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Why no DVD player in Apple TV?
- Thread starter pinsrw
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You can watch your DVD's on the Apple TV, you just have to rip them and stream them. Sure, it's a pain in the a$$, but you do it once, then you'll have your entire DVD collection immediately available to you via your AppleTV (streaming from your computer, of course). With regards to the keyboard, I believe you can use the iPad's / iPhone's keyboard via the Remote app, if you have one. Agreeing with the OP, I am surprised that Apple didn't build in Bluetooth functionality so that the ATV can work with Apple's wireless keyboard. It seems like a natural fit. Who knows, maybe there will be a Bluetooth add-on via the micro-USB slot in the future.
You are making this way too difficult. Get an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad to use as a remote for your Apple TV and there's your keyboard. If you don't have one or don't want to pay for a new one, buy a used iPhone or iPod touch off of ebay.
There is no reason to believe that Apple (or others) will start censoring the material. In fact, this is the first time I’ve ever heard this concern brought up. There are many reasons to stick with physical media over streaming, but this is not one of them.
Just because a device doesn’t offer features you want does not make it “inferior ”, it just means it doesn't do what you want it to do. The new AppleTV doesn’t do what I want it to do (I want local storage and syncing), but that doesn’t make it an inferior product; it simply makes it a poor fit for my needs.
I’m sorry, but here you’ve lost any credibility you might have had. Apple does what Apple does. However, just because they’re not building a product that does what you want does not mean they are an “impediment to commerce”. They have done nothing to make it more difficult for you to view DVDs on your TV. And they’ve done nothing to make it more difficult or more expensive to purchase or rent DVDs. They have simply provided a device that does what they think a lot of people want.
The fact of the matter is that no manufacturer builds a single device that will do everything that most people might want for playing media on their home theater system. If they added a DVD player, I wouldn’t want it. Why? Because I’ve moved on to Blu-ray. Adding a DVD player would actually be ludicrous. Physical media is far from dead. However, no company is going to offer cutting edge technology paired with a… DVD player.
And I’m not even going to dignify the “Stalin” comment.
Apple didn't put a DVD player in it because it's a streaming media player, not a DVD player.
Same reason why Sony didn't put a streaming media player in their DVD player. And why you can't buy Chinese food at Taco Bell. And why Honda didn't put a espresso machine in their car.
Different things for different purposes.
Scott
Same reason why Sony didn't put a streaming media player in their DVD player. And why you can't buy Chinese food at Taco Bell. And why Honda didn't put a espresso machine in their car.
Different things for different purposes.
Scott
Why in the world do you think they will do that "eventually"?
Sorry, but that's starting to go off into coo coo ville.
Scott
AppleTV is simply a vehicle. The real money is made from the content. If you think it's insane for Apple to "omit" a DVD player from this device then you are the one detached from reality.
pinsrw said:
I think you're missing the point. It's a streaming box like Roku. Do other streaming boxes have DVD slot? What you need is a DVD player with YouTube/Netflix capabilities or media PC.
Per your point about external keyboard, you need to watch Steve's keynote introducing the AppleTV. I would imagine for most people who buys AppleTV would also own an iPhone/Pad/Touch that can be used as keyboard like I do.
why shold it be a dvd player in it? most people has a dvd player and dont need a new one.
when i get my apple tv i wil only rent the dvd. becuse i sondt see a movie more then 1 time. maybe 2! if you need a dvd player buy one. the price is low
He just invalidated his whole argument by making the Stalin comparison. Enough said, we obviously can't make people that feel entitled understand that if something they want does not meet all their feature requirements they have other choices other than just whining and throwing childish fits.
If you get a $1 or $2 DVD from Wal-Mart, just put it in your computer and get Handbrake to convert it to MP4. Then you can use it on just about all of your devices 
I wouldn't want a DVD drive in the Apple TV.
There's nothing wrong with your DVDs and no reason to throw them out, but wouldn't you rather have the physical media put away safe and be able to use an Apple TV (or DLNA player) to access them on your TV?
