I don't know about you, but I have about 100 DVD's that I plan to keep on watching. Even if I never buy another DVD ever again. An Apple TV with a DVD slot would solve all my DVD versus iTunes download problems, in a very minimal, cool way. This is a about a solution, not more clutter. It doesn't get any simpler.
You could do what everyone else does and use Handbrake to rip and compress them.
But I don't think anyone is saying your idea is a bad one - it's not. It's just that it's not consistent with Apple's strategy of distributing content via the internet, rather than via optical disc (or via TV capture, for that matter).
I'd personally really like to see the movie fascists - err, companies - allow downloaded content to be burned on a viewable DVD and to allow DVD content to be ripped onto a computer. iTunes could accomplish both, with DRM if that's what they want. Just stick fairplay onto the ripped DVD, and stick standard DVD protection on the burned DVD. Ain't gonna happen, I know.
I don't think anyone is saying your idea is a bad one - it's not. It's just that it's not consistent with Apple's strategy of distributing content via the internet, rather than via optical disc (or via TV capture, for that matter).
Here, this is what I wrote over on flickr, under the mock-up:
I'm a firm believer the Apple TV needs a slot-load DVD drive, and even a Blu-ray drive when economically feasible. The idea being you could replace your big and bulky DVD player at the same time you buy your Apple TV. For a nice, minimal, sleek set-up.
You could download new movies (even HD when that comes along) from the iTunes Store, but even more importantly, you can still play your existing DVD's on the same device, with the same, cool, easy-to-use interface.
People might argue that Apple would never release a device that allows people to play back content on it they bought from a source other than iTunes (i.e. a DVD), but I disagree. Apple makes far more money on these kinds of devices than they do from their store, and you still could buy from their store using this device, and I think people will as it becomes easier and more content gets put up on iTunes. By them selling a device that both plays back peoples existing content, and gives them the opportunity to download all their new content, it gives people two solutions in one little box, and that's only going help them sell more units, and make them even more money.
It's all about convergence, and selling products that people want. And I think this is perfect product for that. The great thing about Apple TV is, like the iPhone, is it's a software product, it doesn't even have an off/on switch. So it can be updated, and have features added via software update. It could be turned into a set-top-box via software update too.
Set-top-box, DVD player, and wireless streaming and downloading movie, music, podcast and photo device that displays all that content on your TV, from the comfort of your couch. That's where we're headed I think, but what do I know.
Everyone who wants to put their DVDs on their computers.
100 DVD's!!! That's over 400GB's. Besides it wont fit on the Apple TV, and even if it did you'd be there forever converting and streaming it. Stay off the crack man. No, I'm talking about regular people, with regular DVD collections. You know, the kind of people who don't know what the heck Handbrake is, or how to use it. They would stick a DVD in their Apple TV, "and boom" /sarcasm.
An iPod is not the same thing as an Apple TV. Despite it been pitched as an iPod for your TV, it's not.
People can rip an album they bought in two minutes, ripping a DVD is not only a lot of hassle, it takes a bloody long time too. The "Regular person" just doesn't want to go through that process, and that is even if they know how to do it--thus the DVD player. You buy a DVD, stick it in and play it, simple. And that simplicity is why the DVD player has proved to be a success.
The reason I'm saying Apple should include a DVD slot in the Apple TV is so people can still play all the DVD's in their house using the thing. But being that in the future, with bandwidth speed boost, storage boosts, and download movie quality boosts, it will be far easier to download a movie from iTunes than go to a store to buy or rent one, and probably cheaper too, so people can choose that option while still having the ability to play their old material (movies) on that same device. That IMO is "the DVD player for the internet age." It's about blending the old with the new, to the point where people feel comfortable making the transition to downloading Movies, rather than using physical disks.
It's a transition. That's why I think Apple needs to use their brain here. They need to do this:
But I don't think anyone is saying your idea is a bad one - it's not. It's just that it's not consistent with Apple's strategy of distributing content via the internet, rather than via optical disc (or via TV capture, for that matter).
