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Apple will continue to invest in the Apple TV
- Thread starter zedsdead
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You can do this right now. I know you said you didn't want to hack it, but seriously...my grandmother could do the boxee hack. Its the simplist hack on the planet, and it makes the ATV totally worth it. At this point, there is no reason to hold back. Boxee works like a charm and makes the ATV do just about everything I'd wish for (still missing netflix tho...)
Yes but you get my point. It was just written without a source. Not everyone is on the call ... just an FYI.
Right I know, but I certainly don't think a rental refund has much to do with their commitment to ATV. It makes people look down on iTunes not ATV when an HD movie sucks.
Pretty sure the OP used this website as the source: https://www.macrumors.com/2009/01/21/apple-reports-1-61-billion-profit-for-q1-2009/
Not in this country, but that's not the point. Also, there are other, legitimate sources of VIDEO_TS out there, but that's not the point either.
My point is that Apple has already built applications that are capable of playing VIDEO_TS (DVD Player and Front Row). What's the difference between a Mac playing a VIDEO_TS and an aTV doing it?
I may very well do that anyways. I'm actually waiting for the next aTV update before committing. Just seeing what Apple has up it's sleeve.
I already have my Boxee invite ready to go if do go with an aTV.
The difference is that DVD PLayer and Front Row are capable of playing VIDEO_TS because they are designed to play DVDs. An AppleTV is not. How would Apple explain such a feature? It wouldn't make sense to provide the ability to play VIDEO_TS without the ability to rip a DVD (legal issues) or play the DVD directly.
In the words of Dire Straits... I love my aTV.
This product is becoming a must have, particularly when it is getting easier to get the content.
I have my films on a Drobo via a MacBook streaming all content to my aTV.
A film takes no time now to download from itunes and with Handbrake I have started adding my DVD library (800) onto my Drobo and streaming down to my plasma via aTV.
Is there a way of taking content from Sky+ onto aTV yet?
This product is becoming a must have, particularly when it is getting easier to get the content.
I have my films on a Drobo via a MacBook streaming all content to my aTV.
A film takes no time now to download from itunes and with Handbrake I have started adding my DVD library (800) onto my Drobo and streaming down to my plasma via aTV.
Is there a way of taking content from Sky+ onto aTV yet?
Good point. Still, it would be nice to have VIDEO_TS support on the aTV.
I guess my options are buying a Mac mini for the main TV and aTVs for the other TVs. But I'll be waiting the the update either way. Or I could get an aTV and hack it for Boxee and VIDEO_TS support.
Aggh! Why can't they make it easy for me?
ft
Apple are 'placing their bets' that all TV content will eventually be through the internet through devices like AppleTV. Presumably its a hobby at the moment as the quantity isnt there yet.
They are ready and waiting for the boom.
They have no need to release a better specced version until internet speeds can download higher quality material at a decent speed.
They are ready and waiting for the boom.
They have no need to release a better specced version until internet speeds can download higher quality material at a decent speed.
Personally I think they overcooked it...all they need to make is a ‘Video Airport Express’ (VAE) which allows you stream media from iTunes (PC or Mac no need to be fussy) direct to the HDMI socket on your TV.
Play in iTunes (PC or Mac) - it sends it full screen to your TV. Just like Airport Express does with audio.
...iTunes once more becomes the core media hub - simple again...it can send a ‘Apple TV-esque’ front end to enable it to be navigable from an Apple white remote which comes with the VAE.
Simple as that. I’d buy one, (well about three of them actually) tomorrow without a seconds hesitation.
I can't believe they have just missed the total obviousness of this...
Play in iTunes (PC or Mac) - it sends it full screen to your TV. Just like Airport Express does with audio.
...iTunes once more becomes the core media hub - simple again...it can send a ‘Apple TV-esque’ front end to enable it to be navigable from an Apple white remote which comes with the VAE.
Simple as that. I’d buy one, (well about three of them actually) tomorrow without a seconds hesitation.
I can't believe they have just missed the total obviousness of this...
I didn't say (or even suggest) that the studios were "forcing it"; Apple is voluntarily taking this stand.
