HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
OK I appreciate that feedback. But since I've been waiting for 4, maybe I'll get Plex plus Mac Mini now- and enjoy the next few years- and then come back to 
TV Version 3 when they finally deliver a 1080p box. That way, I can enjoy the now and the future, instead of waiting on the future.
That's one of the problems with these "720p is good enough" arguments against all alternatives. We've had 1080HDTVs for years (I've got one that is 8 years old). BD is doing well and it can max out our HDTVs last year. Other companies that aren't even classically in this space have also rolled out 1080p-capable boxes. Apple even gives us all the rest of the tools (iMovie can edit & render 1080p, iTunes can store and play it well).
This is so Apple's to take. It's so much within reach. But deciding 720p is good enough for its customers is the wrong way to go. The better option would be to put 1080p capabilities inside and sell this little box to everyone, even though it might be a few more years until some 1080i/p content arrives in the iTunes store. Getting the box entrenched will motivate some (greedy) Studio to test 1080i/p content via iTunes, rather than giving Walmart and Best Buy a slice and having to package physical media, distribute it, etc.
Don't get those 1080p boxes in place, and Studios can't even test 1080i/p content forTV even if they wanted to do so tonight. Apple could couch it as doing their part- "we built the hardware and a lower cost way for companies to deliver their content rather than selling it on "bag of hurt" discs through retail stores. They can even sell their entire back catalog without having to beg for retail space because it can all be virtually displayed in iTunes..." Etc.
I do agree with your belief that the video Studios are terrified of ending up under Apple's other thumb, like their buddies in the music business. But Apple could make them come to Apple if Apple would get enough little 1080p-TV boxes flying into homes faster than BD boxes. Eventually the Studio's greed will make someone ask to put that content in the store. However, not getting 1080p hardware into homes creates ZERO incentive for any Studio to come calling wanting to sell 1080p content via TV.
TV Version 3 when they finally deliver a 1080p box. That way, I can enjoy the now and the future, instead of waiting on the future. That's one of the problems with these "720p is good enough" arguments against all alternatives. We've had 1080HDTVs for years (I've got one that is 8 years old). BD is doing well and it can max out our HDTVs last year. Other companies that aren't even classically in this space have also rolled out 1080p-capable boxes. Apple even gives us all the rest of the tools (iMovie can edit & render 1080p, iTunes can store and play it well).
This is so Apple's to take. It's so much within reach. But deciding 720p is good enough for its customers is the wrong way to go. The better option would be to put 1080p capabilities inside and sell this little box to everyone, even though it might be a few more years until some 1080i/p content arrives in the iTunes store. Getting the box entrenched will motivate some (greedy) Studio to test 1080i/p content via iTunes, rather than giving Walmart and Best Buy a slice and having to package physical media, distribute it, etc.
Don't get those 1080p boxes in place, and Studios can't even test 1080i/p content for
TV even if they wanted to do so tonight. Apple could couch it as doing their part- "we built the hardware and a lower cost way for companies to deliver their content rather than selling it on "bag of hurt" discs through retail stores. They can even sell their entire back catalog without having to beg for retail space because it can all be virtually displayed in iTunes..." Etc. I do agree with your belief that the video Studios are terrified of ending up under Apple's other thumb, like their buddies in the music business. But Apple could make them come to Apple if Apple would get enough little 1080p-
TV boxes flying into homes faster than BD boxes. Eventually the Studio's greed will make someone ask to put that content in the store. However, not getting 1080p hardware into homes creates ZERO incentive for any Studio to come calling wanting to sell 1080p content via TV.