I hate the clutter physical media brings with it. Wouldn't it be better to put them out of sight but still have instant access to your movies?
I wouldn't want a DVD drive in the Apple TV.
There's nothing wrong with your DVDs and no reason to throw them out, but wouldn't you rather have the physical media put away safe and be able to use an Apple TV (or DLNA player) to access them on your TV?
I hate the clutter physical media brings with it. Wouldn't it be better to put them out of sight but still have instant access to your movies?
Right after the iPhone keynote, Jobs used a Wayne Gretzky quote that I have LOVED ever since..."I don't skate to where the puck is...I skate to where the puck will be." Or something along those lines.
Reread what the post that you replied to actually said. Apple doesn't see optical media being a viable option in the future. It's not like they live in some fantasy world where they just pretend that no one uses DVDs...they know that the days in which people consume media via physical discs are numbered, and they're pushing the market on to that point. Same as they did with the floppy drive back in the day.
And to your psychosis comment, I say:
Apple doesn't make money if you buy DVDs - even if you watch on your mac. They only make money when you buy them off of iTunes and when you buy apple products.
They want you to buy their DRM movies and tv so that when your Apple TV breaks or you want to upgrade to a better unit, you must buy another Apple product to keep watching that proprietary content you already "own". No DVD on Apple TV = a heavier chain around your ankle when you buy their products.
They want you to buy their DRM movies and tv so that when your Apple TV breaks or you want to upgrade to a better unit, you must buy another Apple product to keep watching that proprietary content you already "own". No DVD on Apple TV = a heavier chain around your ankle when you buy their products.
Say what you will about the future of physical media... this is the real, and ONLY, reason Apple is trying to get away from DVD and refusing to support BluRay in the first place.
It sure is. People keep spouting other reasons, like nobody buys discs, one can't see the difference between 1080p and 480i, etc.
It's all a smoke screen. Apple is trying maximize profits by limiting choice on their hardware. From a business stand point, it makes sense. From a user's standpoint, it sucks.
Even the business angle will eventually hurt them, if it hasn't already. This stance is starting to affect Apple's relationship with video professionals, especially the "prosumer" groups who might want to work with HD video but don't have a ton of money to throw at additional hardware and software. Granted, it's still not impossible to configure a low-end Mac to edit BluRay, but the hoops you have to jump through are very hostile to those interested.
In addition, if Apple really wants the AppleTV to be the premium STB in the living room, they're going to have to make some tough choices. So far, Apple's had decent success with Movies in the iTMS, but they've also chosen to not sell movies with mature content. That's fine for them, but they'll need to recognize that lots of customers do watch Strong R, NC-17 and Unrated movies, to say nothing of plain old porn. The buying public is not going to give up these types of movies just because Apple released a new gizmo, and AppleTV will never be a primary device so long as it excludes a great deal of popular content. Apple has to either relax their content standards and approval process, or accept AppleTV's place as a secondary device. I believe they find both options highly distasteful.
There's only so long you can resist what the customers want before it starts to hurt the bottom line. In at least some areas, Apple is hitting this point.
I think people are reading too much into this.
Apple created a device for the purpose of watching iTunes content on your TV. Period, end of story.
Apple didn't set out to create the best HTPC ever. That's simply a different product.
Mate forget all the Apple fanboys here giving you a hard time, what you want is a fair request but - the ATV is not for you
Look at some of the new Blu Ray Players - Sony BDP S370 / S470 / S570
for example (Samsung and Lg also)
These play DVD very well, stream Netflix, play movies and Tv from your computer (in more formats than ATV) do youtube
also play music and video via USB sticks and from home video camerra
o and play Blu Ray
and they are around $200
The GUI is not as slick as ATV - but it's not bad
Frankly for your stated needs walk all over an ATV
You're absolutely right. The iMac will fail and take Apple with it because of their stubborn refusal to spec it with a floppy drive.