Steve Jobs Suggests Blu-ray Not Coming to Mac Anytime Soon

[iEdd]

I don't agree with Steve on this. It could be years before 'the rest of us' have fast, ubiquitous Internet access so support download/streaming services.

We're 8 years away in Aus. That's if everything goes to plan, AND that's only to get fast speeds (100Mbps-1Gbps) - the download limits would mean you would probably only get a few 1080p downloads a month for under $100.

So yeah, probably at least 10 years down under before we can just download a heap of 50GB files willy-nilly.

If only there were some optical disc format that had the capacity for HD video and large file storage, AND was available now...

 

[smithjohnson159]

I agree with Apple kinda because downloads are the future like Steve said.

 

[AidenShaw]

I agree with Apple kinda because downloads are the future like Steve said.

We agree - but come back in 2015 to give us a progress report!

Meanwhile, would you like to borrow some BD movies?

 

[DMann]

We agree - but come back in 2015 to give us a progress report!

Meanwhile, would you like to borrow some BD movies?

What for?

We simply use the digital copies and/or DVDs supplied with our BD purchases.

Is that such a difficult concept to grasp?

 

[pcconvert]

LOL.

Steve Jobs nuts? Well, yes, I'm sure all of his competitors would like to have him declared insane and locked up, before Apple eats their breakfast and dinner, in addition to lunch. Oops-- off topic.

Blue Ray -- personally, I like it, but, there are an awful lot of people out there who think that all recorded media will live in the cloud and will be delivered to consumers on-demand, and even for content you purchase indefinitely, you will buy it online. Sure, you can still get DVD's from NetFlix, but, they would rather just let you watch your movie from the Instant list instead. Jobs/Apple were the first to actually make this work, and iTunes has been dominant, so, it isn't surprising that Apple is contiuing in this direction. For myself-- I like resolution, and most everything online today is DVD quality, not BD quality. But, Apple's strategy is very rational-- and profitable.

he's not nuts, they called these nazxxxies back in 40ies.... Ever followed story on iPhone wireless sync? Jobs response was 'somedays, perhaps'. Before then they (Apple) did not approve app enabling wireless sync for App store.

You know why? Because Jobs wants iPhone users pay $100 per year for MobileMe subscription which allows sync without yesteryears cable.

No tell me if this is not awful of Mr.Jobs.

 

[cheesymogul]

What for?

We simply use the digital copies and/or DVDs supplied with our BD purchases.

Is that such a difficult concept to grasp?

Don't even start with that. Digital copy content is an issue driving me totally mad.

Did you know that you can only access these digital copies via iTunes store from the same country you bought these disks?
The copies from my Brit BD's are damn useless, although I'm living in the same continent within the same region code. And I'm only able to watch the ones from my U.S. discs, because I have a fake (thus illegal!!!) U.S. iTunes account made possible via American iTunes gift card!

Apple's walled garden restrictions are 10 times worse than anything the BluRay consortium could dig up.
Compared to their bag of hurt these insane iTunes restrictions are a truckload of agony!

 

[DMann]

Don't even start with that. Digital copy content is an issue driving me totally mad.

Did you know that you can only access these digital copies via iTunes store from the same country you bought these disks?
The copies from my Brit BD's are damn useless, although I'm living in the same continent within the same region code. And I'm only able to watch the ones from my U.S. discs, because I have a fake (thus illegal!!!) U.S. iTunes account made possible via American iTunes gift card!

Apple's walled garden restrictions are 10 times worse than anything the BluRay consortium could dig up.
Compared to their bag of hurt these insane iTunes restrictions are a truckload of agony!

And you somehow believe that Apple has everything to do with these international restrictions?

Guess again.

 

[cheesymogul]

And you somehow believe that Apple has everything to do with these international restrictions?

Guess again.

Are you implying that if we blame the studios instead of Apple for this scheme, godly Steve will pull a miracle out of his hat and make said medium work for us international customers?

