Because the physical media works on all my DVD players including the one my kid watches in the car on treks. The physical media also works on all my friends' DVD players when we the kids get together for play dates.
Also, the download is gonna be backed up to DVD to free up hard disk space so it ends up on DVD anyway so I just as soon get in on DVD in the first place.
Meh...if you buy enough content backing up to DVD will be annoying. Probably do a NAS RAID and hope for the best come insurance time. With luck on-line storage will be cheap enough that its worth the recurring cost to maintain it.
As far as bringing a movie over to a friends house that's true for now. Eventually I'd think you could just bring your iPod and a dock...
Meh...if you buy enough content backing up to DVD will be annoying. Probably do a NAS RAID and hope for the best come insurance time. With luck on-line storage will be cheap enough that its worth the recurring cost to maintain it.
As far as bringing a movie over to a friends house that's true for now. Eventually I'd think you could just bring your iPod and a dock...
Vinea
There are some people that don't have an ipod or maybe a nano. I guess they could it onto a DVD and bring it over to the friend's place.
That NAS RAID thing sounds like something I would use to threaten my kid when she watched too much TV - turn off the TV or the NAS RAID will get you.
Point well taken. DVD player is correct not iDVD. My mistake. Now how do I get DVDs commercial or otherwise into itunes so they can stream to Apple TV. Any ideas?
Thanks
i think you were Quoting the wrong response from me
but anyway i usually rip to HD with "Mac the ripper" and then encode to mpg with "Handbrake" although hadbrake will also pull directly from the DVD (if i remember rightly)
you can then just drag them into iTunes.. or as i do with content stored on external drives, make an alias of the Film folder (on the ext. drive) and put the Alias in the "Movies" folder on the main mac drive... then that alias should appear in front row in the movies folder.... hope that made sense
And exactly why would someone want to keep their TV on (or keep turning it on and off) just to listen to music? Or podcasts for that matter. As for photos, I know few people who go to other people's houses and want to get around the TV (or any other device) to check out their latest pictures. I thought when we got rid of the slideshows of vacation pictures in the 70s we wouldn't be forced into those positions again...
well the people i take photos of are WORTH looking at YMMV
Bad analogy. The AppleTV isn't a consumable, its an appliance. But its not a stand-alone appliance. You MUST have a computer to use this (you don't need a computer to use your XBox 360, DVD player, etc). Plus you make the assumption whoever might want this has a computer.
Of course you MUST have a computer to use this, that's the WHOLE POINT of this device. Apple tv is designed to get the content stored ON YOUR COMPUTER onto your tv. It's a computer peripheral.
Of course you MUST have a computer to use this, that's the WHOLE POINT of this device. Apple tv is designed to get the content stored ON YOUR COMPUTER onto your tv. It's a computer peripheral.
...much like with an external hard drive or a printer, you have to have a computer.
People are working hard to come up with reasons to bad-mouth AppleTV, aren't they?
you can then just drag them into iTunes.. or as i do with content stored on external drives, make an alias of the Film folder (on the ext. drive) and put the Alias in the "Movies" folder on the main mac drive... then that alias should appear in front row in the movies folder.... hope that made sense
Thank you so much, I wanted to know how to keep movies on my external yet still have it show up in front row!
How about itunes though? Can it link to external aliases? I want to keep itunes organizing my songs without my intervention on my internal drive but want to manually manage my movies on an external, in prep for apple tv if I decide to go that route. How would I do that?
Meh...if you buy enough content backing up to DVD will be annoying. Probably do a NAS RAID and hope for the best come insurance time. With luck on-line storage will be cheap enough that its worth the recurring cost to maintain it.
As far as bringing a movie over to a friends house that's true for now. Eventually I'd think you could just bring your iPod and a dock...
Vinea
Um then what would be the point of AppleTV?
With the current crappy audio/video quality and lack of extra features of iTunes movies, I have no intention of ever buying them so for me most of AppleTV's functionality is lost to me. I don't take pictures so the photo ability is of no importance to me as well. I have an Airport Express so I can already stream music wherever I want to so it also is a non-issue (plus I don't like the idea of having to have the TV just to listen to music.
I'm hoping that AppleTV is just the first in a line of peripherals. I'd like to see an Apple branded 300 or 400 disc CD/DVD changer that you can network into the AppleTV. The DVD player could stream the DVD contents to the AppleTV during the process of watching movies and what not, freeing the device up for other users. And once the DVD changer was filled, you can just go out and buy another and network it and will just seamlessly act like one DVD player. And no clutter since you can just put the DVD changers in a closet out of sight or some similar location.
