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No Apple Digital Video Recorder (DVR) Planned?

JoshH said:
True. He mentions not putting DVR capabilities in the Mac Mini. Maybe they could be developing something outside the Mini... something new?
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Or others, like elgato could easily do it.

The problem with including DVR capabilities in the Mac mini itself is that they would need analog and several different digital inputs to make everyone happy. There's a reason why elgato has seven different EyeTV products.
 
DVRs are already overly complicated in many ways. It is not really the fault of the DVRs, it is more the fault of the varying standards in cable and satellite. There's no way (yet) to guarantee 100% compatibility with everybody's cable setup. Digital Cable is a good example. IR Blasters are a kludge and would not be very 'apple like', do you think? Until cablecards are used universally and they all work flawlessly, I don't see Apple trying for this space. That, and, of course that they make money from the iTunes store ;-)
 
Joe2000 said:
Apple makes Mac's. And its simple.
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You mean Apple makes iPods. They also made iTMS and introduced video downloads. But I agree. There will be no "TiVo Killer". Only a video iPod. Coming soon.
 
Pretty meaningless to me. For a company so obsessed with secrecy, Apple can say whatever they want, but do something totally the opposite. However, I can't see them squeezing a decent TV tuner into the already cramped layout of the Intel Mini without a significant redesign. Also, I would think building a highly simplified, "Apple" style PVR/DVR UI would be no easy or swift task, especially when Apple can make more money just selling pre-recorded stuff on iTMS. Still, I don't think Apple will round up so much content that having a PVR would be self-defeating. It's very possible they could be developing, or at least considering developing a true media center system as there's obviously a market for it. Whether or not such a device is or might be part of the Mini family is surprisingly unclear right now. I'd say at this point, if there really is a PVR in the works, it won't be announced any time soon.
 
fed-ex said:
Look apple obviously isn't going to put DVR functions in the mini. I have yet to read the obvious answer anywhere. They don't want you to record stuff from tv, that would defeat the whole purpose of itunes store. They want you to buy it from them. Why would they make a product that makes the itunes store obselete? Duh! People need to look at the whole picture. They still want you to be dependant on them.
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Because a DVR can be sustained long term. People want to view content on demand in high quality. iTunes is fine for ipods but not a good solution for the living room. Why would I want to watch iTunes poor resolution junk on my 50" plasma?
 
Most likely, one of the conditions for the networks selling their content on iTMS is that Apple not make a DVR. There's probably a lot of politics going on behind the scenes that they're not letting on.

The simplicity issue doesn't make much sense. The software wouldn't be anymore complicated than iTunes or iCal. The hardware is a bit trickier since we're in a transition phase with the HD content and various interface standards coming online.

Anyways, never say never.

P.S. Can we drop TS from the list of reliable sources now? I'm getting tired of their wildly ambitious (and unfounded) reports stoking the flames here of various fantasy devices that won't see the light of day.
 
This is not that big of a deal. I wish Apple would open up Front Row to el gato, so that I could get an eye tv and do what I wanted with it. But I am not really all that dissappointed in this at all.
 
Okay, if Apple developed a "Tivo Killer" wouldn't this conflict with an iTunes movie download service? That is if the "Tivo Killer" was part of any computer Apple offers.
 
gunm said:
Pretty meaningless to me. For a company so obsessed with secrecy, Apple can say whatever they want, but do something totally the opposite. However, I can't see them squeezing a decent TV tuner into the already cramped layout of the Intel Mini without a significant redesign. Also, I would think building a highly simplified, "Apple" style PVR/DVR UI would be no easy or swift task, especially when Apple can make more money just selling pre-recorded stuff on iTMS. Still, I don't think Apple will round up so much content that having a PVR would be self-defeating. It's very possible they could be developing, or at least considering developing a true media center system as there's obviously a market for it. Whether or not such a device is or might be part of the Mini family is surprisingly unclear right now. I'd say at this point, if there really is a PVR in the works, it won't be announced any time soon.
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You're close to the mark, although I don't think there is any technological hurdles to Apple implementing a PVR. Apple obviously likes the content-on-demand model. I'm sure Steve had to do a lot of sweet-talking to studio/network execs to get them to release content on iTMS (especially after the various reported falling-outs he's had with record companies). Adding a PVR on such a low-end consumer device would be a major F.U. to the networks, who've never been crazy about TiVo. In the best of all worlds, the consumer would have both options, but there is way too much politics involved here.
 
