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Apple releases Apple TV 3.0 software with redesigned interface - Page 4

post #121 of 151
10/30/09 at 5:48am
I updated both iTunes and AppleTv and iTunes Extras doesn't work. Is anyone else having a problem with this?
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post #122 of 151
10/30/09 at 6:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by IrishMac219 View Post

I updated both iTunes and AppleTv and iTunes Extras doesn't work. Is anyone else having a problem with this?

I'm having this problem, I can't figure out how you access LP features either?
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post #123 of 151
10/30/09 at 7:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee View Post

I often have to stick my ear right next to it to tell if it's on or not.

I just keep a pot of water on top of my @tv: if the water's boiling, then it's on.
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post #124 of 151
10/30/09 at 7:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by John.B View Post

Direct TV does.

Yeah, with a miserable handful of offerings. The point is, given the quality of transmission pipes today, 1080p still largely theoretical from the standpoint of big time.
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post #125 of 151
10/30/09 at 7:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrkoolaid View Post

Whomever at Apple decided to put "My ___ " to the top of the list and add a search for those files is pure genius. Why hadn't anybody heard of or requested that before? Apple keeps pushing the envelope!

You may want to check JeffDM's memo (#101 above). Seriously.
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post #126 of 151
10/30/09 at 8:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by IrishMac219 View Post

I updated both iTunes and AppleTv and iTunes Extras doesn't work. Is anyone else having a problem with this?

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheYoshi View Post

I'm having this problem, I can't figure out how you access LP features either?

Amazingly, you'll have to wait for Apple to update the content, then re-download it (assuming it would be at no additional cost).

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3938

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post #127 of 151
10/30/09 at 8:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by John.B View Post

Amazingly, you'll have to wait for Apple to update the content, then re-download it (assuming it would be at no additional cost).

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3938

Why is that surprising?
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post #128 of 151
10/30/09 at 9:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by John.B View Post

Amazingly, you'll have to wait for Apple to update the content, then re-download it (assuming it would be at no additional cost).

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3938

Thanks for that information. Looks like I will be waiting awhile.
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post #129 of 151
10/30/09 at 9:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by whimvestor View Post

I just keep a pot of water on top of my @tv: if the water's boiling, then it's on.

My cat uses it to warm up her paws.
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post #130 of 151
10/30/09 at 11:15am
okay the burning question for me is does this work with iTunes 8.2.x for mac or do oyu have to have 9.0.2 for it to work?

I downgraded to iTunes 8 after making the huge mistake of upgrading to iTunes 9-man what a suckfest.
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post #131 of 151
10/30/09 at 11:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

160GB, totally quiet. Maybe he needs to re-glue it to the top of the case.

Ohhhh, that's a possibility. A low one, but a possibility. The sound is like a mosquito, my guess is that mechanical fixture won't effect it (like low vibes would).

Maury
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post #132 of 151
10/30/09 at 11:29am
Did the upgrade....The radio stations and new interface are all working, but the Photos section seems unchanged...Where are the new Faces and Places features located?
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post #133 of 151
10/30/09 at 11:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by swinge View Post

Did the upgrade....The radio stations and new interface are all working, but the Photos section seems unchanged...Where are the new Faces and Places features located?

Is it a MobileMe only feature? I'm viewing pictures both on the Apple TV and on Flickr... Do you need to own a Mac and iPhoto in order to use? The machine I synch it with is a PC.
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post #134 of 151
10/30/09 at 11:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleZilla View Post

Nope. 1080P is true HD. 720P is for the cheap guys. Fox is 720 (I think still) and even Sony tried to get away with it at first. Apple is falling behind.

In one famous test, a group of well known audiophiles were taken to hear a new speaker cable. After showing them how it was built and giving the usual tech spiel, they all agreed that there was definitely some more "brightness" to the new cables. However, the testers had actually replaced the cables with un-bent coat hangers, and then revealed this. Much consternation ensued.

In test after test after test, viewers cannot tell the difference between 720 and 1080 when compressed from the same original source to the same bit rate. What DOES matter is the compression, as all of us ATV owners are more than aware of.

Do you even know why there are two standards? It's because Ronald Reagan saw a demo of MUSE in Japan and freaked out, starting a program in the US to build a similar but incompatible analog HD format. You think I'm making this up, don't you?

