Next Apple TV

Jump to First Reply
Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited January 2014
Are we finally going to get 1080p and a Blu-Ray player (doubt the Blu-Ray will happen)? That's all I want. A larger hard drive would be good too. Any ideas?
«1

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 27
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DGMVW View Post


    Are we finally going to get 1080p and a Blu-Ray player (doubt the Blu-Ray will happen)? That's all I want. A larger hard drive would be good too. Any ideas?



    Personally, all I want is a bit of a beefed up processor (maybe, 1.6 core duo?), or at least a beefed up co-processor/video card that can do High Profile instead of just Main Profile for h.264. Playing High Profile mkv files, or higher bitrate H.264 with High Profile features (for better quality) would be sweet.



    I have zero use for an optical drive on my Apple TV. Ripping all my movies, so that I have a huge VoD library is what I want. I currently have a 500GB external drive plugged into my AppleTV, and it has 40 movies loaded up on it. As fast as I can rip my HD DVD/DVD collection, I am loading up the AppleTV.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 27
    hmurchisonhmurchison Posts: 12,464member
    I think the Apple TV will have to move to specialized chips and a more SoC design to accomodate 1080p. Plus I'm hoping for a Leopard core and webkit access.



    No Blu-ray or any optical for that matter. That market is handled nicely by current vendors.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 27
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by kupan787 View Post


    As fast as I can rip my HD DVD/DVD collection, I am loading up the AppleTV.



    How are you ripping them? Are you transcoding? It was my understanding that the AppleTV does not support MPEG2.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 27
    the most poular way seems to be to use"Handbrake" to rip from the DVD to an mp4/h264
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 27
    you can hook up an external drive to appletv?
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 6 of 27
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by shady104 View Post


    you can hook up an external drive to appletv?



    I think so
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 7 of 27
    but you have to hack it right?
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 8 of 27
    marzetta7marzetta7 Posts: 1,323member
    I'm hoping for a 1080p Apple TV with a Blu-ray (BD) recording drive. Why? I think it would be sweet if the next Apple TV came with DVR functionality as well, and it would quite a treat if we could record those high-def shows we like and off-load them onto next-gen optical media in Blu-ray, not to mention use the Apple TV as a digital hub for Blu-ray movies, recorded high def content via high-def tv providers on BD discs, and purchased high-def content via Apple's a la carte services via iTunes.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 9 of 27
    I think apple waiting for the cabe card mess to fixed before they make a DVR.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 10 of 27
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Isomorphic View Post


    How are you ripping them? Are you transcoding? It was my understanding that the AppleTV does not support MPEG2.



    Yes, I am transcoding to H.264 (for both HD-DVD and DVD). I use Handbrake for DVDs, and a combination of tools on my Mac and PC for HD DVDs (unfortunately the tools aren't completely there for Mac HD DVD ripping).



    I have Perian installed on my AppleTV, so that I can also watch Xvid files. I recently setup Bittorrent with an RSS reader to download all my TV shows. Say what you will, but I pay for cable TV so I feel comfortable downloading the shows that I am otherwise already paying for. Add that to the fact, that all of what I download is freely available as OTA HD broadcasts...



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by shady104 View Post


    you can hook up an external drive to appletv?



    Yes you can, with a bit of "hacking". But in all honesty, it has gotten very simple.



    1) Create a PatchStick (this is a simple process now, you run a single file and it does all the work)

    2) Boot AppleTV with PatchStick inserted.

    3) After the install is done, run AwkwardTV, and select NitoTV to be installed.

    4) Run the NitoTV install on the AppleTV to setup external Hard Drive support.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 11 of 27
    hujibhujib Posts: 117member
    I don't see why Apple doesn't enable the USB 2.0 port so that one could connect an external optical drive. I'm sure the onboard software and CPU could handle the playback. It would also open up the possibility for companies like LaCie to develop stackable drive enclosures to match.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 12 of 27
    gugygugy Posts: 794member
    AppleTV wishes:



    ?1080p

    ?larger HD drive (500gig?)

    ?5.1 audio

    ?TV and Movie rentals in hi-def. or at least DVD def.

    ?$199 and $299 price points.



    Now, it would be great, but I am not holding my breath

    ?DVR

    ?Blu-ray drive.



