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Price drop on 160GB AppleTV... 40GB model discontinued
- Thread starter VirtualRain
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I don't know what "all my DVRs" you are referring to.. If you're talking about proprietary Cable/Satellite DVR boxes - EyeTV won't work with them. Go to Elgato website, they list all of the tuners that are compatible with EyeTV. I use HD HomeRun for OTA channels, which works with EyeTV.
Other than that - yes anything that EyeTV can record can always be streamed to any number of Apple TV's.
If you don't like Apple TV, buy a PS3 or whatever else. There are thousands of us who use and love our Apple TV's.
What a pessimistic point of view!
People that own one and understand that it's "An iPod for your telly" tend to think it's a fine device. A lot of uninformed whiners spend endless energy berating Apple for not adding, DVR, tuners, Blu-ray, Terabytes, kitchen sink, cocker spaniel, french maid option, etc etc, ad infinitum.
Usually with some open threat of boycott/kitten bashing.
Apple have stated on many occasions that it's a hobby project. ie. it's not a business proposition for them right now. What does that mean? that means they're experimenting with the design and sticking something out there so they have a foot in the market place.
When will it not be a hobby? When the right combination of hardware/software/UI & Content make it a viable mainstream device.
So when's that likely to happen, well what sucks about it right now?
Hardware - Too hot, too expensive (for aapl and you) Fixed with an embedded arm platform due in 2010.
Software - Mostly constrained by the UI, but definitely needs a snow leopard makeover for teh Snappy (TM). As the SL boys and girls have now finished SL i'm sure they are putting more time in on that hobby project of theirs.
UI - That damn remote, the single most damning part of the package. There's been wondrous patents filed for wii like wands, coverflow UI's and embedded web content on AppleTV for the last 2 years. I can only wonder why Apple's been sitting on them and my guess is they are waiting on the new hardware platform.
Content - It's getting pretty close, they do charge far to much to own a tv series though, there needs to be rental or similar model to watch TV and have it evaporate. Also opening up a webkit like SDK to the BBC iPlayer and Hulu crowd would bring major interest to the platform. Whilst a full on SDK for casual gaming and apps would blow all the other internet video platforms away. Note there is zero point in releasing an SDK on the current hardware, if you are going to replace it in a year.
So my reasonable expectation is that next year is the year of AppleTV, just a question of when.
Before last years Unibody MacBook event, you need to go back to 2005 for an Apple Media Event in October.
I have to agree with arn. This reason why the tv has been so unsuccessful has been because of hardware and not software. If there is an intent to make it into the mythical gaming console that 9to5 Mac always talks about , then I could see a hardware upgrade as being necessary but I don't think Apple is interested in that market. My questions are:
1. How come there is no App Store for the tv?
2. Why is there no Netflix-style subscription service for movies?
3. Why can't you rent TV shows?
4. Why can't you sign with either services like Hulu or stream channels through iTunes for a monthly price?
As of right now Apple has put very little effort into the Apple TV After the first year there hasn't been any significant software upgrades.
The OTA standard in North America is ATSC. Look in to it. You might be able to get HD for free OTA.
Yes, there is. Why pay for what you're already getting for free?
Apple is in the business of making hardware. iTunes is a side business. By making better hardware, capable of doing what the customer wants, they make more money.
By making it an iTunes storefront, just look at how successful they've been.
Should be around £165 for 160gb. Instead it's £195 for 40gb
Update your crap Apple.
If that was the price here, I would buy one pretty soon. One can dream...... although saying that 160Gb is still far too small, I really wouldnt buy one with less than 500GB. My movies alone come to 220GB and I have c. 12GB of music.
The OTA standard in North America is ATSC. Look in to it. You might be able to get HD for free OTA.
Yes, there is. Why pay for what you're already getting for free?
Apple is in the business of making hardware. iTunes is a side business. By making better hardware, capable of doing what the customer wants, they make more money.
By making it an iTunes storefront, just look at how successful they've been.