The only way to do this now (that I am aware of) is with a $6000 device (an Escient Fireball thing I believe) that requires $800 Sony DVD changers. If Apple could this with a $300 set top box and maybe a $500 DVD changer, I'd be excited by the possibilty.
You might say that Apple would never do this because of lost sales at the iTunes store, but what would they care if I plunked down $300 for the AppleTV and another $500 for the DVD changer (the equivalent of about 50 movies anyhow)? Or the studios since there would the presumption I'd be buying DVD's to fill the thing with?
After that, maybe a networked DVR or similar with maybe a tiered monthly service. For the $14.95 it can record from your cable/satellite. Or for $30 you can get the 720p download from iTunes simultaneously to the broadcast show (it downloads at midnight of the airing but is locked from viewing until the show airs in your market). I have no desire to own most of the TV I watch. And if I do, I'd rather wait until the DVD release so I can get any extras they see fit. And despite iTunes episdoes only being $1.99, I still feel obligated to keep them because I paid for that file.
SIgh, I'm probably dreaming that Apple would open the system up to such concepts. Have to protect the iTunes Store at all costs. Even potential customers like myself who don't want to be forced to purchase from iTunes but would like the convenience a couple of AppleTV's around the house could offer.
Thank you so much, I wanted to know how to keep movies on my external yet still have it show up in front row!
How about itunes though? Can it link to external aliases? I want to keep itunes organizing my songs without my intervention on my internal drive but want to manually manage my movies on an external, in prep for apple tv if I decide to go that route. How would I do that?
seriously? dude, i have "ecking" down in my head as a fairly hotshot mac user .. mind you with MY head.. hahaha its the weakest link in that train of thought
ok, short answer i havent a CLUE about iTunes im just slogging thru the movie conversion process at the moment (about ten to go... but ive discovered that it might be an idea to convert my DVD collection as well...some on help my sanity if i make a start on THAT pile )
yeah i might make a few experiments with iTunes and get back to you unless someone else can give the answer.
With the current crappy audio/video quality and lack of extra features of iTunes movies, I have no intention of ever buying them so for me most of AppleTV's functionality is lost to me. I don't take pictures so the photo ability is of no importance to me as well. I have an Airport Express so I can already stream music wherever I want to so it also is a non-issue (plus I don't like the idea of having to have the TV just to listen to music.
I'm hoping that AppleTV is just the first in a line of peripherals. I'd like to see an Apple branded 300 or 400 disc CD/DVD changer that you can network into the AppleTV. The DVD player could stream the DVD contents to the AppleTV during the process of watching movies and what not, freeing the device up for other users. And once the DVD changer was filled, you can just go out and buy another and network it and will just seamlessly act like one DVD player. And no clutter since you can just put the DVD changers in a closet out of sight or some similar location.
The only way to do this now (that I am aware of) is with a $6000 device (an Escient Fireball thing I believe) that requires $800 Sony DVD changers. If Apple could this with a $300 set top box and maybe a $500 DVD changer, I'd be excited by the possibilty.
You might say that Apple would never do this because of lost sales at the iTunes store, but what would they care if I plunked down $300 for the AppleTV and another $500 for the DVD changer (the equivalent of about 50 movies anyhow)? Or the studios since there would the presumption I'd be buying DVD's to fill the thing with?
After that, maybe a networked DVR or similar with maybe a tiered monthly service. For the $14.95 it can record from your cable/satellite. Or for $30 you can get the 720p download from iTunes simultaneously to the broadcast show (it downloads at midnight of the airing but is locked from viewing until the show airs in your market). I have no desire to own most of the TV I watch. And if I do, I'd rather wait until the DVD release so I can get any extras they see fit. And despite iTunes episdoes only being $1.99, I still feel obligated to keep them because I paid for that file.
SIgh, I'm probably dreaming that Apple would open the system up to such concepts. Have to protect the iTunes Store at all costs. Even potential customers like myself who don't want to be forced to purchase from iTunes but would like the convenience a couple of AppleTV's around the house could offer.
This is exactly the opposite of what apple seems to be doing. The have shown that they don't want to go into these areas. They seem to be exclusively focused on on-demand download of all the content. No dvds dvrs etc. They appear to want the iTunes store to replace your cable company and your video rental store. I like this idea very much.
...[Apple has] shown that they don't want to go into these areas. They seem to be exclusively focused on on-demand download of all the content. No dvds dvrs etc. They appear to want the iTunes store to replace your cable company and your video rental store. I like this idea very much.
