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New Apple TV in spring? H.265?
- Thread starter kristoffer4
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To be fair, no amount of on board storage would be enough. It would quickly get used up and then what? Use external drives? Now you will have two things to lug around.
You and I both know cloud storage is the future so why would Apple go backwards?
betman
macrumors 6502
It's why I mentioned it should be in the form of say half-a-dozen SD card slots or something like that. So not exactly built-in but with the capacity to insert some cards.
Of course streaming is the future (Netlix has virtually eradicated my iTunes purchases), but sometimes you need to have stored locally.
charlituna
macrumors G3
I would go further and add controlling DVD players etc via the ATV.
not just netflix etc. h.265 would allow us to have better quality video etc in the same file size in the store. I would love to see at least movies hit closer to blu-ray level quality including the subs and alt audio on every title. Not to mention every video file clocking in with 720p as the 'SD' choice.
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a rumored delay of a rumored product. In other words very possibly just CYA BS to cover up that someone might be wrong about what they were spreading before now
betman
macrumors 6502
Some sort of storage would be good, so why not make it external as otherwise some people will complain about the storage limit, not enough options, no scalability, etc?
Cards nowadays can fit quite a lot and you can get a 256GB SDXC for instance. The new specs theoretically allow for cards up to 2TB, so a handful of slots on the Apple TV to serve as external storage sure wouldn't hurt...
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At least they should add volume control and tv on/off.
As for H.265, is this simply a software issue that would require planning for sufficient processing power, or is there a separate hardware side to this as well?
AFAIK all current iOS platforms (Apple A-CPUs) provide hardware H.264 decoding.
Since A5 also hardware encoding. That explains why those devices are capable of AirPlay Mirroring.
I, too, miss the "Show" tag a lot, and still complete that tag on movie series in the blind hope that Apple will someday resurrect that feature. Given the recent explosion in movie franchises, you'd think they'd be all over this. I have so many movie series saved that I think my list would shorten by at least a third if I could compress all the series into individual folders. Alien, Batman, Bourne, Bond, Iron Man, Star Wars, Star Trek, Rocky, Terminator, MI and on and on...Hell, even Austin Powers and Despicable Me!
Meanwhile, you can still force the ATV to show the movies in the order you prefer, while keeping the actual name, by using the Sort tag. You can do this in the file's metadata or just go to the sort tab in the info box for the movie in iTunes. So, for example, you can tag "Skyfall" as being named "Skyfall", but set the sort name to "James Bond 03" so that it will line up in the Js under "Casino Royal" (JB 01) and "Quantum of Solace" (JB 02).
Of course, this is still far from perfect as you might expect to find "Skyfall" under S, not J, but at this point we're all working around an annoying and unnecessary limitation. One advantage of my method is that the movies are all tagged in such a manner that, if Apple ever turn this feature back on, everything will shuffle into place appropriately.
derbladerunner
macrumors 6502
The rumor mill has been really quiet on a new Apple TV, does anyone still hope for a fall 2014 release?
I guess the rumored late October 2014 event could be the latest possible date (but even that event seems unlikely)
2015 looks more likely to me at this point. But the Apple TV looks really outdated, I hope it will be early 2015.
I also think that the new Apple Watch could work as a controller for the TV, maybe also as a gaming controller (if the new Apple TV includes app support).
The Apple Watch could work like a Nintendo Wiimote for the new Apple TV.
Could be really useful to flip channels as well.
I guess the rumored late October 2014 event could be the latest possible date (but even that event seems unlikely)
2015 looks more likely to me at this point. But the Apple TV looks really outdated, I hope it will be early 2015.
I also think that the new Apple Watch could work as a controller for the TV, maybe also as a gaming controller (if the new Apple TV includes app support).
The Apple Watch could work like a Nintendo Wiimote for the new Apple TV.
Could be really useful to flip channels as well.
We'll probably also see 802.11ac be added given that pretty much everything else they've introduced has it now.