If something doesn't work, not even the most pathetic apology will change that...

 

[DMann]

Are you implying that if we blame the studios instead of Apple for this scheme, godly Steve will pull a miracle out of his hat and make said medium work for us international customers?

If something doesn't work, not even the most pathetic apology will change that...

Cry all you want..... those are the conditions.

Do you honestly think that the studios/content owners are going to give iTunes 'free reign' with distribution?

Nah, blame 'godly Steve' instead - much less complicated to do, and apparently more gratifying, for some.

 

[LethalWolfe]

What for?

We simply use the digital copies and/or DVDs supplied with our BD purchases.

Is that such a difficult concept to grasp?

And you somehow believe that Apple has everything to do with these international restrictions?

Guess again.

If it's broken it's broken and at the end of the day that's what ultimately matters. I'm not sure you are in a position to be so snide when cheesymogul has a valid point. Someday downloads/streams might get a major bump in image quality and availability but until that day comes, and there's no guarantee it ever will, why not enjoy what Blu-ray has to offer? I know Jobs is a fan of the "skate to where the puck is going" quote but eventually you have to meet the puck if you want to score. Being perpetually ahead of the puck is as pointless as being perpetually behind it.

While distribution red tape is by and large out of Apple's hands I would argue that the success of the iTMS coupled w/the large amount of control Steve demands is making companies think long and hard about what it will cost them to get into bed with Apple.


Lethal

 

[DoFoT9]

We're 8 years away in Aus. That's if everything goes to plan, AND that's only to get fast speeds (100Mbps-1Gbps) - the download limits would mean you would probably only get a few 1080p downloads a month for under $100.

So yeah, probably at least 10 years down under before we can just download a heap of 50GB files willy-nilly.

TPG, westnet, AAPT, these companies all offer cheap unlimited, (1TB for westnet) uncapped downloads. They are here now.

If only there were some optical disc format that had the capacity for HD video and large file storage, AND was available now...

need I wake you up?

Being perpetually ahead of the puck is as pointless as being perpetually behind it.

Lethal

I'm not exactly sure if that is an accurate comparison. Apple can burn BD discs, both the ones produced in FCP/Toast and data discs in DU.app and Toast. Its not as though apple are completely missing the format here, you can put in a BD disc and do whatever (provided you have the BD drive of course). Its more like apple is trying to defend against the puck getting in the goals, or somethihg. I can't think of a clever analogy

 

[iEdd]

TPG, westnet, AAPT, these companies all offer cheap unlimited, (1TB for westnet) uncapped downloads. They are here now.

I meant until it's as available to everyone as Blu-Ray is now.

While those ISPs may offer "unlimited", you must be connected directly (no pair gain) to an exchange with their DSLAM installed.

For example, I'm in a new area (<20 years old), in a metro city (500k+ pop.), and while my exchange has several ISP DSLAMs, I am limited to 8Mbps by a RIM, which locks all users to Telstra (or TW) services. As long as the big T get to stifle all competition with a RIM, there's no incentive to upgrade it to ADSL2+.

Even more screwed if you're a country area.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Exactly! Disney is the BIGGEST supporter of blu-ray!!

Indeed. I've already pre-ordered through Amazon.com the upcoming Diamond Edition Blu-ray release of Beauty and the Beast. Wouldn't you love to see that in full 1080p HD on a 27" iMac, complete with full BD-Live support?

 

[janstett]

The Vault is Disney's strategy of re-releasing their animated classic films (with new extras) to be sold for a little while then putting them away for a bunch of years. Because these films are on media, they're almost like collectors items since they have a limited run.

They can still pursue this strategy with downloads, and in fact, take it to even scarier heights.

Downloads of their movies can be available online for a limited time only, and with DRM not only can they control where you play the movie but when. It's technologically possible to limit the viewer's ability to play back the content during one of their approved windows.

