I don't think its the same either, although I agree it does look similar. And the basic idea of it was similar as well. The music is playing, then he puts it in the iBook and it adds an instrument, and now its in the iPod and another instrument is added, very similar. Maybe it's just karma, but I think aTV will be a hit. Eventually. (and iPhone? Yes.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by ecking
That family needs therapy. Everyone in the same house watching the same thing but refuses to watch it together. Tisk, tisk.
The commercial would have worked better if it showed different locations throughout the day.
It was the same guy, they're showing how he can watch it in multiple places.
I wonder if Windows users are left behind with photos on ATV? The ad could be so much more persuasive if it showed some *other* functionality, not just that it "can play a movie!1!1!!".
The point was that the encoding isn't that great and is the biggest weak point of iTunes videos. Resolution isn't a major problem if the video is encoded well, and presumably prefiltered well. For example, some DVDs look fantastic on a 30" ACD, so it's not just the resolution that counts, a little extra care with the encoding and it can go a long way.
iTunes video content is the only culprit here. AppleTV picture quality can look as good as any cable or satellite HD channel.
Seriously! The fact that Apple TV has only been out a couple of weeks is getting lost in the conversation! Apple is advertising that HDTV is a hardware requirement for Apple TV; I don't think they're going to wait around too long before providing some HD content.
That said, if we get through WWDC and into early fall without some HD content from iTS, Apple TV will start piling up on the store shelves.
So you have DVI on your TV then? Well, all you need is a DVI-to-HDMI adapter. I found the cheapest place was on Amazon. It was $6 for the adapter and few more dollars for shipping; about $10 altogether.
In case you don't know...
DVI and HDMI use the same exact digital video signal, the difference are that they use different plugs and that HDMI also sends 5.1 audio information.
No, I have a DVI to RCA and S-Video converter, the one Apple sells. Is there a DVI (female) to HDMI converter? Cause then all I'd have to do is plug my Apple converter (DVI male) into *that* and then take the RCA video to my TV \
No, I have a DVI to RCA and S-Video converter, the one Apple sells. Is there a DVI (female) to HDMI converter? Cause then all I'd have to do is plug my Apple converter (DVI male) into *that* and then take the RCA video to my TV \
The point was that the encoding isn't that great and is the biggest weak point of iTunes videos. Resolution isn't a major problem if the video is encoded well, and presumably prefiltered well. For example, some DVDs look fantastic on a 30" ACD, so it's not just the resolution that counts, a little extra care with the encoding and it can go a long way.
Unfortunately, content providers don't seem to care about iTunes quality, and neither does Apple.
I have a music video where they used "nearest neighbor" filtering to resize prior to encoding. No matter how good iTunes' filtering may or may not be, that's always going to be unwatchably pixelated, even at 100% resolution.
Even Disney failed to de-interlace Ugly Betty before putting it up—even though it's filmed on actual film. There's no need to go to a crappy film transfer when they could have gone from the HDTV version. It's also not even the right aspect ratio.
There's absolutely no excuse for these kinds of mistakes—it would get people fired on any TV station. Yet apparently it's fine for iTunes. Apple needs to raise their quality control standards.
Even Disney failed to de-interlace Ugly Betty before putting it up....It's also not even the right aspect ratio.
There's absolutely no excuse for these kinds of mistakes?it would get people fired on any TV station. Yet apparently it's fine for iTunes. Apple needs to raise their quality control standards.
I wish the iTS had a Tech Specs button that included the basic, simple info for each item so those of us who are interested can have a detailed overview of the product before purchasing.
Just a note: "convert to Apple TV" export from QuickTime produces a file that *cannot* be played back on an iPod... unless I missed something. Just tried it.
Anyway, no AppleTVs within, oh, 1000km from my city....
Just a note: "convert to Apple TV" export from QuickTime produces a file that *cannot* be played back on an iPod... unless I missed something. Just tried it.
Anyway, no AppleTVs within, oh, 1000km from my city....
that seems like something that Apple has *got* to address. Even if an AppleTV formatted movie played back on the iPOd, it's still pretty huge in size relative to the iPod. But having an iPod version AND an AppleTV version is horrible, and you're wasting precious hard drive space to have redundant copies of the same thing.
What could they do to address this problem though?
"Our Video Converter for AppleTV allows you to connect the AppleTV to regular square televisions"
Not exactly catering to the tech savvy, are they?
Probably not. That device is certainly not an option I am willing to entertain in making a recommendation. I really don't even have a conventional TV right now, so it's unnecessary for me. Also, I still have issues with needing a converter for a device that has built-in circuitry to output to composite and S-video. I don't know how they'd fit the connectors on there though if the device absolutely had to be square. Maybe a separate DVI connector, with options for component, composite & S-video adapters, graphics cards can output those signals through the DVI connector.
No, I have a DVI to RCA and S-Video converter, the one Apple sells. Is there a DVI (female) to HDMI converter? Cause then all I'd have to do is plug my Apple converter (DVI male) into *that* and then take the RCA video to my TV \
I don't think it works that way though. DVI offers analog video outputs if the maker choses to support it. I don't think HDMI has analog. If it's a simple adapter, then there's no way you are going to get analog video.