I agree. Cable companies have become a huge rip off in recent years. I can't get any HD programming through Comcast without also subscribing to two other "packages" with a boatload of channels I never watch. It costs $100 per month more than the basic package. If Apple begins to offer HD content through iTunes, I'll buy season passes to my favorite shows and forget about Comcast. It'll easily be cheaper than paying Comcast their HD toll. I'll also buy a movie or two now and then from iTunes but will mostly rely on Netflix for those.
seriously? dude, i have "ecking" down in my head as a fairly hotshot mac user .. mind you with MY head.. hahaha its the weakest link in that train of thought
ok, short answer i havent a CLUE about iTunes im just slogging thru the movie conversion process at the moment (about ten to go... but ive discovered that it might be an idea to convert my DVD collection as well...some on help my sanity if i make a start on THAT pile )
yeah i might make a few experiments with iTunes and get back to you unless someone else can give the answer.
I too considered myself a hotshot mac user but with the transition to almost purely digital files I'm finding myself getting left in the dust about how to organize it all! I've got three external drives and they're all a mess, so's my desktop, I have all kinds of media everywhere and everything is filling up.
This wasn't a problem for me before because I only watched a few shows and just caught them when the came on, now I'm really busy these and finding myself downloading 3/4 of what I watch. I wanna get it all organized in front row and in itunes incase I find apple tv worth it, if not I'll stick my old mac mini under the sharp lcd I'm gonna get in a couple of months.
It's funny because what I know the most about and what i'm getting into is the creation of films, but I'm lost in the acquisition and organization of them.
All I want is itunes to keep up it's natural organization of my music on my internal drive because I like the way it does it and have my movies and tv shows logged by itunes with cover flow and all that jazz but keep them on an external.
But because of the music aspect I've been afraid to unclick keep itunes folder organized and copy files to itunes library when adding to library.
So I went from being a hotshot to a run-o-the-mill n00b!
This is exactly the opposite of what apple seems to be doing. The have shown that they don't want to go into these areas. They seem to be exclusively focused on on-demand download of all the content. No dvds dvrs etc. They appear to want the iTunes store to replace your cable company and your video rental store. I like this idea very much.
I don't like this idea at all and I'm not sure why you do either. Apple seems to want to become the gateway to all media: music, TV, movies, etc. Is this any than the current alternatives of CD's, DVD's, cable, satellite and Tivo? At least they provide some level of choice. Do you really want one choice for media?
iTunes provides less value on all of the media fronts then any of the alternatives. Songs of lower quality than CD's and with DRM on top. Movies of lower audio/video quality than DVD with no extras, subtitles, portability, etc and DRM on top. TV that you have to wait (at least) a day for and (obviously) no live content such as sports events and only a small selection of shows to choose from (if you feel like watching an episode of Jeopardy or watch the local news, I hope you have a set of rabbit ears lying around). Want to loan out that movie you bought from iTunes? Too bad, unless you have a laptop you could loan out and your friend has an AppleTV. Less freedom and less options is the only thing that iTunes and AppleTV have to offer.
And I've made this comment before but it has always been ignored, but how about all the people who get their high-speed internet from the cable company (like myself)? Chances are the only other option most people have is the phone company's DSL. For me (and probably quite a few others), I have a cell phone and have no need of a land line which I'd be required to get for DSL so I'd be paying for something I don't need. Better to use that money on cable+internet and cut out all the costs of buying content from iTunes in the process.
I don't like this idea at all and I'm not sure why you do either. Apple seems to want to become the gateway to all media: music, TV, movies, etc. Is this any than the current alternatives of CD's, DVD's, cable, satellite and Tivo? At least they provide some level of choice. Do you really want one choice for media?
iTunes provides less value on all of the media fronts then any of the alternatives. Songs of lower quality than CD's and with DRM on top. Movies of lower audio/video quality than DVD with no extras, subtitles, portability, etc and DRM on top. TV that you have to wait (at least) a day for and (obviously) no live content such as sports events and only a small selection of shows to choose from (if you feel like watching an episode of Jeopardy or watch the local news, I hope you have a set of rabbit ears lying around). Want to loan out that movie you bought from iTunes? Too bad, unless you have a laptop you could loan out and your friend has an AppleTV. Less freedom and less options is the only thing that iTunes and AppleTV have to offer.