Apple is a global company that given the option builds 1 global product. They are not going to compete in the zero return, bag o pain world of tuners.
iTunes maybe a side business, but that doesn't mean Apple won't protect it by not implementing a competing technology/service. The stronger iTunes store is the more power they have to negotiate with content providers on price/availability. I worry about this as it might prevent the Hulu/iPlayer crowd getting onboard.
You'd be surprised at how focused their feedback is. I guarantee you anything fringe is expunged rather quickly. I suspect you and i are in the fringe....
On the topic of iTunes LP & iTunes Extras.
If we don't see an update to the existing AppleTV in the next 2 months to support these features (which by the way its totally capable of), then it's a clear sign of a replacement hardware/software platform in 2010.
If we don't see an update to the existing AppleTV in the next 2 months to support these features (which by the way its totally capable of), then it's a clear sign of a replacement hardware/software platform in 2010.
I guess I'm not going to get a camera and an accelerometer in my Apple TV.
But I've been pleased with the features they've added via software updates, even thought it always surprised me that Apple TV software updates were free while iPod touch updates required paying a fee. Business accounting is a mysterious art understood only by wizards.
Technically, he's correct. Since the 2.5" 1TB is 12.5mm versus the standard 9.5, it probably wouldn't fit inside the AppleTV.
Edit: Not to mention the newer 2.5" drives are SATA, vs. PATA in the AppleTV.
Apple is a global company that given the option builds 1 global product. They are not going to compete in the zero return, bag o pain world of tuners.
iTunes maybe a side business, but that doesn't mean Apple won't protect it by not implementing a competing technology/service. The stronger iTunes store is the more power they have to negotiate with content providers on price/availability. I worry about this as it might prevent the Hulu/iPlayer crowd getting onboard.
You'd be surprised at how focused their feedback is. I guarantee you anything fringe is expunged rather quickly. I suspect you and i are in the fringe....
The tuner situation isn't as big of a headache as you'd think. Most of North America and Japan (in 2012) use this standard.
The biggest gainer from a tuner would be iTMS. People pay $X for cable already. AppleTV should be competing for those dollars. You get the free programming from your local networks, and you supplement all of your other content from iTMS. They would see a huge leap in sales of the hardware and the content. I also look at the addition of FM recievers in the Nano's and possibly the iPod Touch as direct evidence that they see the potential in letting users use what they're getting for free. They've added the FM tagging so it'll drive you to the iTMS. It's brilliant and it's portable to the AppleTV.
Intel mini running Tiger and ATV4Mac software
DVI to HDMI cable purchased at Amazon for less than $5. Previously used an Apple DVI to RCA converter on my old TV. Both ways need to fiddle with the resolution as it often gets wonky when switching between
TV and the Mac UI. Best method is via SwitchRes X which can selectively enable/disable certain resolutions and keep specific apps from changing the resolution on their own. I've set mine to run at 1360x768 on my 720p TV.Sometimes the response time is a little laggy. From what I've read that may not really be a function of running the ATV4Mac software on the mini, the actual
TV interface is often sluggish.Apple Remote, the original Intel Mac minis came with one, not 100% sure they do anymore. There is an updated version of ATV4Mac that works with the iPhone Remote app, but this with update iTunes syncing is broken, which defeats the whole purpose. So I've stuck with the older version and the little white guy.
Can be done within
TV software plugins with just the little white remote (very klunky). I have a wireless keyboard to use with Safari and other Mac apps when not TV-ing. However I've come to the conclusion that web browsing is simply not meant to be a "from the couch" experience. With some internet-savvy sanctioned plugins (think widgets or iPhone apps), the TV could be useful to snatch some quick tidbits of info, but traditional web browsing just doesn't work from the couch for me.Sometimes it seems 2 instances of ATV4Mac end up being launched, while you are watching one video, you can hear another in the background. Backing out of the video and selecting it again usually fixes it. Haven't figured that one out yet. Sometimes ATV4Mac won't launch at all after using the underlying Mac, and computer needs restarted to get it launched again.
