Apple reveals new cloud-centric Apple TV - Page 7

People that go on about how valuable their time is make me smile. Really, with the exception of maybe a high powered CEO, the majority of people spend huge amounts of their time wasting it.

As a salaried employee, my time out of work costs nothing.

I think it's running iOS, I just don't think we can tell, yet.

It's not for everyone. Then again, many things are not for everyone. They are making a strategic business decision and for Apple, it must be what makes sense right now.

When they eventually buy Netflix.... we'll see.

I think how I see this is that quite a few consumers are asking for too much too quickly. I don't know if the iPod is a good metaphor but let's see if this works. When the iPod came out there was only one. Same for the AppleTV. It was until there was a fourth hardware version of the iPod that a new piece of hardware was introduced, the iPod Mini. Each, improving on it's predecessor. This hardware release is really only on it's second hardware release, yes updates have happened, but not enough to call them true hardware upgrades. We won't see as many improvements to the hardware and software until the entire industry catches up and is more cohesive. 1080p downloads are simply not affordable right now. My provider would kill my wallet if I go over 60Gbs in a month.

We can ask and complain and suggest and bitch until the cows come home, but we have to be logical. I want I want I want is not going to get us what we want. But patience? Aha. Is a virtue.

Saying 'no' I think can be narrow. Saying 'yes' I think is not.

I wish all the best to those who want more. But too much too quickly can be a bad thing.

Selfish
1. devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.
2. characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself: selfish motives.

Oh, I didn't say 1080p downloads, i'm talking about streaming, across my network from my computers. The hardware is already there. Supporting more containers/codecs is just a software update.

See there are many devices that can do this already. Have been for years. I'm not asking for anything new here. Just asking for apple to catch up to what others are doing. I don't personally care about any online content. Or rather most. I'm interested in the network streaming of content I already have. All my movie/tv rips.

Patience gets us nothing if they don't know what we want. They just continue on with business as usual. We tell them. And then have patience and hope that they'll do it.

Saying yes is narrow minded when you're saying you have everything YOU want but anything anyone else wants is whining. Or at least that's how it came across in your initial post.

Is the Roku HD really the best Ruko to compare to the AppleTV? It doesnt even have 802.11n which the AppleTV has had since 2007 and something that may be pretty important in todays and tomorrows home, especially if these devices are designed for streaming content.

So lets look at specs of the Roku HD-XR. It has 802.11n and it costs $99 just like the AppleTV. they both do a max of 720p over HDMI and have optical audio so the features look pretty even for what can be compared. So why not choose this one?

And how does the build quality of the device and remote compare? Are there any cost differences in the HW, like environmental considerations, that could make the AppleTV cost more? How do the OSes compare in its ability to work reliably? What about the user interface? How about service and support?

Well have to wait and see a detailed review, but between getting a $99 Roku and $99 TV i know what Id go for.

I think the vast majority of people have about a $100 cable bill... and it's more cost to get HD and premium services on top of that. and DVR rental. but I think they watch probably 1-3 shows a night (~10 a week).

The issue is that most will still have a $60-$80 cable bill if you get basic and HS Internet (29+29/39/49). Toss in 15-20 for each movie me and the lady go to, it's $100-110 a month.

Apple TV should be for those people who are 1)movie fans, 2) watch Expanded Basic TVs shows (mad men, breaking bad, Real Housewives of X) or 3) those who want premium 'series' content (Tudors/Weeds/Curb/Tara)

My 20mb DSL is $55.00/month. If I get 5 shows a week that are non broadcast (no cable no phone), then my cost at $.99 is roughly 55+25 = 80. Toss in a couple movies saving me hours driving/standing in line, eating crap at $10/unit at $4.99, or netflix, my total entertainment budget of again... probably ~100. BUT... as low as $55 when everything is in re-run, and or I'm happy just airplaying Comedy Central (the only real shows I watch) for free from CC.com

So... spending over 188/month for premium plus HD [my last full bill]to < $100 a month, by buying a $99 box. ROI. 1.1 months.

