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Media Event, iMac, iPod Details and Notes
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Weird--the new iPods really DID look wider to me. All illusion.
Weirder--reports of TV shows being 320x240 are true. Still better than having NO way to catch up on a missed episode (if there were more shows).
But what about music videos? Those I'd actually like to keep. Are they the same low res as TV shows?
Apple could, technically supply a higher res and then they'd be downsampled for the iPod. The iPod screen need not limit what you can download.
I don't see any of this being competition for TiVos, PVRs, TV tuners, or media center PCs. Nor is it trying to be. (But one day it could become more...)
Weirder--reports of TV shows being 320x240 are true. Still better than having NO way to catch up on a missed episode (if there were more shows).
But what about music videos? Those I'd actually like to keep. Are they the same low res as TV shows?
Apple could, technically supply a higher res and then they'd be downsampled for the iPod. The iPod screen need not limit what you can download.
I don't see any of this being competition for TiVos, PVRs, TV tuners, or media center PCs. Nor is it trying to be. (But one day it could become more...)
nagromme said:
In order for this to not be annoying to people with video iPods they would have to pack both formats in the one file, as downsampling takes forever. I'm downsampling a 90 minute DVD right now to H.264 320x240 to see what the quality is like at 300k/s and it's taking about 5 hours on my mac mini. (Although I do have 2x sample turned on so it would normally take about half of that if you don't care as much about quality)
With today's event I hope everyone has learned their lesson about what Steve says. Just because he says no doesn't mean it's not going to happen.
180megs for a download, i bet a significant portion of the cost goes to bandwidth, i expect lots more shows to be added, eventually i expect a library of everything ever produced 
Front Row for other Macs
For me, the biggest deal in the announcements today was Front Row. But I can't believe that Apple is limiting it to just the new iMacs. There's gotta be a huge pent-up demand to put this kind of application on the installed base.
Not that big a deal to come up with a USB infrared device (much like that used on Windoze MCE) to link the new remote to older Macs. I note that the new remote is available now for sale on the Apple store, but it appears to only work with iPods and the new iMac.
If they don't plan on making this more widely available, I think it's a huge mistake. I'm lucky enought to have the 30" Cinema Display (attached to my Powerbook) and it's just itching to do the media center thing.
For me, the biggest deal in the announcements today was Front Row. But I can't believe that Apple is limiting it to just the new iMacs. There's gotta be a huge pent-up demand to put this kind of application on the installed base.
Not that big a deal to come up with a USB infrared device (much like that used on Windoze MCE) to link the new remote to older Macs. I note that the new remote is available now for sale on the Apple store, but it appears to only work with iPods and the new iMac.
If they don't plan on making this more widely available, I think it's a huge mistake. I'm lucky enought to have the 30" Cinema Display (attached to my Powerbook) and it's just itching to do the media center thing.
nagromme said:
I downloaded a 50 cent music video...it is 320x240 128kbps...Unless they raise the resolutions I don't think this has the potential to be the online movie/tv rental/purchase Tivo/Netflix killer service that I for one want. Unfortunately, the same people who purchase ringtones for $3 a piece will jump at the chance to purchase low-res video for $2.
ErikGrim said:
There is a possibility the reason it went to 6.0 is because it's Intel counterpart is now 6.0...
I see the iMac slowly evolving into the fabled MediaCenter...
Agreed. All we need is an updated mac mini with FrontRow, coax in, optical out, and apple-coated DVR software and I'm sold. (Almost there Apple...)jacob1201 said:
barneygumble said:180megs for a download, i bet a significant portion of the cost goes to bandwidth, i expect lots more shows to be added, eventually i expect a library of everything ever produced
I'm not sure what the bandwidth costs for Apple but go to any bittorrent site and you can find thousands of TV shows being downloaded that are much larger than this. It is possible to download a show before it is finished broadcasting in LA if you live in New York for an HD file.
Does anyone know if the new iPod video still support Firewire? I have not found this info yet. I am curious because the Nano doesn't support Firewire.
Power Mac ship times jumped a little while ago from 24 hours to 3-5 days. Is this due to an upswing in orders from people who were waiting for an announcement today or a sign of imminent upgrades? I don't know but I've got my debit card out...
I think steve or someone made a mistake on the iMac spec slides- it shows 160mb for the 17" and 250mb for the 20"..maybe some retro styling included?
Too bad. Not something I'd buy a lot of then, but no harm done. It's not the only use for a video iPod. I bet the content owners are the ones demanding the low quality. I hope that changes.ddrueckhammer said:
Actually no it doesn'tKirbdog said:
Removed to cut cost (or possible size) since there's very little (but vocal ) demand for it.I prefer FW because I can boot from it. That's a sad loss. But USB2 speed isn't all that bad, and I'm sure Apple's right that VERY few iPod owners care.
Please can someone explain.
Why would Steve not announce PowerBook and PowerMac updates today with the worlds press there!!!! He said himself both the iMacs and new iPods will ship NEXT week. So why do some of you and the rumor sites keep saying PowerBooks and Macs are on the way. Why not announce them today as well and say they will ship in the next 7-10 days. Makes no sense!! No one can explain that.
I say all the Power lines will be updated at Macworld. What else would there be then to reveal but the next PowerBooks and PowerMacs now that the iPod and iMac and mini lines have been updated!
Why would Steve not announce PowerBook and PowerMac updates today with the worlds press there!!!! He said himself both the iMacs and new iPods will ship NEXT week. So why do some of you and the rumor sites keep saying PowerBooks and Macs are on the way. Why not announce them today as well and say they will ship in the next 7-10 days. Makes no sense!! No one can explain that.
I say all the Power lines will be updated at Macworld. What else would there be then to reveal but the next PowerBooks and PowerMacs now that the iPod and iMac and mini lines have been updated!
ncoffey said:
Steve never said "No G5 powerbooks" what he actually said was "We haven't been able to do that yet"
I feel like it's Christmas night and all the presents have been opened... now it's time to go back and drool at what we got.
riversky said:
See Stella's post above. This was a consumer audience, not a pro audience. Steve announces appropriate products at the appropriate venues.
Because this was a consumer- and video-themed event, with plenty to cover, and packing in other announcements would have distracted. Also, possibly because the pro updates will be minor, and placing them alongside truly new stuff would have looked bad.riversky said:
I do believe that more is coming between now and MWSF January. Maybe nothing big--but dual-core G5s sound very likely
PowerBooks I don't see getting much faster before the Intel change, but I still see them getting an update.Don't look at the big aluminum box hidden behind the sofaMacFan782040 said:
I can't believe Apple would wait until after the holiday season to release updated PB and PM..Unless they wern't ready or are coming real quick as one rumor site suggests.
Don't know if anyone cares about this, but the TV shows are unavailable in Canada while all the music videos are there (I assume its all of them).
International copyright restrictions and crap?
International copyright restrictions and crap?
I'm surprised Battelstar Galactica isn't featured. They've had directors commentary Podcasts for the show and even officially released a couple episodes on Bittorrent.
Notice how the 5 shows offered so far are all part of the Disney family?
Maybe U2 will be back with an iPod nano along with the Modonna one next month. They just need to learn how to sign their names really small.
Notice how the 5 shows offered so far are all part of the Disney family?
Maybe U2 will be back with an iPod nano along with the Modonna one next month. They just need to learn how to sign their names really small.