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Next-Generation iMac to Potentially Offer Television Functionality?
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The screen alone is pretty much 1k, so have fun with that. Then again, i forgot we were talking about Analysts here. They are more magical than iDevices themselves.
Just need to deploy apps to the Apple TV and put that GUI layer on top of OS X like Front Row.
Then have stations/content producers create apps for their station/shows and offer a la cart programming.
Then have stations/content producers create apps for their station/shows and offer a la cart programming.
No thanks
I am not a fan of watching anything on a computer unless I absolutely have to.
I'm still used to tv and dvd player etc.
My next Mac won't be an iMac. I've been loyal to this particular type of Apple computer for almost 13 years now and I'm way over it. I really wish Apple would stop with the iToys already. They are not for everyone. Really hoping this remains a rumor. If Apple wants to make a tv just make a tv.
Rumble over...
I am not a fan of watching anything on a computer unless I absolutely have to.
I'm still used to tv and dvd player etc.
My next Mac won't be an iMac. I've been loyal to this particular type of Apple computer for almost 13 years now and I'm way over it. I really wish Apple would stop with the iToys already. They are not for everyone. Really hoping this remains a rumor. If Apple wants to make a tv just make a tv.
Rumble over...
I politely disagree
-2
no thanks guys.
While I know the current Apple TV is all but a mini in name and some innards and folks use them as HTC components, I hope the mini remains a desktop computer.
If they go with this, I hope they would change the name and leave the mini as is.
+1 Would be wonderful to have it in the Mac Mini instead.
-2
no thanks guys.
While I know the current Apple TV is all but a mini in name and some innards and folks use them as HTC components, I hope the mini remains a desktop computer.
If they go with this, I hope they would change the name and leave the mini as is.
I agree, not to mention I think the $99 apple tv works fine for this type of function I don't see a need for an apple branded Apple Tv. I have love the iMac for years and have a few different models, I love watching stuff on it but thats not why I buy them so if they do change them that much and take much of the computer operation out of it than I will have to buy something else and honestly I think thats the only way apple will learn, if they stop making money on some items it would make no sense to continue making them and than maybe we will see a bit more of mac in apple.
The iMac is a terribly engineered computer given that it's desktop components with a gaming laptop GPU all in a thermal envelope that is always on the cusp of being too small for all of the heat being generated by the components inside to be properly dissipated, causing Apple to do annoying things like put in hard drives with custom firmware as to tie in the drive's firmware with the iMac's SMC (which means you'll always be forced into using an Apple drive, even if your machine is out of warranty).
Given that, even a TV with the computing power of a MacBook Air or a Mac mini would be phenomenal. So, I'm all in support of the iMac either (a) transitioning out of being a computer and into being a TV or (b) it getting either a serious reduction in components stuffed into that stupidly thin enclosure or (c) it being given a much more generous thermal envelope with a brand new enclosure to become the ultimate HTPC/TV combo.
If they give the current enclosure a built-in TV-tuner, that'll be fist full of fail.
Given that, even a TV with the computing power of a MacBook Air or a Mac mini would be phenomenal. So, I'm all in support of the iMac either (a) transitioning out of being a computer and into being a TV or (b) it getting either a serious reduction in components stuffed into that stupidly thin enclosure or (c) it being given a much more generous thermal envelope with a brand new enclosure to become the ultimate HTPC/TV combo.
If they give the current enclosure a built-in TV-tuner, that'll be fist full of fail.
Hey, that's a hard living pulling things out of your arse of stating the obvious.
"The new iPad 3 will be faster.." -analyst
"Well, duh," -rest of the world
I don't think IF this were remotely true, it would be much different than the current iMac except a tuner card is stuffed inside. A card that would cost Apple almost nothing to stick in there.
So I don't think it would be, "ooooh, iTV..." as much as... "oooh, that's a nifty bonus feature in the new iMac."
I fully expect Apple will go this route in some fashion. Killing of Front Row to me was a bit extreme, and it left a big whole. Plex and (ugh, can't remember the other one atm) are nice, but leave lots to be desired. (LIke working plug ins).
Seeing an Apple TV like app hitting the iMac is something I thought would have happened already... to replace Front Row, not KILL Front Row.
