I was the under the impression HD was 720i, 720p, 1080i or 1080p
I mistakenly lumped everything under ATSC as HD.
Their is more to the difference between HD and SD than just pixel resolution. That is the easy way to qualify it for marketing to general consumers.
There is a lot more going on to create the video signal besides pixels. The A/D quantization bit rate, chroma sample rate, data rate. All of these factors play just as big part as pixels size in how a video picture appears. That is the reason why 320x240 video can be sharp and have vivid color. While a picture that covers 1920x1080 can look like utter crap.
If 480P were recorded under the ITU 709 color matrix that would make it more HD than SD which is recorded under the ITU 601 color matrix.
I think these ads look cheap and tacky. They're trying to be funny, but not succeeding. Again, Apple is insulting PC's and their users; this time by insinuating that they're dull, uncool, and stupid. Windows isn't my OS of choice, but it is 90+% of the world and they can't all be those 3 negative adjectives.
What a waste of time and money. What is it with Apple and these poor comparison ads? Make the Mac appealing in it's own right. Don't even mention PC's. Advertise the f*cking OS! Geez.
It's a beautiful, amazing, mindblowing piece of code. So blow people away with it. They don't even know what they're missing.
Jobs: Pay me a fraction of what you're paying your marketing department and I'll do a better job. Hell pay my gran and she'll do a better job - and she's been dead 20 years!
Not impressed. I can't believe so many people on here think this is even halfway decent.
I think these ads look cheap and tacky. They're trying to be funny, but not succeeding. Again, Apple is insulting PC's and their users; this time by insinuating that they're dull, uncool, and stupid. Windows isn't my OS of choice, but it is 90+% of the world and they can't all be those 3 negative adjectives.
I agree we do not want to alienate the potential customer - we need to work out where Windows fails and show how the Mac succeeds - but we do not need to mention the PC in the advert.
I think all of those try to infect my Mac contests were a much larger dare.
The hacker community should be pretty well informed at this point about the state of Mac security. I'm not sure there is much Apple can say that will give them any more motivation.
So far all we've mostly gotten are malicious code that won't work unless the user gives it permission. Or proof of concept code that doesn't work unless several factors work in its favor.
These adds might have been okay about 5 years ago.
However, they really don't apply anymore with Windows XP.
I think most PC users will view them as childish and untrue.
If you have a firewall enabled and a virus program running on your PC, you really shouldn't be having any virus issues.
The only folks having issues are probably those looking for warez sites and porn. Again, they would have to be downloading content form these sites if they have a firewall and virus software running.
As far as restarting.
The only time you might have to restart is when you install a new application. You really shouldn't have to restart then, but it isn't a big deal.
As far as crashing.
I have been running XP for at least 3 years.
I have had 1 crash in that time and it was while running iTunes. Go Figure!! I've had more lockups/crashes on my iPod than my XP box.
The other thing that would be interesting would be how Linux users view the Mac and these adds. I've started playing with Linux and it doesn't strike me as that different from the Mac. Fedora 5 is very good. Installing RMP packages isn't much different than application installs on the Mac. I guess the animations and transparency features are nice, but I don't know how much they would impress the Linux crowd. It is also my understanding that Novell is poised to release a version of Linux that closely matches many of these features seen on the Mac.
I guess we will see how these adds play out.
They didn't run the switcher adds too long either.
I think Apple needs to get out of their 10 year old mentality where the PC was really a piece of garbage. After release of XP, there really haven't been as many issues. In fact, I think most people are going to hold onto XP for a while with all of the problems they are having with Vista.
and i dont like how they keep bringing attention to the facts that macs dont have viruses.
thats like adding a big fat bullseye to our heads.
[/B]
Nah. Hackers have known for years about the lack of mac viruses. You don't think one of them would love to be the first guy to hack the mac?
Some of it is obscurity, but generally the mac has better security built in. I could care less if hackers target the mac. Bring it on.
Quote:
Originally posted by Mobius
What a waste of time and money. What is it with Apple and these poor comparison ads? Make the Mac appealing in it's own right. Don't even mention PC's. Advertise the f*cking OS! Geez.
How do you suggest "advertising the OS"? Showing 30 seconds of screen shots? They ARE advertising the OS, they're doing it by telling the advantages it has over windows. Nobody cares that OSX is prettier.