Seems to work for me.

So... I think the model works for most Americans (my sample is limited to that), but it requires cutting the cord from the cable companies. If the networks/producers get a better cut of the deal this way [I can't see how they can't, especially for good/watched shows], I can't see how this won't disintermediate cable companies.

broadcast content is actually 1080i or 720p, and since 720p is better don't see the big deal there. For those of us who have used streaming services like Netflix we know that HD to streaming content providers is not really HD but only about same quality as 480p.

If you have Netflix already this is a very attractive little device, you could easily take it with you on a trip & have netflix wherever you go to any HDMI capable TV. Add to that the fact that you can rent HD content from iTunes (as Netflix doesn't have to many titles in HD and even their SD selection is very limited).

Also, 99 cent SD rentals means direct competition with redbox. For our family we are weighing whether to keep Netflix or go back to Redbox as we don't really watch enough movies to justify the $10 a month. This is even better than Redbox since I wouldn't have to drive anywhere and I would have a much larger selection to choose from (not locked to what's in the machine).

Only way for all this to really work well is for other studios to get on board with SD 99 cent rentals, and I think they eventually will. From a bandwidth perspective this is more attractive to ISPs as people who have unlimited instant play like Netflix service are the heavy bandwidth users. If you pay for Cable internet I doubt they will restrict the bandwidth, they'll just start raising the intro price & cutting prices on packaging.

My hope is that they will upgrade the current AppleTV OS to include these features as well, I'm guessing they will & that this is a transition device that will be upgradable with far more features in the future and the current ATV will go the way of the Dodo.

Damn you Apple! Why do you have to be so frickin' stubborn!

Why did you limit the AppleTV to streaming only? Why, oh gawd, why?

LOCAL storage. Listen, I know the streaming thing is cool for renting and for keeping the costs down, but you've already put a USB port on the back.

Would it be so hard to make it a full size USB that can power a portable drive?

I don't have an extra computer to feed streams to my TV all day.

I don't want disk and network activity constantly on my main computer.

I want to be able to take the AppleTV up to the cottage for the weekend.

I don't want to feed the AppleTV with my iPad. That would mean iPad -> AppleTV -> TV = Watching movie. Three devices! The iPad becomes useless as it feeds the TV.

The least you could have done is let me plug in a portable CD drive or USB stick.

For me it's the opposite. My satellite bill is low but we watch an average of 3 shows per night. Renting them from apple would cost me 3x more than we pay to Dish(gotta love the HD only packages!) and apple only has 2 channels on board so far.

Most people I know have bills averaging $50/month for cable/sat/fios. Lot's of bundle packages around here and if you call and say you're going to leave they give you another bundle for another year at the promo price.

I'm only talking prices of the TV services here, not internet prices as well. To better compare cable/sat/fios to apple tv.

If I own something I do indeed have the "right" to do whatever I want with it.

Not that I don't agree with you, but it seems the new aTV isn't for you. I'd suggest picking up a current one while you still can. It'll cost you an extra 50 bucks (go figure), but its listed under the Clearance area.
There are also other options like the WDTV (Western Digital) that is built exactly for using a Hard Drive or USB stick.

meh...

Buy a current AppleTV, I'm sure they'll have some great sales on it. Hey, you can buy mine!

60% of households now have video game systems. Every major console being sold already supports Netflix.

http://games.venturebeat.com/2009/12
/14/video-gamer-population-surges-as-60-percent-of-households-now-have-game-consoles/

An overwhelming majority of the individuals who will even consider this device fall under that category.

That aside, Apple cannot conquer the world by turning all media into a dollar store. I will never pay to rent a television show. Period, end of story. Especially considering I can see 90% of them on an affiliates website, on local HD television, or via Hulu all for FREE.

They need to work out advertising or bring content to the television via a cheap subscription model or this will simply be another all around fail.

The last thing I want is ANOTHER box to plug in to the wall next to my television. Also, you can get plenty of media boxes with storage for the same price range or ones without storage that support several different venues of consumption (eg Amazon Marketplace, etc) for even less.

