I'm sorry, but the entire premise of AppleTV is idiotic. DVDs answer all of the 'problems' that exist in the AppleTV solution. It's a complicated (and comparatively expensive) answer to a problem that does not exist.
Sorry, but I really disagree. I have 1TB of storage in my PMG5 and streaming movies from it is flawless and easy.
But that was really an afterthought.
I finally have an easy way to view my work from Final Cut easily on my large TV.
Also much easier for the grandparents to view pics of the kids or whatever instead of standing around the computer screen.
"A work in progress"... "a hobby"... these are not the comments of anyone committed to growing the product line.
They are also the comments that someone would make to limit share holder expectations of a product that for good reasons (iPhone and Leopard come to mind as well as negotiations with outside companies for content) has not seen the attention and product growth that it could have to cement its place in the market. The thing is that no other product out there has achieved all of the things that people want from Apple for the AppleTV. There are products and services that are starting to come together but not the all in one, Plug-n-Play, solution that people want or expect Apple to deliver.
Once hacked, the AppleTV becomes a REALLY strong solution. Prior to owning the two that I bought, I had two Xboxen with XBMC installed. XBMC was one of the best apps of its kind in existence, its only limitation being that it ran on the old, underpowered XBox hardware, which was less than silent, and had no integrated wireless or remote on capabilities. However, in terms of functionality, the device was masterful, playing anything you got your hands on from any source. The ATV most closely mimics this "slim client" functionality after being hacked with Perian and Sharity, and does so in a tiny, silent form factor with integrated wi-fi. For someone like me who downloads a great majority of the stuff I watch, I get great usage out of AppleTV on a daily basis.
Apple TV hardware is well suited to what it does. However, there is still much improvement to be made to the software. Mainly, consumers want to watch content other than from the iTS. With an iPod, it is simple to use music from elsewhere. With an AppleTV it isn't simple to play video from elsewhere.
It seems that Apple is constrained more by market consideration than by technological shortcomings. Apple is trying to mold a new paradigm of video distribution and playback. In the short-run this means that the AppleTV isn't meeting current consumer desires. In the long-run? Who knows. It seems like the right approach but they may fail by not being competitive in the short-term.
... With an iPod, it is simple to use music from elsewhere. With an AppleTV it isn't simple to play video from elsewhere.....
With Music it is also LEGAL to RIP files from CD's, as I understand it this is not the same with DVD's. To get the legal content Apple needs to convice the content owners to release a version that they can sell online. They also need to update QuickTime/FairPlay to allow for a time limited DRM to support rentals, if they are going to do so.
I doubt that Apple put out the AppleTV without a plan for it's future. I would also bet that the content and services available today are not what they intended them to be at this point in time. The only way that I think that they will kill it within the next 6 months is if the content owners block Apple out of their distribution channels in favor of other online retail channels. The problem with this is that Apple is generating sales for most of them today with what is currently available and the AppleTV is, to date, the most viable product in it's class for the "averave" consumer. Also there is a wave of demand for online distribution of video content that is they are going to take advantage of or be hounded by pirating via P2P networks as bad as Napster hit the Music industry.
Mainly, consumers want to watch content other than from the iTS. With an iPod, it is simple to use music from elsewhere. With an AppleTV it isn't simple to play video from elsewhere.
Not exactly true... It actually is simple to play video from elsewhere on your AppleTV. Its not as easy as a CD, but folks can get past DRM by simply using Handbrake on their own DVDs. Technically its illegal to copy a DVD, but you'll never get prosecuted for copying your own discs. Its called 'fair use doctrine' and is guaranteed by the first amendment.
The problem keeping lots of people from loading up an AppleTV with MP4s of their favorite DVDs is the excruciating time it takes to encode a movie. We're talking hours for a 90 minute movie at DVD quality. If encoding was alot faster, I think more people would be excited. I know I would.
Apple made a decision long ago to be in the hardware business. Ipods sell like hotcakes. iTMS is a vehicle to sell more ipods. Proof: AAPL analysts mention imac and ipod sales in their articles, not how many copies of Kanye West albums they sold. So they should treat the Apple TV like they did the ipod. Make it as easy as possible to get your movies onto the machine. The problem is they have relationships with studios that they want to keep.