Apple is explaining how macs are better than PC's. If that's "insulting" to PC's, then so be it. And if PC users feel insulted because the disadvantages of their machine are pointed out? Who cares, only a die-hard pc fanatic who would never buy a mac anyway would take it personally.
I absolutely think they need to mention the PC and make direct comparisons. "Mac is good" is a weak message. And "Mac is better" only makes sense if you say what it's better than.
Quote:
Originally posted by Ocriss33324
If you have a firewall enabled and a virus program running on your PC, you really shouldn't be having any virus issues.
The only folks having issues are probably those looking for warez sites and porn. Again, they would have to be downloading content form these sites if they have a firewall and virus software running.
As far as restarting.
The only time you might have to restart is when you install a new application. You really shouldn't have to restart then, but it isn't a big deal.
The other thing that would be interesting would be how Linux users view the Mac and these adds. I've started playing with Linux and it doesn't strike me as that different from the Mac. Fedora 5 is very good. Installing RMP packages isn't much different than application installs on the Mac. I guess the animations and transparency features are nice, but I don't know how much they would impress the Linux crowd. It is also my understanding that Novell is poised to release a version of Linux that closely matches many of these features seen on the Mac.
I think Apple needs to get out of their 10 year old mentality where the PC was really a piece of garbage. After release of XP, there really haven't been as many issues. In fact, I think most people are going to hold onto XP for a while with all of the problems they are having with Vista.[/B]
I know people with virus software who still have viruses on their PC. I'm sure there are plenty of folks out there with problems who *would* be much happier with a mac.
I think the restart ad is about crashing. I'll admit, XP is much better, and OSX does crash.
Linux is fine for hardcore computer users. It looks OK when you first fire it up, but many basic things are a pain in the butt. Not to mention the lack of apps (you think the mac doesn't have enough?). It's not a real solution for the average user. If you think the only differences are cosmetic, you need to look closer at both OSX and Linux.
Sure, XP is better, but there are lots of people distrustful of XP and fed up with viruses and other issues. Mac IS gaining market share, and a rising percentage of Mac purchases are from PC users. Obviously *somebody* isn't happy with XP.
I have to say that I'm finding these ads to be quite annoying. Not just the TV ads, but the integrated ad they now have on http://www.apple.com. I opened Safari today on my laptop with Apple.com as my home page and wasn't particularly happy when the Mac ad started playing (I was in a class logging on to the college intranet). There's never been a reason to have my sound on mute for something like that but it's definitely on now.
Not only was the ad intrusive on the web, but I'm embarassed to see them on TV. I want Apple to do well, I've been a stock holder for many years. But these Mac ads are the worst I've seen since the old 30 minute Performa infomercials they used to run on cable channels.
They have the 'PC' guy in a suit and tie looking somewhat professional while the 'Mac' guy is more laid back in jeans and a T-shirt. Right off the bat, it's telling business professionals that they should not consider the Mac as a serious platform. Mentioning you can run Microsoft Office and Network with PCs is good for people who are nervous about switching, but iLife needs to be shown for that message to get across. The stuff about restarting, viruses, and not being able to 'speak the camera's language' was really stretching it. If people don't have those problems, the ad isn't going to work.
I'm obviously already a Mac user so they don't need to win me over. But instead of having the 'Mac' say the iMac is an award winning computer, why not actually *show* the award winning computer for more than 2 seconds (without keyboard or mouse) at the end of the commercial?
Apple 'wowed' a lot of people with the original iMac in 1998 just by showing it off. They need the same kind of exposure with their products now.
I have to say that I'm finding these ads to be quite annoying. Not just the TV ads, but the integrated ad they now have on http://www.apple.com. I opened Safari today on my laptop with Apple.com as my home page and wasn't particularly happy when the Mac ad started playing (I was in a class logging on to the college intranet). There's never been a reason to have my sound on mute for something like that but it's definitely on now.
Why would you have that as your home page, though? Seems a little obsessive/excessive.
If you have a firewall enabled and a virus program running on your PC, you really shouldn't be having any virus issues.
The only folks having issues are probably those looking for warez sites and porn. Again, they would have to be downloading content form these sites if they have a firewall and virus software running.
