Apple TV: Chances of a refund? (UK)

[superleccy]

Hmm... well...

So, I get my Apple TV home, plug it into my nice shiny new Samsung 32" LCD in my living room, and get ready flick through my Elgato EyeTV content from the comfort of my armchair.

Except, of course, there's a big snag. I need to re-encode all my EyeTV content, which is in MPEG2, to the correct H.264 format. On my iBook G4, one episode of new Doctor Who (51 minutes, 2.3Gb - I had to watch it because it had K9 in it) took over 12 hour and 11 minutes to encode. At this rate, to re-encode all my content (only about 30Gb worth) will take about 1 week (during which time I can't unplug my iBook from the LaCie drive that my content is stored on). That's not just too long, it's taking the urine, big style.

All of a sudden, burning my EyeTV content to DVD with Toast feels lightning fast.

Okay, so arguably this is my bad. Perhaps I should have paid more attention to the AppleTV specs and realised that it doesn't support MPEG2. And that that meant that I'd have to encode from MPEG2 to H264, which I could have tested beforehand and realised it was impractically slow on my two-and-a-half-year-old machine. But therefore, why is Apple bothering to sell this in the UK anyway, when there's no TV/movie content available on iTunes either? What the hell are we supposed to watch on it?

Sure I could buy a faster machine... but how much longer are we going to have to wait for new MBPs? Sure I could wait for Elgato's USB hardware H.264 encoder... but even if that gives the suggested 2-4x boost to encoding speed (I'll believe it when I see it), that's still 2-4 days to encode all my content, and 3-6 hours to encode a 1 hour TV show. Sure I could make do with lower quality encoding, but why the hell should I?

Whatever. I've now got a (admittedly very attractive) £200 paperweight, and I'd rather have the £200 back. Obviously it's used (for 24 hours), but the unit and all the packaging is pristine. I got it at the Apple Store in Manchester because I was visiting at the weekend, but my nearest Apple store is London. If I go in and argue my case, do you think they'll give me a refund?

Or has anyone got a magic way of making AppleTV and iTunes support MPEG2?

Cheers
SL

 

[Osarkon]

I'm sure there's a 14 day return period for items in the UK. I'm not sure what the conditions are, but it's worth a shot .

 

[Brize]

I'm sure there's a 14 day return period for items in the UK.

You're probably thinking of distance selling regulations, which offer a 'cooling off' period of seven working days, but only apply to home shopping.

To the OP: Why don't you give one of the Apple Stores a call and explain the situation? I'm not sure that you have any right to return the Apple TV, but they might be sympathetic to you anyway.

 

[markjewiss]

You're probably thinking of distance selling regulations, which offer a 'cooling off' period of seven working days, but only apply to home shopping.

To the OP: Why don't you give one of the Apple Stores a call and explain the situation? I'm not sure that you have any right to return the Apple TV, but they might be sympathetic to you anyway.

I've bought a few things in APple stores recently, they confirmed that you have a 14 day no quibble money back guarantee, as long as you have all of the original packaging, and the item isn't damaged, you'll be fine. All firms that sell goods have to offer this, it's the law.

M.

 

[superleccy]

Legally, I don't think the Apple store have to take it back (although given what some of the other posters are saying, I could be wrong). But it sounds like it's worth a try.

Thanks all for your support.

Regards
SL

 

[Apple Architect]

take it back

I'm sure there's a 14 day return period for items in the UK. I'm not sure what the conditions are, but it's worth a shot .

14 days. No questions asked. take it back.

I think you should think again though......HD content is beginning to appear and once the BBC get signed up everything will smell of roses.

EDIT: Forgot to add. If people are downloading BBC video postcasts can they provide some feedback to ask for some at full quality. The link to the feedback on the BBC website is here

 

[aristobrat]

I've bought a few things in APple stores recently, they confirmed that you have a 14 day no quibble money back guarantee, as long as you have all of the original packaging, and the item isn't damaged, you'll be fine. All firms that sell goods have to offer this, it's the law.

M.

