Good Time To Buy?

[dynaflash]

Has anyone tried syncing a 720p30 video to AppleTV since 9.1 was released? Just curious if they might have removed this artificial limitation when they added iPad syncing. I don't happen to have any 720p30 content available or I would have already tried this myself.

Nope, but thats a good point, will give it a try later tonight.

 

[dynaflash]

I know I'm damning my own argument, but 1024x768 isn't technically 720p (which has a widescreen aspect ratio of 1280 x 720 with progressive scanning).

So yes I'm wrong.

lol, fair enough but I was giving you the benefit of the doubt .

But it's still not a good time to buy an appletv so ner.

To speak to the OP imho, even given the crappy cpu, etc. For the money it fits the bill ... still. I would *love* to see it updated, don't get me wrong ... but given 160GB for $239 retail ( of course 160GB used to be $299 ) and refurbs lower priced ... I personally think its still a decent buy. Again opinions are like a$$holes ... everyone has one.

 

[trip1ex]

If you want to watch your iTunes stuff on your TV then there's always a good time to buy an ATV.

ON the flip side we're closer to the next-generation of the ATV then we are to its initial release. Whether that means next-gen comes next month or next year or the year after who knows.

You can always do the poor man's ATV using an Ipod and a $10 knock-off AV cable from Ebay. Very cheap solution if you already have an iPod. I have a 2 yr old Nano and that's what I do. Works good overall. Takes 2-3 minutes to load a movie onto the iPod. Video stutters slightly here and there, but for the most part is smooth.

Another cheap solution is to grab a 25' displayport-usb to Hdmi cable and hook it up to your Mac.

 

[shinji]

Actually, it is a bit more forgiving than that. It will not disappear while you are in the middle of watching it as the 24 hours expire. This is helpful if you have kids and can only watch an R rated movie after it is bed time for the kids. If you get tired and want to finish watching it the next day, you can. However, before the 24 hours expires, you need to start playing the movie and put it in pause and leave it in pause until the kids are in bed and you are ready to resume watching. You will be permitted to finish watching the movie so long as you do not hit menu and leave the movie. Once you leave the movie, it disappears. However, I am pretty sure it gives you a warning and a chance to cancel and return to the movie.

You can't apply a rental towards a purchase, can you? If you pay for the rental, and like the movie, can you deduct the cost of the rental from the buy price?

 

[dynaflash]

Has anyone tried syncing a 720p30 video to AppleTV since 9.1 was released? Just curious if they might have removed this artificial limitation when they added iPad syncing. I don't happen to have any 720p30 content available or I would have already tried this myself.

Just tested on a 720p30 source using Same as source. Sadly still a no go with iTunes. Used HB to set a constant framerate of 24 fps on same 1280 x 720 source and it transferred and played just fine.

So sadly still no 720p30 transfers from iTunes to atv.

 

[zedsdead]

Just tested on a 720p30 source using Same as source. Sadly still a no go with iTunes. Used HB to set a constant framerate of 24 fps on same 1280 x 720 source and it transferred and played just fine.

So sadly still no 720p30 transfers from iTunes to atv.

This is really disappointing. The Apple TV can handle 30fps I imagine. This limitation is so stupid.

 

[joudbren]

You can't apply a rental towards a purchase, can you? If you pay for the rental, and like the movie, can you deduct the cost of the rental from the buy price?

Unfortunately, no. I'm pretty sure on that one but maybe someone else can confirm? In fairness to Apple though, this is the same thing at most video stores. You rent a movie and then decide to purchase it they usually won't credit the rental towards the purchase. Usually. At least in my area. Cheers!

James

 

[Phantom Gremlin]

You can't apply a rental towards a purchase, can you? If you pay for the rental, and like the movie, can you deduct the cost of the rental from the buy price?

That's a good idea. Apple does something along these lines when it comes to buying albums from the iTunes store. Let's say you buy one song for $1.29. Then if you go back and buy the rest of the album you only need to pay $8.70 instead of $9.99.

But I'll never buy a movie from Apple under current restrictions. The songs are now DRM free, the movies still require perpetual lock-in to Apple's ecosystem. Do you really "buy" something if you remain perpetually dependent on Apple for permission to use it?

 

[shinji]

That's a good idea. Apple does something along these lines when it comes to buying albums from the iTunes store. Let's say you buy one song for $1.29. Then if you go back and buy the rest of the album you only need to pay $8.70 instead of $9.99.

But I'll never buy a movie from Apple under current restrictions. The songs are now DRM free, the movies still require perpetual lock-in to Apple's ecosystem. Do you really "buy" something if you remain perpetually dependent on Apple for permission to use it?

Yeah, as much as I love Apple products, that's one reason I've yet to buy (or rent) a movie from them. The selection being another.

I've been looking into home theater setups and comparing the legal sources of HD movies. They're all fairly flawed in one way or another.

I wish blu-rays came with a drm-free rip of equal quality...that'd be pretty ideal for me.

 

[Shoesy]

That's a good idea. Apple does something along these lines when it comes to buying albums from the iTunes store. Let's say you buy one song for $1.29. Then if you go back and buy the rest of the album you only need to pay $8.70 instead of $9.99.

The really silly thing is that you cannot 'complete this season' with tv shows. Who knows if they are gonna want a season pass without watching a single episode!

But I'll never buy a movie from Apple under current restrictions. The songs are now DRM free, the movies still require perpetual lock-in to Apple's ecosystem. Do you really "buy" something if you remain perpetually dependent on Apple for permission to use it?

No-one ever 'owns' any media outright - there is always some kind of license even if it is not always strictly enforced DRM.

 

[jaforres]

I snagged a brand new one on craigslist the other day for $150. Do a little shopping around. You can probably find a good deal too.

good call. There are a few on craiglist in my area.