As far as restarting.
The only time you might have to restart is when you install a new application. You really shouldn't have to restart then, but it isn't a big deal.
As far as crashing.
I have been running XP for at least 3 years.
I have had 1 crash in that time and it was while running iTunes. Go Figure!! I've had more lockups/crashes on my iPod than my XP box.
-snip-
Unfortunately, thousands if PC users running anti-virus software and firewalls do get slammed with viruses and trojans every year -- it doesn't matter if anyone thinks that they should or not. That being said, I've never had a virus on my gaming PCs (3 computers over the past 6 years or so), and I never had anti-virus software running on any of them (I do use NAT and my router has a hardware firewall built-in). Since I don't use them for e-mail or browsing they are pretty safe.
Crashing and restarts on the other hand are another matter, and happen with far to much frequency.
Back to the ads, I think that they are kind of funny, but a little too anti-corporate for my taste.
These adverts are seriously disappointing. When a top marketing executive left HP to join Apple several months ago, I had high hopes that we'd see an amazing Mac & OS X advertising campaign.
Instead, we get a very similar lame idea to the "switcher" campaign, and look where that got us. These ads are arrogant and insulting, I am embarrassed on behalf of Apple for their existence.
What about showing a Mac in the advert for more than 2 seconds? What about showing OS X and iLife? What about combating the "myths" about Apples, such as "Apples are way more expensive than PCs" (e.g. take a MacBook Pro, and point out that for its weight/size : power ratio, it's amongst the least expensive there is. Or an iMac; for the features it packs, its one of the least expensive there is), or "There isn't enough software" (Imagine this 30 sec. ad: Start with a shot of an iMac sitting on a desk, only OS X is running, Word launches as the camera zooms in to the screen, then Excel, then PowerPoint (about 10 seconds in, so far) now show iLife (another 10 seconds), then, in the next 10 seconds, an ever increasing number of Apps, accelerating into a blur, finishing with something like "OS X: 10,000 (or however many there are) native applications).
Apple's main strength is that their applications i.e. iLife work seamlessly together and don't get in your way. The truth is PCs have the same kind of iSoftware Apple does but they tend to be more awkward and less refined. But how do you show that in a 30 second TV spot? You can't. You have to experience it for yourself, which is why Apple has all those stores. Hopefully these commercials will entice a few people to check out a Mac. Some might be turned off but I'm not sure Apple is going for those people.
for me these ads are smug and unfunny, except for the networking one, that was kinda cute. the last ipod ad was so brilliant, i wish apple would have broken new ground again instead of revisiting the now tired switcher ads.
What about showing a Mac in the advert for more than 2 seconds? What about showing OS X and iLife? What about combating the "myths" about Apples, such as "Apples are way more expensive than PCs" (e.g. take a MacBook Pro, and point out that for its weight/size : power ratio, it's amongst the least expensive there is. Or an iMac; for the features it packs, its one of the least expensive there is), or "There isn't enough software" (Imagine this 30 sec. ad: Start with a shot of an iMac sitting on a desk, only OS X is running, Word launches as the camera zooms in to the screen, then Excel, then PowerPoint (about 10 seconds in, so far) now show iLife (another 10 seconds), then, in the next 10 seconds, an ever increasing number of Apps, accelerating into a blur, finishing with something like "OS X: 10,000 (or however many there are) native applications).
These ads DO deal with a number of the myths. Macs can't network with PC. Macs can't use peripherals. Macs can't run office.
I assume there will be more in this series. I wouldn't mind seeing them address some that you mentioned like price comparisons. And I agree that the point of these ads is to get people interested enough to go to an apple store and try the apps for themselves.
I couldn't care less if these are "arrogant" or "smug". At least they're finally making the comparisons to PC's and giving real reasons why the mac is better. It's about freaking time.
What pisses me off is that every Mac ad campain never shows the friggin programs or OS, that's too stupid to me. Most people that have never seen OSX are wowed by GUI simply because microsoft's is so boring.
I can 100% guarantee that MS will show off how cool and "new and improved" Vista LOOKS, those things are important to people.
Based on the commerical no, one knows what OSX looks liike, no one knows what the programs look like, no one know what more than 1 machine looks like.
The least they could have done is quickly flip through all the models apple offers, but no let's just show the imac again.