Mac OS Rumors is reporting that the AppleTV will get an upgrade later this month, including an optical drive in some models. I was having a debate over in this thread about that very issue, pointing out that I wouldn't buy an AppleTV unless they put an optical drive in it. A couple of forum posters were pretty adamant that Apple would do no such thing. If MOSR turns out to be correct, then I will be a very happy AppleTV owner very soon.
Mac OS Rumors is reporting that the AppleTV will get an upgrade later this month, including an optical drive in some models. I was having a debate over in this thread about that very issue, pointing out that I wouldn't buy an AppleTV unless they put an optical drive in it. A couple of forum posters were pretty adamant that Apple would do no such thing. If MOSR turns out to be correct, then I will be a very happy AppleTV owner very soon.
Does it matter to you if its a next-gen optical drive? I mean, probably 99.5% of the folks considering an Apple TV already have regular 480p DVD players in their living rooms.
Mac OS Rumors is reporting that the AppleTV will get an upgrade later this month, including an optical drive in some models. I was having a debate over in this thread about that very issue, pointing out that I wouldn't buy an AppleTV unless they put an optical drive in it. A couple of forum posters were pretty adamant that Apple would do no such thing. If MOSR turns out to be correct, then I will be a very happy AppleTV owner very soon.
The Apple TV is a product for iTunes Music Store shoppers, which allows them to view their purchases on their HDTV. That's what it's for. That's all it needs to do. IMO, there are two issues holding back the Apple TV:
1. iTunes Music Store movies and tv shows look like complete ass on an HDTV — the only thing you can hook an Apple TV up to. HD quality must become a reality before people will seriously consider purchasing their movies in a digital form and streaming it to their shiny HDTVs.
2. Cost. When an 80GB iPod can be had for $249, a 40GB screenless box should not cost $299. Who in their right mind will pay $300 (plus $10-$15 per movie) for the satisfaction of viewing VHS-quality films on their expensive HDTVs?
When the content actually looks good, people will consider an Apple TV (and digital movie downloads) as an alternative to buying/renting DVDs. If the bandwidth and storage space is not to a point yet where this can become a reality, then the Apple TV suffers from being before it's time. But if Apple can pull that off, and market the Apple TV as a "set top player for digital HD content", they could turn the whole HD DVD/Blu-Ray format war inside out.
I think the AppleTV would be better if it wasn't just an extension of iTunes, with the same capabilities and limitations of it - most people have video formats other than QT/MP4, especially if you're a Windows user. Transcoding video to another format that will only play on a handful of devices does not sound like fun. And to stream video at an acceptable rate, I would need an N router too, which is about another $100-200.
I would take a Mini over it any day of the week, the only thing missing in the Mini is the GPU that is found in the ATV.
Open up the video formats, and it might not be a total joke of a product. I'd much rather use an Xbox 360 as a media extender - it has a DVD drive, and it can also play games.
I've had a appletv since it was introduced, and i must say its changed the way we watch tv around here, not to mention listening to music either its fantastic.. I record shows on my Mac and then stream them over a g wireless (doesn't need an N wireless ) to my TV, plus i create my own personal seasons of shows no need to buy the dvds...... I think people who downplay it should actively test it out first.........
Comments
I'm sorry, but the entire premise of AppleTV is idiotic. DVDs answer all of the 'problems' that exist in the AppleTV solution. It's a complicated (and comparatively expensive) answer to a problem that does not exist.
But that was really an afterthought.
I finally have an easy way to view my work from Final Cut easily on my large TV.
Also much easier for the grandparents to view pics of the kids or whatever instead of standing around the computer screen.
It is just not a product for you.
"A work in progress"... "a hobby"... these are not the comments of anyone committed to growing the product line.
They are also the comments that someone would make to limit share holder expectations of a product that for good reasons (iPhone and Leopard come to mind as well as negotiations with outside companies for content) has not seen the attention and product growth that it could have to cement its place in the market. The thing is that no other product out there has achieved all of the things that people want from Apple for the AppleTV. There are products and services that are starting to come together but not the all in one, Plug-n-Play, solution that people want or expect Apple to deliver.
It seems that Apple is constrained more by market consideration than by technological shortcomings. Apple is trying to mold a new paradigm of video distribution and playback. In the short-run this means that the AppleTV isn't meeting current consumer desires. In the long-run? Who knows. It seems like the right approach but they may fail by not being competitive in the short-term.