I don't think it works that way though. DVI offers analog video outputs if the maker choses to support it. I don't think HDMI has analog. If it's a simple adapter, then there's no way you are going to get analog video.
Hmm \ We'll find out in a few days. Cause I just got this
that seems like something that Apple has *got* to address. Even if an AppleTV formatted movie played back on the iPOd, it's still pretty huge in size relative to the iPod. But having an iPod version AND an AppleTV version is horrible, and you're wasting precious hard drive space to have redundant copies of the same thing.
What could they do to address this problem though?
The "Export to AppleTV" option outputs to the AppleTV's max of 1280x720, while the iPod w/Video maxs out at 640x320, a quarter of the resolution.
This can only be addressed by releasing a new iPod with higher resolution video capabilities. While I foresee full screen video iPod with higher resolution playback, It certainly won't support 720p. For reference, the iPhone will be 480x320. Apple can easily allow their portable video players to play 720p, but the problem lies with down converting to the display's resolution. it's a major tax on the processor, RAM, and battery. Possibly to the point of being unwatchable. I think it's better that Apple limits this in the SW.
There is absolutely nothing "ahead of the curve" about Apple TV. The same crappy hardware specs were available from other vendors over a year ago.
Three Words: Ease of Use.
If you haven't tried using the other media extenders give Amazon's user comments a whirl. I will admit that the specs are nice. Such as, DivX, XviD and OGG support, as well as auto mapping of your shared network folders which the appliance independent of iTunes. However, typical reply relays a very poor experience. Many cost nearly as much or more as the AppleTV--though they'd lowered their prices since the AppleTV was announced--but offer slower processors with less RAM and only 802.11g wireless. The streaming abilities are just less than stellar even when not using 1080p.
I think Apple has done well to make a product that will do what it claims (720p) despite the content not being available for purchase on the iTunes Store as of yet.
Comments
The house in this commercial looks like the same house from the very FIRST iPod commercial!
Take a look and compare...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EQUOcfLkaJk
I don't think its the same either, although I agree it does look similar. And the basic idea of it was similar as well. The music is playing, then he puts it in the iBook and it adds an instrument, and now its in the iPod and another instrument is added, very similar. Maybe it's just karma, but I think aTV will be a hit. Eventually. (and iPhone? Yes.)
That family needs therapy. Everyone in the same house watching the same thing but refuses to watch it together. Tisk, tisk.
The commercial would have worked better if it showed different locations throughout the day.
It was the same guy, they're showing how he can watch it in multiple places.
Huh??
The point was that the encoding isn't that great and is the biggest weak point of iTunes videos. Resolution isn't a major problem if the video is encoded well, and presumably prefiltered well. For example, some DVDs look fantastic on a 30" ACD, so it's not just the resolution that counts, a little extra care with the encoding and it can go a long way.
iTunes video content is the only culprit here. AppleTV picture quality can look as good as any cable or satellite HD channel.
Seriously! The fact that Apple TV has only been out a couple of weeks is getting lost in the conversation! Apple is advertising that HDTV is a hardware requirement for Apple TV; I don't think they're going to wait around too long before providing some HD content.
That said, if we get through WWDC and into early fall without some HD content from iTS, Apple TV will start piling up on the store shelves.
I say we'll get HD content at or before WWDC.
So you have DVI on your TV then? Well, all you need is a DVI-to-HDMI adapter. I found the cheapest place was on Amazon. It was $6 for the adapter and few more dollars for shipping; about $10 altogether.
In case you don't know...
DVI and HDMI use the same exact digital video signal, the difference are that they use different plugs and that HDMI also sends 5.1 audio information.
No, I have a DVI to RCA and S-Video converter, the one Apple sells. Is there a DVI (female) to HDMI converter? Cause then all I'd have to do is plug my Apple converter (DVI male) into *that* and then take the RCA video to my TV
Edit: Ah ha! This would work http://www.svideo.com/dvihdmiadapt.html But it's 39 bucks!!!
http://www.svideo.com/appletv2tv.html
pre-order for just 99 bucks!
No, I have a DVI to RCA and S-Video converter, the one Apple sells. Is there a DVI (female) to HDMI converter? Cause then all I'd have to do is plug my Apple converter (DVI male) into *that* and then take the RCA video to my TV
Edit: Ah ha! This would work http://www.svideo.com/dvihdmiadapt.html But it's 39 bucks!!!
Google is your friend ..... So is Amazon
Walmart, Radio Shale, Best Buy, Circuit City all carry these adapters but you will pay more money.
The point was that the encoding isn't that great and is the biggest weak point of iTunes videos. Resolution isn't a major problem if the video is encoded well, and presumably prefiltered well. For example, some DVDs look fantastic on a 30" ACD, so it's not just the resolution that counts, a little extra care with the encoding and it can go a long way.
Unfortunately, content providers don't seem to care about iTunes quality, and neither does Apple.