To me that is not effective advertising.
*note: I wrote this without reading anyone's response to the article.*
Comments
Originally posted by minderbinder
Works fine on my PC. Just need to install quicktime.
Yes, quicktime in pc works like a charm
just like iLife in a mac
exactly -- 480P is more SD than HD
I was the under the impression HD was 720i, 720p, 1080i or 1080p
I mistakenly lumped everything under ATSC as HD.
Their is more to the difference between HD and SD than just pixel resolution. That is the easy way to qualify it for marketing to general consumers.
There is a lot more going on to create the video signal besides pixels. The A/D quantization bit rate, chroma sample rate, data rate. All of these factors play just as big part as pixels size in how a video picture appears. That is the reason why 320x240 video can be sharp and have vivid color. While a picture that covers 1920x1080 can look like utter crap.
If 480P were recorded under the ITU 709 color matrix that would make it more HD than SD which is recorded under the ITU 601 color matrix.
and i dont like how they keep bringing attention to the facts that macs dont have viruses.
thats like adding a big fat bullseye to our heads.
nice.
Originally posted by Elixir
and i dont like how they keep bringing attention to the facts that macs dont have viruses.
yeah it's kind of tempting fate - although it is true at the moment!
What a waste of time and money. What is it with Apple and these poor comparison ads? Make the Mac appealing in it's own right. Don't even mention PC's. Advertise the f*cking OS! Geez.
It's a beautiful, amazing, mindblowing piece of code. So blow people away with it. They don't even know what they're missing.
Jobs: Pay me a fraction of what you're paying your marketing department and I'll do a better job. Hell pay my gran and she'll do a better job - and she's been dead 20 years!
Not impressed. I can't believe so many people on here think this is even halfway decent.
Originally posted by Mobius
I think these ads look cheap and tacky. They're trying to be funny, but not succeeding. Again, Apple is insulting PC's and their users; this time by insinuating that they're dull, uncool, and stupid. Windows isn't my OS of choice, but it is 90+% of the world and they can't all be those 3 negative adjectives.
I agree we do not want to alienate the potential customer - we need to work out where Windows fails and show how the Mac succeeds - but we do not need to mention the PC in the advert.
The hacker community should be pretty well informed at this point about the state of Mac security. I'm not sure there is much Apple can say that will give them any more motivation.
So far all we've mostly gotten are malicious code that won't work unless the user gives it permission. Or proof of concept code that doesn't work unless several factors work in its favor.
These adds might have been okay about 5 years ago.
However, they really don't apply anymore with Windows XP.
I think most PC users will view them as childish and untrue.
If you have a firewall enabled and a virus program running on your PC, you really shouldn't be having any virus issues.
The only folks having issues are probably those looking for warez sites and porn. Again, they would have to be downloading content form these sites if they have a firewall and virus software running.
As far as restarting.
The only time you might have to restart is when you install a new application. You really shouldn't have to restart then, but it isn't a big deal.
As far as crashing.
I have been running XP for at least 3 years.
I have had 1 crash in that time and it was while running iTunes. Go Figure!! I've had more lockups/crashes on my iPod than my XP box.
The other thing that would be interesting would be how Linux users view the Mac and these adds. I've started playing with Linux and it doesn't strike me as that different from the Mac. Fedora 5 is very good. Installing RMP packages isn't much different than application installs on the Mac. I guess the animations and transparency features are nice, but I don't know how much they would impress the Linux crowd. It is also my understanding that Novell is poised to release a version of Linux that closely matches many of these features seen on the Mac.
I guess we will see how these adds play out.
They didn't run the switcher adds too long either.
I think Apple needs to get out of their 10 year old mentality where the PC was really a piece of garbage. After release of XP, there really haven't been as many issues. In fact, I think most people are going to hold onto XP for a while with all of the problems they are having with Vista.
Regards,
Ocriss
Originally posted by Elixir
and i dont like how they keep bringing attention to the facts that macs dont have viruses.
thats like adding a big fat bullseye to our heads.
[/B]
Nah. Hackers have known for years about the lack of mac viruses. You don't think one of them would love to be the first guy to hack the mac?
Some of it is obscurity, but generally the mac has better security built in. I could care less if hackers target the mac. Bring it on.
