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What is iTV and why would i spend 300$US on this thing???

Abstract said:
But these movies made for your computer are going to look rather crap on a 50" Plasma. Having it 50" diagonally would only accentuate it's crapness. ;)

I can see streaming videos being OK for standard definition TV though. Most people still have these types of TVs, so the images will still look OK and/or not too small.
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This would normally be true, but I have every one of my 300 DVDs ripped to a full resolution Quicktime H264 file and stored in my iTunes library, something I believe iTV would see rather nicely and stream over 802.11n. I have it streaming into a Mac Mini running front row into my TV now via gigabit ethernet from my Power Mac MDD. Not to mention video podcasts and TV shows are in 640x480, a resolution I normally see on my HDTV without any problems.
 
MovieCutter said:
Because when you come home from a long day at work, I'm sure you enjoy plopping down into your office chair and have a glass of wine while you watch your media on your relatively small-screened Mac. Personally, I'd prefer to come home, plop down on my plush couch, and stream my media from my Mac to my 50" plasma....but that's just me.
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Hehe, nice one. :D


Abstract said:
But these movies made for your computer are going to look rather crap on a 50" Plasma. Having it 50" diagonally would only accentuate it's crapness. ;)
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The quality is actually not that bad. Sure it is not HD but it is watchable.
But the interesting thing is that it'll have a HDMI out and 802.11n so it is ready for HD content. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple offered a better quality this year.
 
MovieCutter said:
This would normally be true, but I have every one of my 300 DVDs ripped to a full resolution Quicktime H264 file and stored in my iTunes library, something I believe iTV would see rather nicely and stream over 802.11n. I have it streaming into a Mac Mini running front row into my TV now via gigabit ethernet from my Power Mac MDD. Not to mention video podcasts and TV shows are in 640x480, a resolution I normally see on my HDTV without any problems.
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How is the quality of that file? And does it support Dolby 5.1? I have been looking for a nice way to access my discs but space and quality have always been an issue.
 
wako said:
The linksys one that I saw 3 years ago before it was discontinued was about 150 USD... that translate to about 70 pounds?


An Xbox 360 costs about 275 pounds I believe. And it plays games too ;) iTV wont be playing games :p


I mean seriously... wow... music, video, and photos on my TV? Microsoft has been doing it since 2004. I dont see why people are so hyped about it. Obviously nobody knows the possibilities with Windows Media Center...
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One key difference is that, given that it's from Apple, the iTV won't look like complete crap, sound like a helicopter, and require vast volumes of space near the TV. I'd rather have a little sub-mini-sized box there. What I have there now is an actual mini, which does a fine job of storing and streaming DVD and HDTV video (courtesy of EyeTV) that's stored elsewhere. Still, it's 6.5"x6.5"x2", which is a bit larger than I'd like. ;)
 
iWinnipegger said:
i've looked but i'm asking a specific question...

"why would i want to stream my videos from Mac to TV because most videos you have on your Mac are not the greatest quality, so why would i spend 350Canadian on this thing...???"

nobody has answered that yet.. all they've don was send me links with pics or rumours on what it does.
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You are right. Suppose I tell you exactly what a "compound angle miter saw" is and how it works. It cuts wood at al kinds of very precises angles. Asking "why would I want one" is not the same as "what does it do" So if Apple sold one of these saws you might ask "Why would I want one/?" even if you did know exacly what it did.

I think I know what an iTV will do, at least as well as anyone else who does not work at Apple. My guess is that it will extend the Front Row interface to the living room TV set and likely the 2007 Front Row will be slightly nicer then the 2006 version. I expect to have access to all of my music and video that is stored on the Mac's Hard drive(s) This should include not only iTumes stuff but video I made myself and I would hope HD content up to 1080i.

Why would I want one? I really don't. I never watch TV. I can't remember the last time I had the patience to sit and whatch a TV show or movie all the way through. TV sucks up hours of your time. But I have kids. If iTV will get rid of the clutter of VHS tapes and DVDs and players for same and reduce this junk to the saze of a 500GB fireware disk it would be worth it.