This is extremely disappointing.

FYI, there was an Apple event today which showcased a new AppleTV that is ¼ the size and is using an A4 ARM processor. That is iOS sans CocoaTouch just as all the non-morons have been stating, over and over, and you have been denying, over and over. Youre the only one that thinks the UI is the OS. You need to apologize to everyone on this board, but I would much prefer you tuck your tail between your legs and give this forum the silent treatment.

I've had an Apple TV for years and use it to rent movies occasionally, and to stream content (ripped DVDs usually) from my iTunes library. I favour renting blu-rays mostly though as the picture and sound quality is so much better, and for TV content I just use my HD cable PVR. It's cheaper (I'm paying for the subscription anyway), and the quality again is miles better than ATV offers. Plus the selection on the UK iTunes store is hilariously bad, meaning chances are I couldn't find what I wanted on the store anyway.

Even for media streaming I generally prefer my PS3, truth be told. The interface is just so much snappier, and it supports 1080p. ATV is still half baked, actually not even that much Apps would have made all the difference, and I can't for the life of me imagine why Apple passed this opportunity up.

I agree with most of what you say!

I think the lack of storage for ATV purchases can be resolved by an iTunes setting-- designate a target computer's iTunes for all purchases. Then, regardless of what device you use for purchase, everything gets downloaded to a single iTunes on a single computer.

I am less patient than you, however...

Let me say it this way:

If Apple is not working on apps and games for the New AppleTV, they are crazy.

If Apple is working on apps and games for the New AppleTV, they should have announced the SDK today, and busted their butt to get it to developers ASAP!

Not doing so, is ceding a critical competitive advantage. Hell, If they can [pre]announce an AppleTV with only two streaming networks, they can [pre]announce an SDK.

I am as much an Apple fan/supporter as there is, but I am beginning to question whether Apple has sufficient numbers of technical talent to accomplish what they set out to do!


Also, as a developer, I am pissed that an iOs 4.x SDK for the iPad is nowhere in sight-- developing apps, right now, is a PITA!.

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One problem with digital downloads that many people don't talk about is how they are going to store those downloads. Get external hard drives and juggle them? Well, Apple took care of that problem.

I believe the popular term was Zune ejaculating

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Glove across my face? What is this the early 20th Century? I suppose that was the last time England was relevant to the rest of the world. As for pistols or sword.... You need weapons? And don't forget what happpened the last time England came to the US looking for a fight. Back to the original message, hopefully for the sake of England they will use the VAT to train more brits in the field of dentistry....

That they did. But, if the world wanted a strictly PPV business model, the DVD would have never caught on. Satellite and cable providers have been offering $4.99 per viewing movie rentals for decades. People don't want to buy digital movies and tv shows, and they don't want to replace buying their favorite movies with pay per view.

When Apple can offer 8 HD rentals a month for $15 or less, they'll have a service that's better than discs-by-mail from Netflix or Blockbuster.

— But, if the world wanted a strictly DVD business model, then PPV would have never caught on.
— But, if the world wanted a strictly month subscription cable/sat business model, then Internet streaming of TV shows would have never caught on.
— But, if the world wanted a strictly Netflix DVD business model, then Netflix streaming would have never caught on.

I suspect you assume that I have no actual experience!

Have you ever plugged an iPod or an iPhone into Apple's TV Dock? You lose all video on the iDevice. This is a much simpler, less-intensive connection than streaming.

So, based on my actual experience, and what I saw in the demo, I think it is reasonable to assume that is what will happen with AirPlay.

I've watched Steve Jobs long enough to know that if this desirable capability currently existed, he would have stressed it to the hilt. Instead, he started a stream, the screen went blank, and he moved on!

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Are new shows available to rent on apple tv at the same time they are broadcast for the first time?

And infested with toxic Apple DRM. With a blu-ray you can play it in any BD player from any manufacturer, or in most new PC desktops and laptops, not to mention the ubiquitous PS3.

Plus with BD you get vastly higher picture and sound quality than an 'HD' download, and you can even loan the disc out to friends and family.

