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Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

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    #61
    Re: Very interesting.....

    Originally posted by Nded View Post
    Interesting footnote on http://www.apple.com/appletv/



    The website also indicates that all SD titles are in stereo (see tech specs link below). Could somebody please point me to the Apple Corp. supported discussion forum where customers and non-customers get to whale on Apple over and over again about how this is the end of the world?

    When you go a little deeper to http://www.apple.com/appletv/rentals.html you learn that they are very careful to exclude HD instant viewing.



    It's not yet clear how many seconds are required for SD viewing to begin. You can bet NA9D will let us know as soon as his AppleTV gets the 2.0 update. All Vudu owners will be receiving the instant HD update later this month (4MB internet connection of course). It will be interesting to see what weight the independent critics put on truly instant gratification.

    Now when you jump on over to the Technical Specs at http://www.apple.com/appletv/specs.html you learn that 720P is as good as it gets. No 1080i output, and don't even think about the truly superior "true to film" 1080p 24fps output. It also looks like SD content (rated at 640x480) is compressed to require 1.5M (or less) internet service. It will be interesting to hear what Jon sees when he watches the same SD title side-by-side on the two platforms.

    The one thing I never noticed before was that the Apple TV does not have composite or s-video outputs. That leaves out a fairly significant install base, and don't tell me otherwise, or we wouldn't be seeing our wonderful federal government offering coupons on digital STB's to save the free world.

    All things considered, I still think this is good news, as we get to see more pressure on the studios to support the new media.
    All due respect, but I don't think Jon is best qualified to give his review of the side by side comparisons. His loyalties are readily apparent.

    The appletv really doesn't have composite or s-video outs? That is interesting. Does apple have a workaround or do they suggest this is only for TVs with component or better inputs?

    Comment


      #62
      Re: Very interesting.....

      Originally posted by bqmeister View Post
      All due respect, but I don't think Jon is best qualified to give his review of the side by side comparisons. His loyalties are readily apparent.
      Sure beats somebody with a hidden agenda like the folks in the media who are so in love with Apple that in their eyes Apple can do no wrong. Then again, if you cut Jon, he does bleed Apple blood (long time PC/Apple sparring has passed between us over the years), so he's at least got mixed feelings on the matter. Of course I would hope that anybody else who owns both will please be forthcoming with benchmarks and comparisons. I'll be especially interested in learning if they have found a few tricks to squeeze decent looking SD video using dractically reduced bandwidth.

      The appletv really doesn't have composite or s-video outs? That is interesting. Does apple have a workaround or do they suggest this is only for TVs with component or better inputs?
      Did you look at the specifications link http://www.apple.com/appletv/specs.html I posted? They clearly state in footnote #7 that AppleTV "Requires HDMI with HDCP or component video." No ifs, ands, or buts on that, and the pictures are worth a 1000 words. I remember hearing people gripe about no support for their 4:3 TV's when the thing first came out, but I never looked at the details till today.

      Comment


        #63
        Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

        I think apple is crazy for not putting composite/s-video. I just looked at the specs.

        That alone is enough to keep me from buying one (today). My family room TV is a 60" rear projector with composite & s-video only. I've got a projector, but I'd want to be able to use any device in both rooms.
        No immediate plans to replace my TV so until I do, Vudu wins for me.

        :down: to apple for this mistake.

        Comment


          #64
          Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

          Originally posted by bqmeister View Post
          With apple, you still buy the product. Same end-user experience, except apple gets your money and vudu doesn't.
          Apple doesn't advertise streaming as heavily as vudu but that doesn't mean it won't be supported for high speed customers.
          Wouldn't it be better to KNOW? People have complained about being misled because they weren't specifically told something didn't work like they expected it to. Sounds like a marketing fiasco for Apple.

          Comment


            #65
            Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

            Originally posted by redwein View Post
            Wouldn't it be better to KNOW? People have complained about being misled because they weren't specifically told something didn't work like they expected it to. Sounds like a marketing fiasco for Apple.
            Touche.




            But not really. Apple says if you have broadband, SD will be available in about 30 seconds and HD will be available later.

            It seems like worst case - SD will be available instantly and HD may be available instantly as well. Here apple promises something very low and delivers a MUCH better experience than advertised to some users. Everyone gets what's advertised. Some may get better based on their internet speeds.

            WinWinWin

            Comment


              #66
              Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

              Originally posted by bqmeister View Post
              WinWinWin
              No way, I expect instant viewing with HD and Vudu has told me how to get it. I would assume that Apple will give it to me and if it didn't, I would junk the box in favor of Vudu. It would not be a win at all if they can't give me clear direction about the network requirements for HD instant viewing.

              You can't use the argument that, because they didn't specifically promise it here, then not giving it is good and if Vudu doesn't specifically promise something and doesn't give it, they have misleading marketing.

              Comment


                #67
                Re: Very interesting.....

                Originally posted by bqmeister View Post
                All due respect, but I don't think Jon is best qualified to give his review of the side by side comparisons. His loyalties are readily apparent.

