I dont think the iTunes TV rentals prices are to Apple satisfaction. They also wanted a per channel subscription. The studio negotiations are far from over and I think they want better deals before releasing the new AppleTV.
SJ said just a few months ago that there were not ready to come up with a successful product.
Or just Bluetooth, messages shouldn't be data intensive so reasonably reliable at average viewer-TV distances .
I?ve been questioning BT as a replacement for a basic remote, but I can?t find any info as to the current iteration of the protocol or the HW itself being built for 1) a decent enough battery life in a perpetual waiting state and 2) being able to activate instantly the way IR can.
Apple want to get cable / sat subscribers with a solution that makes senses for lots of people, not just a few techs fans. This is were the customers are.
I’ve been questioning BT as a replacement for a basic remote, but I can’t find any info as to the current iteration of the protocol or the HW itself being built for 1) a decent enough battery life in a perpetual waiting state and 2) being able to activate instantly the way IR can.
I just wrote an iPhone app which sends images to the iPad via bluetooth. As it currently stands, I believe you have to poll the BT connection every now and then in order to keep the connection awake and active. There would certainly appear to be issues if it were to be used for always on communication. Protocol seems to be geared towards saving battery at the expense of reactivity. Though I'm sure this may change. The protocol is not geared for large file sizes either but I managed get it working reasonably reliably by chopping the files into chunks and reassembling.
I'm no expert on iPhone bluetooth, but this was my observation from the last project.
I lived in Montreal and speak french, well nobody perfect. But lets say until a few weeks ago Itunes Canada didn't had any french movies or TV shows.
They added french movies just a few weeks ago and I just saw a french TV network ad for a new september show with an "will be available on iTunes" logo at the bottom left of the screen. I just check in the TV section and nothing in french is yet available on Itunes. Apple is going strong with TV negotiations even outside the US.
They want to get cable / sat subscribers with a solution that makes senses for lots of people, not just a few techs fans. This is were the customers are.
Yeah, Netflix streaming is a ripoff. Nothing interesting available. Simply a front for their mail-in service.
I guess they realized, after all, that the studios are not the easiest people in the world to negotiate with.
I guess for those that watch a lot of tv and movies there is not as much benefit for streaming but I enjoy it and use it a lot. I don't have cable so my daughter (age 6) has a number of different shows to watch commercial free. I have also been able to watch season of shows such as Dexter, Weeds, 30 Rock, etc. Also a number of different of stand up comedies and documentaries. Sure brand new movies and shows aren't available but there are still great things to watch. Even older movies that are classics.
Netflix isn't a selling point but it is a nice bonus. I am interested to see the rest tomorrow. 720P is fine btw. Not a huge difference in 1080P for the extra bandwidth and dl times.
Apple, at tomorrow’s annual event devoted to music and media, will also introduce a revamped iTunes site and an upgraded iPod Touch that boasts a higher resolution screen, people said last week.
I hope the stinkin' thing has a power button! The current AppleTV freezes often and needs to be rebooted. Unplugging and plugging the power back in is SO anti-Apple.
Haven't you heard? Streaming is the future! And in the future, we'll all just watch VHS-quality streams of unpopular movies no cable channel or broadcast network is willing to pay for the right to air. It'll be magical!
The quality issues you refer to may be true of NetFlix, but not of iTunes (especially with Apple TV).
Standard definition videos look excellent, far better than VHS and almost indistinguishable from DVDs on my 56" DLP LED 1080P TV. So good, in fact, that two years ago I decided never to buy another DVD again and just buy from iTunes. I've never looked back.
High definition videos look amazing. Even though they're only 720P at the source, I have a real hard time even telling the difference between iTunes HD and the rare 1080P movies from cable.
Apple TV seems to have an excellent upconverter, which is why even standard definition videos look so good on my large-ish 1080P set. Compared with the other video gear I own, I think it's clearly the best up-converter.
High definition videos look amazing. Even though they're only 720P at the source, I have a real hard time even telling the difference between iTunes HD and the rare 1080P movies from cable.