And I've made this comment before but it has always been ignored, but how about all the people who get their high-speed internet from the cable company (like myself)? Chances are the only other option most people have is the phone company's DSL. For me (and probably quite a few others), I have a cell phone and have no need of a land line which I'd be required to get for DSL so I'd be paying for something I don't need. Better to use that money on cable+internet and cut out all the costs of buying content from iTunes in the process.
so its not for you... fine.
as you point out, iTunes software and music store is a CHOICE people will or wont make. your choice is not to use it... FINE.
I don't like this idea at all and I'm not sure why you do either. Apple seems to want to become the gateway to all media: music, TV, movies, etc. Is this any than the current alternatives of CD's, DVD's, cable, satellite and Tivo? At least they provide some level of choice. Do you really want one choice for media?
You sound as if you think Apple will be the only choice for media. Rest assured, there will still be CDs and DVDs and Cable TV and Satellite; the choices you seem to prefer. I'm just glad there will be an online alternative.
I don't watch the "extras" provided on DVDs. I don't perceive any loss of quality on Fairplay AAC tunes. And I won't miss Comcast's expensive TV packages which force me to buy stuff I don't want.
as you point out, iTunes software and music store is a CHOICE people will or wont make. your choice is not to use it... FINE.
No, you've sort of missed my two points entirely.
My first point was that Apple continues to offer less and less choice. The AppleTV only easily plays video from the iTunes store. Sure, you can spend hours converting other video from the web to work with it (just not with any tools Apple is willing to provide). And you can spend even more time ripping your DVD's with Handbrake (until you run out of storage and need to go buy another hard drive). But neither one of these options is entirely practical or easy for the average consumer. So I'm left with iTunes being the only practical source of video content. Period. As someone pointed out, you can buy a (crappy) DVD player for less than $40 so the cost to Apple to include one since Front Row already supports it. Why would I want this when I already have a DVD player? Because then I could get rid of a device instead of adding yet another to the mix with AppleTV and because it gives me the choice to buy content from iTunes or watch my existing content from a consistent frontend. It could also be used to allow people to borrow iTunes so that you don't need to cart your computer to your friends house to share an iTunes movie; just burn a special disc and it will authorize them to use your iTunes content for 24 hours or something similar.
I see this trend of less choice in other Apple decisions. Like the inability of third-parties to create games for the iPod. The closed system of the iPhone. I fear a future where the only way to get software on my iMac is through Apple and iTunes. Maybe that's a little bit of paranoia but it doesn't seem too far away from Apple's direction at the moment.
My second point is that I want to be an AppleTV customer. I like the way the system could work seamlessly together. I've bought TV shows from iTunes and the picture looks fine on my CRT TV via the iPod's video out. The audio sucks though and I find myself cranking up the volume to get a decent volume (about twice what I ever normally turn the TV up to). But I love the idea of a media center device to access all my content without mucking around with various settings and devices, discs and all that. But I want choice, not Apple's current course of it being their way or no way.
And to that end, that's why I'd love to see an AppleTV-branded DVD changer that networks into the system so I can leverage my current DVD collection without having to spend weeks ripping it, so I don't have to swap out discs, so I don't have to repurchase thousands of dollars of content for the privilege of watching it on AppleTV. So I have a choice on how I get my content. And to me Apple shouldn't care where I get my content from as long as it gets used on their equipment.
My first point was that Apple continues to offer less and less choice. The AppleTV only easily plays video from the iTunes store. Sure, you can spend hours converting other video from the web to work with it (just not with any tools Apple is willing to provide).
I don't think you need to use third party tools to convert videos. If it plays in iTunes, right click or control-click a video track and select "convert to iPod". I think it's been available since 7.0.1. It is slow though.
I do agree that it's pretty annoying that you have to use Apple's selected formats, that's getting more Sony-like. I'm sure they wouldn't have licenced MP3 playback if they thought they could get away with it.
You sound as if you think Apple will be the only choice for media. Rest assured, there will still be CDs and DVDs and Cable TV and Satellite; the choices you seem to prefer. I'm just glad there will be an online alternative.
I don't watch the "extras" provided on DVDs. I don't perceive any loss of quality on Fairplay AAC tunes. And I won't miss Comcast's expensive TV packages which force me to buy stuff I don't want.
Sorry, that was sort of obscured in my wording. But yes, I am worried that Apple wants to make itself the only source of media. As for CD's, I could easily see the big music companies being very inclined to going to an all digital model with the included DRM that it would put on all content. The major movie studios probably wouldn't mind at all either, especially if iTunes movies really took off and they could stop spending money on producing extras for DVD and just throw out a bare bones movie file.