The other reason I'd want one is if it allows my to show HD content that I made on the LCD TV. I'm into underwater photography

#rd. I've been wanting to buy an Airport Express so I can connect iTunes music library to my stereo and hear the music over a $1,200 set f speakers. A refurb "express is $99 o if I save 99 by buying iTV, then the iTV will only cost $200. maybe worth it? But I need a new colorimeter to calibrate my computer monitor first and after that a new pistol for 10 meter match shooting and a newer model Nikon speedlight. A better color correction filter for my underwater video camera.... iTV is down on the list.
 
Diatribe said:
How is the quality of that file? And does it support Dolby 5.1? I have been looking for a nice way to access my discs but space and quality have always been an issue.
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Video quality is pretty much 1:1. As for audio, I haven't figured out the 5.1 yet. I pulled down my surround sound system in prep for a move to a new city so I can't test it out, but I'm hoping iTV can read Video_TS folders like MediaCentral, that would solve my problem I think. I have 3 sets of my DVDs: Video_TS archive via MactheRipper, Full res H264 files of each movie (no chapter markers unfortunately, but it's a neat proof of concept) and iPod H264 files.
 
wako said:
The linksys one that I saw 3 years ago before it was discontinued was about 150 USD... that translate to about 70 pounds?


An Xbox 360 costs about 275 pounds I believe. And it plays games too ;) iTV wont be playing games :p


I mean seriously... wow... music, video, and photos on my TV? Microsoft has been doing it since 2004. I dont see why people are so hyped about it. Obviously nobody knows the possibilities with Windows Media Center...
Click to expand...

My toshiba laptop (cotsing £1700!! :eek: ) was sold to me with MCE with the PROMISE of being able to watch TV on it + stream other media. I'm anything but an XP Spaz, but for the life of me I couldn't get it to work. None of my friends could either.

What Apple are going to do here is make it very simple (I hope) to stream and that alone is worth the money IMO.
 
iWinnepeg, I can't tell you why you'd want one but I can tell you why I want one.

I don't have cable, and have no desire to get it. As mentioned above, it sucks up hours of your life. I do, however, like a few shows that I buy off iTunes, and would enjoy watching those on my couch in my den rather than at my desk.

And like ChrisA I would rather have one external firewire drive than tons of DVDs and cases lying around making a mess.

I also have an Airport Express, so I know that set up will be as easy as attaching video, sound and power cables. Then I can ditch my crappy $35 DVD player that borks on bright scenes.
 
Thanatoast said:
iWinnepeg, I can't tell you why you'd want one but I can tell you why I want one.

I don't have cable, and have no desire to get it. As mentioned above, it sucks up hours of your life. I do, however, like a few shows that I buy off iTunes, and would enjoy watching those on my couch in my den rather than at my desk.

And like ChrisA I would rather have one external firewire drive than tons of DVDs and cases lying around making a mess.

I also have an Airport Express, so I know that set up will be as easy as attaching video, sound and power cables. Then I can ditch my crappy $35 DVD player that borks on bright scenes.
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Not having cable probably makes you the minority though - the main benefits I would see from an iTV are that people could catalog/burn their DVDs and watch them anywhere in the house along with their iTunes library (I would hazard a guess that watching movie trailers and photos is at best a novelty for most).

I'm not convinced that it's enough though...people mainly use their TVs for (drum roll please) watching TV. Without an elegant way of integrating both live and recorded TV into the equation I would think this would be too niche for most people...Microsoft has a 'Media Center Extender' that does exactly what the iTV does, except that they integrate live/recorded TV as well (not that I would buy anything from Microsoft).

The comparison is bound to be made, and likely not in Apple's favour...who knows though, maybe I'll be surprised next week.
 
