jump through too many hoops to try to turn it into a file for TV. Note the device can already handle 5.1 but it would be nice if iMovie or FCE would make it a breeze to turn AVC HD 5.1 into 5.1 AC-3 audio in the Quicktime render.

It would also be nice to finally get maybe an "expert" menu which includes a NAS option so that network storage could feed the device instead of having to leave the computer on. With the recent "cut the cord" presentation for iCloud, I think there might finally be some hope for the same with the next gen.

I still own the first gen version (as the second gen's only slightly better 720p max spec + Netflix didn't do it for me). But I'd buy a 1080p version- even for more than $99- in a second (even if the rest of what's listed above didn't show).

 

[juicedropsdeuce]

Is that Jobs in that picture? Woah...

 

[shaynes]

Slightly off-topic, but every time I read an article or quote that refers to the forthcoming iPhone as the "iPhone 4S", I cringe. I seriously hope Apple doesn't call it that. It's just silly, even if it is only a minor bump in specs and features, please just call it iPhone 5. Doesn't bother too much though, as I would buy it even if it were called the "iPhone Abortion".

Agreed, I cringe as well. To anyone who actually thinks about it, this is obvious. There is no way it will be iPhone 4S, because then what comes after that? iPhone 6, just skipping 5? Not happening.

The only reason it was called iPhone 3GS is because going from "3G" to "3" would have been confusing.

 

[gugy]

Here's the big 4 as I'd love to see them:

1. 1080p- a full on BD quality match without compromise, meaning don't eek out 1080p so you can just barely claim it. Make it capable of matching 1080p in the various formats up to 60p as well as in Mbps. Give us (finally) a true head-to-head alternative to the "bag of hurt".
2. App Store with enough flexibility so that third parties can deliver on the various wants that Apple chooses not to deliver themselves.
3. "Normalize" the USB port (maybe add another?) so that those desiring local storage of size can attach whatever they want and companies like Elgato could attach one of their devices + app to extend functionality for those seeking DVR-like capabilities
4. Borrow from the last gen TV navigation to bring back some of the nicer presentation of menu options for our own content, rather than pushing it all into the "Computer" menu. IMO, it was better to have the dedicated menus in the previous gen, with the entries in each menu for "My movies", "My TV shows", etc.

Personally, I'd also like to see an analog audio out for the many receivers that have "Zone 2" options that only work with an analog feed.

I assume all navigational features will be much more "snappy", even for long lists of content.

Apple, could you please add support for 5.1 audio from consumer camcorders? Been shooting with that in relatively cheap consumer camcorders for years and years and still have to jump through too many hoops to try to turn it into a file for TV

I still own the first gen version (as the second gen's only slightly better 720p max spec + Netflix) didn't do it for me. But I'd buy a 1080p version- even for more than $99- in a second (even if the rest of what's listed above didn't show).

yep those are nice requests.
For me #3 is huge. I hate to turn my MacPro on to watch or listen something from my iTunes library. If there is a way to hook up an external drive with all my content and leave my Mac off I will be all over it.

App store would be sweet too. I would love to drop my cable and start seeing a la carte channels on the app store and purchase their programing separately. The issue here is there must be a HUGE pressure from cable providers to avoid this to happen. That's a hurdle Apple probably will not be able to overcome anytime soon.

 

[FarmerP2011]

ATV3 spec

Whilst it might have 1080p, i get the feeling that you'll also get facetime.

Be interesting to see what they come out with come September. It's been a busy year so far.

 

[Yvan256]

Not really, cheap desktop, competing against other Intel Atom-Based Nano Computers running Windows....

If you read my last sentence, you'd see that was exactly my point... at 99$, there's no competition whatsoever. Why spend 249$ on a computer stuck in the living room when you can get a portable computer for the same price?

And if it's only a software/firmware update, then it means two things: no development cost/no need to build new hardware and it's already for sale everywhere.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

App store would be sweet too. I would love to drop my cable and start seeing a la carte channels on the app store and purchase their programing separately. The issue here is there must be a HUGE pressure from cable providers to avoid this to happen. That's a hurdle Apple probably will not be able to overcome anytime soon.

But that's the beauty of #3. Apple wouldn't be building that in; somebody like Elgato would bring that feature as an optional add on.