So I think it's a valid concern as Apple continues to push to be the primary source of media content. How long before the iTunes store became just as much a problem as Comcast?
Comments
Because the physical media works on all my DVD players including the one my kid watches in the car on treks. The physical media also works on all my friends' DVD players when we the kids get together for play dates.
Also, the download is gonna be backed up to DVD to free up hard disk space so it ends up on DVD anyway so I just as soon get in on DVD in the first place.
Meh...if you buy enough content backing up to DVD will be annoying. Probably do a NAS RAID and hope for the best come insurance time. With luck on-line storage will be cheap enough that its worth the recurring cost to maintain it.
As far as bringing a movie over to a friends house that's true for now. Eventually I'd think you could just bring your iPod and a dock...
Vinea
Meh...if you buy enough content backing up to DVD will be annoying. Probably do a NAS RAID and hope for the best come insurance time. With luck on-line storage will be cheap enough that its worth the recurring cost to maintain it.
As far as bringing a movie over to a friends house that's true for now. Eventually I'd think you could just bring your iPod and a dock...
Vinea
There are some people that don't have an ipod or maybe a nano. I guess they could it onto a DVD and bring it over to the friend's place.
That NAS RAID thing sounds like something I would use to threaten my kid when she watched too much TV - turn off the TV or the NAS RAID will get you.
Point well taken. DVD player is correct not iDVD. My mistake. Now how do I get DVDs commercial or otherwise into itunes so they can stream to Apple TV. Any ideas?
Thanks
i think you were Quoting the wrong response from me
but anyway i usually rip to HD with "Mac the ripper" and then encode to mpg with "Handbrake" although hadbrake will also pull directly from the DVD (if i remember rightly)
you can then just drag them into iTunes.. or as i do with content stored on external drives, make an alias of the Film folder (on the ext. drive) and put the Alias in the "Movies" folder on the main mac drive... then that alias should appear in front row in the movies folder.... hope that made sense
And exactly why would someone want to keep their TV on (or keep turning it on and off) just to listen to music? Or podcasts for that matter. As for photos, I know few people who go to other people's houses and want to get around the TV (or any other device) to check out their latest pictures. I thought when we got rid of the slideshows of vacation pictures in the 70s we wouldn't be forced into those positions again...
well the people i take photos of are WORTH looking at YMMV
Bad analogy. The AppleTV isn't a consumable, its an appliance. But its not a stand-alone appliance. You MUST have a computer to use this (you don't need a computer to use your XBox 360, DVD player, etc). Plus you make the assumption whoever might want this has a computer.
Of course you MUST have a computer to use this, that's the WHOLE POINT of this device. Apple tv is designed to get the content stored ON YOUR COMPUTER onto your tv. It's a computer peripheral.
Of course you MUST have a computer to use this, that's the WHOLE POINT of this device. Apple tv is designed to get the content stored ON YOUR COMPUTER onto your tv. It's a computer peripheral.
People are working hard to come up with reasons to bad-mouth AppleTV, aren't they?
you can then just drag them into iTunes.. or as i do with content stored on external drives, make an alias of the Film folder (on the ext. drive) and put the Alias in the "Movies" folder on the main mac drive... then that alias should appear in front row in the movies folder.... hope that made sense
Thank you so much, I wanted to know how to keep movies on my external yet still have it show up in front row!
How about itunes though? Can it link to external aliases? I want to keep itunes organizing my songs without my intervention on my internal drive but want to manually manage my movies on an external, in prep for apple tv if I decide to go that route. How would I do that?
Meh...if you buy enough content backing up to DVD will be annoying. Probably do a NAS RAID and hope for the best come insurance time. With luck on-line storage will be cheap enough that its worth the recurring cost to maintain it.
As far as bringing a movie over to a friends house that's true for now. Eventually I'd think you could just bring your iPod and a dock...
Vinea
Um then what would be the point of AppleTV?
With the current crappy audio/video quality and lack of extra features of iTunes movies, I have no intention of ever buying them so for me most of AppleTV's functionality is lost to me. I don't take pictures so the photo ability is of no importance to me as well. I have an Airport Express so I can already stream music wherever I want to so it also is a non-issue (plus I don't like the idea of having to have the TV just to listen to music.
I'm hoping that AppleTV is just the first in a line of peripherals. I'd like to see an Apple branded 300 or 400 disc CD/DVD changer that you can network into the AppleTV. The DVD player could stream the DVD contents to the AppleTV during the process of watching movies and what not, freeing the device up for other users. And once the DVD changer was filled, you can just go out and buy another and network it and will just seamlessly act like one DVD player. And no clutter since you can just put the DVD changers in a closet out of sight or some similar location.