Even with SwitchResX installed, every so often the resolution gets whacked, or no picture is displayed on the TV at all. Usually unplugging and replugging the HDMI from the back of the TV will fix it, but every so often I have to go back into the SwitchRes control panel and reset the resolution, occasionally even requires a restart before it "sticks".
The WAF is very high as long as the
TV interface is up and running, which by and large is the case. But when it gets sluggish or occasionally crashes back to the Mac desktop, the WAF dips below zero as I pull out the wireless keyboard and "troubleshoot" to get it back to the menu.Cannot access the Apple Store directly from ATV4Mac any longer, I think the store requires a higher
TV software version than I have, and I am not updating as described above. However content purchased from iTMS on computer and synced over works fine, including rentals.
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There is no app store partly because not a lot of people own an atv. Most non apple fans have never heard of it. It's not like the iPhone. But I have one and use it all the time. Apart from YouTube which isn't worth watching due to picture quality everything else is fantastic.
There is no app store partly because not a lot of people own an atv. Most non apple fans have never heard of it. It's not like the iPhone. But I have one and use it all the time. Apart from YouTube which isn't worth watching due to picture quality everything else is fantastic.
Tend to disagree Arn.
First; as a device to playback purchased movies and audio it is massively thin on storage. Frankly such a device needs room for two disks internally. Of course if you look at AppleTV as a device to cache movies then it is a different story. I believe this is one of the reasons that so many implement the Mini as a home theater PC.
Second; no matter how you look at the device it's hardware performance leave a lot to be desired. I actually believe that AppleTV would perform much better with a dual core Atom and a 9400m, especially with a Snow Leopard compatible OS. I would even go further and say that AppleTV could see benefit from a multi core ARM approach and a SL like OS. Or maybe an iPhone OS tweaked for the platform.
Third; one of the reasons to consider Arm and iPhone OS is for Apple to have a unified gaming environment. This could be huge for them and would make AppleTV very attractive to many of us.
In any event one of the reasons I've avoided AppleTV, besides the lack of a high speed Internet connection, is that it really doesn't do anything especially well. It is a system designed for 720P when the world has quickly moved to 1080P. Further it has little in common with the two OSes that Apple is focused on. Give us some of the features of iPhone OS including the calendar and mail syncing functions.
Say what? I can hear you all now, but think about it would it not be niceto have your AppleTV notify you of personal appointments at home. There would be no need to check your laptop in the morning either, just pop up your scedule at breakfast and go. Same thing for E-Mail which should be easier to read on a large screen than the iPhone. Web browsing, YouTube and a few others also have potential on a large screen. The point is Apple could have a common software base across the iPods and AppleTV. This could lead to even more software development on the associated platforms.
Yes i realize this would require Apple to innovate with respect to an input device. But that could be done with Blutooth and an iPhone app and alternatively with a cheap Bluetooth track pad.
So yeah the hardware could use a little work.
Dave
Sorry but on this one I have to disagree.
First; as a device to playback purchased movies and audio it is massively thin on storage. Frankly such a device needs room for two disks internally. Of course if you look at AppleTV as a device to cache movies then it is a different story. I believe this is one of the reasons that so many implement the Mini as a home theater PC.
Second; no matter how you look at the device it's hardware performance leave a lot to be desired. I actually believe that AppleTV would perform much better with a dual core Atom and a 9400m, especially with a Snow Leopard compatible OS. I would even go further and say that AppleTV could see benefit from a multi core ARM approach and a SL like OS. Or maybe an iPhone OS tweaked for the platform.
Third; one of the reasons to consider Arm and iPhone OS is for Apple to have a unified gaming environment. This could be huge for them and would make AppleTV very attractive to many of us.
In any event one of the reasons I've avoided AppleTV, besides the lack of a high speed Internet connection, is that it really doesn't do anything especially well. It is a system designed for 720P when the world has quickly moved to 1080P. Further it has little in common with the two OSes that Apple is focused on. Give us some of the features of iPhone OS including the calendar and mail syncing functions.