Originally posted by Mobius
What a waste of time and money. What is it with Apple and these poor comparison ads? Make the Mac appealing in it's own right. Don't even mention PC's. Advertise the f*cking OS! Geez.
How do you suggest "advertising the OS"? Showing 30 seconds of screen shots? They ARE advertising the OS, they're doing it by telling the advantages it has over windows. Nobody cares that OSX is prettier.
Apple is explaining how macs are better than PC's. If that's "insulting" to PC's, then so be it. And if PC users feel insulted because the disadvantages of their machine are pointed out? Who cares, only a die-hard pc fanatic who would never buy a mac anyway would take it personally.
I absolutely think they need to mention the PC and make direct comparisons. "Mac is good" is a weak message. And "Mac is better" only makes sense if you say what it's better than.
Originally posted by Ocriss33324
If you have a firewall enabled and a virus program running on your PC, you really shouldn't be having any virus issues.
The only folks having issues are probably those looking for warez sites and porn. Again, they would have to be downloading content form these sites if they have a firewall and virus software running.
As far as restarting.
The only time you might have to restart is when you install a new application. You really shouldn't have to restart then, but it isn't a big deal.
The other thing that would be interesting would be how Linux users view the Mac and these adds. I've started playing with Linux and it doesn't strike me as that different from the Mac. Fedora 5 is very good. Installing RMP packages isn't much different than application installs on the Mac. I guess the animations and transparency features are nice, but I don't know how much they would impress the Linux crowd. It is also my understanding that Novell is poised to release a version of Linux that closely matches many of these features seen on the Mac.
I think Apple needs to get out of their 10 year old mentality where the PC was really a piece of garbage. After release of XP, there really haven't been as many issues. In fact, I think most people are going to hold onto XP for a while with all of the problems they are having with Vista.[/B]
I know people with virus software who still have viruses on their PC. I'm sure there are plenty of folks out there with problems who *would* be much happier with a mac.
I think the restart ad is about crashing. I'll admit, XP is much better, and OSX does crash.
Linux is fine for hardcore computer users. It looks OK when you first fire it up, but many basic things are a pain in the butt. Not to mention the lack of apps (you think the mac doesn't have enough?). It's not a real solution for the average user. If you think the only differences are cosmetic, you need to look closer at both OSX and Linux.
Sure, XP is better, but there are lots of people distrustful of XP and fed up with viruses and other issues. Mac IS gaining market share, and a rising percentage of Mac purchases are from PC users. Obviously *somebody* isn't happy with XP.
Not only was the ad intrusive on the web, but I'm embarassed to see them on TV. I want Apple to do well, I've been a stock holder for many years. But these Mac ads are the worst I've seen since the old 30 minute Performa infomercials they used to run on cable channels.
They have the 'PC' guy in a suit and tie looking somewhat professional while the 'Mac' guy is more laid back in jeans and a T-shirt. Right off the bat, it's telling business professionals that they should not consider the Mac as a serious platform. Mentioning you can run Microsoft Office and Network with PCs is good for people who are nervous about switching, but iLife needs to be shown for that message to get across. The stuff about restarting, viruses, and not being able to 'speak the camera's language' was really stretching it. If people don't have those problems, the ad isn't going to work.
I'm obviously already a Mac user so they don't need to win me over. But instead of having the 'Mac' say the iMac is an award winning computer, why not actually *show* the award winning computer for more than 2 seconds (without keyboard or mouse) at the end of the commercial?
Apple 'wowed' a lot of people with the original iMac in 1998 just by showing it off. They need the same kind of exposure with their products now.
These adds might have been okay about 5 years ago.
However, they really don't apply anymore with Windows XP.
I think most PC users will view them as childish and untrue.
I know a few people with their $400 (POS) Dell and are constantly having problems all the time. And will attest to the truth of the ads.
I'm sure a great deal of that has to do with the fact that they have very little computer literacy and don't know what they are doing.
I tell them all the time if you got a Mac you don't have to deal with that stuff.
Originally posted by Fran441
I have to say that I'm finding these ads to be quite annoying. Not just the TV ads, but the integrated ad they now have on http://www.apple.com. I opened Safari today on my laptop with Apple.com as my home page and wasn't particularly happy when the Mac ad started playing (I was in a class logging on to the college intranet). There's never been a reason to have my sound on mute for something like that but it's definitely on now.
