What is Digg?109 Comments
- nape, on 01/11/2008, -4/+48I think the Apple TV hasn't done well because Apple still doesn't treat video like it treats audio. If your iPod only played AACs and not mp3s, would you want it? Hell no. The Apple TV needs to support xvid and other codecs people actually use, or at least let us put perian on it easily somehow, and let people rip their own dvds easily, etc. Granted the DVD ripping thing isnt really their fault...
- Doerrt08, on 01/11/2008, -0/+27The Apple TV would have me sold if it supported 1080p videos of all formats...
- elister, on 01/11/2008, -1/+22In order for me to buy this, it needs to support the following..
1) XViD / DiVX / H264
2) HD Content either in TS, MPEG or .MKV format.
3) External Storage (SATA or USB)
4) Network Streaming
If it cant, I see no reason to replace my XBOX1 running XBMC. - ScornForSega, on 01/11/2008, -11/+26Pop in a Blu-Ray drive and at least a terabyte of storage and you'll have my attention. Sure has hell not my money, but my attention definitely.
- Ireland, on 01/11/2008, -4/+18That and being able to buy music, and subscribe to TV over the internet from the couch with an iTunes subscription plan would be cool. Also, I personally think the Apple TV needs a DVD slot for two (big) reasons. The first being convergence, it would allow people to ditch their clunky, bulky DVD players and go with a new smaller and sleeker setup that does more. And it would also allow people to not only download all their new content (well most of it) but play all their old media too, as in their DVD collection - which most have. A DVD slot would not be a step backwards, it would simply make Apple TV more useful, and it damn well needs to be.
- CraigJ, on 01/11/2008, -1/+14BluRay slot...
- ScottyDontKnow, on 01/11/2008, -1/+14*****. I just got one of these for Christmas. Hopefully Santa has still got the receipt.
- tketch, on 01/11/2008, -1/+12A DVD slot? Hmmm.. what device is basically the apple tv with that feature and more? Oh yeah, the Mac Mini. Terrible price point, but very similar features. At least with the Mac Mini and front row, you can still get a wireless keyboard/mouse to surf the net on your tv while media is playing. In addition to Hulu.com's content etc.
- Firehed, on 01/11/2008, -2/+11Because they don't want to have to ***** around with creating a system and setting up all of the networking, cabling, interfaces, codecs, etc. You just plug in the Apple TV, it sees iTunes thanks to Bonjour, and does its thing. I'm all for the DIY approach, but until there's a Linux distro that's media center oriented, AFP/Bonjour aware, and has a nice interface, it's worth the extra $50 to me.
- CraigJ, on 01/11/2008, -0/+8That and 7.1 Surround
- jerkfaceirl, on 01/11/2008, -1/+9I love digging down people who spent a lot of time writing *****.
- diggdean, on 01/11/2008, -0/+8Limiting to 720p halves download bandwidth, disk storage, etc.
But I completely understand 1080p lust.... - dgh1973, on 01/11/2008, -0/+7Yeah, a dvd/blu-ray drive, extra codec support and more space and blamo... THAT's a solid entry into the entertainment center for them.
- grodrigu, on 01/11/2008, -4/+10Add a tv tuner and recording ability, then we'll talk
- NsinU8, on 01/11/2008, -2/+8Apple TV was never really expected to kick ass in sales. Jobs said that it was a hobby when it came out. What company would ever describe a new release as a "hobby" unless they knew it was a half assed effort. Its obvious that it was more of a test and a foot in the door to the growing market for similar devices. I think its time Apple gets serious about this device and hopefully they will at MWSF.
- cjschmidt, on 01/11/2008, -1/+6We don't need a "new" AppleTV, damn it, we just need a software update on the existing one. They aren't going to add a tuner, they probably won't add bluray, and 720p is the most we can hope for from iTunes for a while (and looks fine on most HDTVs).
All they really need to do to make it a success is enable ITMS browsing/purchasing/renting from the sofa and open it up for 3rd party plugins/codecs. - superkendall, on 01/11/2008, -2/+7I've never understood this. Why do I need a tuner if I can download any TV show on demand? I don't want a tuner. I don't want schedules. I just want content. Tuners make devices suck because of needless complexity and mismatched timers vs. schedules.
- EntropyFan, on 01/11/2008, -1/+6AppleTV needs 2 other things as well.
