Orders for New Apple TV Arriving in Customers' Hands [Updated]

[Gakboi]

Sure you can, but the idea is to not have to keep plugging in and pulling the plug. Do you have an iPod? You could just play your music from that laptop too? Do you have an iPhone? You could just make calls via Voip from that laptop too? Do you have a TV? You could just want television on that laptop too? TV is just another variant of a specialized bit of hardware that can be dedicated to the task of what it does... just like an iPod, iPad, iPhone, TV, radio, etc.

Ok thanks... makes sense. Just thought I was missing something else. I guess for $99 it's worth it especially if you don't have a laptop.

 

[Lesser Evets]

i still don't understand what the point of this device is?

It's still in infancy, as far as I am concerned, but the main goal is to do movie rentals to your TV through the "computer". Thus no more mailing or getting disks, just push a button and streaming begins.

They are trying to get TV on there too, so you can rent or buy TV stuff sans commercials. It's great if you don't want to get/pay for cable or sat. However, there isn't a hollistic provision of shows and movies yet. When you can get almost anything on AppleTV, it could shut down a lot of desire for cable, sat, and broadcast TV.

At least, that's what I am waiting for from Apple TV. I loathe the advertising and cost of all TV. Previewing stuff, then getting it without ads, would be my preferred viewing.

 

[dXTC]

i still don't understand what the point of this device is?

Renting movies and TV shows via your iTunes account, and streaming media already on your computer to your bigscreen. Netflix only accomplishes movies (from their server...not your computer), so it's not the same thing.

Don't forget the photo viewing; it's better than crowding around a tiny screen or passing around an old, bulky album.

And then there's YouTube which, by sheer number of music videos available, completely replaces MTV and VH1 and their associated channels forever. Not to mention original comedy clips and blogs by Shane Dawson, Ray William Johnson, iJustine, Ryan Higa and The Annoying Orange (Hey! Hey Apple!), among incalculable others. You can find out that "Fred" was a lot better as short vignettes, and should never have been made into a feature-length movie. Gaming tips and tricks from the Achievement Hunters, social/political commentary ranging from well-reasoned analysis to near-incoherent rant, and so much more. Heck, it can even feature you!

(No, I'm not an employee of Google or YouTube. It's just that there are some good things about YouTube that make it more than just a place to host that "epic fail" video being spread around in work e-mails. I probably watch more YouTube than actual TV nowadays.)

 

[shadowrocker05]

I'm pretty annoyed with this. I preordered this thing right away. I got my email that the item shipped yesterday and that it had a delivery date of October 1st. Well I just looked this morning and that date has now slipped to October 5th! It's sitting in Hong Kong right now. October 1st woulda been fine but I leave town on the 3rd

 

[diabolic]

Could I not just plug my computer into my tv as i always have? The movie renting thing makes sense but I assume that everyone who has an apple tv also has a computer from where they can also use netflix?

Sorry I have never used one so might be missing something obvious but it really seems to me to be an extra box for nothing.

What if your computer is nowhere near the TV? In our case, the computer running iTunes isn't even in the same building as the AppleTV. Streaming over the network works really well.

 

[dgree03]

I am sure for most people posting on this forum, this device serves no real purpose for them over other alternatives.

Now for the Joe somebodies out there, this might be and OK product.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

So, i could use my iPhone to stream web content to the TV but not my iMac??? That doesn't make any sense...??

Edit: in re-reading your post, I misunderstood your question. I don't know if anyone can answer your question in a definitive way now. I suppose in theory you might be able to buy an Apple TV and pump the output through your iMac making your iMac a TV for Airplay purposes. That's probably a theory that would actually work, in a roundabout (and costs an extra $99) way. I'm leaving the rest of the answer because it might be interesting to those confused about the topic...


First and foremost, compatible media in iTunes on a computer is going to stream to TV with little-to-no problem (assuming you have a decent home network).

All this Airplay stuff is separate. Some people seem to believe that pretty much anything on an iDevice screen is going to stream to an TV screen. I doubt that that is the way it's going to be. I think Airtunes is tied to each source choosing to allow their content to be streamed to TV. Already, there's some other posts about Airplay only working with (some) audio now, and stuff like Hulu not working (audio or video).

All these potential Airplay sources (Hulu, Cinema Now, Vudu, etc) are going to want to try to monetize anything and everything they do with Apple. Airplay is going to be an opportunity to do just that. The concept that anything we can get on any of our iDevice- and maybe laptop- screens is going to be able to be pushed to our HDTV via TV seems remote at best. Such a thing would be great for Apple and great for us consumers, but a probable loser for everyone else involved.

 

[sdiesel619]

So, i could use my iPhone to stream web content to the TV but not my iMac??? That doesn't make any sense...??

