Comments on: Apple TV, the third cousin once removed?

By: Kenny

Kenny — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:22:23 +0000

Something I believe would be a huge bonus for Apple TV owners would be the ability to specify the network location containing all of their media without the requirement that you must point it at another PC or Mac running iTunes. When the media is stored on a Network-attached Storage (NAS) device, this is not an efficient streaming solution (computer to router to NAS to router to computer to router to apple tv…) – not to mention this solution forces you to leave the computer running iTunes running constantly. This is #1 on my wish list, with DVD rentals coming in 2nd.

By: Arvin

Arvin — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 08:21:32 +0000

@Galley: I love speculation, I love sources, if you have a moment to talk and share anything, please do let me know :D

By: Galley

Galley — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:45:35 +0000

All I can say is that is has something to do with the authentication chips required for video output. ;)

By: Clark

Clark — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:03:05 +0000

A lot of people don’t want an AppleTV as a DVR because they have either Dish or DirectTV. Now if Apple were to build the receiver for Dish… Wow, that’d be fantastic!

By: Arvin

Arvin — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 03:29:20 +0000

@Galley: you’ve peeked my curiosity, “sources”? What else are they, or aren’t they saying?

By: Galley

Galley — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:27:56 +0000

@ YodaMac: my sources tell me that Apple is working on a solution for Apple TV and iPods to be able to play back the same file. I think you will be extremely happy if you own a current generation iPod!

By: Arvin

Arvin — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:49:12 +0000

-YodaMac

Brilliant stuff. Makes me want a QuadCore. I’ve been thinking about a Smart Codec idea too, one file that supports playback on multiple devices at multiple screen resolutions.

You have hit one thing though, consumer viewing preference. Everyone seems different. Some prefer to archive their own media, be able to retain rights to it and physically own it. For others cost becomes a factor and they settle on downloading or renting.

For the Apple TV to succeed it needs to strike a chord with all types of viewing habits. For those who are digital packrats, it needs storage space, and a vast array of available content. For the miserly user, it needs cheap rentals, cheap purchases but with more flexible viewing freedom (where and when to watch the video). There needs to be a one stop solution that appeases everyone, and I felt a purchase/subscription model satisfied that.

Purchasing allows users similar to you, to download to own their videos, and maintain them forever. Whereas users perhaps more like me, could subscribe to a show and borrow new episodes as they are released and delete them when watched. But I find myself in between. If I love something, I want access to it whenever and wherever I am. In that case movies become very similar to music. I need it, I need it now. And the miser in me says don’t buy it, so what do I have left to do? If network companies offered an EXTENSIVE archive of ALL their TV shows, movies, etc, for a monthly fee, I’d be satisfied. And I believe you could be too.

By: YodaMac

YodaMac — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:38:18 +0000

My Apple TV has worked fine from day one, and it has no problem going to sleep and having to re-connect to my wireless network. The only time I ever have to put in my password again is if I unplug or re-boot it.

That being said, I really was hoping that Apple was making a seriously mad dash to online video in 2007, and I hoped this would be the last year I ever had to buy DVDs… but not so…

I’m not interested in a DVD player included, because the whole point for me is to get AWAY from DVDs and other “hard” media.

If I love a movie then I want to own it, and if I don’t bother seeing it in the theatre then I probably wont ever bother seeing it – therefore I rarely rent anything, and would prefer to buy and own the movie, TV show, etc. from iTunes though my Apple TV.

Yes there will be download times sure, but those will eventually be less than the time it takes me to rip & handbrake a DVD currently. (My QuadCore G5 can handle about 6 or 8 movies overnight – so I’ve got over 100 movies I now watch on my Apple TV)

What I also want to see is a “smart” codec that allows you to own one HD version of a movie, and have it somehow be smart enough for lower end (iPod, iPhone) devices to play the same file.

I too hope to see the Apple TV move to the forefront in 2008, but after 2007′s slow pace I’m not holding my breath…

By: Michael Lawler

Michael Lawler — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:22:32 +0000

Whatever happened to the HD format?
are you going to blu-ray only?

confused

By: Galley

Galley — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:38:37 +0000

Let’s hope Apple TV 2.0 is better suited for automotive installations!