The only way to do this now (that I am aware of) is with a $6000 device (an Escient Fireball thing I believe) that requires $800 Sony DVD changers. If Apple could this with a $300 set top box and maybe a $500 DVD changer, I'd be excited by the possibilty.
You might say that Apple would never do this because of lost sales at the iTunes store, but what would they care if I plunked down $300 for the AppleTV and another $500 for the DVD changer (the equivalent of about 50 movies anyhow)? Or the studios since there would the presumption I'd be buying DVD's to fill the thing with?
After that, maybe a networked DVR or similar with maybe a tiered monthly service. For the $14.95 it can record from your cable/satellite. Or for $30 you can get the 720p download from iTunes simultaneously to the broadcast show (it downloads at midnight of the airing but is locked from viewing until the show airs in your market). I have no desire to own most of the TV I watch. And if I do, I'd rather wait until the DVD release so I can get any extras they see fit. And despite iTunes episdoes only being $1.99, I still feel obligated to keep them because I paid for that file.
SIgh, I'm probably dreaming that Apple would open the system up to such concepts. Have to protect the iTunes Store at all costs. Even potential customers like myself who don't want to be forced to purchase from iTunes but would like the convenience a couple of AppleTV's around the house could offer.
Thank you so much, I wanted to know how to keep movies on my external yet still have it show up in front row!
How about itunes though? Can it link to external aliases? I want to keep itunes organizing my songs without my intervention on my internal drive but want to manually manage my movies on an external, in prep for apple tv if I decide to go that route. How would I do that?
seriously? dude, i have "ecking" down in my head as a fairly hotshot mac user
ok, short answer i havent a CLUE about iTunes
yeah i might make a few experiments with iTunes and get back to you
Um then what would be the point of AppleTV?
With the current crappy audio/video quality and lack of extra features of iTunes movies, I have no intention of ever buying them so for me most of AppleTV's functionality is lost to me. I don't take pictures so the photo ability is of no importance to me as well. I have an Airport Express so I can already stream music wherever I want to so it also is a non-issue (plus I don't like the idea of having to have the TV just to listen to music.
I'm hoping that AppleTV is just the first in a line of peripherals. I'd like to see an Apple branded 300 or 400 disc CD/DVD changer that you can network into the AppleTV. The DVD player could stream the DVD contents to the AppleTV during the process of watching movies and what not, freeing the device up for other users. And once the DVD changer was filled, you can just go out and buy another and network it and will just seamlessly act like one DVD player. And no clutter since you can just put the DVD changers in a closet out of sight or some similar location.
The only way to do this now (that I am aware of) is with a $6000 device (an Escient Fireball thing I believe) that requires $800 Sony DVD changers. If Apple could this with a $300 set top box and maybe a $500 DVD changer, I'd be excited by the possibilty.
You might say that Apple would never do this because of lost sales at the iTunes store, but what would they care if I plunked down $300 for the AppleTV and another $500 for the DVD changer (the equivalent of about 50 movies anyhow)? Or the studios since there would the presumption I'd be buying DVD's to fill the thing with?
After that, maybe a networked DVR or similar with maybe a tiered monthly service. For the $14.95 it can record from your cable/satellite. Or for $30 you can get the 720p download from iTunes simultaneously to the broadcast show (it downloads at midnight of the airing but is locked from viewing until the show airs in your market). I have no desire to own most of the TV I watch. And if I do, I'd rather wait until the DVD release so I can get any extras they see fit. And despite iTunes episdoes only being $1.99, I still feel obligated to keep them because I paid for that file.
SIgh, I'm probably dreaming that Apple would open the system up to such concepts. Have to protect the iTunes Store at all costs. Even potential customers like myself who don't want to be forced to purchase from iTunes but would like the convenience a couple of AppleTV's around the house could offer.
This is exactly the opposite of what apple seems to be doing. The have shown that they don't want to go into these areas. They seem to be exclusively focused on on-demand download of all the content. No dvds dvrs etc. They appear to want the iTunes store to replace your cable company and your video rental store. I like this idea very much.
...[Apple has] shown that they don't want to go into these areas. They seem to be exclusively focused on on-demand download of all the content. No dvds dvrs etc. They appear to want the iTunes store to replace your cable company and your video rental store. I like this idea very much.