Cable and satellite companies use pretty bad bit rates. The 720p and 1080p marketing terminology may confuse and trick quite a few people at first but I think that eventually they will see what platform and method is sufficient for their needs. I?ve heard on a few occasions that even XBOX Live?s 1080p streaming uses a lot total bit rate than Apple?s 720p, but I haven?t never been able to verify that first hand.
One platform that does kick butt is Blu-ray. Even the older 720p content I?ve seen has a much higher bit rate than any streamed or downloaded HD content, and High Profile (HiP) 1080p is considerably better than it, all while using the same H.264 codec as the iTS and most streaming and download content so the comparison is sound, unlike with the older MPEG-2 codec, which most cable companies seem to still use the last time I queried.
Then there is ?good enough? factor and the convenience factor. YouTube became a huge hit with low bit rate 320 pixel wide video using Adobe?s Flash codec (or was it 240) so consumers are willing to forego quality if there are other conveniences added. While I do love Blu-ray and think it?s great for the living room, I think it?ll be the last optical media format for consumers and i think that internet-based content will be continue it?s slide into the dominate way people watch video. Netflix is focusing a lot on streaming, not only because it reportedly only costs them 3¢ for an SD movie and 5¢ for a HD movie which is apparently a fraction of shipping the discs, but because this area of their business is growing rapidly.
Yeah, Netflix streaming is a ripoff. Nothing interesting available. Simply a front for their mail-in service.
I guess they realized, after all, that the studios are not the easiest people in the world to negotiate with.
I find value in it.
Edit: For example, I remember my parents watching Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister when I was, admittedly, too young to get it all. I'm thoroughly enjoying those shows. I don't want to waste time and take up DVD slots getting 4 shows a at a time.
While getting the regular DVD supply, watching movies and shows that I would otherwise not have been able to watch when and where I please is great value to me. For the <$10 that I pay, this is a bargain.
Haven't you heard? Streaming is the future! And in the future, we'll all just watch VHS-quality streams of unpopular movies no cable channel or broadcast network is willing to pay for the right to air. It'll be magical!
Quote:
Originally Posted by fuzz_ball
Wow, a "me too!" feature....<yawn>.
Quote:
Originally Posted by macshark
The quality of Netflix streaming is better than many of the digital cable channels...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Undo Redo
Agreed. Netflix HD streaming is good quality. It's not blu-ray but close enough for me...better than standard DVD.
We have a basic NetFlix account, 7 Macs, 2 iPads, 5 iPhones.
All of these can play streamed NetFlix movies.
The iPad experience is especially enjoyable-- a private movie theater in your hand, in bed, even out and about-- in a pinch.
The kids particularly enjoy it.
Sure, NetFlix doesn't deliver: Live TV; The Latest Movies...
But, if this rumor is true, NetFlix on iTV will deliver a "basic service":
-- a large enough (and growing) catalog of streamed videos, on demand
-- a fixed, reasonable, monthly subscription service
-- adds the HDTV as a NetFlix streaming target device
-- a "through-the-mail" delivery mechanism for non-streamed DVDs
It isn't perfect, but it is workable!
And, it isn't the "whole solution" to our viewing needs.
Done right, though, Apple will be able to augment the service, over time, with "premium" options:
-- negotiate "first day" movie purchases and rentals as a premium (streamed and/or downloaded)
-- negotiate "live TV" and "event" purchases
-- negotiate archive classic movies and events on demand: Casablanca; Thrilla in Manilla...
-- negotiate archive series on demand: Masterpiece Theater; The Civil War, Lonesome Dove,Two Fat Ladies; Roots, Earl Payroux's Gormet Cooking, Jean Shepherd's America, Newhart, Taxi...
I think, altogether, this could evolve into a compelling, flexible, cost-effective, on-demand, customer-controlled entertainment package-- you gotta' start somewhere!
I do not think that Apple should buy NetFlix (or any content owner or provider). I think Apple will be more successful negotiating with these entities, rather than competing with them.
Am curious though. My UK based Apple TV links to the US itunes Store (I have a US credit card).