I'd rather have an airport express with video anyway (of course, as long as it shows frontrow on the TV).

A full-fledged DVR would be in direct conflict with iTunes. I'm fine without it.
 
Just like we will not see a iPod supporting Video, or like we will have a 3Ghz PowerMac(still waiting, and if Apple adds 'Mac' to all it line up name, we might never)
 
Say the opposite of what you normally would...it worked for George...

And Apple will never make a video ipod...nobody wants to watch a screen that small.


edit: darn you zap2...I knew I should have learned to type properly(quickly)
 
Finaly! This is when I say I told you so.

I hope this will quieten those who have been dreaming about a DVR in a Mac Mini.
 
revjay said:
And Apple will never make a video ipod...nobody wants to watch a screen that small.


edit: darn you zap2...I knew I should have learned to type properly(quickly)
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yup..... i see it going down this path... eventually, that is...
 
I really don't want Tivo-like capabilities in a Mac. I just don't find it that interesting. Apple has done some great multimedia stuff with FrontRow, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they want to do Windows Media Center like stuff. I mean just look how popular Windows Media Center is...🙂rolleyes: )
 
At this point it's not a main concern for many people to have the additional expense of DVR capabilities, so why would Apple spend the extra cash to do so at this time? Someday, yes. Right now, not happening.
 
Who needs an Apple DVR? The Elgato systems are awesome and there are several plugins available for EyeTV. I'm currently streaming a recording made on my iMac earlier (using the Elgato EyeTV 410) over Airport to my PowerBook 🙂
 
An Apple PVR will never happen for the simple reason that The Man doesn't want it. The media companies gave in enough to "allow" TV downloads for $1.99... Why in the world would they let Apple make a PVR that would let you get the same recording for free? Sorry, but Apple has already made a deal with The Man for the iTunes store.

I just wish the folks at Apple would just say it like it is. "Too complicated"... whatever. They just don't want to get in trouble with the precious content providers.

/glad I have a MythTV setup at home
//would buy a mac mini in a second if it had PVR in Front Row
 
chasemac said:
Okay, if Apple developed a "Tivo Killer" wouldn't this conflict with an iTunes movie download service? That is if the "Tivo Killer" was part of any computer Apple offers.
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If Apple made money either way, would they mind?

See also this earlier discussion about whether Apple might provide Tivo-like service for certain TV shows, via free downloads with commercials, through the Music Store.
 
Lacie should partner with elgato and make Lacie EyeTV.
lacieEyeTV.jpg

Hard Drive and TV tuner bundled with the EyeTV software.
 
Its good that they come out and say this

It helps stop damage from rumors. It also helps me to stop looking for a Mac to be my cheap DVR.
 
they have added more USB 2.0 ports. Maybe, Elgato can build a dvr in a closure that has the Mac mini style. Even if it need a blaster, I would buy one and retire my Tivo unit. It shouldn't be too hard to make the shows popping up in FrontRow under 'Videos', just like the iTMS purchased shows. And then use external drives that are already available for added disk space. Would be great. C'mon Elgato, you can do this. Apple doesn't. Not surprisingly. They don't want to alienate the networks at this time, need the content on iTMS.
 
gekko513 said:
Lacie should partner with elgato and make Lacie EyeTV
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Spot on. Mac Mini + Lacie + Elgato + tvtv.com = Tivo Killer. It's here, it's now, it's...um... three boxes. But it works like a dream.

The look on the faces of my friends when I demonstrate programming my "PVR" from my mobile phone via WAP... well, they're either saying "Wow that's the coolest thing on the planet" or "Jeez you are a hopeless geek".

Edit: Mac Mini + Lacie + Elgato + tvtv.com + Toast 7 = Tivo Killer. It's getting more expensive.
 
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