Why would you have that as your home page, though? Seems a little obsessive/excessive.
Originally posted by Ocriss33324
All,
-snip-
If you have a firewall enabled and a virus program running on your PC, you really shouldn't be having any virus issues.
The only folks having issues are probably those looking for warez sites and porn. Again, they would have to be downloading content form these sites if they have a firewall and virus software running.
As far as restarting.
The only time you might have to restart is when you install a new application. You really shouldn't have to restart then, but it isn't a big deal.
As far as crashing.
I have been running XP for at least 3 years.
I have had 1 crash in that time and it was while running iTunes. Go Figure!! I've had more lockups/crashes on my iPod than my XP box.
-snip-
Unfortunately, thousands if PC users running anti-virus software and firewalls do get slammed with viruses and trojans every year -- it doesn't matter if anyone thinks that they should or not. That being said, I've never had a virus on my gaming PCs (3 computers over the past 6 years or so), and I never had anti-virus software running on any of them (I do use NAT and my router has a hardware firewall built-in). Since I don't use them for e-mail or browsing they are pretty safe.
Crashing and restarts on the other hand are another matter, and happen with far to much frequency.
Back to the ads, I think that they are kind of funny, but a little too anti-corporate for my taste.
Instead, we get a very similar lame idea to the "switcher" campaign, and look where that got us. These ads are arrogant and insulting, I am embarrassed on behalf of Apple for their existence.
What about showing a Mac in the advert for more than 2 seconds? What about showing OS X and iLife? What about combating the "myths" about Apples, such as "Apples are way more expensive than PCs" (e.g. take a MacBook Pro, and point out that for its weight/size : power ratio, it's amongst the least expensive there is. Or an iMac; for the features it packs, its one of the least expensive there is), or "There isn't enough software" (Imagine this 30 sec. ad: Start with a shot of an iMac sitting on a desk, only OS X is running, Word launches as the camera zooms in to the screen, then Excel, then PowerPoint (about 10 seconds in, so far) now show iLife (another 10 seconds), then, in the next 10 seconds, an ever increasing number of Apps, accelerating into a blur, finishing with something like "OS X: 10,000 (or however many there are) native applications).
Come on Apple, enough with the arrogant ads.
Originally posted by Aquatic
Also...two white guys. If they could have different people...women...non-white people...that'd probably be good.
-African-American Mac vs. Chinese PC?
-Hispanic Mac vs. Canadian PC?
-South Korean Mac vs. North Korean PC?
Uhhhh.... I don't know about that.
Originally posted by Mr. H
What about showing a Mac in the advert for more than 2 seconds? What about showing OS X and iLife? What about combating the "myths" about Apples, such as "Apples are way more expensive than PCs" (e.g. take a MacBook Pro, and point out that for its weight/size : power ratio, it's amongst the least expensive there is. Or an iMac; for the features it packs, its one of the least expensive there is), or "There isn't enough software" (Imagine this 30 sec. ad: Start with a shot of an iMac sitting on a desk, only OS X is running, Word launches as the camera zooms in to the screen, then Excel, then PowerPoint (about 10 seconds in, so far) now show iLife (another 10 seconds), then, in the next 10 seconds, an ever increasing number of Apps, accelerating into a blur, finishing with something like "OS X: 10,000 (or however many there are) native applications).
These ads DO deal with a number of the myths. Macs can't network with PC. Macs can't use peripherals. Macs can't run office.
I assume there will be more in this series. I wouldn't mind seeing them address some that you mentioned like price comparisons. And I agree that the point of these ads is to get people interested enough to go to an apple store and try the apps for themselves.
I couldn't care less if these are "arrogant" or "smug". At least they're finally making the comparisons to PC's and giving real reasons why the mac is better. It's about freaking time.
I can 100% guarantee that MS will show off how cool and "new and improved" Vista LOOKS, those things are important to people.
Based on the commerical no, one knows what OSX looks liike, no one knows what the programs look like, no one know what more than 1 machine looks like.
The least they could have done is quickly flip through all the models apple offers, but no let's just show the imac again.
To me that is not effective advertising.
*note: I wrote this without reading anyone's response to the article.*