This makes a lot of sense... but, why build in a hard drive if you already have a hard drive readily available: your iPod.
What you do with your iPod when you get home? You either...
Connect it to your computer to sync/recharge it
Drop it into your iPod speakers or connect it to the stereo in your living room
Leave it on a flat surface somewhere
So if you think about it, if this mysterious wireless device can connect to your tv/sound system, recharge your iPod, and wirelessly communicate with your iTunes, then you'd be all set. And it makes complete sense to couple this with the other announcements: You download a movie from the new iTunes movie store for $9.99, sync it with your updated higher-capacity iPod via this wireless dock device that connects to your tv and speaker system. And when you leave the house, you just grab the iPod on your way out and you can still watch videos on the go. Bring the iPod over to a friend's, drop it in their wireless dock thingy, then watch it together.
Everything's on the iPod. Like we did with our CDs, we sell our DVD player and all our DVDs and replace them with digital versions. iPod becomes the center of digital entertainment. Game over.
It is a good idea. Whatever this thing is I'd be surprised if it didn't support the ipod in some way or another. But the only problem with this idea is that you then have video stored on this ipod you can't watch unless you have this device or a video ipod with a downconverted version for the ipod itself. Even then you still have a full quality version taking up space on the ipod. But seeing as they already do that with photos I'm not completely dismissing the concept.
But what if this device was a reetooled mac mini to some extent and acted a a media system completely free of your computer. We know the ipod is so successful because it's both mac and PC complant (aside from it's other benefits) so whatever this TV top device is it has to either play well with both Mac's and PC's or it has to take them out of the equation altogether.
A settop media server that allows you to watch your own media as well as download both music, movies and TV shows from the Apple Media Store. You don't even need a computer to use with your ipod anymore, just hook it up to this device. And if this thign supports HD we could see the end of the HDDVD/Blu-ray format war.
I don't know about this wireless video streaming device, I just don't think we're there yet technology-wise. I've been playing with some fairly high quality video technologies for getting a signal "from here to there" and at even the pro level there are a lot of challenges, and that's with standard quality video or less. Even at home, I can't even get a wireless security camera to play nice with my router and wireless phone, channels help but seriously, it's a mess.
Basically I don't see anyone else solving these challenges in a streaming system, so I don't think the tech is there yet to do it affordably. It would have to be a "store and forward" situation, move the files wirelessly, playback from local system IMO.
Are there any other examples of this capability on the market?
It is a good idea. Whatever this thing is I'd be surprised if it didn't support the ipod in some way or another. But the only problem with this idea is that you then have video stored on this ipod you can't watch unless you have this device or a video ipod with a downconverted version for the ipod itself. Even then you still have a full quality version taking up space on the ipod. But seeing as they already do that with photos I'm not completely dismissing the concept.
But what if this device was a reetooled mac mini to some extent and acted a a media system completely free of your computer. We know the ipod is so successful because it's both mac and PC complant (aside from it's other benefits) so whatever this TV top device is it has to either play well with both Mac's and PC's or it has to take them out of the equation altogether.
A settop media server that allows you to watch your own media as well as download both music, movies and TV shows from the Apple Media Store. You don't even need a computer to use with your ipod anymore, just hook it up to this device. And if this thign supports HD we could see the end of the HDDVD/Blu-ray format war.
Good points, the storage capacity would have to be bumped up significantly if the iPod was to hold the full-quality versions. Also there has to be a way of navigating the content on-screen. As others have mentioned, if this was done with Front Row, it would have to be revamped significantly... there's no way the UI quirks with the current remote would fly.
It'd make sense to use the iPod as the remote control too - it'd be doing the exact same thing it currently does: navigating the media library, except on a bigger screen. But then you run into battery life issues...
I'm a recent switcher from PC to Mac. I've used a PC most of my life, and have been using a Mac at home / school for about 2 years. I am blown away at how Microsoft continues to make their OS such a complicated mess. I'm very thankful that Mac OS X is so well put together, intuitive, & user-friendly. I think that the new Vista OS 'looks' cool, but it's a big over-complicated, cluttered piece of crap. I relish the day when Apple takes over so I'm not forced to use a Windoze computer at work ever again. Viva la Mac!!
