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New iTunes Store Terms Suggest Impending Apple TV 3.0 Software Update

Love my ATV, and always happy to hear about any new updates. With that said, there is ONE thing I would really like to see changed\implemented. That is it's photo viewing capabilities. I use it a LOT for that, and have it look at my Aperture library. Love it....but........

I HATE the way it shows all your projects and albums in a big, flat view, rather than a hierarchical, folder like structure. I've written to the Apple suggestion\input place about this, and really, really hope this changes sometime in the near future. My PS3, using media link, allows the viewing and browsing of my Aperture library in a very convenient way, laid out just like it looks in Aperture, so I can't understand why the ATV can't do this.

Yeah, I know, why not just use the PS3? Overall, other than the photo issues, I much prefer the ATV for everything except gaming\blu-ray of course! :)
 
podlasek said:
If you have small children, being able to download the latest Mickey or other educational material or cartoon as the 'kid friendly' networks have decided that only early morning is available to watch a shows suitable to small children. We download and watch when the little one is stuck inside due to weather, etc. and pick what interests the them. Seems the 'networks' forgot about the children of the world and are gearing all timeslots at the older kids with their selections.
Click to expand...

Exactly why the AppleTV needs a DVR.
 
Don't know what I'm waiting for frankly...

Last year I replaced a 1984 26" Mitsubishi tube TV and went all out getting a 52" Samsung LCD (120MHz, 1080p), high end 5.1 speaker system, Yamaha amp and a DVD/VCR recorder combo. At the same time we also got AT&T U-Verse. The only things left off the list were a blu-ray player and an :apple:TV.

My son has been begging for a game system (first it was a Wii then an xBox 360) for the holidays. I think with the introduction next week of the PS3 with a 250GB HD for $350 my blu-ray issue will be solved and he'll get what he gets...and like it.

That leaves the AppleTV. I keep holding out for a hardware refresh, but the truth is all my content is stored on drives in my MacPro. All I *really* need is an interface to stream stuff and for that any AppleTV will do.

Can anyone tell me with the A/V system I have and for the purposes I need, what any hardware refresh could do for me that I should hold out for?
 
I use my apple TV all the time and love it. Don't have cable anymore just purchase my shows through iTunes, anytime I want to watch a movie in my library it's right there at the click of a button. Why do some people hate on this product so much? It is simple but for me, perfect.
 
If 3.0 brings 720p at 30 FPS support like 2.0 brought 720p at 24 FPS support, I might even buy a second one.

The Apple TV is a fantastic device if you purchase it for what it is — an iTunes media streamer/iTunes Store gateway.
 
Ok let me first say that I don't hate Apple TV. It's just that the product is kind of limited itself. As a media player, there are many file types it doesn't support right out of the box, and it forces you to use it with iTunes. I understand you can hack it to solve these two problems but that's not why people buy Apple products. We expect any Apple products to "just work." If I have to hack it to get it working the way I want it to then there are some cheaper alternatives who supports more formats right out of the box.
 
What I've been waiting for

I'm very happy to see reference to a 3.0 update. Apple TV is a great device and I've been waiting to get one for a long time... now, my home theater/stereo set up is ready for it. I was about to pull the trigger, but I think I'll wait another few weeks to see if the update actually comes. I'd love to see new hardware for it.

It's funny that there are "haters" for products like this. Not every product is designed for everyone. If this fits what you're looking for (an excellent media bridge / storage device ... serving music, video, and pics) then it's *exactly* what you're looking for. If you think an iMac is much better connected to the TV, you're probably looking for something else -- a "media center" computer with the computer functionality right there in your home theater. I'm personally not looking for that but go for it if you are.
 
I hope 3.0 comes out with some significant changes, not just the iTunes LP feature.

I really detest the whole "let shove the iTunes Store down everyone's throat" GUI. I want to access my media without having to have the option sit at the bottom of the menu options. My media that I already have is more important than what iTunes has to offer me.

At least give us the option to change the UI as we would like. But asking for that is like asking for Folders to categorize the icons on my iPhone.

Add Hulu, Netflix, and/or other file formats and you're forgiven. How about Weather and Stocks? The device is always online, it's silly not to have some of those features. Add streaming radio!

