Possiblility of new Apple TV at Macworld?

[McGiord]

If the mini doesn't have the HDMI port neither the optical sound one, even the current iTunes store media don't take advantage of them, why some people prefer the mini instead of the TV?
Can you connect the mini via HDMI using some adapters?

I has been using my MacBook with the miniDVI to DVI video adpater plus a DVI to HDMI adapter and HDMI cable to connect it to my 40" LCD Sony to watch TV shows from abc.com and nbc.com + you tube and many other things via Front Row.
This past weekend I tried to watch a Movie using my MacBook setup described above via Netflix's "Watch it Instantly" under Parallels Desktop 3.0 with Windows XP pro, sadly the movie quality was poor and I didn't watch it at all.

The Pros:
-many free content
-only cables needed

The cons:
-Additional cable for stereo only audio (iPod miniplug to RCA cable), audio signal is lower than other sources (cablebox, dvd, etc)
-The MacBook video card isn't capable to fill the whole screen
-When not using Front Row with the Remote the need to navigate with my track pad (I don't have a wireless mouse yet)

I think that with a Mac with better video processing capabilities and audio output we can have an economical alternative to the TV.

There are ways to record HD video on your Mac using the firewire port from certain cableboxes, but requires a lot of setup and HDD space, and after you record it you need to manipualte it to make it playable.

I will get an TV when the media I can watch on it make it worth to spend any money on it, and that even with a 3rd party add on I can easily record with it.

As of Today the TV is just a potential Home Theater device for HD content, until HD with Surround Sound media is available.
I hope this changes soon at the 2008 MacWorld's Conference.
________
Ram (disambiguation)

 

[LiveForever]

The apple TV could be a huge success but its held back in my opinion by a lack of a cd/DVD drive built in.

What I would like is a dedicated unit to store all my music (like a big ipod) - I could directly place in my CD's so all the tracks and cover art are downloaded to it and I could browse through using the excellent cover flow. At the moment this is what I do with my imac but it seems a waste of disc space really. I mean I have all this glorious computing power and its mainly used to store my music so I can play it through my stereo.

This apple TV could so easily be that unit, it just needs a CD/DVD player built iin.

Like wise if i could rip my DVD collection straight to it so I could scroll through my music and DVD's (and photos) then this would be a killer product.

At the moment it seems no more than a glorified airport extreme.

I heard rumours that it will be revamped as a full network device.

"Andy Neff, an analyst with New York investment bank, Bear Stearns, says Apple could accelerate its iPhone/iPod momentum by introducing a handheld device with a larger screen for playing music and surfing the web. Well, yes, but isn't that what the iPod touch and the iPhone do? Or is Neff talking about a 4-inch or 6-inch screen, and if so, is that the aforementioned "slate"?

Neff also guesses that AppleTV, an under-rated box that makes transmitting to a big screen TV movies stored on a home computer consumer-easy, may be revamped and turned into a full-scale home networking device."


http://www.smh.com.au/news/how-tos/noncore-tips/2007/12/31/1198949883698.html

 

[ironjaw]

I don't know about all of you but I want my TV to make me a cup coffee in the morning and give me foot massage

 

[wPod]

TV doesn't hit a target audience. If TV is going for the high end market, then they need HD content and (at least) 5.1 surround. If TV is going for the lower end mass market (ie anyone that owns a TV and a DVD player) then they need to have some sort of analog video out such as composite video so the 70% of people who do NOT have HD tvs can plug the TV into their TV.

I hope Apple decides to hit the upper end market and introduce HD content to iTMS as well as introduce a way to purchase/rent directly from the TV. Also add 5.1 surround. and assuming all of this can be changed with a firmware update, then they can follow what M$ did with the release of the new zune and allow people with the old TV to upgrade the software to be equivalent to the new TV!!!!

so hopefully there will be an announcement of some sort at MW and not a silent loss of the TV.

 

[Cave Man]

If the mini doesn't have the HDMI port neither the optical sound one, even the current iTunes store media don't take advantage of them, why some people prefer the mini instead of the TV?

The Mini has an optical port, both input and output. It will passthrough Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround from DVDs through this port, and it will play Dolby Digital 5.1 from MKV files through VLC. The ATV doesn't have the software ability to do 5.1 passthrough.

Can you connect the mini via HDMI using some adapters?

Yes, DVI to HDMI, as you apparently have. You only get video, not audio.

There are ways to record HD video on your Mac using the firewire port from certain cableboxes, but requires a lot of setup and HDD space, and after you record it you need to manipualte it to make it playable.

You can also use Elgato's Eye TV products to receive and record HD shows through the USB port. There is no need for other "manipulations" to play live TV or recordings on the Mac.

I will get an TV when the media I can watch on it make it worth to spend any money on it, and that even with a 3rd party add on I can easily record with it.

I really don't think that'll happen. You already have a computer, as does anyone who uses an ATV. It's what you should use for recording. But, Stevie might surprise us at MWSF. He just might include a digital tuner in a revised ATV and provide DVR capabilities. If he does, I sure hopes he changes the hard drive to a 3.5" SATA.