What a great trojan horse for Apple. Think about it. It would compel a lot of people like me who are on the fence about ATV to get one if it had a blue ray player built in.
Right now I have a DVR, DVD player combo and it's great to have something that reduces the clutter and the number of remotes I have to fool with.
I think that the TV with a blu-ray drive in it is a great idea. I don't know if that size is feasible or if the cost would be way too much, but it's cool none-the-less. I personally get my dvd's by renting from blockbuster, and then um... cough*cough* them onto my computer, so my physical dvd collection stands around 3 at this point, but for the average person with more than that, this would be perfect. A great DVD player as well as the original TV and also the iTunes store from your sofa in one slim, sexy device.(please no comments referring to anything about solipism)
No, I'm talking about regular people, with regular DVD collections.
Evidently the average household owns around 40 DVDs.
Quote:
You know, the kind of people who don't know what the heck Handbrake is, or how to use it. They would stick a DVD in their Apple TV, "and boom" /sarcasm.
That doesn't mean that AppleTV needs a DVD drive. Just that it might be nice to have a AppleTV sized external drive to attack to the AppleTV for those that want one and leave it off for folks that don't. It need not be all that expensive either. $50 or something.
Evidently the average household owns around 40 DVDs.
And?
Quote:
Originally Posted by vinea
That doesn't mean that AppleTV needs a DVD drive. Just that it might be nice to have a AppleTV sized external drive to attack to the AppleTV for those that want one and leave it off for folks that don't. It need not be all that expensive either. $50 or something.
Please no, don't go there. It's less complex we're trying to make this process, not more. That's the MS solution you're talking about.
I for one would actually take the time to rip my DVDs (hundreds of them) on an on-demand basis, if only the AppleTV supported MPEG2. It would be helpful if iTunes had a slick way of doing this, like it does for CDs. Hard drive space is cheap and getting cheaper. Who wouldn't want all of their DVDs on a drive?
In short, AppleTV is missing the one feature that made the iPod a success: The ability to rip from an existing source. (Please don't talk to me about transcoding MPEG2 down to H.264 until it's in hardware and as fast as ripping the DVD.) All those MP3s on the Interwebs had to come from somewhere.
Yeah I guess it would be huh? I've tried to find a integrated DVD/Receiver like those bundled with Home Theater in a Box but not many people are selling them sans speakers.
NAD makes a nice one...for "music first" folks anyway. No HDMI, DD EX, DTS ES or 7.1 or other video oriented features but a nice little system for the bedroom...if music a primary criteria anyway. A bit long in tooth though...all their HT offerings are but sonic quality should beat most other HTIB offerings.
It's very likely that a device like this will exist at some point: probably not anytime soon, though.
The Blu-ray thing is merely a wish at this point, with the costs involved etc., but a standard DVD slot drive is the first step I'm looking for. I'd buy an Apple TV if it also played my DVD disks, unripped.
Ireland, I am right with you on this one. I think this is the next step for Apple - or at least it should be.
What I don't get is why so many people don't agree with you. BR-DVD and HD-DVD hold about 20+ GB of audio and video data. There is no way downloads can compete with this amount of data even with super broadband access and new compression schemes. As much as everybody wants movie downloads to work, the bandwidthl limitations keep it from happening. Yes, there might be a geek here or there who can get it to work some, but we must keep in mind the average joe.
Now ten years from now bandwidth might be better to handle high quality movies but Apple needs a product for the livingroom now. That is why Ireland's idea works well. I think SD quality tv and movies can work in a limited fashion on iTunes now but many people need an alternative. Plus, putting a DVD or BR-DVD into the ATV keeps DVD collections usable while minimizing the livingroom entertainment system complexity.
Apple needs to round out the digital livingroom with a killer big screen tv, a surround sound system, single remote, and only a few wires to hook up. An all-in-one design as much as possible makes a lot of sense. Most people are so overwhelmed by all the wires, remotes, and programming to make their livingroom entertainment system work. And for those people who do have a somewhat state-of-the-art system, it is far less than optimized systems.
This is a huge potential market for Apple to step into and fill a need.