But making an analog HD format is not easy. With four times the content you have four times the bandwidth, and MUSE's tradeoffs are questionable. Basically they only send HD for still images, and anything moving gets seriously degraded. Like SERIOUSLY. To the point where sports started looking like absolute pants, worse than conventional NTSC.

So someone at Zenith went to AT&T and asked them if they could come up with something better. Since the biggest problem had to do with motion artifacts and interlacing, they decided the proper solution was to use a progressive-scan system at the same refresh rate, thus basically doubling the effective frame rate.

Worse, 1080p still used up two channels, in an era when the number of free channels was disappearing at a furious rate. 720 used up 1.5. So there was some SERIOUS market interest.

When 720p went head-to-head against 1080i in testing, it won every single quality test hands down, if there was motion. The lack of flicker, especially on larger screens, was also widely noted. That's why 720 even exists, because at one point in time it had clearly better pictures.

Ahhh, but times change. Now the whole concept of interlace is a joke. Our TV's pull down both frames and apply DSP algos to de-line them, and display everything "progressive" on a display where the idea of "refresh" isn't what it used to be.

So everyone looks at the numbers and is utterly convinced that higher resolution means better picture. In fact, in most cases any differences between the two are due to differing levels of compression.
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post #135 of 151
10/30/09 at 12:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by djames42 View Post

I'm one who does (Boxee makes the already useful TV infinitely better: DivX support, Pandora, Last.FM, Hulu, etc) and as such will have to hold off on the update for now.

I've loaded Boxee twice onto my ATV under different version of the software and it was so flakey or didn't even bring up the Boxee screen at all. I was hoping it would have worked but it failed miserably. Have things changed?
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post #136 of 151
10/30/09 at 12:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lantzn View Post

I've loaded Boxee twice onto my ATV under different version of the software and it was so flakey or didn't even bring up the Boxee screen at all. I was hoping it would have worked but it failed miserably. Have things changed?

I had that problem with one particular version (can't remember which), but lately it's been pretty reliable. I use the ATVFlash package though FWIW.
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post #137 of 151
10/30/09 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jb510 View Post

It's just like iTunes... we're on what version 9! It should be version 6 at most...

Maybe they hurried it along so they could release an iTunes X, to go along with Quicktime X.
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post #138 of 151
10/30/09 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee View Post

As an AppleTV owner I have to say .. WTF?

I often have to stick my ear right next to it to tell if it's on or not. An AppleTV should not make any noise at all. If yours does, it's either faulty or someones fiddled with it by putting in a noisy crap drive or something.

I bought a first generation one. It's hard drive is silent quiet, however when it gets hot from being left on, it will freeze up. It usually happens when I'm in the middle of a movie and get asked to pause it. When I go to un-pause it's froze and I have to pull the plug and put it in front of a fan to cool it down. It get VERY hot to the touch after being plugged in for a few hours. I tend to leave it unplugged because of this. If it's plugged in fresh, I can usually watch a couple of movies without issue. I just need to remember to unplug it after that. Anyone else have this issue?
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post #139 of 151
10/30/09 at 1:05pm
I would love to see a "Queue" feature. I'm always bummed to see that a movie isn't rentable until such and such a date. I can never remember what the date is and find my self going into rent it and it's still not ready. It would be nice to save it to a queue list and be reminded when it's ready for renting. This would also be nice for any movie for that matter. Just build a list and be able to prioritize the list for which you want first.
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post #140 of 151
10/30/09 at 1:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chronster View Post

pretty in pink was such an amathing movie

I recently saw an overweight Ringwald on an Outer Limits episode and she was no longer so pretty in pink.
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post #141 of 151
10/30/09 at 5:24pm
Are iTunes LP files supposed to work with the Apple TV now, as mine don't. They just play as regular music files wih static cover art...

Curious, and disappointing.
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post #142 of 151
10/30/09 at 8:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kotatsu View Post

Are iTunes LP files supposed to work with the Apple TV now, as mine don't. They just play as regular music files wih static cover art...

Curious, and disappointing.

See my post #126 above:

Quote:
Originally Posted by John.B View Post

Amazingly, you'll have to wait for Apple to update the content, then re-download it (assuming it would be at no additional cost).

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3938

The reason used the term "amazingly" is that these formats had to be developed simultaneously with the Apple TV 3.0 update. For the life of me, I can't imagine letting iTunes LP or iTunes Extras "into the wild" with the iTunes 9.0 release -- without being compatible with Apple TV 3.0 update that was being released a few weeks later.