Well to answer your question OP, i really cant give you a good reason because i dont know your needs, wants, ect. But i can tell you for me, i would never spend 300 on this thing. I dont even have a TV and probably watch about 1 hour of TV a week. So this product would be a waste of money and space for me. So as you can see, you need to figure out your needs and wants as far as media transfer is concerned, and decide if this is something you would want or need. ;)
 
MovieCutter said:
Video quality is pretty much 1:1. As for audio, I haven't figured out the 5.1 yet. I pulled down my surround sound system in prep for a move to a new city so I can't test it out, but I'm hoping iTV can read Video_TS folders like MediaCentral, that would solve my problem I think. I have 3 sets of my DVDs: Video_TS archive via MactheRipper, Full res H264 files of each movie (no chapter markers unfortunately, but it's a neat proof of concept) and iPod H264 files.
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Yeah, if iTV would read Video_TS folders, which I highly doubt, this would solve everything.
Or Apple offering a higher quality dl...
 
Newbie

Okay, so basically from what I understand is that this ITV is strictly for the use with MAC. So if I have a pc and nothing "i" ,persay, then I should go for a boxee box? A friend has this ITV and my boyfriend wanted on...but I just had no clue of its miracles. So it is the exact as a boxee box but for mac instead of pc? Am I right?

An expert of both ITV and Boxee box can you please help! =) thanks :D;)
 
robynash01 said:
Okay, so basically from what I understand is that this ITV is strictly for the use with MAC. So if I have a pc and nothing "i" ,persay, then I should go for a boxee box? A friend has this ITV and my boyfriend wanted on...but I just had no clue of its miracles. So it is the exact as a boxee box but for mac instead of pc? Am I right?

An expert of both ITV and Boxee box can you please help! =) thanks :D;)
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Talk about bringing up an old thread, it's 5 years old.
It's called AppleTV now, just go to apple.com for more info.
 
smurfjammer said:
Talk about bringing up an old thread, it's 5 years old.
It's called AppleTV now, just go to apple.com for more info.
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Ohh okay, though my friend does have it and it still is in walmart..so old thread or not, it still exists, making my question very feasible even after 5 years of being posted.

I am well aware of the appletv but I just want something to hook up instead of throwing out the whole tv when it craps out. Apple tv is the same as a smart tv. I was looking for a portable smart device to the contrary of a one meal deal. Apple or Smart tv just don't seem good enough for the amount of money it costs.

Thank you for your post on this OLD THREAD. Though your answer did not suffice for my question. Apple.com does not compare the two devices (boxee box and an apple version of it)
 
robynash01 said:
Ohh okay, though my friend does have it and it still is in walmart..so old thread or not, it still exists, making my question very feasible even after 5 years of being posted.

I am well aware of the appletv but I just want something to hook up instead of throwing out the whole tv when it craps out. Apple tv is the same as a smart tv. I was looking for a portable smart device to the contrary of a one meal deal. Apple or Smart tv just don't seem good enough for the amount of money it costs.

Thank you for your post on this OLD THREAD. Though your answer did not suffice for my question. Apple.com does not compare the two devices (boxee box and an apple version of it)
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If you knew it was called Apple TV (since everything in this thread is now outdated), you could of looked in the correct forum: Apple TV and Home Theater and seen this thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1454208/
 
iWinnipegger said:
i don't see why i'd spend 300US on this, seriously, what exactly does it do, most of my vidoes on my Mac are not great quality, why would i watch them on a TV??

i don't see the point in this iTV thing.
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iTV is a British TV channel. NOT an apple product. It is a registered trademark. There will NEVER be an apple product called the iTV so long as it is owned by ITV PLC, STV Group PLC and UTV Media PLC.

You do not spend 300 usd on an iTV you spend 49 Great British Pounds (£) for a black and white iTV and £145 for it in colour. We call this a TV licence.

Simple enough for you?

Edit: And that goes to everyone else that doesn't understand cultures outside the USA and the apple product line. iTV is a television channel, not a product.
 
OliverOSX93 said:
iTV is a British TV channel. NOT an apple product. It is a registered trademark. There will NEVER be an apple product called the iTV so long as it is owned by ITV PLC, STV Group PLC and UTV Media PLC.

You do not spend 300 usd on an iTV you spend 49 Great British Pounds (£) for a black and white iTV and £145 for it in colour. We call this a TV licence.

Simple enough for you?

Edit: And that goes to everyone else that doesn't understand cultures outside the USA and the apple product line. iTV is a television channel, not a product.
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Do you not realize you're responding to a five-year-old post?
 
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