Comments
I don't know about you, but I have about 100 DVD's that I plan to keep on watching. Even if I never buy another DVD ever again. An Apple TV with a DVD slot would solve all my DVD versus iTunes download problems, in a very minimal, cool way. This is a about a solution, not more clutter. It doesn't get any simpler.
You could do what everyone else does and use Handbrake to rip and compress them.
But I don't think anyone is saying your idea is a bad one - it's not. It's just that it's not consistent with Apple's strategy of distributing content via the internet, rather than via optical disc (or via TV capture, for that matter).
I'd personally really like to see the movie fascists - err, companies - allow downloaded content to be burned on a viewable DVD and to allow DVD content to be ripped onto a computer. iTunes could accomplish both, with DRM if that's what they want. Just stick fairplay onto the ripped DVD, and stick standard DVD protection on the burned DVD. Ain't gonna happen, I know.
You could do what everyone else does and use Handbrake to rip and compress them.
Define "everyone else"?
I don't think anyone is saying your idea is a bad one - it's not. It's just that it's not consistent with Apple's strategy of distributing content via the internet, rather than via optical disc (or via TV capture, for that matter).
Here, this is what I wrote over on flickr, under the mock-up:
I'm a firm believer the Apple TV needs a slot-load DVD drive, and even a Blu-ray drive when economically feasible. The idea being you could replace your big and bulky DVD player at the same time you buy your Apple TV. For a nice, minimal, sleek set-up.
You could download new movies (even HD when that comes along) from the iTunes Store, but even more importantly, you can still play your existing DVD's on the same device, with the same, cool, easy-to-use interface.
People might argue that Apple would never release a device that allows people to play back content on it they bought from a source other than iTunes (i.e. a DVD), but I disagree. Apple makes far more money on these kinds of devices than they do from their store, and you still could buy from their store using this device, and I think people will as it becomes easier and more content gets put up on iTunes. By them selling a device that both plays back peoples existing content, and gives them the opportunity to download all their new content, it gives people two solutions in one little box, and that's only going help them sell more units, and make them even more money.
It's all about convergence, and selling products that people want. And I think this is perfect product for that. The great thing about Apple TV is, like the iPhone, is it's a software product, it doesn't even have an off/on switch. So it can be updated, and have features added via software update. It could be turned into a set-top-box via software update too.
Set-top-box, DVD player, and wireless streaming and downloading movie, music, podcast and photo device that displays all that content on your TV, from the comfort of your couch. That's where we're headed I think, but what do I know.
Define "everyone else"?
me.
me.
LOL
Define "everyone else"?
Everyone who wants to put their DVDs on their computers.
Apple should make an Airport Express with a CD player in it to cover all the bases.
After all, I have lots of CDs.
Everyone who wants to put their DVDs on their computers.
100 DVD's!!! That's over 400GB's. Besides it wont fit on the Apple TV, and even if it did you'd be there forever converting and streaming it. Stay off the crack man. No, I'm talking about regular people, with regular DVD collections. You know, the kind of people who don't know what the heck Handbrake is, or how to use it. They would stick a DVD in their Apple TV, "and boom" /sarcasm.
An iPod is not the same thing as an Apple TV. Despite it been pitched as an iPod for your TV, it's not.
People can rip an album they bought in two minutes, ripping a DVD is not only a lot of hassle, it takes a bloody long time too. The "Regular person" just doesn't want to go through that process, and that is even if they know how to do it--thus the DVD player. You buy a DVD, stick it in and play it, simple. And that simplicity is why the DVD player has proved to be a success.
The reason I'm saying Apple should include a DVD slot in the Apple TV is so people can still play all the DVD's in their house using the thing. But being that in the future, with bandwidth speed boost, storage boosts, and download movie quality boosts, it will be far easier to download a movie from iTunes than go to a store to buy or rent one, and probably cheaper too, so people can choose that option while still having the ability to play their old material (movies) on that same device. That IMO is "the DVD player for the internet age." It's about blending the old with the new, to the point where people feel comfortable making the transition to downloading Movies, rather than using physical disks.