  Google Maps: ("Directions may be inaccurate, incomplete, dangerous, or prohibited.")

 

  MA497LL/A FB463LL/A MC572LL/A FC060LL/A MC700LL/A MD481LL/A MD644LL/A MD388LL/A

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  Google Maps: ("Directions may be inaccurate, incomplete, dangerous, or prohibited.")

 

  MA497LL/A FB463LL/A MC572LL/A FC060LL/A MC700LL/A MD481LL/A MD644LL/A MD388LL/A

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post #143 of 151
10/31/09 at 6:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maury Markowitz View Post

In one famous test, a group of well known audiophiles were taken to hear a new speaker cable. After showing them how it was built and giving the usual tech spiel, they all agreed that there was definitely some more "brightness" to the new cables. However, the testers had actually replaced the cables with un-bent coat hangers, and then revealed this. Much consternation ensued.

In test after test after test, viewers cannot tell the difference between 720 and 1080 when compressed from the same original source to the same bit rate. What DOES matter is the compression, as all of us ATV owners are more than aware of.

Do you even know why there are two standards? It's because Ronald Reagan saw a demo of MUSE in Japan and freaked out, starting a program in the US to build a similar but incompatible analog HD format. You think I'm making this up, don't you?

But making an analog HD format is not easy. With four times the content you have four times the bandwidth, and MUSE's tradeoffs are questionable. Basically they only send HD for still images, and anything moving gets seriously degraded. Like SERIOUSLY. To the point where sports started looking like absolute pants, worse than conventional NTSC.

So someone at Zenith went to AT&T and asked them if they could come up with something better. Since the biggest problem had to do with motion artifacts and interlacing, they decided the proper solution was to use a progressive-scan system at the same refresh rate, thus basically doubling the effective frame rate.

Worse, 1080p still used up two channels, in an era when the number of free channels was disappearing at a furious rate. 720 used up 1.5. So there was some SERIOUS market interest.

When 720p went head-to-head against 1080i in testing, it won every single quality test hands down, if there was motion. The lack of flicker, especially on larger screens, was also widely noted. That's why 720 even exists, because at one point in time it had clearly better pictures.

Ahhh, but times change. Now the whole concept of interlace is a joke. Our TV's pull down both frames and apply DSP algos to de-line them, and display everything "progressive" on a display where the idea of "refresh" isn't what it used to be.

So everyone looks at the numbers and is utterly convinced that higher resolution means better picture. In fact, in most cases any differences between the two are due to differing levels of compression.

my 1080p aquos adjust to whatever incoming signal is on. so you are full of beans
most hd programming is 720p and it looks fantastic on a 34 in tv
that same 720p looks decent to spotty on the 50in monster sets
the 1080p vs 720p on a 34in TV SET or smaller is extremely hard to tell the differance except for brightness and slight increased depth of field vision

on a 50in set true 1080p or higher blows out 720p hands down
basic laws of lines of resolution and einstein come into play

on my MBP HD
the battlestar galacata's RAZOR has a timeless beauty in HD compared to lower qualities

stupid audio test tricks show us mp3 and aiff formats are hard to tell apart
video is not the same Story as audio dude
our eyes can tell the difference

peace
whats in a name ? 
beatles
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whats in a name ? 
beatles
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post #144 of 151
10/31/09 at 6:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lantzn View Post

I would love to see a "Queue" feature. I'm always bummed to see that a movie isn't rentable until such and such a date. I can never remember what the date is and find my self going into rent it and it's still not ready. It would be nice to save it to a queue list and be reminded when it's ready for renting. This would also be nice for any movie for that matter. Just build a list and be able to prioritize the list for which you want first.

you could join netflix and get the same movie for almost free
on the same date
unless you want HD
whats in a name ? 
beatles
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whats in a name ? 
beatles
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post #145 of 151
10/31/09 at 7:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by iLad View Post

okay the burning question for me is does this work with iTunes 8.2.x for mac or do oyu have to have 9.0.2 for it to work?

I downgraded to iTunes 8 after making the huge mistake of upgrading to iTunes 9-man what a suckfest.

According to the email I got from Apple you have to have the newest version of iTunes. Here is what I got from them:

\t
You can now enjoy gorgeous, immersive iTunes Extras and iTunes LP on your Apple TV. You will receive updated versions of previously purchased iTunes LP and iTunes Extras because your current versions are not optimized for Apple TV. These updated iTunes LP and iTunes Extras will be added to your download queue free of charge, and you will receive an email alerting you when they are available. They will be delivered to your computer, and you can sync the movie or album that includes the iTunes Extras or iTunes LP to Apple TV. Enjoy!