I don't know about this wireless video streaming device, I just don't think we're there yet technology-wise. I've been playing with some fairly high quality video technologies for getting a signal "from here to there" and at even the pro level there are a lot of challenges, and that's with standard quality video or less. Even at home, I can't even get a wireless security camera to play nice with my router and wireless phone, channels help but seriously, it's a mess.
Basically I don't see anyone else solving these challenges in a streaming system, so I don't think the tech is there yet to do it affordably. It would have to be a "store and forward" situation, move the files wirelessly, playback from local system IMO.
Are there any other examples of this capability on the market?
Well... it's about streaming the video file to the box, not the video signal. Then the box will decode the video file on the fly and send out the video and audio signal. Just like airport express works with iTunes. iTunes reportedly sends out all audio in Apple Lossless format to the airport express, and the airport express decodes it and sens out the audio signal. If the new device supports HD what will it take? The HD trailers on apple.com play at decent quality at about 6 mbit. An airport express does 54 mbit right? Whatever video quality they'll support I think we'll be safe.
Probably they'll lock the device to only supporting h.264 video and AAC audio to limit the complexity. It will probably not support live sources such as cameras.
Personally I hope the box will be standalone, and not an updated airport express. I don't like that the network box must be close to the TV. But perhaps the airport standard doesn't support connecting to several airport devices at once?
I don't know about this wireless video streaming device, I just don't think we're there yet technology-wise. I've been playing with some fairly high quality video technologies for getting a signal "from here to there" and at even the pro level there are a lot of challenges, and that's with standard quality video or less. Even at home, I can't even get a wireless security camera to play nice with my router and wireless phone, channels help but seriously, it's a mess.
Basically I don't see anyone else solving these challenges in a streaming system, so I don't think the tech is there yet to do it affordably. It would have to be a "store and forward" situation, move the files wirelessly, playback from local system IMO.
Are there any other examples of this capability on the market?
Hmm.
For the past year and a half I've had no trouble streaming ripped DVDs and other supported A/V media (mostly EyeTV recordings) from either of my Macs downstairs (eMac and iMac G5) over 802.11g to an AirPort Express connected to an Elgato EyeHome upstairs. EyeHome doesn't support H.264, HD, or Apple's DRM'd video and the UI is clunky but I'm still quite satisfied with it for a low budget streaming media solution.
Personally I hope the box will be standalone, and not an updated airport express
Me, too. An EyeHome replacement with H.264 and Apple DRM support could tempt me. I'm not ready for HD yet so my 802.11g WLAN would still easily support the media I want to stream, and ideally I'd keep using the AirPort Express.
I'm a recent switcher from PC to Mac. I've used a PC most of my life, and have been using a Mac at home / school for about 2 years. I am blown away at how Microsoft continues to make their OS such a complicated mess. I'm very thankful that Mac OS X is so well put together, intuitive, & user-friendly. I think that the new Vista OS 'looks' cool, but it's a big over-complicated, cluttered piece of crap. I relish the day when Apple takes over so I'm not forced to use a Windoze computer at work ever again. Viva la Mac!!
Maybe there's no wireless. You buy movies from the store and they are sync'ed to your iPod. You physically carry the iPod to your TV and plug it in to a dock attached to the TV and watch the movie. The TV dock might be part of an upgraded Mac Mini.
And there is no bigger screened iPod, only a bigger HD. Because, the iPod is not for watching movies, it is for watching TV shows, which are short enough to watch on a small device without eyestrain. Therefore this is not a interim video iPod, but the final one.
The "final one"? Sounds ominous Perhaps there is still space for a on-the-go music/video/film viewing device thingy between the size of the iPod Video and the 13.3" MacBook...?
Do you ever watch a movie with your DVD player humming and wastign energy in the background? What's the difference?
1) Living room equipment such as a DVD player is generally low-power, so you barely hear it, if at all. Active cooling is rather rare in such hardware.
2) The distance between that equipment and you is a lot bigger, usually around 10 feet, whereas you're usually only 2 or 3 feet away from your iMac (or whatever other desktop computer).
Therefore, yes, noise levels matter a lot more on an iMac than they do on a DVD player in the living room.
Comments
"One small step for iPod. One giant leap for digital entertainment."
...time to fire up Photoshop
This makes a lot of sense... but, why build in a hard drive if you already have a hard drive readily available: your iPod.