Edit: The way you put it into words was a little confusing to us all. Maybe sometime in the future this may happen, but for now, i really dont see a big difference watching it on a 24+ inch monitor than you standard TV.

 

[impetej]

I'm pretty annoyed with this. I preordered this thing right away. I got my email that the item shipped yesterday and that it had a delivery date of October 1st. Well I just looked this morning and that date has now slipped to October 5th! It's sitting in Hong Kong right now. October 1st woulda been fine but I leave town on the 3rd

I am annoyed too as I am in the same boat. I ordered an hour after the keynote finished. Got my shipping notification on 9/27 and I will be one of the last ones to get it. Most people are getting it today or tomorrow. My shipping says "International Economy Distribution" and not getting it until 10/5. People in Europe are getting it faster and some people are getting upgraded shipping. I really think it should be first come first served.

 

[chunker]

Would I be able to stream content from iTunes if my media is stored in an external hd via Airport Extreme?

I have all of my media on an external drive, and I stream it flawlessly through iTunes and Plex, so is this possible?

Or does the media have to be in my Macbook?

Thanks

 

[ugp]

I got mine today.

The box is so tiny.

Hooked it up on my lunch break. Love it so far.

Movies I encoded as a test from 1080p MKVs look amazing displayed on a Sharp Aquos 52" LCD.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I really want it to do 1440p! It will look great on my 17" Howasocki flat screen TV as I can see the difference from 20 feet! Why be stuck in 2009 when 1440p is the new standard.

[/sarcasm off]

I bought two, except for Blu-Ray, 720p looks just as good on my Sony 46" flat screen as 1080p including my camcorder.

I'm just asking for someone to test to see if it can do something to meet my wants. I already own a 720p TV that is 4 years old. I also own a 1080HDTV that is older than that. I own (a second) 1080HD camcorder that is also several years old now. My new i7 Quad Core iMac has tools from Apple that will let me read in 1080 content, process it, export it at 1080, and that will go right into iTunes and play just fine there. All I need is something between there and the 1080HDTV to connect the two.

It's great that you're happy with TV "as is". Congratulations. But some people want capabilities that differ from what satisfies you. Just because others may want something a bit more than 2006 capabilities in something as important as video resolution, doesn't mean you have to react like an *sshole.

 

[newagemac]

i still don't understand what the point of this device is?

It's for watching any content you own that is sitting on your computer right now on your big screen TV and/or 5.1 surround sound home theater system with a beautiful interface that is easy to use and easy to setup.

Ripped DVDs and BluRays, downloaded torrents, video from your camcorder, video recorded on your phone, etc. all play on the Apple TV as long as they are in a supported format and up to 720p/30fps. Non supported formats can be converted with free tools like Handbrake.

It also lets you buy and watch content from iTunes and Netflix as well as free content like Podcasts, Flickr, Mobileme, and a few more.

Browsing through and listening to your music collection and viewing the artwork is absolutely fabulous. There isn't another music DJ device out there with better UI in my opinion. That feature alone is worth the price. I like how slideshows of your photos show when your music is playing and as a screen saver.

The Airplay feature will allow you to stream audio and video from iOS devices to the Apple TV as well. Even from 3rd party apps and web browsers. Not just content in iTunes.

There is a lot more to like about the Apple TV. Buying or renting TV shows or movies is a very small part of what most people do with it.

 

[dwd3885]

i think i'm going to by an Xbox 360 S for $100 more. More content, ESPN3 and games. I want Apple to do well here, but the content just isn't there.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Would I be able to stream content from iTunes if my media is stored in an external hd via Airport Extreme?

I have all of my media on an external drive, and I stream it flawlessly through iTunes and Plex, so is this possible?

Or does the media have to be in my Macbook?

Thanks

The media can be stored on anything- internal or external, direct connected or on a network- as long as it is organized- and plays back- within your iTunes client. You don't have to store it on your internal hard drive. iTunes just needs to be able to access the media file wherever you want to store it. If it's (listed) in iTunes- and it doesn't exceed the playback quality of TV- it should work just fine with TV.

 

[chugg]

I really want it to do 1440p! It will look great on my 17" Howasocki flat screen TV as I can see the difference from 20 feet! Why be stuck in 2009 when 1440p is the new standard.


What a waste ATV!


[/sarcasm off]

I bought two, except for Blu-Ray, 720p looks just as good on my Sony 46" flat screen as 1080p including my camcorder.

So except for blu-ray (which is 1080p), 720p looks just as good as 1080p?

 

[bawbag]

For movies that are encoded in .avi (and hence can't be added to iTunes library without conversion to .mov), is it possible to create an alias to the file for streaming through Apple TV (as this solves the .avi iTunes library problem)?