Say what? I can hear you all now, but think about it would it not be niceto have your AppleTV notify you of personal appointments at home. There would be no need to check your laptop in the morning either, just pop up your scedule at breakfast and go. Same thing for E-Mail which should be easier to read on a large screen than the iPhone. Web browsing, YouTube and a few others also have potential on a large screen. The point is Apple could have a common software base across the iPods and AppleTV. This could lead to even more software development on the associated platforms.
Yes i realize this would require Apple to innovate with respect to an input device. But that could be done with Blutooth and an iPhone app and alternatively with a cheap Bluetooth track pad.
So yeah the hardware could use a little work.
Dave
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My prediction is 160GB and 250GB models at the old price points and AppleTV 3.0 with some spit & polish, maybe more iPhone/touch integration, maybe some music-centric new software options, but no major new features.
Just my prediction.
My prediction is 160GB and 250GB models at the old price points and AppleTV 3.0 with some spit & polish, maybe more iPhone/touch integration, maybe some music-centric new software options, but no major new features.
Just my prediction.
I'm all for more storage - hopefully, its forthcoming. Also, I'd love to see an App Store for TV so I don't have to keep hacking it with Boxee That would truly enable the hobbyists...
BTW, I'd very much appreciate a HW spec bump -RAM and CPU.
I could care less about the french maid/kitchen sink options.
TV so I don't have to keep hacking it with Boxee That would truly enable the hobbyists...BTW, I'd very much appreciate a HW spec bump -RAM and CPU.
I could care less about the french maid/kitchen sink options.
if this is all Apple is going to do regarding TV this year then I guess this product is approaching the end of it's life and they want to get rid of the remaining inventory.
In the other hand they could be doing this because maybe there is a new hardware model coming soon. Who knows? It's just too bad it takes so long for Apple to do something about this device.
TV this year then I guess this product is approaching the end of it's life and they want to get rid of the remaining inventory.In the other hand they could be doing this because maybe there is a new hardware model coming soon. Who knows? It's just too bad it takes so long for Apple to do something about this device.
It's a massive headache for a global manufacturer like Apple. As you said yourself that's America, Canada & Japan to support 1 standard in 2 years time.
What about:
Australia - DVB-T
UK & Ireland - DVB-T over various freqs, DVB-T2 for HD, DVB-S (Satellite)
Rest of Europe - Mostly DVB-T but, many countries slow to roll out)
China - DMB-T/H (totally different to everyone else)
Japan's ISDB standard (doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon)
Brazil - SBTVD
Plus many others i'm sure i'm missing. Just because they say they are using a standard like DVB-T, doesn't mean the frequency or encoding of the video is like anyone else's.
At a minimum Apple would have to build 4 models of AppleTV by however many capacity sizes (currently 2) ie. 8 sku's to deliver what? Something that most people get built in to the TV (tuner) or a DVR again which most people can buy for 60 quid or so. Something that ultimately compete's with purchases from the iTunes store.
Forget it. The AppleTV is an internet platform not a broadcast one. It may very well become an IPTV platform once Apple's http streaming tech filters down from the iPhone, but it'll never support the kind of engineering resource you expect to give you a DVR with an Apple UI.
What do you mean "for free"? At a minimum, an integrated ATV DRV would need to come with some tuner hardware to capture TV content. It will also need scheduling/recording software, EPG, etc. Even if Apple were to include all that into ATV as we know it, it would certainly not be "free"!
Elgato spent years getting a Mac-based DVR (EyeTV) right and it still has some kinks. And they sell it for a very reasonable price, and offer all the integration you need with iTunes/ATV/iPods.
There is just no way Apple is going to get into this business, and like I said - they simply don't need to.
North America is their bread and butter. Not everything apple is available world wide.
If it's as successful as it could be, they'll make as many versions as it takes. They already have to build different models for separate things like power anyway.
So why have they patented DVR software?