 

[diamond.g]

They can still pursue this strategy with downloads, and in fact, take it to even scarier heights.

Downloads of their movies can be available online for a limited time only, and with DRM not only can they control where you play the movie but when. It's technologically possible to limit the viewer's ability to play back the content during one of their approved windows.

They could do that, but I doubt people would buy into it. The nice thing about the physical disk is a person can play it whenever (especially for the children). DD would make that much harder to do.

 

[janstett]

As an avid movie guy, I wonder why anyone would want to watch a 1080p BD on a 13-17 inch screen.

How about a 30" cinema display or a 27" iMac?

Also, what if you have the Blu-Ray for your 65" home theater but also want to watch the movie on a plane without several hours to rip and transfer?

And what if you want to use your Mac connected to your 65" plasma as a home theater PC? The Mac Mini would be perfect for this if Steve Jobs would wake up and add PVR and Blu-Ray. Elgato gives us PVR but nobody gives us Blu.

 

[DoFoT9]

I meant until it's as available to everyone as Blu-Ray is now.

While those ISPs may offer "unlimited", you must be connected directly (no pair gain) to an exchange with their DSLAM installed.

For example, I'm in a new area (<20 years old), in a metro city (500k+ pop.), and while my exchange has several ISP DSLAMs, I am limited to 8Mbps by a RIM, which locks all users to Telstra (or TW) services. As long as the big T get to stifle all competition with a RIM, there's no incentive to upgrade it to ADSL2+.

Even more screwed if you're a country area.

you dont have to tell me that - i am in a regional area. its Telstra ADSL2+ or bust! cant even get the 8mb TPG/etc plans.

also, i wouldnt classify BD as being available to "everybody" - the prices of discs/players still make most people cringe.

 

[KnightWRX]

TPG, westnet, AAPT, these companies all offer cheap unlimited, (1TB for westnet) uncapped downloads. They are here now.

Depends on your country. In Canada, we have a few "unlimited" options, but at 5 mbps, it's faster to drive to the store and back than to go for these download options. Streaming ? With the DRM ? Forget it.

And I'd rather pop in a disc any day of the week than to have to set up all the crap needed for streaming media (and yes, I do have a PS3 and DLNA server at home).

The puck might get there someday, but for now, Steve can wait by himself on the other side of the rink while we have some fun and score some goals where the puck is right now.

also, i wouldnt classify BD as being available to "everybody" - the prices of discs/players still make most people cringe.

100$ players and 10$ discs make people cringe ? Those were the prices for DVDs circa 2005...

 

[DoFoT9]

Depends on your country. In Canada, we have a few "unlimited" options, but at 5 mbps, it's faster to drive to the store and back than to go for these download options.

ADSL tends to be more expensive then ADSL2+ at the same data limits, im not sure why. maybe it costs more to keep going?

Streaming ? With the DRM ? Forget it.

illegally doing it is out of the question - but there are a few select places that would offer a streaming service. my ISP does - each HD movie is about 3GB or so.

And I'd rather pop in a disc any day of the week than to have to set up all the crap needed for streaming media (and yes, I do have a PS3 and DLNA server at home).

like i said a few pages back, you insert the disc, open makeMKV, press the button, then wala its there in VLC. you can easily rip to mkv with makeMKV - then use PS3 Media Server to send to your PS3 if you so wish.

what is a DLNA server?

 

[iEdd]

ADSL tends to be more expensive then ADSL2+ at the same data limits, im not sure why. maybe it costs more to keep going?

In Australia, it was always because ADSL tended to be a Telstra Wholesale service. The retailers would give you ADSL with peanuts profit.

When ADSL2+ came by, ISPs jumped on the opportunity to install their own DSLAMs. No underlying wholesale costs == far cheaper deals.

Of course, currently Telstra is undercutting their wholesale by their retail, so 3rd party ISPs will either have exorbitantly priced TW services, or much cheaper (and often better!) services on their own infrastructure.