Once you've received an email letting you know your updated iTunes LP or iTunes Extras are available, here are the steps you can take to get them:
1. Update to iTunes 9.0.2 and Apple TV 3.0
2. Launch iTunes Choose Store > Check for available downloads and, If prompted, enter your account name and password
3. Download the new iTunes Extras or iTunes LP to your computer (NOTE: This will automatically replace the same iTunes Extras or iTunes LP currently in your library)
4. Sync the movie or album that includes your updated iTunes Extras or iTunes LP to your Apple TV
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post #146 of 151
10/31/09 at 9:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by brucep View Post

my 1080p aquos adjust to whatever incoming signal is on. so you are full of beans

Oh here we go...

Quote:
most hd programming is 720p and it looks fantastic on a 34 in tv
that same 720p looks decent to spotty on the 50in monster sets

I have a 52 and my 720 looks great.

Quote:
on a 50in set true 1080p or higher blows out 720p hands down
basic laws of lines of resolution and einstein come into play

Huh. I'm a physicist, how about you?

Quote:
the battlestar galacata's RAZOR has a timeless beauty in HD compared to lower qualities

Did you even read the post? I said the thing that makes the difference is the compression. And 720p rips are generally compressed to lower quality. THAT'S why they don't look as good.

Maury
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post #147 of 151
10/31/09 at 9:56am
The more I see the new Apple TV front end the uglier it looks to me. It looks amateurish, very unfinished, with a basic helvetica font, masses of empty black screen space, and a bunch of ads (sorry, thumbnails of iTunes content) stuffed into the top third.

I want to like Apple TV, as here in the UK its basically the only show in town for HD movie rentals (the only other alternative is the 360's Zune marketplace, but content there is incredibly limited). But... Apple really need to try harder. Make it beautiful, make it Apple-like, and get with the times and add a subscription model. Give me a flat monthly fee for unlimited access, Netflix style. (there is of course, no Netflix in the UK... sadly)

As it stands now it just feels dated and creaky.
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post #148 of 151
10/31/09 at 10:03am
Well I'm pretty happy with the upgrade so far. The menu responsiveness is a serious improvement, and I find the font a lot more readable. A small upgrade, but a nice one.

Maury
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post #149 of 151
11/1/09 at 3:21pm
It's pretty lame that there's no way to search for just HD content in the YouTube interface, nor is there any kind of tag or icon marking that content which will play in HD; you don't know for sure until it starts streaming and does or does not look awful. I was excited about the radio feature as well, until I realized you can't search for a radio station — you have to try and find it in one of the categories amongst hundreds of others.
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post #150 of 151
11/1/09 at 3:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cory Bauer View Post

It's pretty lame that there's no way to search for just HD content in the YouTube interface, nor is there any kind of tag or icon marking that content which will play in HD; you don't know for sure until it starts streaming and does or does not look awful. I was excited about the radio feature as well, until I realized you can't search for a radio station you have to try and find it in one of the categories amongst hundreds of others.

You can always add HD or HQ to the search parameters, but this is still far from ideal. I havent seen any appliance make a great interface to YouTube. The AppleTV is the best Ive seen and that isnt saying much.
Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"
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Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"
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post #151 of 151
11/9/09 at 9:15am
I don't think Apple is the best computer company in the world, nor do I think Microsoft is. I think each does it's own things well. Just like I enjoy the PS3, XBox 360 and Wii...I don't like to just jump on one bandwagon and ride along--I think each company's technology is great for certain things. (So please, Apple bashers keep your opinions to yourselves. And likewise to the Apple-is-superior camp...)

That being said, Apple hit one out of the park with the Apple TV. I have the 160GB version, but from what I understand, the 40GB is different only in capacity. Of course, being from Apple, the box, packaging and the device itself are very minimalist, sleek and modern. Set-up was a snap--connect the power cable, connect the HDMI cable and then give it the password to your wireless router. That's it. Seriously. Once it's online, launch iTunes and the Apple TV will give you a code to input into your computer to sync. It begins working without you even asking it to. I synced my entire library (>30GB) which took quite some time (bonus is that the Apple TV supports 802.11 N, which made the transfer quicker).
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