    I am skeptical of the both items above because. First, both would fight with Apple's strategy to sell more content from iTunes and second a Blu-ray drive would make AppleTV an expensive toy and finally third content providers like movie studios and TV networks will not like to have DVR on it. So I am pretty sure it won't happen.

    At least I hope by MWSF AppleTV 2.0 will be here.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 13 of 27
    irelandireland Posts: 17,802member
    It needs more storage, 1080p capability, 5.1 surround sound and a standard format DVD slot.





    Here's an image of what such a DVD slot "COULD" look like:





    As for that DVR, now that's just never gonna happen. Over time Apple will likely be looking for people to get an iTunes (TV Show) subscription. Once you subscribe, you can download whatever TV show you want, and get it beamed straight to your TV, thus making the DVR irrelevant. What the Apple TV really needs for this to become mainstream though is some way to do this without needing to turn on your computer to do so - as in direct iTunes Store connectivity. Enabling such features would also allow people to rent or buy movies, or buy music from their couch.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 14 of 27
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Hujib View Post


    I don't see why Apple doesn't enable the USB 2.0 port so that one could connect an external optical drive. I'm sure the onboard software and CPU could handle the playback. It would also open up the possibility for companies like LaCie to develop stackable drive enclosures to match.



    People are already hooking up DVD drives to the USB port and playing DVDs, or ripping DVDs straight to the Hard Drive using NitoTV.



    My full wish list:



    Intel L7300 Processor (Low voltage 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo)

    512MB RAM

    Ability to play H.264 video with resolution upto 1920x1080p, bitrates upto 8000mbps, and High Profile support.

    10/100/1000 Ethernet

    802.11n Wireless

    Bluetooth

    80 GB 2.5" hard drive

    Full use of USB port (so drivers for USB Mass Storage, Keyboard, hubs, etc)

    Full Quicktime codec support, with ability to add 3rd party codecs easily

    Full dev-kit released to make more full feature 3rd party apps

    Music, Movies, and TV shows download from iTunes Store on the device (Videos should be 720p)
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 15 of 27
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by kupan787 View Post


    People are already hooking up DVD drives to the USB port and playing DVDs, or ripping DVDs straight to the Hard Drive using NitoTV.



    My full wish list:



    Intel L7300 Processor (Low voltage 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo)

    512MB RAM

    Ability to play H.264 video with resolution upto 1920x1080p, bitrates upto 8000mbps, and High Profile support.

    10/100/1000 Ethernet

    802.11n Wireless

    Bluetooth

    80 GB 2.5" hard drive

    Full use of USB port (so drivers for USB Mass Storage, Keyboard, hubs, etc)

    Full Quicktime codec support, with ability to add 3rd party codecs easily

    Full dev-kit released to make more full feature 3rd party apps

    Music, Movies, and TV shows download from iTunes Store on the device (Videos should be 720p)



    Now that would make it worth buying.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 16 of 27
    vineavinea Posts: 5,585member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Ireland View Post


    Here's an image of what such a DVD slot "COULD" look like:



    No. It couldn't. We've already had this discussion. Your "photoshop a black line to aTV" design assumes that there's space for a drive. There isn't. You'd have to add 50-75% additional height to the existing aTV.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 17 of 27
    vineavinea Posts: 5,585member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by buddha View Post


    Now that would make it worth buying.



    Yes, but it would cost what a mini costs...
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 18 of 27
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by vinea View Post


    Yes, but it would cost what a mini costs...



    Nah, if it costs what a mini costs, it would need a lot more. I was thinking this "FullHD AppleTV" would cost $399



    The current mini has the following over "my" AppleTV:



    An optical drive

    1 GB memory

    Faster Processor

    More USB and Firewire ports

    Full copy of Mac OS X



    If you want to hit $299, just upgrade the processor and video capabilities (leave RAM, hard drive, and networking the same).
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 19 of 27
    I did a little thinking ... what are the chances that Apple is reserving the name "iTV ... or iTelevision" for something with a screen.... I'm thinking that they will eventually incorporate a hard drive into slim apple style TV that converges your television and computer seamlessly. Just think: aTV and cinema display fusion with some speakers and other little ad ons. Who knows maybe even a built in cable box? Steve Jobs has said that there are a lot more partnerships in store for Apple. I'm thinking Apple will get into the television business shortly... they already make 30" displays.
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 20 of 27
    An ability to browse with safari would be nice too
     0Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
Sign In or Register to comment.