 

[sammoj]

Guys/Girls

All this talk about a 'New Apple TV', no thanks!

I purchased a 160GB one less than 6 months ago, what I want is some updates - just basic please.

Integration into iLife08, ie: Events in iPhoto
Purchase iTunes music via TV.
Better folder management on movies, aka TV shows.

No new box please, don't want to shell out again after 6 months - this is a computer lets just upgrade the software please...don't leave the early adopters behind Apple.

J

 

[ztark]

Guys/Girls

All this talk about a 'New Apple TV', no thanks!

I purchased a 160GB one less than 6 months ago, what I want is some updates - just basic please.

Integration into iLife08, ie: Events in iPhoto
Purchase iTunes music via TV.
Better folder management on movies, aka TV shows.

No new box please, don't want to shell out again after 6 months - this is a computer lets just upgrade the software please...don't leave the early adopters behind Apple.

J

agreed

 

[Mr9758]

Like wise if i could rip my DVD collection straight to it so I could scroll through my music and DVD's (and photos) then this would be a killer product.

You can.

 

[legacyb4]

Same reason a Tivo works well for non-technically minded folks compared to a MCE/MythTV/BeyondTV solution.

I just got a new HDTV for Christmas and need to figure out what will be the best HD-compatible solution to replace my aging BeyondTV box...

Yes, they're just about the same. But you're always a few clicks away from being out of Front Row and into the Finder on the Mac. The ATV won't let you do that. Less risk of damage, ya know?

 

[alchemistmuffin]

Guys/Girls

All this talk about a 'New Apple TV', no thanks!

I purchased a 160GB one less than 6 months ago, what I want is some updates - just basic please.

Integration into iLife08, ie: Events in iPhoto
Purchase iTunes music via TV.
Better folder management on movies, aka TV shows.

No new box please, don't want to shell out again after 6 months - this is a computer lets just upgrade the software please...don't leave the early adopters behind Apple.

J

They probably will release the update so current TV owners get the same functionality on the new TV....

Since TV interface is basically OS X based, the software can be instantly upgraded with no difficulties, it's just like upgrading your Mac OS X operating system from Tiger to Leopard, only without the disc....

 

[SthrnCmfrtr]

I would be more interested in buying an Apple TV if it was;

Cheaper - its to expensive for the 160GB.

Had more capacity - 160GB doesn't really cut it for me with lots of 320KBps music, video podcasts etc, and 10,000+ photos. 250GB would be a better start or enable or have an additional USB that supports Airdisk/server.

Was also a fully fledged Airport Extreme - it would be much easier to justify buying it if it also worked as a AE.

Ran cooler or was taller to be cooler - it runs VERY hot these days and I worry its not going to last more than a couple of years under such heat.

A small backlit lcd display would be nice to know its current state and for simple diagnostics.

I also wonder if Apple might one day make it an HDMI/Audio switcher so that I can plug my DVD player etc through it to save me one less issue/task because I can really see my iPod touch becoming a super home remote when the SDK comes out.

Quoted for sheer insanity. A 250GB 2.5" HD, four or five gig-E ports, a backlit LCD display, and receiver functionality? AND IT WOULD BE COOLER AND CHEAPER?

I, for one, would buy it.

 

[CalfCanuck]

Why not create an ATV / Blu-Ray player?

After reading this thread, I'm surprised no one is talking about Apple RAISING the price of the ATV and turning it into a combo Blu-Ray player and digital hub.

Since there are relatively few next generation DVD players out there (beyond PS3 and x-Box), the bulk of homes throughout the world will be buying these new DVD players over the next few years. So we're talking about 100's of millions of units shipping. Get a decent slice of this market, even if it is only the high-end segment, and things for ATV might start looking better.

If Apple created a great unit, they could sell a bunch of ATV's to people who might not be interested in downloadable video at the present time. But once all these ATV "Blu-Ray players" are hooked up to TVs, then Apple can begin to educate the new users on the benefits of downloadable video - creating new users who might not be existing Apple fans.

Given the other threads about Blu-Ray, will we see an announcement like this at MWSF?

 

[alchemistmuffin]

After reading this thread, I'm surprised no one is talking about Apple RAISING the price of the ATV and turning it into a combo Blu-Ray player and digital hub.

Since there are relatively few next generation DVD players out there (beyond PS3 and x-Box), the bulk of homes throughout the world will be buying these new DVD players over the next few years. So we're talking about 100's of millions of units shipping. Get a decent slice of this market, even if it is only the high-end segment, and things for ATV might start looking better.

If Apple created a great unit, they could sell a bunch of ATV's to people who might not be interested in downloadable video at the present time. But once all these ATV "Blu-Ray players" are hooked up to TVs, then Apple can begin to educate the new users on the benefits of downloadable video - creating new users who might not be existing Apple fans.

Given the other threads about Blu-Ray, will we see an announcement like this at MWSF?

You know, Apple might actually make fun of Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, stating that customers want something that they don't have to choose, and with that case, could announce the new service for iTunes store, which is the option to purchase feature length movies and TV shows in HD format, which can be played in native HD resolution when played on TV via TV.