What you do with your iPod when you get home? You either...
- Connect it to your computer to sync/recharge it
- Drop it into your iPod speakers or connect it to the stereo in your living room
- Leave it on a flat surface somewhere
So if you think about it, if this mysterious wireless device can connect to your tv/sound system, recharge your iPod, and wirelessly communicate with your iTunes, then you'd be all set. And it makes complete sense to couple this with the other announcements: You download a movie from the new iTunes movie store for $9.99, sync it with your updated higher-capacity iPod via this wireless dock device that connects to your tv and speaker system. And when you leave the house, you just grab the iPod on your way out and you can still watch videos on the go. Bring the iPod over to a friend's, drop it in their wireless dock thingy, then watch it together.Everything's on the iPod. Like we did with our CDs, we sell our DVD player and all our DVDs and replace them with digital versions. iPod becomes the center of digital entertainment. Game over.
It is a good idea. Whatever this thing is I'd be surprised if it didn't support the ipod in some way or another. But the only problem with this idea is that you then have video stored on this ipod you can't watch unless you have this device or a video ipod with a downconverted version for the ipod itself. Even then you still have a full quality version taking up space on the ipod. But seeing as they already do that with photos I'm not completely dismissing the concept.
But what if this device was a reetooled mac mini to some extent and acted a a media system completely free of your computer. We know the ipod is so successful because it's both mac and PC complant (aside from it's other benefits) so whatever this TV top device is it has to either play well with both Mac's and PC's or it has to take them out of the equation altogether.
A settop media server that allows you to watch your own media as well as download both music, movies and TV shows from the Apple Media Store. You don't even need a computer to use with your ipod anymore, just hook it up to this device. And if this thign supports HD we could see the end of the HDDVD/Blu-ray format war.
Basically I don't see anyone else solving these challenges in a streaming system, so I don't think the tech is there yet to do it affordably. It would have to be a "store and forward" situation, move the files wirelessly, playback from local system IMO.
Are there any other examples of this capability on the market?
It is a good idea. Whatever this thing is I'd be surprised if it didn't support the ipod in some way or another. But the only problem with this idea is that you then have video stored on this ipod you can't watch unless you have this device or a video ipod with a downconverted version for the ipod itself. Even then you still have a full quality version taking up space on the ipod. But seeing as they already do that with photos I'm not completely dismissing the concept.
But what if this device was a reetooled mac mini to some extent and acted a a media system completely free of your computer. We know the ipod is so successful because it's both mac and PC complant (aside from it's other benefits) so whatever this TV top device is it has to either play well with both Mac's and PC's or it has to take them out of the equation altogether.
A settop media server that allows you to watch your own media as well as download both music, movies and TV shows from the Apple Media Store. You don't even need a computer to use with your ipod anymore, just hook it up to this device. And if this thign supports HD we could see the end of the HDDVD/Blu-ray format war.
Good points, the storage capacity would have to be bumped up significantly if the iPod was to hold the full-quality versions. Also there has to be a way of navigating the content on-screen. As others have mentioned, if this was done with Front Row, it would have to be revamped significantly... there's no way the UI quirks with the current remote would fly.
It'd make sense to use the iPod as the remote control too - it'd be doing the exact same thing it currently does: navigating the media library, except on a bigger screen. But then you run into battery life issues...
(edit for typos)
So no 6G iPod, aka "touch screen iPod" at this time?
Disappointed.
If you base your buying decisions and expectations on pure rumor and conjecture, you're going to be disappointed for a very, very long time.
No one knows for sure, except for the couple of hundred of engineers in the iPod division, if Apple even plans to offer such an iPod.
http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/0,120...=187772,00.asp
I'm a recent switcher from PC to Mac. I've used a PC most of my life, and have been using a Mac at home / school for about 2 years. I am blown away at how Microsoft continues to make their OS such a complicated mess. I'm very thankful that Mac OS X is so well put together, intuitive, & user-friendly. I think that the new Vista OS 'looks' cool, but it's a big over-complicated, cluttered piece of crap. I relish the day when Apple takes over so I'm not forced to use a Windoze computer at work ever again. Viva la Mac!!