 

[philipk]

Just because others may want something a bit more than 2006 capabilities in something as important as video resolution, doesn't mean you have to react like an *sshole.

However,

1. EVERY double blind test has shown that people can't tell the difference between 720p and 1080p at normal viewing distances on screens less than 50".

2. On screens large than 50", you can only tell a small difference on ONLY the highest quality models.

3. Experts again state that compression is a bigger issue in quality than resolution. Given the current bandwidth, 1080p requires more compression than 720p. That is why to most reviewers ATV 720p rentals look better than DirecTV's 1080p. I have both and always choose ATV rentals when given the choice. (To be honest, when I have the time, I wait for the Netflix Blu-Ray).

4. Most consumer grade camcorders CAN'T exploit the quality of 1080p. Compression, chip quality, etc. have more impact than resolution.

5. The only consumer product than currently can exploit the higher quality of 1080p is Blu-Ray. (See point 1.)

So who is being the jerk about demanding a spec than currently and in the foreseeable future is nothing but a MARKETING ploy.

 

[tripjammer]

I'm pretty annoyed with this. I preordered this thing right away. I got my email that the item shipped yesterday and that it had a delivery date of October 1st. Well I just looked this morning and that date has now slipped to October 5th! It's sitting in Hong Kong right now. October 1st woulda been fine but I leave town on the 3rd

Pre sign for it and hope that it does not get lost of stolen...

 

[dgree03]

However,

1. EVERY double blind test has shown that people can't tell the difference between 720p and 1080p at normal viewing distances on screens less than 50".

2. On screens large than 50", you can only tell a small difference on ONLY the highest quality models.

3. Experts again state that compression is a bigger issue in quality than resolution. Given the current bandwidth, 1080p requires more compression than 720p. That is why to most reviewers ATV 720p rentals look better than DirecTV's 1080p. I have both and always choose ATV rentals when given the choice. (To be honest, when I have the time, I wait for the Netflix Blu-Ray).

4. Most consumer grade camcorders CAN'T exploit the quality of 1080p. Compression, chip quality, etc. have more impact than resolution.

5. The only consumer product than currently can exploit the higher quality of 1080p is Blu-Ray. (See point 1.)

So who is being the jerk about demanding a spec than currently and in the foreseeable future is nothing but a MARKETING ploy.

so 1080p isnt better than 720p? Thanks for that information...

 

[Dillenger]

i think i'm going to by an Xbox 360 S for $100 more. More content, ESPN3 and games. I want Apple to do well here, but the content just isn't there.

I went with the XBox 360 Halo: Reach bundle and use the NetFiix so even though that cost quite a bit more we are pleased with our purchase. Plus the PS3 has been sitting dormant for quite a days now.

 

[philipk]

So except for blu-ray (which is 1080p), 720p looks just as good as 1080p?

Yes, see above post.

I have a marketing background with a BS in marketing.

Most people will see a difference between products if they believe there should be a difference. This explains why most people claim to see a difference between 720p and 1080p on a mid-grade 42" screen.

Double blind studies show otherwise as they take preconceived ideas out of the equation.

 

[tripjammer]

However,

1. EVERY double blind test has shown that people can't tell the difference between 720p and 1080p at normal viewing distances on screens less than 50".

2. On screens large than 50", you can only tell a small difference on ONLY the highest quality models.

3. Experts again state that compression is a bigger issue in quality than resolution. Given the current bandwidth, 1080p requires more compression than 720p. That is why to most reviewers ATV 720p rentals look better than DirecTV's 1080p. I have both and always choose ATV rentals when given the choice. (To be honest, when I have the time, I wait for the Netflix Blu-Ray).

4. Most consumer grade camcorders CAN'T exploit the quality of 1080p. Compression, chip quality, etc. have more impact than resolution.

5. The only consumer product than currently can exploit the higher quality of 1080p is Blu-Ray. (See point 1.)

So who is being the jerk about demanding a spec than currently and in the foreseeable future is nothing but a MARKETING ploy.

You right the only thing that is real 1080p is bluray. Everything else is a wanna be, trying to be 1080p. 720p will do just fine for AppleTV and even video games. That is why most video games on the Xbox 360 and PS3 are in native 720p resolution and not 1080p. But this is mostly because of performance issues since both of these consoles have low video ram.

 

[lowonthe456]

I have a question regarding resolution. on my cable I get some channels with 720p stations and 1080. The 1080p stations looks better and sharper, whats weird is my tv is 720 max......is this due to compression?

 

[e-coli]

Wait. Does this mean I can't view video content I PURCHASED on my AppleTV?