I agree. Cable companies have become a huge rip off in recent years. I can't get any HD programming through Comcast without also subscribing to two other "packages" with a boatload of channels I never watch. It costs $100 per month more than the basic package. If Apple begins to offer HD content through iTunes, I'll buy season passes to my favorite shows and forget about Comcast. It'll easily be cheaper than paying Comcast their HD toll. I'll also buy a movie or two now and then from iTunes but will mostly rely on Netflix for those.
seriously? dude, i have "ecking" down in my head as a fairly hotshot mac user
ok, short answer i havent a CLUE about iTunes
yeah i might make a few experiments with iTunes and get back to you
I too considered myself a hotshot mac user but with the transition to almost purely digital files I'm finding myself getting left in the dust about how to organize it all! I've got three external drives and they're all a mess, so's my desktop, I have all kinds of media everywhere and everything is filling up.
This wasn't a problem for me before because I only watched a few shows and just caught them when the came on, now I'm really busy these and finding myself downloading 3/4 of what I watch. I wanna get it all organized in front row and in itunes incase I find apple tv worth it, if not I'll stick my old mac mini under the sharp lcd I'm gonna get in a couple of months.
It's funny because what I know the most about and what i'm getting into is the creation of films, but I'm lost in the acquisition and organization of them.
All I want is itunes to keep up it's natural organization of my music on my internal drive because I like the way it does it and have my movies and tv shows logged by itunes with cover flow and all that jazz but keep them on an external.
But because of the music aspect I've been afraid to unclick keep itunes folder organized and copy files to itunes library when adding to library.
So I went from being a hotshot to a run-o-the-mill n00b!
If Vista could get delayed by 2 years, 2 weeks' delay doesn't really bother us...
This is exactly the opposite of what apple seems to be doing. The have shown that they don't want to go into these areas. They seem to be exclusively focused on on-demand download of all the content. No dvds dvrs etc. They appear to want the iTunes store to replace your cable company and your video rental store. I like this idea very much.
I don't like this idea at all and I'm not sure why you do either. Apple seems to want to become the gateway to all media: music, TV, movies, etc. Is this any than the current alternatives of CD's, DVD's, cable, satellite and Tivo? At least they provide some level of choice. Do you really want one choice for media?
iTunes provides less value on all of the media fronts then any of the alternatives. Songs of lower quality than CD's and with DRM on top. Movies of lower audio/video quality than DVD with no extras, subtitles, portability, etc and DRM on top. TV that you have to wait (at least) a day for and (obviously) no live content such as sports events and only a small selection of shows to choose from (if you feel like watching an episode of Jeopardy or watch the local news, I hope you have a set of rabbit ears lying around). Want to loan out that movie you bought from iTunes? Too bad, unless you have a laptop you could loan out and your friend has an AppleTV. Less freedom and less options is the only thing that iTunes and AppleTV have to offer.
And I've made this comment before but it has always been ignored, but how about all the people who get their high-speed internet from the cable company (like myself)? Chances are the only other option most people have is the phone company's DSL. For me (and probably quite a few others), I have a cell phone and have no need of a land line which I'd be required to get for DSL so I'd be paying for something I don't need. Better to use that money on cable+internet and cut out all the costs of buying content from iTunes in the process.
I don't like this idea at all and I'm not sure why you do either. Apple seems to want to become the gateway to all media: music, TV, movies, etc. Is this any than the current alternatives of CD's, DVD's, cable, satellite and Tivo? At least they provide some level of choice. Do you really want one choice for media?
iTunes provides less value on all of the media fronts then any of the alternatives. Songs of lower quality than CD's and with DRM on top. Movies of lower audio/video quality than DVD with no extras, subtitles, portability, etc and DRM on top. TV that you have to wait (at least) a day for and (obviously) no live content such as sports events and only a small selection of shows to choose from (if you feel like watching an episode of Jeopardy or watch the local news, I hope you have a set of rabbit ears lying around). Want to loan out that movie you bought from iTunes? Too bad, unless you have a laptop you could loan out and your friend has an AppleTV. Less freedom and less options is the only thing that iTunes and AppleTV have to offer.
And I've made this comment before but it has always been ignored, but how about all the people who get their high-speed internet from the cable company (like myself)? Chances are the only other option most people have is the phone company's DSL. For me (and probably quite a few others), I have a cell phone and have no need of a land line which I'd be required to get for DSL so I'd be paying for something I don't need. Better to use that money on cable+internet and cut out all the costs of buying content from iTunes in the process.
so its not for you... fine.
as you point out, iTunes software and music store is a CHOICE people will or wont make. your choice is not to use it... FINE.