For the AppleTV to really succeed, Apple needs to gain concessions from the studios. The following are a few things that need to happen (in my opinion) for the AppleTV to truly take off (this list is not meant to be all inclusive):
1. Rentals need to be available on the same day that DVDs and BDs are released.
2. Prices need to come down on rentals (probably at least $1 across the line).
3. They need to give you more than 24 or even 48 hours to finish viewing a rental (I can't count how many times my wife and I get into a movie, then get a phone call and end up having to finish the movie the next night or the night after). Why not give us a full week?
4. They need to add TV show rentals at a reasonable cost (maybe 4 episodes for $1.99).
So, if Apple wants to have any chance at gaining concessions along these lines, it cannot afford to alienate the studios by making it easier to rip DVDs and view them on your home theater system.
Sorry, but there are many of us who do not want to leave our computers on all the time. The main reason I bought my AppleTV is to allow access to my music collection without having to have my computer on (or to have to control it from afar). The second reason is to have home videos (in particular my wifes horse show videos) available without having to burn them to DVD (or have the computer on).
i like my apple tv...but i have to admit...the technology still isnt up to netflix when it comes to renting movies.
When i want to rent an HD movie..like Ironman...it takes about 2 hours to download....which is a little too long if i wanted to start watching a movie just as I sit down with somebody. As it stands now..i kind of have to plan ahead when i want to see the movie. Once the movie starts..its fine...but its just waiting for it to download.....netflix and their instant streaming is still better...so come on apple...get it faster...
When i want to rent an HD movie..like Ironman...it takes about 2 hours to download....which is a little too long if i wanted to start watching a movie just as I sit down with somebody. As it stands now..i kind of have to plan ahead when i want to see the movie. Once the movie starts..its fine...but its just waiting for it to download.....netflix and their instant streaming is still better...so come on apple...get it faster...
I hear what your saying but for casual users like me it's no big deal to leave the computer on...
I don't see why you couldn't still have a full HD ATV and an SD express one...
I agree, Think of the millions of people who have purchased Movies thru iTunes to watch on a TV. There is NO way Apple with abandon ATV. They will change and improve the product when they are ready to release something that is worth it for the consumers who for 1. already have ATV and 2. May like to purchase this type of product. Apple will never simply abandon what they have started. Their customers have to much invested.
Been waiting and waiting to buy my second
TV. I just wouldn't get the same excitement factor buying something I already own...
The length of time it takes for the movie to start has to do with your internet connection. With a 6 Mbps connection (common with a cable modem), an HD movie will start in about a minute on AppleTV, barring congestion. An SD movie will start instantly on most high speed connections.
You must be comparing download speeds on a HD movie on AppleTV with an SD movie on Netflix. And you have a relatively slow internet connection.
I would agree in most cases. And with a standard cable 5M download, it works great. This poster's problems may indeed have been their internet. However, many have noticed in the past couple of weeks, extremely slow downloads of Movies on the ATV which is most likely a problem on the Apple side of things.
Its gotten better, last night, The dark knight was ready in about a minute on my cable modem.
By the way, in my opinion, ATV movie rentals will ALWAYS beat netflix, for the sole reason that its NOT a streaming service, I would rather let the movie download the day before, and watch it knowing there will be no hiccups as it runs off of the ATV HD. This is something you just can't get with streaming services...and can become a big issue with HD streaming...
Good article. This writer is pretty much right on the money with my personal hopes for the
TV. C'mon February...This article is nothing more than a pipe dream, based on absolutely no actual facts. Believing it is only going to set you up for disappointment.
If it's taking 2 hours, you must be on a VERY slow DSL and/or a very congested internet connection. On 6Mpbs cable HD movies for me and my family (3 different AppleTVs with 3 different cable providers) start in less than 3 minutes consistently. Even when I only had 3Mbps cable I'd start in 10-12 minutes.
There is something very wrong with your network if that's how long you're waiting.
(Emphasis mine)
I like that word, invest. It has a very specific meaning. Apple is going to put money into the AppleTV project in the hope of getting a bigger return in the future. Currently, all they are doing is selling the same unit that's been on the market for 2+ years now. Telling us they plan to INVEST in it means they'll do something that costs them money in the short run. At the bare minumum, we'll need another software upgrade to give us better features. Preferably, Apple really should revamp the whole hardware scheme with new options.
I don't think a BTO AppleTV option is that bad an idea.
If Apple is serious about producing a media server (I hope they are because I just don't trust that HP thing), then the ATV has to be integral to it.