And, yes, I've tried the ATVflash and it's just damn unstable. Keeps crashing my boxes, even with nothing on it - just the bare 2.4 kernel - so, that's out of the question.
 
kanon14 said:
As a media player, there are many file types it doesn't support right out of the box, and it forces you to use it with iTunes. I understand you can hack it to solve these two problems but that's not why people buy Apple products. We expect any Apple products to "just work."
Click to expand...

The Apple TV plays all the file types iTunes offers to rip music and the iTunes Store offers to purchase content (TV Shows, Movies, etc).

Why would you expect it support anything else? If you wanted support for higher bit rate and resolution MPEG-4, I would understand. But there’s no way in hell Apple is ever going to let it playback MKV, AVI, WMV, DIVX and other formats that aren’t used in iTunes, on the iPod, on the iPhone or the iTunes Store.

I have never understood the file compatibility complaints about the Apple TV. You don’t see moaning and groaning that the iPhone doesn’t play back DIVX or WMV files.

This is the same ecosystem we’ve used for years, folks. Why would you expect the Apple TV be treated differently?

For the record, this is what it will support currently.

http://www.apple.com/appletv/specs.html
 
supremedesigner said:
+1. Amen brother! Don't forget to include DVD slot too ;)
Click to expand...

There would be no DVD slot...this is Apple remember (cost = if you have to ask, you cannot afford it)...though I'd probably buy it.

While I welcome the update (hopefully it address performance), the Apple TV SEVERELY needs new hardware. It has been unchanged (outside of the extra hard drive space) since it's introduction at the 2006 iPod Event when it was called the iTV.

For the record, I love my Apple TV (although I love more of what it can become becoming should Apple devote a little bit of energy to it).
 
In the past ATV software updates have come in February and June.

Boxee and XBMC's interface blows and the content they access (especially Hulu!!!) streams poorly in comparison to ATV/iTunes Store content. I would be glad to never have to use them and revert solely to Apple software.

But this means 3.0 will A) need to support mounting external drives; B) enable access to more content and with the addition of an ad supported model (especially for TV content). If iTunes Store doesn't have the content (yet) then Apple should partner with third parties like Hulu and others; and c) internet radio at the minimum what can be accessed via iTunes.

Sadly I've heard that Hulu is dropping the ad supported model in 2010 and going entirely to a pay to view model.

PS. Yes, ATV is very useful for managing a large music collection, playlists, and slide shows on multiple devices with nothing more than a remote, and I use the remote that came with my TV (or iPod Touch) not that tic-tac that came with the ATV.
 
whatever said:
I use my Apple TV everyday. I've hacked it a couple of times to check out products such as aTV Flash, but have never been satisfied with others technology running on Apple TV and in fact my current Apple TV was reset back to Apple defaults and I haven't bothered to change it back in the last couple of months.

Is Apple TV perfect no, but if Apple was to open up its API it would over night become the best desktop set out there. Simply recompiling many of the apps created for the iPhone would work there.

I've thought about getting a new MacMini to replace my AppleTV, but since it doesn't have HDMI, I'll stick with what I have and eventually may make my Mac Pro become my media center at home.
Click to expand...

I've been running atv4mac on an mac mini running Tiger hooked up to my TV with a DVI->HDMI cable. Main reason being I can keep the :apple:tv's media on an external hard drive so all my content can be sync'ed (bonus: autobackup) and not limited buy the 160GB "real" :apple:tv. My main iTunes Library sees the mini as an :apple:tv when the atv4mac software is running. My family loves it, passes the kid and the wife test for ease of use accessing all their (ripped) movies, TV shows, family home movies, music, photos...all the :apple:TV hate I suspect comes from people who haven't used one.

As it turns out my :apple:tv-mini setup has allowed me to run the mini as a centralized server "underneath" the :apple:tv interface for all our computers to share documents, photos, and perform internal network backups followed by ongoing cloud backups to mozy.com. If the next :apple:tv revision incorporated some of these abilities (ie attachment of external drives, server and backup functions alá Time Machine, installation of "Mac" apps) I'd buy a real :apple:tv in one hot second. The atv4mac software has been stuck at :apple:tv 2.0.2 and I'd really like to get the new features, iPhone remote, Airtunes, and now iTunes LPs.

itunesappletv1tb.jpg
 
Michael73 said:
Can anyone tell me with the A/V system I have and for the purposes I need, what any hardware refresh could do for me that I should hold out for?
Click to expand...