Looking forward to whatever they bring on next, but the one thing I really want is a UI where I don't have to think about where my media is before I can play it.
I just want to watch the movie and not have to choose whether it is local under Computers, purchased and streamed under Movies, or even streamed via Netflix, etc.
For example, I typically watch through Home Sharing, so it is annoying that if I want to watch the itunes extras, I have to go somewhere else to do it.
That's part of what has made media management in their other solutions (fcpx, itunes, aperture/iMovie, etc) so useful. Burying the need for location awareness of the media when it does not matter.
I just want to watch the movie and not have to choose whether it is local under Computers, purchased and streamed under Movies, or even streamed via Netflix, etc.
For example, I typically watch through Home Sharing, so it is annoying that if I want to watch the itunes extras, I have to go somewhere else to do it.
That's part of what has made media management in their other solutions (fcpx, itunes, aperture/iMovie, etc) so useful. Burying the need for location awareness of the media when it does not matter.
I'd love to see a substantial update. H.265 is necessary, and I don't see why an A8 isn't possible. I also agree on making it a normal USB port instead of one that forces me to buy a new cable because almost nothing else uses that flavor.
But more importantly, I think a version is needed to support continuity. The box will likely need to be bigger, but not much. It will need a good microphone and video camera for calls -- although video could be optional.
A new controller would be nice, but I'd rather see an overhaul of the Remote app. Right now it's just a replication of the remote digitally. I use video playlists almost every time, so the present method requires drilling down through about seven layers to get where I need to go. Why are there no customizable buttons on the app to take me to at least my Movie Playlists, TV Show playlists, etc?
Also, the OS. It's not horrible. But why when I go to Movies is it only based on purchases and streaming? I download my movies to my computer so I don't need to use up part of my data allotment each time.
But more importantly, I think a version is needed to support continuity. The box will likely need to be bigger, but not much. It will need a good microphone and video camera for calls -- although video could be optional.
A new controller would be nice, but I'd rather see an overhaul of the Remote app. Right now it's just a replication of the remote digitally. I use video playlists almost every time, so the present method requires drilling down through about seven layers to get where I need to go. Why are there no customizable buttons on the app to take me to at least my Movie Playlists, TV Show playlists, etc?
Also, the OS. It's not horrible. But why when I go to Movies is it only based on purchases and streaming? I download my movies to my computer so I don't need to use up part of my data allotment each time.
HDMI CEC would be nice.
I really like it on my PS4. I can control the interface and even Netflix with my normal TV remote.
I wish i could to this with the Apple TV too.
And my TV is 5 years old.. not really a new feature.
I really like it on my PS4. I can control the interface and even Netflix with my normal TV remote.
I wish i could to this with the Apple TV too.
And my TV is 5 years old.. not really a new feature.
crzdcolombian
macrumors 6502a
Hasn't this topic been talked about before every new Apple show?
Like someone said here faster processor and AC wireless. Would be nice if it was cheaper or came with credit to iTunes. A lot of the competitors are much cheaper or give insane deals like 1 year to Amazon or free movies. Giving us 20 bucks or a free movie or 2 would be nice.
Tho $50 bucks for the current one wouldn't be bad either. Still works great.
Like someone said here faster processor and AC wireless. Would be nice if it was cheaper or came with credit to iTunes. A lot of the competitors are much cheaper or give insane deals like 1 year to Amazon or free movies. Giving us 20 bucks or a free movie or 2 would be nice.
Tho $50 bucks for the current one wouldn't be bad either. Still works great.
derbladerunner
macrumors 6502
Makes a lot of sense, especially if they could keep the price low, say $149-199 at the most.
Nintendo would be in a lot of trouble given their weak hardware specs on the Wii U. Such an aTV could be a winner for casual gaming.