 

[KnightWRX]

illegally doing it is out of the question - but there are a few select places that would offer a streaming service. my ISP does - each HD movie is about 3GB or so.

3GB movies is about 10 times less than a Blu-ray. I'd rather just have the quality.

like i said a few pages back, you insert the disc, open makeMKV, press the button, then wala its there in VLC. you can easily rip to mkv with makeMKV - then use PS3 Media Server to send to your PS3 if you so wish.

what is a DLNA server?

Wait, you're trying to tell me how to work MakeMKV and VLC and all that crap I've been using for years and you don't know what a DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) server is ? Again, I know how to stream media thankyouverymuch, but legal Internet options for doing it are filled with nasty DRM (limit on devices that can view the media, always-on Internet required to view it) that are unacceptable to me and streaming my own optical media based movies is rather silly seeing how I have the disc.

If I plop down 20$ for a movie, I better damn well be able to watch it on any of my capable devices without having to go through "activations" or having to load up 5 pieces of different software that stream it from one to the other. Not to mention I better damn well be able to watch during an Internet outage.

 

[trip1ex]

People that want BR have BR players and big screen TVs.

The other stuff is small market, what if you're stuck in the wilderness with only a BR disc and a Mac and only enough time to watch the movie not rip it first.

Apple is clearly focused on where things are going and not where they've been.

The same crowd that wants BR on Macs to watch them on the computer is the same crowd that rips their BRs in the first place.

 

[KnightWRX]

Apple is clearly focused on where things are going and not where they've been.

The problem with that is that you never have a working product. By the time we get where Apple is today, they'll have moved on to the next "where things are going". Same with Flash and iPhones. It's nice that Apple sees HTML5 and streaming media as the future, but by the time that future gets here, will we really be still using our current Apple products ? Probably not.

Skating to where the puck is going to be should be to eventually get hold of the puck. If you are always ahead of the puck, you'll never score a goal in your life.

 

[trip1ex]

The problem with that is that you never have a working product. By the time we get where Apple is today, they'll have moved on to the next "where things are going". Same with Flash and iPhones. It's nice that Apple sees HTML5 and streaming media as the future, but by the time that future gets here, will we really be still using our current Apple products ? Probably not.

Skating to where the puck is going to be should be to eventually get hold of the puck. If you are always ahead of the puck, you'll never score a goal in your life.

Apple hasn't scored any goals then???? I beg to differ. Seems like they've scored quite a few in the past 10 years.

It seems like they are the ones skating to the right place at the right time. No one before Apple was able to make tablets as big of a deal as the iPad is right now. MS was the one way too far ahead of the puck on the wrong rink at the wrong time of day there.

Have you seen flash working great on other phones? I haven't. Look at the latest headlines with Flash Player 10.1 and phones. Doesn't sound great. Doesn't sound like your working solution. Meanwhile Apple is working on their 5th generation iPhone and major sites are moving video to html. Flash games meant for keyboard and mouse were never going to work on a tiny touch screen anyway. All would have to be redesigned. Seems like Apple made the right move. Steer others towards HTML5 because Adobe wasn't going to be ready for primetime anytime soon.

From what I see Apple is the company that is better at releasing products when they are ready for primetime than any other. And they don't put new tech in their machines just for tech's sake.

They aren't perfect, but I'd take their track record over any other.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I will go with what I said before.
Do I see optical media coming to an end? Yes I do.

Do I see physical media coming to an end any time soon? No I don't.

The reason for that is you can not share DL media. Also the DL media quality is by far less than that of Blu-Ray or other physical media. What I see it being replace by is some type of flash memory as that starts getting driven down in price more and more. It will just become cost effect to sell something like a flash drive full of the information that can hold more data for a cheaper price.

The only people who seem really to believe iTunes style all the way seem to be die hard apple fans who believe anything out of SJ mouth.