I have a music video where they used "nearest neighbor" filtering to resize prior to encoding. No matter how good iTunes' filtering may or may not be, that's always going to be unwatchably pixelated, even at 100% resolution.
Even Disney failed to de-interlace Ugly Betty before putting it up—even though it's filmed on actual film. There's no need to go to a crappy film transfer when they could have gone from the HDTV version. It's also not even the right aspect ratio.
There's absolutely no excuse for these kinds of mistakes—it would get people fired on any TV station. Yet apparently it's fine for iTunes. Apple needs to raise their quality control standards.
There's also this apple tv to TV converter
http://www.svideo.com/appletv2tv.html
pre-order for just 99 bucks!
"Our Video Converter for AppleTV allows you to connect the AppleTV to regular square televisions"
Not exactly catering to the tech savvy, are they?
Even Disney failed to de-interlace Ugly Betty before putting it up....It's also not even the right aspect ratio.
There's absolutely no excuse for these kinds of mistakes?it would get people fired on any TV station. Yet apparently it's fine for iTunes. Apple needs to raise their quality control standards.
I wish the iTS had a Tech Specs button that included the basic, simple info for each item so those of us who are interested can have a detailed overview of the product before purchasing.
Anyway, no AppleTVs within, oh, 1000km from my city....
Just a note: "convert to Apple TV" export from QuickTime produces a file that *cannot* be played back on an iPod... unless I missed something. Just tried it.
Anyway, no AppleTVs within, oh, 1000km from my city....
that seems like something that Apple has *got* to address. Even if an AppleTV formatted movie played back on the iPOd, it's still pretty huge in size relative to the iPod. But having an iPod version AND an AppleTV version is horrible, and you're wasting precious hard drive space to have redundant copies of the same thing.
What could they do to address this problem though?
"Our Video Converter for AppleTV allows you to connect the AppleTV to regular square televisions"
Not exactly catering to the tech savvy, are they?
Probably not. That device is certainly not an option I am willing to entertain in making a recommendation. I really don't even have a conventional TV right now, so it's unnecessary for me. Also, I still have issues with needing a converter for a device that has built-in circuitry to output to composite and S-video. I don't know how they'd fit the connectors on there though if the device absolutely had to be square. Maybe a separate DVI connector, with options for component, composite & S-video adapters, graphics cards can output those signals through the DVI connector.
That nails it for me. Until AppleTV2 comes out, this is another 'Newton' for Apple... ahead of the curve, lacking in content, lacking in development.
There is absolutely nothing "ahead of the curve" about Apple TV. The same crappy hardware specs were available from other vendors over a year ago.
No, I have a DVI to RCA and S-Video converter, the one Apple sells. Is there a DVI (female) to HDMI converter? Cause then all I'd have to do is plug my Apple converter (DVI male) into *that* and then take the RCA video to my TV
Edit: Ah ha! This would work http://www.svideo.com/dvihdmiadapt.html But it's 39 bucks!!!
I don't think it works that way though. DVI offers analog video outputs if the maker choses to support it. I don't think HDMI has analog. If it's a simple adapter, then there's no way you are going to get analog video.
There is absolutely nothing "ahead of the curve" about Apple TV. The same crappy hardware specs were available from other vendors over a year ago.
I'm tired of everyone saying that. Show me please.
I don't think it works that way though. DVI offers analog video outputs if the maker choses to support it. I don't think HDMI has analog. If it's a simple adapter, then there's no way you are going to get analog video.
Hmm
that seems like something that Apple has *got* to address. Even if an AppleTV formatted movie played back on the iPOd, it's still pretty huge in size relative to the iPod. But having an iPod version AND an AppleTV version is horrible, and you're wasting precious hard drive space to have redundant copies of the same thing.
What could they do to address this problem though?
The "Export to AppleTV" option outputs to the AppleTV's max of 1280x720, while the iPod w/Video maxs out at 640x320, a quarter of the resolution.
This can only be addressed by releasing a new iPod with higher resolution video capabilities. While I foresee full screen video iPod with higher resolution playback, It certainly won't support 720p. For reference, the iPhone will be 480x320. Apple can easily allow their portable video players to play 720p, but the problem lies with down converting to the display's resolution. it's a major tax on the processor, RAM, and battery. Possibly to the point of being unwatchable. I think it's better that Apple limits this in the SW.
Hmm
What made you chose the one over the one half the price?
There is absolutely nothing "ahead of the curve" about Apple TV. The same crappy hardware specs were available from other vendors over a year ago.
Three Words: Ease of Use.
If you haven't tried using the other media extenders give Amazon's user comments a whirl. I will admit that the specs are nice. Such as, DivX, XviD and OGG support, as well as auto mapping of your shared network folders which the appliance independent of iTunes. However, typical reply relays a very poor experience. Many cost nearly as much or more as the AppleTV--though they'd lowered their prices since the AppleTV was announced--but offer slower processors with less RAM and only 802.11g wireless. The streaming abilities are just less than stellar even when not using 1080p.
I think Apple has done well to make a product that will do what it claims (720p) despite the content not being available for purchase on the iTunes Store as of yet.