                The appletv really doesn't have composite or s-video outs? That is interesting. Does apple have a workaround or do they suggest this is only for TVs with component or better inputs?
                Who are you to judge my loyalties. I have every interest in seeing Apple succeed. I own 640 shares of Apple stock. My cost for those shares was about $5.00. You do the math to see how much I have made on it and how much I want AppleTV to be a killer product.

                I own about 4 or 5 Macs. I have about 6 iPods.

                DO NOT QUESTION MY JUDGEMENT!

                I'm loyal to Vudu as well and love the product. Given that I have fierce loyalties to the products from both companies, I'm a far better choice than some dodo head wanna be reporter from a hack place like Engadget or Gizmodo or some wanna be blogger who works at JC Penny.

                If Vudu sucks at something I have no problem saying it and I think my record is clear on that.

                I will give a side by side and unbiased report for sure.

                Also, 30 seconds is "instant"??? WOW! What planet do you live on...

                Comment


                  #68
                  Re: Very interesting.....

                  A sample of posts:

                  Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

                  Quote:
                  Originally Posted by bqmeister
                  So will vudu lower new release HD prices by a buck?

                  $5.99 for an HD rental is gonna hurt vudu.
                  --------------------------------------------------

                  Oh gimme a break. Buy one less coffee at Starbuck's for Pete's sake!
                  __________________
                  Du U VuDU? I Do!

                  - The Original Vudu-Boy!


                  I still would have to take your review with a grain of salt.

                  Comment


                    #69
                    Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

                    Originally posted by bqmeister View Post
                    If we're talking content, doesn't apple have more than 5000 titles in the entire store?
                    Actually, I counted it one day when I was bored, and they have 719 movies or so, as of a week or so ago.

                    Originally posted by bqmeister View Post
                    There are a significant amount of TV Shows available. Apple won't lose the content war.
                    That is definately something VUDU needs to work on if they want to compete in the TV realm.

                    Comment


                      #70
                      Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

                      Originally posted by NA9D View Post
                      It does right now. But with 40 Gigs of storage, you have to store it on your computer. Then you have to sync the computer with the AppleTV to get the movies, or you have to go and choose to stream from your iTunes Library. Changing to streaming from iTunes takes a while with a large library of songs and all because the AppleTV has to load and process all the XML data in order to get the menus set up. Seriously, it takes about 1 to 2 minutes sometimes to do this. And iTunes has to be running on the serving machine.
                      Previously, video content for Apple TV needed to be ordered on a computer (Windows/Mac) and then streamed from that PC's hard drive to the Apple TV. The updated Apple TV will allow direct access to the iTunes Store, so you can buy or rent movies and TV shows directly--no PC intermediary required. (Music can also be purchased, as well.)

                      Comment


                        #71
                        Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

                        Originally posted by rstone View Post
                        Actually, I counted it one day when I was bored, and they have 719 movies or so, as of a week or so ago.
                        I said titles though. I wasn't clear. I meant tv shows as well.

                        Comment


                          #72
                          Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

                          Maybe this will push VUDU to have a sale. I really want to get one, but not at $400. I lost out on one on Ebay today. Although I see a few more popped up within the last couple of days.
                          Hopefully I'll be able to get a VUDU before the end of the month.

                          Comment


                            #73
                            Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

                            Originally posted by bqmeister View Post
                            And I don't want to pay $170 more for a hard drive I don't need, when I have the storage on my server.
                            Vudu should offer a $150 vudu with an 80gig drive. The cost should be lower than apple to offset the lack of functionality as compared to appletv.
                            I don't know if I would call that Video On Demand. Especially, if you have to copy them manually off your server, and then onto your device, to make them available for the Apple TV. It sounds more like, Video once you go to your PC and sync it with your Apple TV demand.

                            Comment


                              #74
                              Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

                              Originally posted by NA9D View Post
                              I've merged the two duplicate threads.

                              This is good news for the VOD industry. Vudu still has many more movies available but it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
                              I agree, competition always results in better products for the consumer in the end. As I see it, the things that Apple does better, be it content or features, will only be a good thing for us in the end as it will force VUDU to add content or features its missing, sooner than otherwise, in order to compete with Apple.

                              Comment


                                #75
                                Re: Apple TV take 2: 100 hd titles today

                                I must admit I am disappointed in my Vudu box. I remember adding a comment to one of these forums last year on how I thought how the menu navigation and view of Apple's Front Row system for viewing trailers was so much easier and more visually appealing than Vudu's tiny font, lack of trailers and bothersome backclicking to view genre menus. I suggested Vudu copy Frontrow's menu system, or at least mimic it as much as possible. Big bright covers, good descriptions, trailers for every single film and easy easy practical navigation. Now with Apple TV2 using it I don't think I will be using my Vudu much more. I constantly battle with the fact that many of the films I want to watch with Vudu are "purchase only". Who wants to pay 19$ for a movie these days, especially since you can't trade it or loan it to a friend like you can buying a DVD? I sure don't . Apple has seen the light and from the start offers what most want. Renting movies, easily and attractively. Not a hunting experience with lots of back clicking and menu shuffling only to find out the one you want is not rentable. Vudu is a great idea but sadly its thunder has been stolen. I only wish viewing and accessing movies on Vudu was as sexy as the box that surrounds them.

                                Comment

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