I don't know about this wireless video streaming device, I just don't think we're there yet technology-wise. I've been playing with some fairly high quality video technologies for getting a signal "from here to there" and at even the pro level there are a lot of challenges, and that's with standard quality video or less. Even at home, I can't even get a wireless security camera to play nice with my router and wireless phone, channels help but seriously, it's a mess.
Basically I don't see anyone else solving these challenges in a streaming system, so I don't think the tech is there yet to do it affordably. It would have to be a "store and forward" situation, move the files wirelessly, playback from local system IMO.
Are there any other examples of this capability on the market?
Well... it's about streaming the video file to the box, not the video signal. Then the box will decode the video file on the fly and send out the video and audio signal. Just like airport express works with iTunes. iTunes reportedly sends out all audio in Apple Lossless format to the airport express, and the airport express decodes it and sens out the audio signal. If the new device supports HD what will it take? The HD trailers on apple.com play at decent quality at about 6 mbit. An airport express does 54 mbit right? Whatever video quality they'll support I think we'll be safe.
Probably they'll lock the device to only supporting h.264 video and AAC audio to limit the complexity. It will probably not support live sources such as cameras.
Personally I hope the box will be standalone, and not an updated airport express. I don't like that the network box must be close to the TV. But perhaps the airport standard doesn't support connecting to several airport devices at once?
Looking forward to this coming 12th.
I don't know about this wireless video streaming device, I just don't think we're there yet technology-wise. I've been playing with some fairly high quality video technologies for getting a signal "from here to there" and at even the pro level there are a lot of challenges, and that's with standard quality video or less. Even at home, I can't even get a wireless security camera to play nice with my router and wireless phone, channels help but seriously, it's a mess.
Basically I don't see anyone else solving these challenges in a streaming system, so I don't think the tech is there yet to do it affordably. It would have to be a "store and forward" situation, move the files wirelessly, playback from local system IMO.
Are there any other examples of this capability on the market?
Hmm.
For the past year and a half I've had no trouble streaming ripped DVDs and other supported A/V media (mostly EyeTV recordings) from either of my Macs downstairs (eMac and iMac G5) over 802.11g to an AirPort Express connected to an Elgato EyeHome upstairs. EyeHome doesn't support H.264, HD, or Apple's DRM'd video and the UI is clunky but I'm still quite satisfied with it for a low budget streaming media solution.
Personally I hope the box will be standalone, and not an updated airport express
Me, too. An EyeHome replacement with H.264 and Apple DRM support could tempt me. I'm not ready for HD yet so my 802.11g WLAN would still easily support the media I want to stream, and ideally I'd keep using the AirPort Express.
Screenshots of Microsoft Vista:
http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/0,120...=187772,00.asp
I'm a recent switcher from PC to Mac. I've used a PC most of my life, and have been using a Mac at home / school for about 2 years. I am blown away at how Microsoft continues to make their OS such a complicated mess. I'm very thankful that Mac OS X is so well put together, intuitive, & user-friendly. I think that the new Vista OS 'looks' cool, but it's a big over-complicated, cluttered piece of crap. I relish the day when Apple takes over so I'm not forced to use a Windoze computer at work ever again. Viva la Mac!!
Amen. No truer words have been typed...
So do I! But a new iPod wouldn't hurt! Esspecially after my 2G iPod got stolen i Wienna this summer!
It's "VIenna" in english or "Wien" in german..
And I'm sorry to hear this.
As for the News: I guess we all agree that the whole "Video" thing was just a matter of time. Again, I can't wait to hear it from Steve. Bring it.
And there is no bigger screened iPod, only a bigger HD. Because, the iPod is not for watching movies, it is for watching TV shows, which are short enough to watch on a small device without eyestrain. Therefore this is not a interim video iPod, but the final one.
No, I'm not confused. The point is I don't want to watch a movie on my TV, with my iMac humming, and wasting energy in the background.
Do you ever watch a movie with your DVD player humming and wastign energy in the background? What's the difference?
Do you ever watch a movie with your DVD player humming and wastign energy in the background? What's the difference?
1) Living room equipment such as a DVD player is generally low-power, so you barely hear it, if at all. Active cooling is rather rare in such hardware.
2) The distance between that equipment and you is a lot bigger, usually around 10 feet, whereas you're usually only 2 or 3 feet away from your iMac (or whatever other desktop computer).
Therefore, yes, noise levels matter a lot more on an iMac than they do on a DVD player in the living room.