First, the ability to record. Second, it needs the ability to acquire content without a computer, like XBox360 and Tivo.
Unfortunately, with viable rental and on demand services showing up from folks like ComCast (well, they are talking about it anyway; what they deliver remains to be seen), AppleTV might be years too late. - Macskeeball, on 01/11/2008, -0/+4The AppleTV does *NOT* use an embedded OS. Under the hood it's basically an Intel Macthat, last I heard, runs a barely modified version of OS X that can run "real" Mac software. From what I've read and seen, it's much easier to modify than you think,
- phoomp, on 01/11/2008, -2/+6Actually, I believe he called the Apple TV a hobby *well after* it came out and after it was identified by analysts as a poor performer. He certainly didn't call it a hobby when it was first announced. I just hope any software updates are made available to those who adopted the first (beta?) version, rather than cut them off like suckers.
- superkendall, on 01/11/2008, -1/+5No iPod/iPhone support = no sale.
- digitalarcanum, on 01/11/2008, -3/+6considering there was an article for a linux shuttle PC earlier today for 199 (no optical drive) and at newegg you can get a barebone shuttle PC case for around 249 and not be limited with an embedded version of the OS that hackers have to crack open in order to allow anything to be done with it, why does anyone own an apple TV?
- nape, on 01/11/2008, -0/+3see i think thats a hassle. i do use that tho.
- Commodus, on 01/11/2008, -0/+3Wouldn't that basically be a Mac mini with HDMI and component video out? Front Row is very similar on both devices.
- Firehed, on 01/11/2008, -1/+4It doesn't change the download bandwidth at all - iTunes content is still 640x480 or lower. The unit supports GbE and 802.11n, both of which are more than enough to stream 1080p content if you have it. The res is an issue of computing power more than anything else.
- omnivector, on 01/11/2008, -0/+3Then keep dreaming cause it NEVER WILL. If you want this sort of stuff, just install Perian like everyone else. It's not that difficult...
- superkendall, on 01/11/2008, -2/+5The thing is, what other legal online video service are you going to use that doesn't equally lock you down? Best to support the Apple service until Apple becomes so powerful companies are forced to sell DRM free video through Amazon. (See: Digital music).
- WaRdRivR, on 01/11/2008, -1/+4wouldn't bandwidth be an obstacle in respect to Hi-Def films on demand?
- smrekar, on 01/11/2008, -0/+3Get Linux MCE or Get a Mac Mini with VLC. Either of those should work fine.
- MacParrot, on 01/11/2008, -1/+3A Blu-Ray drive (at least for now) and a TB of storage would make it too expensive for most people. A standard DVD player and say a 320 GB drive keeps the costs down. If Apple REALLY wants this thing to be successful, they're going to have to cut profits to the bone on it. Get it in people's hands, have them say nice things about it first. They're fighting some downward publicity based on the sales and reaction by the public to the first AppleTV
- michaelb1, on 01/11/2008, -0/+2I can see a blu-ray burner so you can download and burn movies. I wouldn;t want the terabyte drive without the blu-ray to back it up.
- gharding, on 01/11/2008, -1/+3I want Blu-ray and full HD support. Support for matroska right out of the box would rule, too.
- Firehed, on 01/11/2008, -1/+3It already does support H264 and network streaming (though H264 has to be in the right container format and the network streaming is only from iTunes). I agree by and large, but the device is designed with ease of use in mind - iTunes delivers this for most people. It's too simplistic to please everyone but that's true of almost everything, and it's a tradeoff between ease of use and features. Now I see no reason that they couldn't easily add all four of these featuers properly and still keep ease of use (1 and 2 are done in software, 3 is easy enough in rev2, and 4 can be changed in software as well and implemented effectively in a number of ways, each of which will piss at least someone off).
- Muzz27, on 01/11/2008, -1/+3If the next iteration of Apple TV comes with DVR functionality built in, I'll be the first in line.
- MacnCidar, on 01/11/2008, -0/+2The geeks amongst us should just build our own Linux (or OS X) box as an entertainment hub. At the least, I'd want a customized Mac Mini, but really why not a box that does EVERYTHING and is infinitely configureable and upgradeable?
- jeepin, on 01/11/2008, -2/+4Okay, here's the deal:
There are a couple things inherently wrong with Apple TV:
1. No TV Tuner; and an analog tuner won't cut it. If this thing is going to be a device for me to watch TV with, it better replace my HD Digital Tuner box. I can't live without HD, and Apple should know this. And although this should go without saying: yes, I want to be able to record.