However Netflix is more sophisticated, you need to be in the US or using a Proxy-server type thing. This applies to their iOS apps too.
"New" Apple TV is going to have a confict. Granted it's not a common use, but I'd have an Apple TV using the US itunes store but with no netflix capability.
I would imagine that it would come with a basic IR remote, but allow you to use the appropriate iDevices to control the AppleTV via your LAN, just like it does now.
I think an SDK would be the killer feature to make an AppleTV a real product for Apple. I really hope they?ve gone that route.
Bingo... Not only Killer feature, but Make or Break feature.
Also, expand the new XCode 4 IDE to handle HTML5 web sites, iAds; iTunes LPs and Extras...
Bingo... Not only Killer feature, but Make or Break feature.
Also, expand the new XCode 4 IDE to handle HTML5 web sites, iAds; iTunes LPs and Extras...
.
If you think a new iOS-based AppleTV is being presented today, do you think it will have an SDK presented along with it like the iPad or do you think it will be dropped the next year (or so) like the original iPhone.
Since I agree with you that this is the one feature that could make or break this device since it’s the one thing their competitors still have a problem competing with, I hope the delay of this product until now now was to make sure the SDK was ready.
PS: Consider this, interactive TV that allows you to access any video you’re watching and select elements for this live action show that are for purchase. Clothing, furniture, etc. We are not there yet, but I can foresee a future when even more product placement is sponsoring these shows, which may not otherwise get off the ground in the uncertain Wild, Wild West of á la carte internet streaming video. You could hit a button that would highlight all the for sale items in the video, or access a list from the menu. This data could be sent with the video as realtime metadata by simply denoting the item, description, URL, and pixel coordinations. This may seem complex today but once you link an image it could be possible for every other timestamp to map all or most of the other points, in most cases. Okay, I didn’t have much sleep last night.
Comments
I dont think the iTunes TV rentals prices are to Apple satisfaction. They also wanted a per channel subscription. The studio negotiations are far from over and I think they want better deals before releasing the new AppleTV.
SJ said just a few months ago that there were not ready to come up with a successful product.
And you think that Google (or whoever else) is?
Or just Bluetooth, messages shouldn't be data intensive so reasonably reliable at average viewer-TV distances .
I?ve been questioning BT as a replacement for a basic remote, but I can?t find any info as to the current iteration of the protocol or the HW itself being built for 1) a decent enough battery life in a perpetual waiting state and 2) being able to activate instantly the way IR can.
And you think that Google (or whoever else) is?
Apple want to get cable / sat subscribers with a solution that makes senses for lots of people, not just a few techs fans. This is were the customers are.
I’ve been questioning BT as a replacement for a basic remote, but I can’t find any info as to the current iteration of the protocol or the HW itself being built for 1) a decent enough battery life in a perpetual waiting state and 2) being able to activate instantly the way IR can.
I just wrote an iPhone app which sends images to the iPad via bluetooth. As it currently stands, I believe you have to poll the BT connection every now and then in order to keep the connection awake and active. There would certainly appear to be issues if it were to be used for always on communication. Protocol seems to be geared towards saving battery at the expense of reactivity. Though I'm sure this may change. The protocol is not geared for large file sizes either but I managed get it working reasonably reliably by chopping the files into chunks and reassembling.
I'm no expert on iPhone bluetooth, but this was my observation from the last project.
They added french movies just a few weeks ago and I just saw a french TV network ad for a new september show with an "will be available on iTunes" logo at the bottom left of the screen. I just check in the TV section and nothing in french is yet available on Itunes. Apple is going strong with TV negotiations even outside the US.
They want to get cable / sat subscribers with a solution that makes senses for lots of people, not just a few techs fans. This is were the customers are.
And you think Apple doesn't?!
Yeah, Netflix streaming is a ripoff. Nothing interesting available. Simply a front for their mail-in service.
I guess they realized, after all, that the studios are not the easiest people in the world to negotiate with.
