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Next-Generation Apple TV Renamed 'iTV', Utilizes Apps, Lacks 1080p?

Wow, this looks like a magical magnificent failure.

Honestly, why would someone buy this? I already have a TV connection cable which I can plug my iPad/iPod into. Is there a single advantage to using this device instead?
 
Why are some people complaining about lack of 1080i? 1080i has a lower vertical resolution than 720p.

The 'i' means "interlaced," which means one full frame stores two images in alternating fields that are displayed sequentially (first the 'odd' fields then the 'even' fields) for a higher overall framerate. So the vertical resolution of each image you see is half of 1080, which is 540, which is less than 720.

Lack of 1080p, however, is a bit of a disappointment, but not a surprise since I believe iTunes only sells 720p HD. (Correct me if I'm wrong, I don't buy movies from iTunes.) Apple's only building this to extend its iTunes ecosystem, after all.
 
Rooskibar03 said:
Meh!

I'll keep my Apple TV's thank you. Apps on my TV? What do I need that for?
Click to expand...

Netflix App
Hulu Plus App
Games (with a paired bluetooth controller)
Remote Network camera apps (security cams? cool...)

Are you kidding? Should I go on?
 
1080p

Yeah, I would totally buy something that doesn't support 1080p... I bought a TV that plays 1080p, if I wouldn't care about the resolution, I would've saved a few bucks and would've bought a cheaper TV.
I'm fine with a lower res for those bad TV shows, but I wan't my movies full/highest resolution available and a nice surround system for the boom. If I could get those at 4k pixels, I would. And I'm not buying anything below 1080p!

Retina Display for the iPhone, but sub iPad resolution for my 46" TV? They must be kidding. If I can't distinguish between 720p and 1080p, why does the iPhone need such a high resolution?

Well, at least some of those apple fans will buy the iTV, my stock should be safe :)
 
AppleTV needs IMHO:

1080p
Support for external drives for unlimited storage
Work by itself without the need of a Mac
Open for a variety of codecs
 
I'll second that! Since we in Europe don't have netflix and hulu, this box needs to be a blue ray player replacement!

gugy said:
AppleTV needs IMHO:

1080p
Support for external drives for unlimited storage
Work by itself without the need of a Mac
Open for a variety of codecs
Click to expand...
 
ppc_michael said:
Why are people complaining about lack of 1080i? 1080i has a lower vertical resolution than 720p.

The 'i' means "interlaced," which means one full frame stores two images in alternating fields that are displayed sequentially (first the 'odd' fields then the 'even' fields) for a higher overall framerate. So the vertical resolution of each image you see is half of 1080, which is 540, which is less than 720.

Lack of 1080p, however, is a bit of a disappointment, but not a surprise since I believe iTunes only sells 720p HD. (Correct me if I'm wrong, I don't buy movies from iTunes.)
Click to expand...

Cool story bro.

While your description is correct, you fail to mention that the human eye/brain isn't quick enough to register the separate frames...therefore making the realistic resolution still 1920x1080.

Yes there are things like flicker, etc.

But on LCD and Plasma sets, the 1080i image is de-interlaced and displayed on screen as a full image.
 
apolloa said:
most people with some knowledge will just buy a Mac Mini and install media software.
Click to expand...

Trouble is this starts to get expensive the more TV's in the house.

I'd like an Apple device that can stream MKV's, this container is far more useful than others - that would intrigue me more than the whole 720 - 1080 debate.
 
CFreymarc said:
1980: "Apps on a desktop word processor? Who needs that?"

1990: "Apps in my web browser? Who needs that?"

2000: "Apps on my cell phone? Who needs that?"

2010: "Apps on my big screen tv? ..."
Click to expand...

well said, i for one look forward to apps as it means i can make my own software for my tv even if it where to create easy access to video from all the sites i frequent its a useful thing for me.
 
Voytech said:
I doubt the iTV device would have the AVCHD codec your camcorder uses.
Click to expand...

Now THAT is funny. I don't care who you are.

Morod said:
I work in the engineering department of a broadcast television station. Trust me on this one.
Click to expand...

Then you also know how much bandwidth it takes to push 1080p and know that you probably won't ever get that from the cloud since the doesn't, and probably won't, have a BlueRay drive.

ppc_michael said:
Why are people complaining about lack of 1080i? 1080i has a lower vertical resolution than 720p.

The 'i' means "interlaced," which means one full frame stores two images in alternating fields that are displayed sequentially (first the 'odd' fields then the 'even' fields) for a higher overall framerate. So the vertical resolution of each image you see is half of 1080, which is 540, which is less than 720.

Lack of 1080p, however, is a bit of a disappointment, but not a surprise since I believe iTunes only sells 720p HD. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)
Click to expand...

harley3k said:
Yep, I rent from AppleTV all the time instead of renting bluray and having to fiddle with a disc. Unless it's something really techy and awesome that I might enjoy the added resolution (Avatar, Star Trek, etc.); but comedies are just as funny in 720p.

1080p will be in next year's model anyway right?
Click to expand...

720p and 1080i are the same except one has 30 pictures a second and the other 60. As far as quality goes, cable and satellite providers are compressing the heck out of the picture to claim they're broadcasting in 1080i. It may very well be 1080i, but put it up against a BD and you'll see a difference. Over the air TV is really the only place (besides Fios maybe) that you'll get a truly uncompressed 1080i picture. 1080p requires boku bandwidth, more than what you'd get from the cloud. Apple probably won't support it because the only time iTunes or Netflix or Hulu or whoever else would have access to that kind of bandwidth would be if their users were plugged directly into their servers.
 
Eminemdrdre00 said:
If you can't do 1080p in 2010, you blew it.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Even for $99 I am going to wait for a device that is fully supported by my TV.

There are a bunch of things I would want from Apple TV (More then price)
1. 1080p I was willing for 1080i about a year ago... But my standards have risen

2. TV In and work as a DVR

3. Netflix, Hulu and other streaming media support

What I really don't care about that is often in the iTV wish list.

1. BlueRay/DVD and external support. If it did have it all the better but it is not high on my list.

2. Video Cam for Face Time

3. iTunes support... I much rather pay monthly for streaming media then pay for a show realize I don't like it mid way and feel obligated to watch the rest of the show.
 
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