 

[BLACKFRIDAY]

When Apple TV only supported 720p, everyone said who needs 1080p. I saw this coming. They just saved 1080p for the next revision. Simple Apple logic to milk money, really. They do this with all revisions. For example, iPad 3 will have a better camera next time, one that is usable.

I do agree on some points but how do you have to spend more money to get 1080p? iPhone 3GS/iPhone 4, iPad1/2, all support 1080p now. How is apple milking money in that case?

 

[mdelvecchio]

Now if they can just get Netflix to play without the continued buffering issue they would have an awesome product. I can play Netflix on every other Aplle device with no buffering. ATV2 sputters at lower bandwidth. I would rather have 720p and Netflix fixed.

i had a problem where HD netflix content would pause at ~11 seconds then drop to SD w/ poor compression. on the phone w/ netflix and cox cable, turned out it was my bandwidth. a replacement modem fixed it and i was back up to higher speeds and HD content in netflix w/o problems.

 

[stockcerts]

I just bought Apple TV yesterday. Is there a refresh coming soon that anyone is aware of? Thanks!

 

[cadillac1234]

I don't see much of difference between 720p and 1080p TBF so it's not really an issue for me.

I have a couple of years old 50" Panasonic Plasma so I can sort of see a difference but it's not worth the extra time, cost, storage and bandwidth requirements for me to bother with 1080p

 

[fpnc]

If this is true and the ATV, iPod Touch, and iPhone all come out in September with A5 chips and 1080 capability, the iPad will look chumpy. It would make sense to upgrade the iPad in September as well with A5 and any small improvements they can muster. iPad should always be cutting edge of their tech along with iPhone, since consumers are craving the devices at this time.

The iPad 2 is already using the A5 chip. In fact, it is the only Apple product that does which was made obvious in the article that you are posting under ("iOS 5 Opens Door to True 1080p Apple TV").

 

[juicedropsdeuce]

I just bought Apple TV yesterday. Is there a refresh coming soon that anyone is aware of? Thanks!

September.

 

[dak013]

Don't expect Apple to create a more complex Apple TV with external storage. I see them simplifying the UI and UX even further, mainly by cleaning up overlooked rough patches and changing the way you interact with the device. I see them doing something such as a Magic Trackpad for the new controller.
I do expect 1080p, but they won't make a big deal out of it.
They will stress most iCloud and how everything bought (not just rented) will be able to be synced to the Apple TV without storage.

 

[Tech198]

darn

oh darn ... i just bought an Apple TV.

And all my stuff is 720p.

 

[Dan--]

Yay, a new ATV coming. (Well, rumored)

Here's the big 4 as I'd love to see them:
1080p- a full on BD quality match without compromise

Yes

App Store

Yes!

"Normalize" the USB port (maybe add another?) so that those desiring local storage of size can attach whatever they want and companies like Elgato could attach one of their devices + app to extend functionality for those seeking DVR-like capabilities

WAY YES!!

Borrow from the last gen TV navigation to bring back some of the nicer presentation of menu options

Yes

a NAS option so that network storage could feed the device instead of having to leave the computer on.

YES!! Although a local storage option that is syncable may be suitable.

C'mon Apple! Please!

 

[dhemmer]

i had a problem where HD netflix content would pause at ~11 seconds then drop to SD w/ poor compression. on the phone w/ netflix and cox cable, turned out it was my bandwidth. a replacement modem fixed it and i was back up to higher speeds and HD content in netflix w/o problems.

Thanks, but it would be nice if Qwest had service faster than 1meg.

What ever apple does on all other devices would be nice if they could use the same code in ATV2. I can watch my ipod all day with netflix while my wife is gaming without any buffering. ATV2 is like watching someone with tourettes.

 

[gugy]

September.

How do you know this?
ATV is one of those products that have not update cycle established. While I would love to see an update on the hardware front by September, I just would not be surprise if that doesn't happen for quiet some time.

 

[diamond.g]

So will the Appletv 2 be the only device to stream from the iCloud?

 

[jamesdmc]

I just bought Apple TV yesterday.

oh darn ... i just bought an Apple TV.

And all my stuff is 720p.

I just bought one on Sunday. A bit of an impulse buy really. Haven't opened it yet and really don't need it. I already have a mini running Plex for my (mostly) 1080p-encoded library. I bought it because I was thinking it'd be more "couch-friendly". But we've been getting by with mini/Plex for long enough that I think I'm gonna take it back and wait a few more months.

Is there a restocking fee at the Apple Store?