... With an iPod, it is simple to use music from elsewhere. With an AppleTV it isn't simple to play video from elsewhere.....
With Music it is also LEGAL to RIP files from CD's, as I understand it this is not the same with DVD's. To get the legal content Apple needs to convice the content owners to release a version that they can sell online. They also need to update QuickTime/FairPlay to allow for a time limited DRM to support rentals, if they are going to do so.
I doubt that Apple put out the AppleTV without a plan for it's future. I would also bet that the content and services available today are not what they intended them to be at this point in time. The only way that I think that they will kill it within the next 6 months is if the content owners block Apple out of their distribution channels in favor of other online retail channels. The problem with this is that Apple is generating sales for most of them today with what is currently available and the AppleTV is, to date, the most viable product in it's class for the "averave" consumer. Also there is a wave of demand for online distribution of video content that is they are going to take advantage of or be hounded by pirating via P2P networks as bad as Napster hit the Music industry.
Mainly, consumers want to watch content other than from the iTS. With an iPod, it is simple to use music from elsewhere. With an AppleTV it isn't simple to play video from elsewhere.
Not exactly true... It actually is simple to play video from elsewhere on your AppleTV. Its not as easy as a CD, but folks can get past DRM by simply using Handbrake on their own DVDs. Technically its illegal to copy a DVD, but you'll never get prosecuted for copying your own discs. Its called 'fair use doctrine' and is guaranteed by the first amendment.
The problem keeping lots of people from loading up an AppleTV with MP4s of their favorite DVDs is the excruciating time it takes to encode a movie. We're talking hours for a 90 minute movie at DVD quality. If encoding was alot faster, I think more people would be excited. I know I would.
Apple made a decision long ago to be in the hardware business. Ipods sell like hotcakes. iTMS is a vehicle to sell more ipods. Proof: AAPL analysts mention imac and ipod sales in their articles, not how many copies of Kanye West albums they sold. So they should treat the Apple TV like they did the ipod. Make it as easy as possible to get your movies onto the machine. The problem is they have relationships with studios that they want to keep.
Mac OS Rumors is reporting that the AppleTV will get an upgrade later this month, including an optical drive in some models. I was having a debate over in this thread about that very issue, pointing out that I wouldn't buy an AppleTV unless they put an optical drive in it. A couple of forum posters were pretty adamant that Apple would do no such thing. If MOSR turns out to be correct, then I will be a very happy AppleTV owner very soon.
Does it matter to you if its a next-gen optical drive? I mean, probably 99.5% of the folks considering an Apple TV already have regular 480p DVD players in their living rooms.
Mac OS Rumors is reporting that the AppleTV will get an upgrade later this month, including an optical drive in some models. I was having a debate over in this thread about that very issue, pointing out that I wouldn't buy an AppleTV unless they put an optical drive in it. A couple of forum posters were pretty adamant that Apple would do no such thing. If MOSR turns out to be correct, then I will be a very happy AppleTV owner very soon.
Mac OS Rumors... not "Mac OS Facts".
Mac OS Rumors... not "Mac OS Facts".
So, I'll just quote myself:
If MOSR turns out to be correct, then I will be a very happy AppleTV owner very soon.
Note the word 'if'.
1. iTunes Music Store movies and tv shows look like complete ass on an HDTV — the only thing you can hook an Apple TV up to. HD quality must become a reality before people will seriously consider purchasing their movies in a digital form and streaming it to their shiny HDTVs.
2. Cost. When an 80GB iPod can be had for $249, a 40GB screenless box should not cost $299. Who in their right mind will pay $300 (plus $10-$15 per movie) for the satisfaction of viewing VHS-quality films on their expensive HDTVs?
When the content actually looks good, people will consider an Apple TV (and digital movie downloads) as an alternative to buying/renting DVDs. If the bandwidth and storage space is not to a point yet where this can become a reality, then the Apple TV suffers from being before it's time. But if Apple can pull that off, and market the Apple TV as a "set top player for digital HD content", they could turn the whole HD DVD/Blu-Ray format war inside out.
I would take a Mini over it any day of the week, the only thing missing in the Mini is the GPU that is found in the ATV.
Open up the video formats, and it might not be a total joke of a product. I'd much rather use an Xbox 360 as a media extender - it has a DVD drive, and it can also play games.