I guess for those that watch a lot of tv and movies there is not as much benefit for streaming but I enjoy it and use it a lot. I don't have cable so my daughter (age 6) has a number of different shows to watch commercial free. I have also been able to watch season of shows such as Dexter, Weeds, 30 Rock, etc. Also a number of different of stand up comedies and documentaries. Sure brand new movies and shows aren't available but there are still great things to watch. Even older movies that are classics.
Netflix isn't a selling point but it is a nice bonus. I am interested to see the rest tomorrow. 720P is fine btw. Not a huge difference in 1080P for the extra bandwidth and dl times.
Yeah, Netflix streaming is a ripoff. Nothing interesting available. Simply a front for their mail-in service.
You couldn't be more full of shit...
boy, it didn't take long for AI to pilfer this news off engadget.
Can you explain? It's attributed--as a story should be-- to Bloomberg, in this case. So where's the pilfering?
Apple, at tomorrow’s annual event devoted to music and media, will also introduce a revamped iTunes site and an upgraded iPod Touch that boasts a higher resolution screen, people said last week.
"People said"?!! Has journalistic sourcing died?
Haven't you heard? Streaming is the future! And in the future, we'll all just watch VHS-quality streams of unpopular movies no cable channel or broadcast network is willing to pay for the right to air. It'll be magical!
The quality issues you refer to may be true of NetFlix, but not of iTunes (especially with Apple TV).
Standard definition videos look excellent, far better than VHS and almost indistinguishable from DVDs on my 56" DLP LED 1080P TV. So good, in fact, that two years ago I decided never to buy another DVD again and just buy from iTunes. I've never looked back.
High definition videos look amazing. Even though they're only 720P at the source, I have a real hard time even telling the difference between iTunes HD and the rare 1080P movies from cable.
Apple TV seems to have an excellent upconverter, which is why even standard definition videos look so good on my large-ish 1080P set. Compared with the other video gear I own, I think it's clearly the best up-converter.
Anyway, not all streaming is bad.
You couldn't be more full of shit...
Thanks for proving my point (your language notwithstanding) -- that's a laughable list!
High definition videos look amazing. Even though they're only 720P at the source, I have a real hard time even telling the difference between iTunes HD and the rare 1080P movies from cable.
Cable and satellite companies use pretty bad bit rates. The 720p and 1080p marketing terminology may confuse and trick quite a few people at first but I think that eventually they will see what platform and method is sufficient for their needs. I?ve heard on a few occasions that even XBOX Live?s 1080p streaming uses a lot total bit rate than Apple?s 720p, but I haven?t never been able to verify that first hand.
One platform that does kick butt is Blu-ray. Even the older 720p content I?ve seen has a much higher bit rate than any streamed or downloaded HD content, and High Profile (HiP) 1080p is considerably better than it, all while using the same H.264 codec as the iTS and most streaming and download content so the comparison is sound, unlike with the older MPEG-2 codec, which most cable companies seem to still use the last time I queried.
Then there is ?good enough? factor and the convenience factor. YouTube became a huge hit with low bit rate 320 pixel wide video using Adobe?s Flash codec (or was it 240) so consumers are willing to forego quality if there are other conveniences added. While I do love Blu-ray and think it?s great for the living room, I think it?ll be the last optical media format for consumers and i think that internet-based content will be continue it?s slide into the dominate way people watch video. Netflix is focusing a lot on streaming, not only because it reportedly only costs them 3¢ for an SD movie and 5¢ for a HD movie which is apparently a fraction of shipping the discs, but because this area of their business is growing rapidly.
Yeah, Netflix streaming is a ripoff. Nothing interesting available. Simply a front for their mail-in service.
I guess they realized, after all, that the studios are not the easiest people in the world to negotiate with.
I find value in it.
Edit: For example, I remember my parents watching Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister when I was, admittedly, too young to get it all. I'm thoroughly enjoying those shows. I don't want to waste time and take up DVD slots getting 4 shows a at a time.
While getting the regular DVD supply, watching movies and shows that I would otherwise not have been able to watch when and where I please is great value to me. For the <$10 that I pay, this is a bargain.