That's cool. In the US, the Apple Store will accept your return within 10 days, but will typically charge you a 10% open-box fee.

 

[apb3]

Long story short... I picked up an ipod for my sgt's separation from the army at the regent st. store when I was on a week's leave maybe 6 months ago. I found out before I left London that he already got one that everyone chipped in for so I took it back. It was only like 4 or 5 days after purchase and it was still unopened and all.

The girl there said there would be no problem taking it back for a refund (not just store credit which is what I ended up getting anyway and picked up a couple nanos for other gifts) but mentioned a restocking fee which I'm guessing would have been if I had opened the box or used the item. She also mentioned that she has sometimes "forgotten" to charge that fee. She seemed a nice girl so I'm sure that is NOT the norm as the guy I bought the ipod from originally was kind of a pr*ck.

Anyway, look for that salesgirl. light brown hair, thin, kinda cute, maybe 5'6". I'm sure she'll be cool if your nice. Or maybe she just had a thing for me...


edit: Hey, just thought of something else. If they do give you a hard time, I may be interested in taking it off your hands. If you'd ship to my wife in Chicago and the price is right.

 

[Brize]

I've bought a few things in APple stores recently, they confirmed that you have a 14 day no quibble money back guarantee, as long as you have all of the original packaging, and the item isn't damaged, you'll be fine. All firms that sell goods have to offer this, it's the law.

Are you absolutely certain that it's the law, rather than Apple company policy?

From the BBC's Consumer site:

You have NO statutory rights if you simply change your mind about something you've bought, made a mistake, or were told about the fault before you bought it. The shop may operate an exchange policy allowing you to return goods for any reason within a specified time (for example, 28 days). Check before you buy. If not, then a shop isn't legally obliged to change goods or offer a refund if there's nothing wrong with them.​

 

[The General]

iBook too slow? Time for an ungrade.

Seriously.

 

[Aegelward]

i've been doing a few encoding tests (with handbreak) and quite personally i say screw h264 for television resolution content, filesizes are often larger at similar quality settings, just encode into regular mpeg4, if it takes dramaticly less time you may as well keep your appleTV - also i'm given to belive that more recent versions of eyeTV encode video into itunes compatabale formats

 

[apb3]

OK. Enough guessing:

http://www.apple.com/legal/sales_policies/retail_uk.html

which reads, in part:

"Returns
If you are not satisfied with your purchase, return it with the original receipt and original packaging within fourteen (14) calendar days of purchase. If the item is returned unopened, in the original box, we will exchange it or offer a refund based only on the original payment method. Apple will wire a transfer to your bank account within ten (10) business days for cash, cash equivalent, and cheque transactions over £250. Please note the following:

• Opened software, memory, and other media can be exchanged for the same item, but cannot be returned for a refund.
• Custom-configured product, including personalised iPods, cannot be returned or exchanged.
• Purchases made using a lease are subject to the terms of your lease agreement and cannot be returned.
• You can cancel the Applecare Protection Plan within 45 days of purchase and obtain a full refund (unless you have made use of the services and support).
• Applecare Protection Plan can also be cancelled at any time after the 45-day cancellation period, but you will only receive a pro rata refund for the unexpired period.
• Products can be returned only in the country in which they were originally purchased. "


Amazing what a quick Google search will accomplish...

I still say go into the store and see what a nice salesperson will do for you.

 

[the vj]

I bought a G5 once and return it because it was not fast enough for me. They just charged me 10% or $200 of the price tag I think.

You can return your device anywhere.

But in my experience.... never but ANY product when they just came out, even Apple product. Wait intil you read the actual reviews and updates are available. That is called "experience".

 

[whooleytoo]

Are you absolutely certain that it's the law, rather than Apple company policy?

From the BBC's Consumer site:

You have NO statutory rights if you simply change your mind about something you've bought, made a mistake, or were told about the fault before you bought it. The shop may operate an exchange policy allowing you to return goods for any reason within a specified time (for example, 28 days). Check before you buy. If not, then a shop isn't legally obliged to change goods or offer a refund if there's nothing wrong with them.​

Is that from UK law?