2. No optical drive. Wait--I can watch movie files with this device, but if I want to watch a DVD (I won't be picky about HD/Blu-Ray for now), I have to switch inputs on my receiver and set up the DVD player? What does a DVD drive cost these days in bulk? A buck or two? I think we can do better.
3. No web browser. I have this device that's connected to my home LAN, streaming video and music from my home network--but I can't browse the Internet? Even the Wii (and although I love the Wii, the online features have been quite pitiful when compared to other online gaming experiences [ref: Xbox Live]) has online browsing capabilities.
Enter: Mac Mini. Throw a digital TV tuner in it and HDMI out, and you will have the PERFECT Apple TV. It really is that simple.
As for price point, I'll happily pay Apple dollars for it. I look at Apple to provide me with quality products (ref: iPhone)---and I'm willing to pay more for quality products.
Don't let me down, Apple. - Macskeeball, on 01/11/2008, -0/+2That depends on the movie studios allowing Apple to do that.
- nbx909, on 01/11/2008, -1/+3Personally the best move would be to basically use the mac mini make it have tv inputs and outputs, DVR features, and of course the blu-ray/dvd drive and make it run OS X media version or something that's basically front row + internet.
- johnpaul191, on 01/13/2008, -0/+2i think the problem with supplying your own content is that *legally* it seems ripping your own DVDs is illegal, while ripping CDs is commonplace. that's why the MPAA is trying to stay ahead of the wave and block some sort of movie jukebox software. Apple took a lot of crap from the record labels with the Rip Mix Burn ads. If they want to sell/rent films from the major studios, they have to play along to some degree. even if it's legal, the studios treat it as illegal and will not budge on that point.
Musicians/bands can pretty easily tell the major labels off and still make music. It's hard to privately finance a $100million film. that's why the movie studios are at an advantage in negotiations. at some point they will sign deals with Apple etc when more people realize that it costs a lot of money to subscribe to HBO/Stars/Showtime/etc when you could just stream the films you want. I would think the studios would make more money from this direct method, and they would know exactly how many people are watching what films. Obviously Comcast/Time-Warner are going to fight it, and may be in a unique position to do that if they are your ISP. - pixelpimp, on 01/11/2008, -0/+2http://mattciaglia.com/appleDreams.html
- Ireland, on 01/13/2008, -0/+2There's no de for a DVR when you can pick what you want and play. Recording is overrated, I'd rather watch it.
- Ireland, on 01/13/2008, -0/+2You're correct, I've being saying this for "ages". Who would need Tuners or DVR's if you can pick what you want and download it on demand? No one.
- relentless1914, on 01/14/2008, -0/+1Ahh but think bigger. Wouldn't it be an awesome distribution platform for independents if they could find a way to monetize and share revenues with content creators large and small?
If they managed to do that, I'd buy it since I think most of us are looking for new sources of content.. - michaelb1, on 01/11/2008, -0/+1YES! Waiting for some movies and games to justify by 7.1 system that i put my blood, sweat and tears into installing.
- pixelpimp, on 01/12/2008, -1/+2Doh! Well in my fantastical product design mind is dissipates heat!
- bloodguard, on 01/11/2008, -1/+2But they do. As a test I just requeued a couple of BG episodes and the first two Borne Identity moves to download to my Tivo. They'll be sitting there waiting when I get home tonight. I'd rather let amazon hold my library and not have to waste the time and money to archive TBs of video.
- timusca, on 01/11/2008, -0/+1All I really want is external storage options so I can use that USB port on it, on-screen purchasing/rentals, and a slot for DVD. A Blu-Ray slot would be great, but not a must since it will likely jack the price up about $300.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but external storage and on-screen purchases can be done with a software update, right? After all, that USB port has been hacked already for external storage... - Vtorch, on 01/11/2008, -0/+1All this makes sense, especially with the rumors of an Apple TV rental service. What needs to happen is for Apple TV and iTunes to support HD.
- MacnCidar, on 01/11/2008, -0/+1Elgato eyeTV USB stick. Piece of cake. http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/home.en.h ...
- logandurand, on 01/12/2008, -0/+1What could be easier than not having to worry about codecs? Just drag and drop media onto it. That simple.
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