Digital is great for spur of the moment rentals, but not much else, at least not until it's DRM free and 45mbit 1080p.

What's your point? You seem to have missed mine. PPV movies and tv shows is not the future; it's just one option.

I agree completely- why would you purchase a movie in anything bu the highest quality available?

Thats my point. Its just an option. I can find multiple scenarios why each one of these various way to watch TV and movies works for someone at some time.

Scenerio 00: I missed a TV show for whatever reason. But because I will allow myself to watch anything less than High Profil 1080p after it aires I have to wait nearly a year before it comes out on Blu-ray. To make matters worse, I really like this show and it has a series and season long hook that makes it less than ideal to watch the next week’s episode and waiting until the following year to watch my missed episode.

Scenerio 01: I missed a TV show for whatever reason. But because I have an TV I can rent it the next day for 99¢.

Scenerio 10: I am going on a trip and really could use some entertainment. I’m taking my iPad but don’t want to deal with the rigamarole of waiting for Netflix Blu-ray discs in the mail, then ripping them to play on the iPad, so instead I just purchase some TV shows and rent some movies, which are all only a couple clicks away.

These aren’t spur of the moment scenarios and the first one describes a situation that would require many months for Blu-ray to be released, but it’s good that you bring that up “spur of the moment". Internet connected media is fast compared to waiting for an Amazon package to arrive, or Netflix to send you a package, or even driving to the store to look for, buy/rent, and bring up a Blu-ray disc. The people these devices are geared for have a decent internet speed and want their content quickly and conveniently.

If Blu-ray is so ideal then is there is more media consumed via the internet than on Blu-ray? Why is Netflix streaming growing so quickly?

Don't you realize that DVDs and Bluray discs all have a type of DRM on them to prevent you from ripping and copying them?

YouTube yes, HD movie rentals from multiple sources, yes. Netflix streaming, yes. Pandora streaming, yes. You'd rarely if ever view flickr photos and podcasts on your television. But what you would view on your television is DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, neither of which the Apple TV can play despite costing just $30~ less than a Blu-Ray player that does all of these things.

Engadget's feature comparison.

Irrelevant when there's millions upon millions of devices that can freely play them; it's not like each disc is locked to a single player. On the contrary, there's only one device that can play iTunes movies and TV shows on your television, and it's future is always in question.

So all the millions of PCs and Macs and iPods and iPads that can play content from iTunes isn't enough?

And what do you mean "it's future is always in question"? Who's future, iTunes?

1) You can find Blu-ray players for under $100. Which one do you think would get me to the Netflix, YouTube, or play a rented TV show faster from the couch with a few clicks of the remote? I have my answer.

2) A white paper feature comparison is not a performance comparison.

3) A white paper feature comparison is not a usability comparison.

4) 1) A white paper feature comparison is not a convenience comparison.

5) How is it certain posters cant fathom how a device could work for others if doesnt fit their needs?

Not much of a point for a product like this in today's market. Netflix pretty much obsoletes (imo) all of the other things that this box can do. Most HDTVs, Blu ray players, and the three major consoles can use Netflix now so your getting two for one. Also using this as a "mobile" Netflix and movie viewer in, say, hotel rooms is kinda a waste of 100 bucks as I can just use my ipod or laptop, most hotels have wifi now, and your gonna be lucky if you get behind some TVs and manage to function the remote to switch to an HDMI.

Between DVDFab and Handbrake (+ VLC), the DRM is not really a big deal, most of the time, there are a few disc that is able to trick the ripper.

I noticed during the ATV demo that there is a button for games but SJ did not mention anything about it.

Do you think that the average consumer is up to speed and willing to rent Blu-ray disc so they can 1) do something illegal that has an FBI warning (in the US), and 2) take the time and effort to rip video when they can watch a show they missed or rent a movie on the go with a couple convenient clicks? I certainly dont think so. I think iTunes Store video has its place, just as YouTube, Hulu, Netflix DVD, Netflix Blu-ray, Netflix streaming, RedBox, etc. all have their places.