If this new ultra slim laptop comes out at Macworld and does have an external optical drive. Assuming that this drive is going to be usb, all apple has to do is open up the usb port on the ATV and mount this drive, which would take a software update, and apple would be able to sell an accessory in two different market shares. I see this as a possibility and we will hopefully see it at macworld. Just a thought.
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Just a thought...
- Thread starter nick.hobbie
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hmmmmm, I like that idea. Not that I need my appletv to have an external DVD player but I like it.
Word. The external drive could piggyback with the 
tv and be more useful than just a notebook accessory. Two uses... one product... awesome.
tv and be more useful than just a notebook accessory. Two uses... one product... awesome.
I wouldn't use it, but it's not a bad idea. Suprisingly to me, I've seen many people say they would like Apple TV more with a DVD player.
Personally I think that's plain idiotic considering how cheap DVD players are these days and how most households that I'm aware of have numerous DVD playback devices.
Personally I think that's plain idiotic considering how cheap DVD players are these days and how most households that I'm aware of have numerous DVD playback devices.
I wouldn't use it, but it's not a bad idea. Suprisingly to me, I've seen many people say they would like Apple TV more with a DVD player.
Personally I think that's plain idiotic considering how cheap DVD players are these days and how most households that I'm aware of have numerous DVD playback devices.
But why have two devices with two different remotes when you can consolidate? Its not going to take the place of a DVD player, this product has the possibility to take the place of a media center computer. Any add-ons would just create a need for more apple's in the household. I do not believe their target audience are the ones who shop at walmart for a dvd player, their target audience are the ones who are shopping for a media center computer.
LOL, you totally have me wrong if you think I even get near WalMart. I avoid them like the plague. And I happen to have a high end DVD player in my main setup that I am more than happy with. It's also unlikely Apple's DVD drive "add-on" would have some of the features I have on this particular model. As far as consolidation goes, like most enthusiasts, I have a Logitech Harmony remote. As much as I love Apple, their remote tends to be slightly limited and no one can deny that.
I wouldn't use it, but it's not a bad idea. Suprisingly to me, I've seen many people say they would like Apple TV more with a DVD player.
Personally I think that's plain idiotic considering how cheap DVD players are these days and how most households that I'm aware of have numerous DVD playback devices.
One less device to deal with. Not all folks have receivers or TVs with a plethora of HDMI/DVI/Component inputs to allow multiple devices to be connected in an optimal way.
Being based on an actual computer, if content providers offer supplementary CD-ROMs workable on Macs, you could watch them on the
tv instead of the Mac.Apple's GUI excellence would likely make DVD watching a bit easier. My parents are not Luddites, but they have extreme difficulty navigating a DVD beyond initial playback (chapter skip, FF/RR, etc) because they don't have the breadth of experience we do.
Where would you put it? The TV is a hot plate...
I do love external DVD drives, I have an external DVD burner that I use for my Mini (I got a basic one with a combo drive) and can use it on my ThinkPad, even my desktop...
TV is a hot plate...I do love external DVD drives, I have an external DVD burner that I use for my Mini (I got a basic one with a combo drive) and can use it on my ThinkPad, even my desktop...
That's the problem. If Apple does go this course with an external optical drive, I would bet that it would use a proprietary connector, not USB2.
I could be wrong, but don't most OEMs use a proprietary connector for the external optical drives? I remember my Toshiba laptop used a wierd connector for the floppy drive ... but now that I think about it, that was before USB1 was even around.
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Maybe TV won't get a built in DVD player or attachable DVD player until the HD/Blu-Ray wars are over. Apple's already stirred the pot enough with the giants of the media industry, so maybe they're sitting on the sidelines 'til the format war plays out.
TV won't get a built in DVD player or attachable DVD player until the HD/Blu-Ray wars are over. Apple's already stirred the pot enough with the giants of the media industry, so maybe they're sitting on the sidelines 'til the format war plays out.
As convenient as it would be (I had my first inconvenience with Apple TV this week when I bought a DVD and realized my Xbox 360 was not with me and had to wait for the movie to be converted before I could watch it on my TV) I think that adding an external drive to the Apple TV would take away revenue from where Apple wants you to buy your movies, regardless of what quality they currently offer.
Think bigger
This would make the AppleTV much more tempting!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/a533/?cpg=73H
Right now it's just meh! Until Linux can take advantage of video decoding in the GPU, nothing really interesting will happen in video/HD/HTPC. It's very sad. It was one thing when the user experience of consumer hardware was "stamped in" and could be changed. (eg: the blinking 12:00 on your VCR) But now everything is software and can be reprogrammed to fix issues and meet your needs or preferences. However the manufactures refuse to give you any freedom because you don't stand up and fight for it.
After fighting with Comcast for 2 years over my efforts to get MythTV to work with HD, I practiced what I preach and canceled my cable. It was a bitter pill, but you have to stand for something or you will fall for anything.
I wouldn't use it, but it's not a bad idea. Suprisingly to me, I've seen many people say they would like Apple TV more with a DVD player.
Personally I think that's plain idiotic considering how cheap DVD players are these days and how most households that I'm aware of have numerous DVD playback devices.
This would make the AppleTV much more tempting!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/a533/?cpg=73H
Right now it's just meh! Until Linux can take advantage of video decoding in the GPU, nothing really interesting will happen in video/HD/HTPC. It's very sad. It was one thing when the user experience of consumer hardware was "stamped in" and could be changed. (eg: the blinking 12:00 on your VCR) But now everything is software and can be reprogrammed to fix issues and meet your needs or preferences. However the manufactures refuse to give you any freedom because you don't stand up and fight for it.
After fighting with Comcast for 2 years over my efforts to get MythTV to work with HD, I practiced what I preach and canceled my cable. It was a bitter pill, but you have to stand for something or you will fall for anything.