And while a 20-27" display would not be most peoples dedicated TV screen, my iMac is in my bedroom and is what I watch in bed. It's perfect as a secondary screen. The bulk of all TV's under 30" are used as bedroom TV's or spare sets, so this fits nicely.
Now, I would never pay a premium for the feature. It's really one component and software... not worth much extra.
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Lots of people used Front Row. Maybe not daily, but enough. Front Row's problem was that Apple failed to develop it any further. It really never changed from it's first release at all, except for a few minor bug fixes and the on screen controls were updated to match Quick Time, which makes sense. Front Row was basically just a shell for Quick Time/iTunes/Dvd Player apps anyway. Where people found more benefit in Plex and such was the plug in channels that gave it a bit more of a lift.
Really, Front Row could have been a stellar app. Netflix support would have been nice. I watch shows on my iMac in bed, and being able to control Netflix with the Apple remote would have been awesome.
I just don't understand dropping the feature, or not just porting Apple TV over. It wouldn't replace the need for the Apple TV box at all, and would make content access easier. Can I rent a movie in iTunes and watch it on my iMac? Yeah, but without the ease of control the Apple TV gives (which is very similar to Front Row in the first place.) It was still a nice feature for those who used it, and it wasn't killing Apple to keep it.
They're simply guessing. Back in 2009, there were reports of Apple doing a netbook too. That panned out, didn't it.
Haha, me too, and all I said was "not on this forum," which is absolutely true
Probably similar to what Microsoft added in their next Xbox OS update. They partnered with Verizon Fios to let you watch TV (provided you are a Fios customer) on your Xbox 360.
I noticed that, everyone should spam that voting system till macrumors either gets rid of it, or just does the engaget thing where you can get only + votes or something if they have to have it. Whoever thought of that wasn't being too bright on that day. If Steve stood by his 2005 statement and Blu Ray was in all Macs since around late 06 then all the naysayers would swing 180 from their current view. Its a fact not an opinion or a guess.
N E way, the new 360 dash is decent, but man netflix needs to fix that App it seriously took a poo.
O and I thumbs downed myself, see how serious business it is. haha
I totally agree - if Siri comes out in a TV format, I will be all over it. If not, if and when upgrade/update, I plan on going with a Mac Mini and a 55" Screen.
If you just want a tuner get one from El Gato.
http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/products.en.html
They make a number of inexpensive options for viewing and recording either broadcast or cable TV.
It would be OK if Apple includes a tuner, but El Gato already makes a number of different options. Apple probably won't include the full lineup. Without cutting a deal with the content providers this is not very interesting.
I personally think that this is the better option for the apple tv, I mean having a mac mini hooked up to a basic big screen probably gives you more than a future apple tv would and probably cost a lot less.
Yeah, with a crappy playback app. And they just shut down their support forum, which is a bit foreboding.
I know zero people that actually use the PiP in their TVs. I would disagree that either quality or PiP is high on the average person's list.
You are filling up the internet with drivel! What happens when it is full? Stop it!
Just don't try to get a 2nd one in the same Mac to increase functionality. And by that I mean that if Apple was to eclipse EyeTV with a better tuner and software, I would be pleased. I have 2 Macs with EyeTV tuners. Not overly happy, they work in limited fashion. (actually, the Elgato tuners aren't bad)We already use the iMac as a TV with a USB stick eye TV - it works as a TV and uses the HD as a DVR, so I see no reason to make a new purchase to get a facility that I've had for years.
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You pay for a TV license in the UK. As soon as you have a TV in your home, or any device capable of receiving TV signals, you have to pay it. Doesn't matter what TV programs you watch. You can't buy a TV without giving your name and address, which will tell them that you own a TV and have to pay. You wouldn't be able to buy an iMac with built-in TV receiver without Apple sending your name and address to the TV licensing agency.
Remember the Macintosh TV?
I actually saw one of these monstrosities at Fry's when they were briefly on the market. An ugly and expensive mash-up. But the real killer was that there was no infrastructure to support any kind of TV-related Apple business. It was just a Mac with a 14" Sony Trinitron screen as a monitor. And it was cable-ready. Period.
That was then. This is now. Apple has almost all the pieces in place for disruptive innovation of the TV industry. iTunes, iCloud, Siri, iOS, 500k iOS apps, Apple TV, AirPlay, small screen devices, medium screen devices, etc. The missing piece that Apple could supply is the large-screen device. An Apple television, if they think they need it.