There are really only three hardware updates to the ATV to consider: 1) Blu-ray, 2) 1080p, and 3) larger hard drive. Point 1 ain't gonna happen. Points 2 and 3 are much more likely if there is a hardware update.

If you have 1080p content to stream to your ATV and if having it is important to you, then I guess you could wait. But there's no guarantee that's it's coming anytime soon.
 
Michael73 said:
That leaves the AppleTV. I keep holding out for a hardware refresh, but the truth is all my content is stored on drives in my MacPro. All I *really* need is an interface to stream stuff and for that any AppleTV will do.

Can anyone tell me with the A/V system I have and for the purposes I need, what any hardware refresh could do for me that I should hold out for?
Click to expand...

In summary, you have a 1080p TV, 5.1 surround, a MacPro for movie storage & streaming, and will soon have a BD player in that PS3.

I don't know about endorsing "waiting" for a next-gen :apple:TV, as the current one sure brings a lot of joy to a setup like yours- even with it's hardware limitations. For example, would you pay the price for:
  • easily pumping your itunes music library & playlists through the best speakers in your house?
  • having your digital photos in iPhoto readily available to show on the biggest screen in your house?
  • having free access to youtube and podcast video on the biggest screen in your house?
  • having an easy way to show all of your iTunes video (home movies, dvd rips, etc) on the biggest screen in your house?

In my case, almost any one of those justifies the price. Remember when a CD multi-changer cost $400+? Remember when digital picture frames cost $300+? Etc. If any of those are worth the cost of the current :apple:TV, go get one; you'll love it! It does all those very, very well, and several other bonus items too.

So why wait for next-gen hardware refresh? There's lots of popular wishes for a next-gen :apple:TV. I think the "big 10" are:
  • full 1080p HD capability- the current hardware is capped at a limited incarnation of 720p (just barely HD)
  • built-in BD player to kill 2 birds with one stone
  • built-in DVR functionality to kill 2 birds with one stone
  • open hardware expansion options (like normal USB) so that other hardware companies can offer add on functionality if Apple doesn't want to kill X birds with 1 stone.
  • open development/API/app store so that it can have widgets or iphone-like apps
  • full codec support (without hacks)- if Quicktime can play it, :apple:TV should be able to play it too
  • content source support beyond iTunes: netflix, hulu, etc
  • central server functionality so that it can store all your iTunes content in one place and all the computers in the house could draw from that 1 library
  • much greater internal storage options- probably a bigger box for 3.5" SATA drives, enabled (Apple-endorsed) external storage options, or network (don't have to leave my computer on all the time) storage options
  • more robust hardware (no UI stalls: quick, crisp, snappy)

I've been waiting for a next-gen :apple:TV with some of these features for a few years now, almost since I bought the :apple:TV I have. It is frustrating to see many cheaper boxes come out with some of these kinds of features, know that Apple could deliver them too but simply chooses not to (yet???), and so want to buy this product from Apple.

The fanboys come up with all kinds of misguided "Apple can do no wrong" logic to justify :apple:TV as is (U.S. bandwith can't handle 1080p downloads, where you going to store huge 1080p movie files, iTunes doesn't yet have 1080p downloads, the studios won't undercut BD business, Apple can only focus on one thing at a time, blah, blah, blah), but the reality is that Apple could deliver a next-gen that fulfills a lot of very popular BUYER wishes if they wanted to do so. Many less capable companies have put forth little :apple:TV-like boxes that show that it is technically possible- even easy- to deliver on some of these wishes. Apple has just lacked the will to make it happen (so far).

As an Apple fan, I'm confident they'll do it the best when they get around to it, but I have been waiting a LONG time for a next-gen :apple:TV. I wonder how much longer Apple will choose to stick with very dated hardware. Waiting for Apple to move on things other than Macs, iPhones and iPods can sometimes be like watching paint dry.

Next gen :apple:TV might launch today, or we might still be wishing another year from now. The current gen is pretty great, but my money waits for upgraded hardware suitable for 2010 standards.
 