I wouldn't be surprised if EU consumer protection was far more stringent.

 

[FireArse]

Lol

Anyway, look for that salesgirl. light brown hair, thin, kinda cute, maybe 5'6".

I'm thinking I need to ask this girl out for a coffee sometime!

F

 

[apb3]

I'm thinking I need to ask this girl out for a coffee sometime!

F

I considered the same... Wife was a concern, however.

 

[taylorwilsdon]

Its such an easy hack to make it play mpeg2 content. Live a little!

appletvhacks.net

 

[markjewiss]

Are you absolutely certain that it's the law, rather than Apple company policy?

I'm pretty sure it's law, I remember this from years ago in college business studies. Things could have changed since then, admittedly. Anyone with more knowledge care to chip in? I'll try Googling it a little later on. Either way, OP will be fine as Apple will take it back within the two week period...

Mark.

 

[superleccy]

Its such an easy hack to make it play mpeg2 content. Live a little!

appletvhacks.net

Really? I've looked at that site and can't find any reference to an actual MPEG2 hack. Have you tried it? What is the quality like?

SL

 

[Passante]

Use MPEG 4. Its a lot faster thank H264.

 

[zap2]

Just keep ripping stuff...if there a big hurry to get it done right none?


Or find a faster Mac to rip stuff for you

 

[chat2ian]

Blimey!

12 hours is a bit excessive ... what are you encoding with?

I'm finding that I'm encoding quicktime to appleTV format with VisualHub takes about 20 minutes for a movie.

 

[ogee]

Sell it on e-bay. Someone will buy it.

 

[superleccy]

Job done, full refund obtained!

Ended up taking it to the Southampton store, 'cos it's closer for me. Explained the situation to one of the sales reps, who understood my issue and was sympathetic. My credit card was refunded the full amount with no fuss an no "open box" fee.

I'm happy I got the refund, but sad that AppleTV didn't do what I hoped. At least this kinda sends a message back to Apple (yes, a small one) that AppleTV needs a few more features before it really takes off. As soon as they release (or somebody comes up with a reliable hack) an AppleTV that can handle MPEG2, I'll be first in the queue.

I think you should think again though......HD content is beginning to appear and once the BBC get signed up everything will smell of roses.

EDIT: Forgot to add. If people are downloading BBC video postcasts can they provide some feedback to ask for some at full quality. The link to the feedback on the BBC website is here

I can always buy one again if I change my mind! Although, encoding SD content from MPEG2 is slow enough, I 'd hate to think how long HD will take on my iBook. Nice BBC podcasts, BTW.

i've been doing a few encoding tests (with handbreak) and quite personally i say screw h264 for television resolution content, filesizes are often larger at similar quality settings, just encode into regular mpeg4, if it takes dramaticly less time you may as well keep your appleTV - also i'm given to belive that more recent versions of eyeTV encode video into itunes compatabale formats

Use MPEG 4. Its a lot faster thank H264.

I did try a few MPEG4 encodes. I wasn't sure what settings to use, so I experimented. Either the quality was poor, or it still took too long, or it didn't work at all. Maybe I just didn't find the right settings, but with each "experiment" talking so long, I gave up.

Just keep ripping stuff...if there a big hurry to get it done right none?
Or find a faster Mac to rip stuff for you

Well actually I'd like not to have to wait a whole day after recording a TV show before I can watch it on AppleTV, especially when it would only take under an hour to burn it to DVD and watch it that way. And as for finding a faster Mac, tricky... well I've got an old ZX Spectrum in my cupboard, do you think that'd be any faster?

12 hours is a bit excessive ... what are you encoding with?

I'm finding that I'm encoding quicktime to appleTV format with VisualHub takes about 20 minutes for a movie.

I was encoding with EyeTV2.4 (the latest one). I'll check out VisualHub but I'd be very surprised if it could encode a movie from MPEG2 to H.264 in 20 minutes on my iBook G4.

Thanks everyone for your support and advice.

Regards
SL