I vote for an zeroconfig, airport equiped, DLP projector.
The necessity for a troublesome and unsightly video cable is one of the few things holding back wider adoption of front projection.
Coupled with a wifi dongle for the back of your hometheater rack... all of a sudden front projection seems reasonable for your average consumer. Selling point, your computer can play movies and audio straight to your home theater, no wires or configuration required.
*sigh* But I think we're still five years away from quality consumer products with Apple's level of pollish and integration.
Imagine an iPod mated with an Airport Express: Aluminum, about half the size of a 12" PowerBook--looks like a closed PowerBook (and uses many same components) but no screen, trackpad, speakers, and uses the smaller Toshiba 60G HD--only Apple logo and DVD slot visible from front. Like Airport Express, can be plugged into wall socket or use extension cord and place in AV component rack. Uses a remote that looks like the iPod Mini or can be controlled from any Mac in the house wirelessly.
Has input for digital cable; outputs for DVI for Hi Def TV or Apple Cinema Displays, S-video, optical audio, analog audio. Has Firewire, USB 2.0, Ethernet, 802.11G.
Downloads movies over Internet and stores automatically on HD in the background and at night from new Apple iMovie store with its new DRM protection scheme. Maybe just can stream from the new store but use HD for huge buffer. Can use Ethernet or wireless. Stores regular TV content as well. Plays digital cable TV, DVDs with DD 5:1, iMovies, iPhoto slideshows, Keynote presentations, direct from camcorders and any AV source with FireWire.
Plug the optical out into your receiver. Replaces your cable box, CD/DVD player, and DVR/VCR. Get Hi Def video and surround sound with fewer boxes and cable clutter and Apple ease of configuration.
Apple leverages existing technology, moves further into consumer electronics with groundbreaking product, and attracts Windows users as well as Mac-heads.
Imagine an iPod mated with an Airport Express: Aluminum, about half the size of a 12" PowerBook--looks like a closed PowerBook (and uses many same components) but no screen, trackpad, speakers, and uses the smaller Toshiba 60G HD--only Apple logo and DVD slot visible from front. Like Airport Express, can be plugged into wall socket or use extension cord and place in AV component rack. Uses a remote that looks like the iPod Mini or can be controlled from any Mac in the house wirelessly.
Has input for digital cable; outputs for DVI for Hi Def TV or Apple Cinema Displays, S-video, optical audio, analog audio. Has Firewire, USB 2.0, Ethernet, 802.11G.
Downloads movies over Internet and stores automatically on HD in the background and at night from new Apple iMovie store with its new DRM protection scheme. Maybe just can stream from the new store but use HD for huge buffer. Can use Ethernet or wireless. Stores regular TV content as well. Plays digital cable TV, DVDs with DD 5:1, iMovies, iPhoto slideshows, Keynote presentations, direct from camcorders and any AV source with FireWire.
Plug the optical out into your receiver. Replaces your cable box, CD/DVD player, and DVR/VCR. Get Hi Def video and surround sound with fewer boxes and cable clutter and Apple ease of configuration.
Apple leverages existing technology, moves further into consumer electronics with groundbreaking product, and attracts Windows users as well as Mac-heads.
Comments
The necessity for a troublesome and unsightly video cable is one of the few things holding back wider adoption of front projection.
Coupled with a wifi dongle for the back of your hometheater rack... all of a sudden front projection seems reasonable for your average consumer. Selling point, your computer can play movies and audio straight to your home theater, no wires or configuration required.
*sigh* But I think we're still five years away from quality consumer products with Apple's level of pollish and integration.
Imagine an iPod mated with an Airport Express: Aluminum, about half the size of a 12" PowerBook--looks like a closed PowerBook (and uses many same components) but no screen, trackpad, speakers, and uses the smaller Toshiba 60G HD--only Apple logo and DVD slot visible from front. Like Airport Express, can be plugged into wall socket or use extension cord and place in AV component rack. Uses a remote that looks like the iPod Mini or can be controlled from any Mac in the house wirelessly.
Has input for digital cable; outputs for DVI for Hi Def TV or Apple Cinema Displays, S-video, optical audio, analog audio. Has Firewire, USB 2.0, Ethernet, 802.11G.
Downloads movies over Internet and stores automatically on HD in the background and at night from new Apple iMovie store with its new DRM protection scheme. Maybe just can stream from the new store but use HD for huge buffer. Can use Ethernet or wireless. Stores regular TV content as well. Plays digital cable TV, DVDs with DD 5:1, iMovies, iPhoto slideshows, Keynote presentations, direct from camcorders and any AV source with FireWire.
Plug the optical out into your receiver. Replaces your cable box, CD/DVD player, and DVR/VCR. Get Hi Def video and surround sound with fewer boxes and cable clutter and Apple ease of configuration.
Apple leverages existing technology, moves further into consumer electronics with groundbreaking product, and attracts Windows users as well as Mac-heads.
$699... Order now!
Originally posted by chas
I'm hoping for the Apple AirTheater...
Imagine an iPod mated with an Airport Express: Aluminum, about half the size of a 12" PowerBook--looks like a closed PowerBook (and uses many same components) but no screen, trackpad, speakers, and uses the smaller Toshiba 60G HD--only Apple logo and DVD slot visible from front. Like Airport Express, can be plugged into wall socket or use extension cord and place in AV component rack. Uses a remote that looks like the iPod Mini or can be controlled from any Mac in the house wirelessly.
Has input for digital cable; outputs for DVI for Hi Def TV or Apple Cinema Displays, S-video, optical audio, analog audio. Has Firewire, USB 2.0, Ethernet, 802.11G.
Downloads movies over Internet and stores automatically on HD in the background and at night from new Apple iMovie store with its new DRM protection scheme. Maybe just can stream from the new store but use HD for huge buffer. Can use Ethernet or wireless. Stores regular TV content as well. Plays digital cable TV, DVDs with DD 5:1, iMovies, iPhoto slideshows, Keynote presentations, direct from camcorders and any AV source with FireWire.
Plug the optical out into your receiver. Replaces your cable box, CD/DVD player, and DVR/VCR. Get Hi Def video and surround sound with fewer boxes and cable clutter and Apple ease of configuration.
Apple leverages existing technology, moves further into consumer electronics with groundbreaking product, and attracts Windows users as well as Mac-heads.
$699... Order now!
I WANT THAT!