Tilpots said:
Exactly why the AppleTV needs a DVR.
Click to expand...

It will never happen. It won't happen because that presupposes that you still have cable or broadcast TV and want to setup up, schedule and record from that when the trend is more and more toward internet programming through Netflix, HULU, Joost, iTV, YouTube, etc. These sites are the next decades version of NBC, ABC, CBS and we happen to be caught in that paradigm shift that the old media networks, music & movie industries and cable companies are so resistant to. Their control over the content they want to produce and let you watch, when they want you to watch it, is slipping through their fingers as we move to the internet and streaming sites to watch shows when We want to watch them on the devices We want to view or hear them on.

I own a Miglia DVR and just haven't used it for time shifting. It now sits, gathering dust, used only to convert an old VHS video tape to digital format when I need to. Eventually, it will be disconnected and placed in a box or set outside with the garbage along with my VCR and laserdisc player when the last video tape I own has been converted or it eventually stops working.

If I could, I would decouple cable TV from my Internet service and never be bothered with commercial television delivered in sequential (time based) form again. Unfortunately, Comcast imposes a penalty for doing this, so it remains, a mostly unused service until Comcast realizes that more and more people are disconnecting from cable and switching to iTV.

Netflix, Hulu, Joost and the like allow me to watch the shows on my schedule. iTunes, Amazon and Google allow me to download and keep the shows I might like to rewatch or to move from aTV to Computer to iPod, etc.

Frankly, why go to the trouble to DVR a show if that show is available as a free stream somewhere on the internet unless it is not yet available as a digital download? I use HULU subscriptions to setup up notifications when new episodes of certain shows are available. These are then emailed to me and I can watch them on my schedule. I am sure most of the people here are all familiar with HULU Desktop, Plex, etc.

We really aren't that far away having all the features and more of a HW DVR on an internet connected computer.
 
I love my Apple TV, but i am happy a new update is coming.

that said, it is time for Apple to open up the product and upgrade it significantly.

Apple TV ought to have:
1- larger hard drive. 160gb just isnt enough anymore. especially when alot of us encode our CD's at higher bit rates.
2- open up the platform to outside content players: Netflix on Demand, Amazon on Demand, Blockbuster, Hulu, iptv
3- add an APP store so you can custom deck out your Apple TV, add Wii equivilent games to it.

Many of us love our Apple TV's and find they very useful. which is why this product has become an unsung hero for many Apple consumers, it may not be racking up alot of PR, but for example Apple TV sales at the start of 2009 were up 3x over the same period the year before. that means that its sales are picking up.

If Apple really opened it up... my bet is sales would jump 10-20x

who wouldn't like to watch netflix HD streaming, rent movies from Amazon, Apple Itunes and more.

let the consumers find the content they want, iTunes store doesn't have everything and it is great to let consumers try out subscription models like Netflix.
 
mdntcallr said:
I love my Apple TV, but i am happy a new update is coming.

that said, it is time for Apple to open up the product and upgrade it significantly.

Apple TV ought to have:
1- larger hard drive. 160gb just isnt enough anymore. especially when alot of us encode our CD's at higher bit rates.
2- open up the platform to outside content players: Netflix on Demand, Amazon on Demand, Blockbuster, Hulu, iptv
3- add an APP store so you can custom deck out your Apple TV, add Wii equivilent games to it.

Many of us love our Apple TV's and find they very useful. which is why this product has become an unsung hero for many Apple consumers, it may not be racking up alot of PR, but for example Apple TV sales at the start of 2009 were up 3x over the same period the year before. that means that its sales are picking up.

If Apple really opened it up... my bet is sales would jump 10-20x

who wouldn't like to watch netflix HD streaming, rent movies from Amazon, Apple Itunes and more.

let the consumers find the content they want, iTunes store doesn't have everything and it is great to let consumers try out subscription models like Netflix.
Click to expand...

I agree. Integrate Netflix and internet TV sites like Hulu and you have an even better device. You do get all of these and more with the aTV mod (including the ability to connect an external hard drive to the usb port to expand the storage capacity of the basic device) but I would like to see these supported natively from apple.
 
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