People are working hard to come up with reasons to bad-mouth AppleTV, aren't they?
They are just Trolls like Loser, er I mean Louzer
I don't like this idea at all and I'm not sure why you do either. Apple seems to want to become the gateway to all media: music, TV, movies, etc. Is this any than the current alternatives of CD's, DVD's, cable, satellite and Tivo? At least they provide some level of choice. Do you really want one choice for media?
You sound as if you think Apple will be the only choice for media. Rest assured, there will still be CDs and DVDs and Cable TV and Satellite; the choices you seem to prefer. I'm just glad there will be an online alternative.
I don't watch the "extras" provided on DVDs. I don't perceive any loss of quality on Fairplay AAC tunes. And I won't miss Comcast's expensive TV packages which force me to buy stuff I don't want.
so its not for you... fine.
as you point out, iTunes software and music store is a CHOICE people will or wont make. your choice is not to use it... FINE.
No, you've sort of missed my two points entirely.
My first point was that Apple continues to offer less and less choice. The AppleTV only easily plays video from the iTunes store. Sure, you can spend hours converting other video from the web to work with it (just not with any tools Apple is willing to provide). And you can spend even more time ripping your DVD's with Handbrake (until you run out of storage and need to go buy another hard drive). But neither one of these options is entirely practical or easy for the average consumer. So I'm left with iTunes being the only practical source of video content. Period. As someone pointed out, you can buy a (crappy) DVD player for less than $40 so the cost to Apple to include one since Front Row already supports it. Why would I want this when I already have a DVD player? Because then I could get rid of a device instead of adding yet another to the mix with AppleTV and because it gives me the choice to buy content from iTunes or watch my existing content from a consistent frontend. It could also be used to allow people to borrow iTunes so that you don't need to cart your computer to your friends house to share an iTunes movie; just burn a special disc and it will authorize them to use your iTunes content for 24 hours or something similar.
I see this trend of less choice in other Apple decisions. Like the inability of third-parties to create games for the iPod. The closed system of the iPhone. I fear a future where the only way to get software on my iMac is through Apple and iTunes. Maybe that's a little bit of paranoia but it doesn't seem too far away from Apple's direction at the moment.
My second point is that I want to be an AppleTV customer. I like the way the system could work seamlessly together. I've bought TV shows from iTunes and the picture looks fine on my CRT TV via the iPod's video out. The audio sucks though and I find myself cranking up the volume to get a decent volume (about twice what I ever normally turn the TV up to). But I love the idea of a media center device to access all my content without mucking around with various settings and devices, discs and all that. But I want choice, not Apple's current course of it being their way or no way.
And to that end, that's why I'd love to see an AppleTV-branded DVD changer that networks into the system so I can leverage my current DVD collection without having to spend weeks ripping it, so I don't have to swap out discs, so I don't have to repurchase thousands of dollars of content for the privilege of watching it on AppleTV. So I have a choice on how I get my content. And to me Apple shouldn't care where I get my content from as long as it gets used on their equipment.
No, you've sort of missed my two points entirely.
My first point was that Apple continues to offer less and less choice. The AppleTV only easily plays video from the iTunes store. Sure, you can spend hours converting other video from the web to work with it (just not with any tools Apple is willing to provide).
I don't think you need to use third party tools to convert videos. If it plays in iTunes, right click or control-click a video track and select "convert to iPod". I think it's been available since 7.0.1. It is slow though.
I do agree that it's pretty annoying that you have to use Apple's selected formats, that's getting more Sony-like. I'm sure they wouldn't have licenced MP3 playback if they thought they could get away with it.
You sound as if you think Apple will be the only choice for media. Rest assured, there will still be CDs and DVDs and Cable TV and Satellite; the choices you seem to prefer. I'm just glad there will be an online alternative.
I don't watch the "extras" provided on DVDs. I don't perceive any loss of quality on Fairplay AAC tunes. And I won't miss Comcast's expensive TV packages which force me to buy stuff I don't want.
Sorry, that was sort of obscured in my wording. But yes, I am worried that Apple wants to make itself the only source of media. As for CD's, I could easily see the big music companies being very inclined to going to an all digital model with the included DRM that it would put on all content. The major movie studios probably wouldn't mind at all either, especially if iTunes movies really took off and they could stop spending money on producing extras for DVD and just throw out a bare bones movie file.
So I think it's a valid concern as Apple continues to push to be the primary source of media content. How long before the iTunes store became just as much a problem as Comcast?