The other missing pieces are the hardest to put into place. And they're out of Apple's direct control. Apple can't make any big moves in the TV industry until the movie and TV studios agree to provide 1080p copies of their content for sale on iTunes. And high-speed wired and wireless networks need to become more pervasive to allow those bigger 1080p files to be downloaded fast.
Might take a long time to get all the ducks in line, but it's inevitable. One way or another, Apple needs to make a big move in the TV industry. It's just a matter of time.
I actually saw one of these monstrosities at Fry's when they were briefly on the market. An ugly and expensive mash-up. But the real killer was that there was no infrastructure to support any kind of TV-related Apple business. It was just a Mac with a 14" Sony Trinitron screen as a monitor. And it was cable-ready. Period.
That was then. This is now. Apple has almost all the pieces in place for disruptive innovation of the TV industry. iTunes, iCloud, Siri, iOS, 500k iOS apps, Apple TV, AirPlay, small screen devices, medium screen devices, etc. The missing piece that Apple could supply is the large-screen device. An Apple television, if they think they need it.
The other missing pieces are the hardest to put into place. And they're out of Apple's direct control. Apple can't make any big moves in the TV industry until the movie and TV studios agree to provide 1080p copies of their content for sale on iTunes. And high-speed wired and wireless networks need to become more pervasive to allow those bigger 1080p files to be downloaded fast.
Might take a long time to get all the ducks in line, but it's inevitable. One way or another, Apple needs to make a big move in the TV industry. It's just a matter of time.
I've been using EyeTV on my macs for a number of years, I think it's great.
I really can't see Apple including TV tuners, I mean it's been a sensible idea for ages (read: as soon as digital TV took hold), but I think they'd have done it by now if they were going to.
I really can't see Apple including TV tuners, I mean it's been a sensible idea for ages (read: as soon as digital TV took hold), but I think they'd have done it by now if they were going to.
Now, wait a minute
The thing about high-DPI screens is that it needs high-DPI source. If your iMac has a resolution of 1920(x2) by 1080(x2), that's a lot of dots per inch. 2K, in fact. There's a whole lot of millions of more pixels. Where does that come from? Airplay working at 2K speeds? What studio makes content at that resolution? Ah, basically, none of them.
(Well, not quite true. There's always widesceen films, which can be scanned at various resolutions. A lot of archives are being converted to 4K.)
I mean, how do you watch some old-time '30s movie in black and white on a 2K screen?
The iPhone profits from double the pixels, for reading, for graphics, and it's easy to find source material. The standard iPhone resolution is 720p. The new camera is better. You can stream 1080p now.
Of course, you could upscan, like DVD players now all do: make the picture LOOK like 1080p by signal processing.
A 2K or even 4K standard would be incredibly cool, but not very practical until we can send unlimited signals on moonbeams or something.
Or somebody wants to sell HyperBlu-Ray discs for 4K.
The thing about high-DPI screens is that it needs high-DPI source. If your iMac has a resolution of 1920(x2) by 1080(x2), that's a lot of dots per inch. 2K, in fact. There's a whole lot of millions of more pixels. Where does that come from? Airplay working at 2K speeds? What studio makes content at that resolution? Ah, basically, none of them.
(Well, not quite true. There's always widesceen films, which can be scanned at various resolutions. A lot of archives are being converted to 4K.)
I mean, how do you watch some old-time '30s movie in black and white on a 2K screen?
The iPhone profits from double the pixels, for reading, for graphics, and it's easy to find source material. The standard iPhone resolution is 720p. The new camera is better. You can stream 1080p now.
Of course, you could upscan, like DVD players now all do: make the picture LOOK like 1080p by signal processing.
A 2K or even 4K standard would be incredibly cool, but not very practical until we can send unlimited signals on moonbeams or something.
Or somebody wants to sell HyperBlu-Ray discs for 4K.
I saw Immortals in 4k digital projection.
http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/mkt-digitalcinema/
It didn't make the movie better, but it sure looked nice. Pictures of that quality are not coming over my internet connection anytime soon.
Wow. You could get a TV tuner card in the Performa 635. And those were easier to get into than the iMac.