PS: Maybe they could keep a cheaper low-end version around with no app store and no gaming to compete with the low-end Roku and Chromecast. I find it embarassing these products outsell the current aTv because Apple neglected updating it:
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/07/10/apple-tv-2-million-trailing-chromecast-roku/
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crzdcolombian
macrumors 6502a
A 150 dollar system with games built for phones and a 10 inch tablet would suck. Most people have a 40 inch tv. Now people who love games and have something bigger. Would suck.
Nintendo specs are fine they are just dbags who are awful to work with and 3rd party developers want nothing to do with them.
The next Atv needs to be much much cheaper or come with a iTunes gift card or free iTunes match for a year or something.
As for 150-200. Roku is coming out with a actual tv with a built in roku streamer for 250 for a 32 inch!!!!!
In all honesty if u didn't have 50 iTunes movies I wouldn't have Atv. It's a nice device but no way in hell is it something I'd tell someone to pay 2x more then a Roku box or even 50 bucks less then a Roku TV!!!
That would be a great future proofed system. Although possibly the a8 now instead
derbladerunner
macrumors 6502
I don't think casual gamers would care or want more. I think a gaming system with an A8 chip would be more than enough for these buyer segments.
Also, it wouldn't be marketed primarily as a gaming system, it would simply be the new aTV that happens to support apps for the first time. I see many other apps (weather, news, cooking...) beyond games.
It wouldn't compete with the more powerful and more expensive XB1 or the PS4 of course, I don't think that's a market Apple wants to get into - but it would eat into Wii U sales in my opinion.
Of course, most games would have to be rewritten or updated for the TV. Since Apple bought Primesense recently I think the interaction method could be very Kinect- or Wii-mote like...
http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/24/apple-primesense-acquisition-confirmed/
Also, as I mentioned above, the Apple Watch could maybe be used as a controller and remote control (like flipping channels by waving your hand or using Siri to search for content).
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crzdcolombian
macrumors 6502a
Thats the problem at 150 it does compete with systems.
as a media player PS3, and Xbox 360 >>>>> then a Apple TV no matter what it does.
If it wants to compete with Roku they need to lower the price
if they want to compete with chrome cast/Fire tv give us free street
as a media player PS3, and Xbox 360 >>>>> then a Apple TV no matter what it does.
If it wants to compete with Roku they need to lower the price
if they want to compete with chrome cast/Fire tv give us free street
I don't think Apple would have much reason to increase the price to $150, personally. Keep it at $100, but throw in a modern sensor, and more storage, and they'd still profit. The big update really needs to come on the software side of things. The aTV is looking very old, and very limited as the years pass (I have, use, and still enjoy mine, for what it's worth).
Open up app store, some APIs, and things will start moving, imo. As far as "gamers", I don't think it'd be sold as a gaming device, just a device that can happen to play games. It's a format developers are familiar with, so I don't think that'll be an issue. And as far as competing with PS3/360, I don't think most people looking for a media box (especially a small one) would be cross shopping with gaming systems.
crzdcolombian
macrumors 6502a
At 150 that is gaming system territory. Is what I am saying
I have the Atv 3. Got it for $50 bucks used on Craigslist. If you don't use iTunes it is useless. I have a ton of movies and TV shows on it and like it. IN my opinion it doesn't need a update just needs to be cheaper to get more people to buy it or come with free iTunes credit. I see them for 80-99 with a 15-25 buck gift card to iTunes all the time.
As for the OS it runs its just like the Roku and basically every smart tv/gaming system os.
It's fine with what most people need it for. My 3 year old nephew can use it. If the iPhone app for it was better that would be good too
I have the Atv 3. Got it for $50 bucks used on Craigslist. If you don't use iTunes it is useless. I have a ton of movies and TV shows on it and like it. IN my opinion it doesn't need a update just needs to be cheaper to get more people to buy it or come with free iTunes credit. I see them for 80-99 with a 15-25 buck gift card to iTunes all the time.
As for the OS it runs its just like the Roku and basically every smart tv/gaming system os.
It's fine with what most people need it for. My 3 year old nephew can use it. If the iPhone app for it was better that would be good too