Haven't you heard? Streaming is the future! And in the future, we'll all just watch VHS-quality streams of unpopular movies no cable channel or broadcast network is willing to pay for the right to air. It'll be magical!
Wow, a "me too!" feature....<yawn>.
The quality of Netflix streaming is better than many of the digital cable channels...
Agreed. Netflix HD streaming is good quality. It's not blu-ray but close enough for me...better than standard DVD.
We have a basic NetFlix account, 7 Macs, 2 iPads, 5 iPhones.
All of these can play streamed NetFlix movies.
The iPad experience is especially enjoyable-- a private movie theater in your hand, in bed, even out and about-- in a pinch.
The kids particularly enjoy it.
Sure, NetFlix doesn't deliver: Live TV; The Latest Movies...
But, if this rumor is true, NetFlix on iTV will deliver a "basic service":
-- a large enough (and growing) catalog of streamed videos, on demand
-- a fixed, reasonable, monthly subscription service
-- adds the HDTV as a NetFlix streaming target device
-- a "through-the-mail" delivery mechanism for non-streamed DVDs
It isn't perfect, but it is workable!
And, it isn't the "whole solution" to our viewing needs.
Done right, though, Apple will be able to augment the service, over time, with "premium" options:
-- negotiate "first day" movie purchases and rentals as a premium (streamed and/or downloaded)
-- negotiate "live TV" and "event" purchases
-- negotiate archive classic movies and events on demand: Casablanca; Thrilla in Manilla...
-- negotiate archive series on demand: Masterpiece Theater; The Civil War, Lonesome Dove,Two Fat Ladies; Roots, Earl Payroux's Gormet Cooking, Jean Shepherd's America, Newhart, Taxi...
I think, altogether, this could evolve into a compelling, flexible, cost-effective, on-demand, customer-controlled entertainment package-- you gotta' start somewhere!
I do not think that Apple should buy NetFlix (or any content owner or provider). I think Apple will be more successful negotiating with these entities, rather than competing with them.
... then there's the whole games thing...
.
Yeah, we're trusting a source that says... "People said"?!! Has journalistic sourcing died?
Well, given that 'people' is plural, there's a one in 3.5 billion chance that at least one of them is Steve Jobs.
However Netflix is more sophisticated, you need to be in the US or using a Proxy-server type thing. This applies to their iOS apps too.
"New" Apple TV is going to have a confict. Granted it's not a common use, but I'd have an Apple TV using the US itunes store but with no netflix capability.
I would imagine that it would come with a basic IR remote, but allow you to use the appropriate iDevices to control the AppleTV via your LAN, just like it does now.
I think an SDK would be the killer feature to make an AppleTV a real product for Apple. I really hope they?ve gone that route.
Bingo... Not only Killer feature, but Make or Break feature.
Also, expand the new XCode 4 IDE to handle HTML5 web sites, iAds; iTunes LPs and Extras...
.
Bingo... Not only Killer feature, but Make or Break feature.
Also, expand the new XCode 4 IDE to handle HTML5 web sites, iAds; iTunes LPs and Extras...
.
If you think a new iOS-based AppleTV is being presented today, do you think it will have an SDK presented along with it like the iPad or do you think it will be dropped the next year (or so) like the original iPhone.
Since I agree with you that this is the one feature that could make or break this device since it’s the one thing their competitors still have a problem competing with, I hope the delay of this product until now now was to make sure the SDK was ready.
PS: Consider this, interactive TV that allows you to access any video you’re watching and select elements for this live action show that are for purchase. Clothing, furniture, etc. We are not there yet, but I can foresee a future when even more product placement is sponsoring these shows, which may not otherwise get off the ground in the uncertain Wild, Wild West of á la carte internet streaming video. You could hit a button that would highlight all the for sale items in the video, or access a list from the menu. This data could be sent with the video as realtime metadata by simply denoting the item, description, URL, and pixel coordinations. This may seem complex today but once you link an image it could be possible for every other timestamp to map all or most of the other points, in most cases. Okay, I didn’t have much sleep last night.