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FSMBP

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jan 22, 2009
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Does the new AppleTV allow for Airplaying HD content? I assume it doesn't because I thought iTunes down converts HD content when you put it on your iOS devices (but I may be wrong).

I apologize if this has been asked (I didn't see it in a quick search).
 
While I cannot say for sure as my new AppleTV hasn't shipped, nor do I have a 4.2 beta, my guess would be that it does stream HD via airplay on devices that support it.

The iPad and iPhone 4 do not "down convert" the video. (And while on the subject, strictly speaking it's not a down-conversion that's happening. iTunes just copies the SD counterpart included with the HD file, where available).
 
It certainly seemed that way from the demo that Steve Jobs gave.
 
1080i is the starting point with HD.

720P and 1080P look so much better, I don't even think they make crappy 1080i sets anymore.
 
That makes sense that it could if the iPad & iPhone 4 playback 720P HD files.
 
Yes the iPad and iPhone do play back 720p HD files so I don't see why Airplay wouldn't. In fact, trying to convert the 720p files on the fly wouldn't make any sense at all. If you're browsing in Safari on your iphone and you click on a video on your favorite web site and it is in 720p I would imagine it would just send that video rather than use up the limited resources trying to downconvert when it isn't necessary.

I'm not sure how 1080p content would be affected though. What happens when you play 1080p content on your iOS device now?
 
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