It's a transition. That's why I think Apple needs to use their brain here. They need to do this:
They'll get that €400 from me if they do.
But I don't think anyone is saying your idea is a bad one - it's not. It's just that it's not consistent with Apple's strategy of distributing content via the internet, rather than via optical disc (or via TV capture, for that matter).
What a great trojan horse for Apple. Think about it. It would compel a lot of people like me who are on the fence about ATV to get one if it had a blue ray player built in.
Right now I have a DVR, DVD player combo and it's great to have something that reduces the clutter and the number of remotes I have to fool with.
Now about that phrase... how about, "Fire up your Blu-Ray®".
Great idea, Ireland.
Now about that phrase... how about, "Fire up your Blu-Ray®".
Why thank you.
Curious, why "Fire up"?
No, I'm talking about regular people, with regular DVD collections.
Evidently the average household owns around 40 DVDs.
You know, the kind of people who don't know what the heck Handbrake is, or how to use it. They would stick a DVD in their Apple TV, "and boom" /sarcasm.
That doesn't mean that AppleTV needs a DVD drive. Just that it might be nice to have a AppleTV sized external drive to attack to the AppleTV for those that want one and leave it off for folks that don't. It need not be all that expensive either. $50 or something.
Vinea
Evidently the average household owns around 40 DVDs.
And?
That doesn't mean that AppleTV needs a DVD drive. Just that it might be nice to have a AppleTV sized external drive to attack to the AppleTV for those that want one and leave it off for folks that don't. It need not be all that expensive either. $50 or something.
Please no, don't go there. It's less complex we're trying to make this process, not more. That's the MS solution you're talking about.
In short, AppleTV is missing the one feature that made the iPod a success: The ability to rip from an existing source. (Please don't talk to me about transcoding MPEG2 down to H.264 until it's in hardware and as fast as ripping the DVD.) All those MP3s on the Interwebs had to come from somewhere.
The other thing AppleTV needs is 1080p and GigE.
Yeah I guess it would be huh? I've tried to find a integrated DVD/Receiver like those bundled with Home Theater in a Box but not many people are selling them sans speakers.
NAD makes a nice one...for "music first" folks anyway. No HDMI, DD EX, DTS ES or 7.1 or other video oriented features but a nice little system for the bedroom...if music a primary criteria anyway. A bit long in tooth though...all their HT offerings are but sonic quality should beat most other HTIB offerings.
Vinea
It's very likely that a device like this will exist at some point: probably not anytime soon, though.
The Blu-ray thing is merely a wish at this point, with the costs involved etc., but a standard DVD slot drive is the first step I'm looking for. I'd buy an Apple TV if it also played my DVD disks, unripped.
100 DVD's!!! That's over 400GB's.[/B]
It's more like 150 GB.
But let me ask you: If someone has a bunch of DVDs, will they also already have a DVD player? And if so, why would they want two?
What I don't get is why so many people don't agree with you. BR-DVD and HD-DVD hold about 20+ GB of audio and video data. There is no way downloads can compete with this amount of data even with super broadband access and new compression schemes. As much as everybody wants movie downloads to work, the bandwidthl limitations keep it from happening. Yes, there might be a geek here or there who can get it to work some, but we must keep in mind the average joe.
Now ten years from now bandwidth might be better to handle high quality movies but Apple needs a product for the livingroom now. That is why Ireland's idea works well. I think SD quality tv and movies can work in a limited fashion on iTunes now but many people need an alternative. Plus, putting a DVD or BR-DVD into the ATV keeps DVD collections usable while minimizing the livingroom entertainment system complexity.
Apple needs to round out the digital livingroom with a killer big screen tv, a surround sound system, single remote, and only a few wires to hook up. An all-in-one design as much as possible makes a lot of sense. Most people are so overwhelmed by all the wires, remotes, and programming to make their livingroom entertainment system work. And for those people who do have a somewhat state-of-the-art system, it is far less than optimized systems.
This is a huge potential market for Apple to step into and fill a need.