Apple TV app?

[jeremymc7]

Re: Apple TV app?

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but I recently bought the Apple TV just for the NBA league pass. I didn't realise what a cool device this is. The interface is lush. I wish Apple would come to the table and add Vudu on this thing! I know Vudu is a competitor but Microsoft & Sony have Vudu and they have their own movie store. I guess Apple is a behemoth and can't be touched by tiny Vudu *sigh* anyway I would love to use this more. Looking forward to streaming the NBA on it this year though.

Don't think competition will be an issue here. When and if Apple opens and app store I'm sure Vudu / UltraViolet will be supported. Apple supports it on the Mac, iPhone & iPad. There is no reason they would exclude it on AppleTV.

It's just that they are excluding all (user add on) App's at the moment.

[Lunchbox]

Re: Apple TV app?

Totally off subject, but I notices 11k + views on this topic and was wondering if that many people are interested in getting Apple TV?

[jeremymc7]

Re: Apple TV app?

Totally off subject, but I notices 11k + views on this topic and was wondering if that many people are interested in getting Apple TV?

I have an AppleTV. It sit's idle 99% of the time.

Reasons my AppleTV sits idle:

• Majority of my collection is UV not iTunes
• UV is mostly 1080P, iTunes, not so much
• Vudu has 3D 7.1, iTunes uh no
• UV comes with most BD, iTunes, not so much
• iRadio acts more like Pandora and less like MOG or Google All Access.
• On, and on.

Sad thing is my house is cluttered with multiple other Apple phones, computers, etc. It's only the AppleTV that doesn't get used.

[aced411]

Re: Apple TV app?

I understand your concerns. However, I believe the future of Ultraviolet is bright.

--UV is still spreading around the world
--Nearly every studio is on board (Disney being the only real hold out)
--More and more blu-rays are being released with UV
--Several providers offer disc-to-digital (you won't find this on iTunes)
--UV movies may be viewed through more than just one service provider

As for Vudu, its HDX files are 1080p and many include 5.1 (some even offer 7.1) Dolby Digital Plus surround sound. Vudu has yet to launch its service in many other territories beyond North America. Yes, it has Walmart as its backbone. In the unlikely event that Walmart decides to "pull out," Vudu itself could be sold to another corporation (ie Disney!).

Disney has failed to successfully launch its own proprietary streaming digital service and the company has already stated that it is "watching" the development of Ultraviolet. Disney is aware that it's the last major studio to not join Ultraviolet. Disney is a money-making machine. It will pursue all viable opportunities for increased revenue.

What does this suggest?

To me it signals that Disney has a couple options. The company can make a third effort to develop its own streaming service. The company could outright buy Apple Computer (before you laugh consider that no one in their right mind would ever have thought Disney would buy ABC). Buying Apple Computer would give Disney full control over iTunes, thus making the service its exclusive digital outlet. Disney is tech-savvy and it will evolve to meet and supply the demands of our technology driven society.

Ultraviolet didn't exist at the time Disney partnered with iTunes. Disney could be waiting for an exclusivity agreement with Apple iTunes to expire before it can join Ultraviolet. And to those who say the Disney-Pixar-Apple connection is solid (and I am sure that it is), let's face it: Steve Jobs is dead. Jobs didn't own Disney. My guess is he had no control over whether or not Disney could pursue other options (outside of iTunes) for streaming digital media. After all, Disney did make failed attempts to develop its own streaming service despite its iTunes partnership.

In the end, I believe Disney will join Ultraviolet. UV is a rapidly-growing alternative to iTunes. Studios that have already joined Ultraviolet see it as a way to expand their digital business without being locked into a single portal (iTunes).

As long as the consumer continues to embrace UV movies and TV shows and turn to service providers such as Vudu, Flixster and CinemaNow, the streaming digital business will grow.

A strong lure for movie-loving consumers is getting free UV codes when buying blu-ray discs (and DVDs). Revenue will increase as those who redeem their UV codes discover alternative buying and rental options through services such as Vudu.

Additionally, early digital releases will become the norm and that will also attract more consumers to buy or rent streaming movies from Vudu and other sources. If those movies are UV enabled, that will further enhance acceptance of Ultraviolet. Many people still have no idea what UV is, but that will change over time.

The attractiveness of UV is that the consumer will "own" their movie file in a "digital locker." Many of the good people here on Vudu have already amassed large (and continually growing) digital movie (and TV) libraries. The quality is there. The convenience is there.

Can pricing be better? Perhaps. Watch for sales. Look for more early digital releases. Look for alluring prices (the early release of Life of Pi is $14.99 on Vudu). Look for more of Walmart's disc preorder offerings that often includes a Vudu/UV file that can be viewed in advance of the actual disc release. Home D2D will get better and more convenient once the bugs are all ironed out.

Combine all of the information above and make your own decisions about the future of Ultraviolet. I could be wrong, but I believe Ultraviolet is here to say -- and we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg with this relatively new alternative to iTunes.

The icing on the cake will come when Disney inevitably joins Ultraviolet. In my opinion, that day is not all that far away.

You've mixed up few things in your assesment:

• Disney and ABC have had multiple partnerships going back to the 50's. It's no surprise
• The CEO of Disney is on the Apple board of Directors
• Apple is one of highest valued companies in the world. Disney couldn't buy them if they tried

[Lunchbox]

Re: Apple TV app?

I have an AppleTV. It sit's idle 99% of the time.

Reasons my AppleTV sits idle:

• Majority of my collection is UV not iTunes
• UV is mostly 1080P, iTunes, not so much
• Vudu has 3D 7.1, iTunes uh no
• UV comes with most BD, iTunes, not so much
• iRadio acts more like Pandora and less like MOG or Google All Access.
• On, and on.

Sad thing is my house is cluttered with multiple other Apple phones, computers, etc. It's only the AppleTV that doesn't get used.

Thanks for the info. I've been using xbox as my vudu player, though the xbox 360 does not have 1080p. So sad.

[jeremymc7]

Re: Apple TV app?

Thanks for the info. I've been using xbox as my vudu player, though the xbox 360 does not have 1080p. So sad.

You could pick up a used one or two year old 3D Blu-Ray player with Vudu App for $50 off eBay and be rocking 3D 1080P Vudu.

Provided you don't mind adding ONE more box.

[Guest]

Re: Apple TV app?

Thanks for the info. I've been using xbox as my vudu player, though the xbox 360 does not have 1080p. So sad.

The Xbox 360 does have 1080p.

[Jerry8169]

Re: Apple TV app?

The Xbox 360 does have 1080p.

It does when you use the hdmi cable, absolutely. But, if like me, the hdmi port stops working, not all tvs will allow 1080p when using component video cables. I can choose 1080i or 720p, but not 1080p and have it display on the tv. If I choose 1080p, which it does allow, all I get is a black screen. Now, this may be more of a limitation of my tv than of the xbox, but it is something that I personally have to live with since I don't find it annoying enough to pay for its repair.

[echopulse]

Re: Apple TV app?

There's also the option with Mavericks to display your screen on your Apple TV, then you can play it through the browser. Or, you could get a Roku. They are cheap and work great!

[Lunchbox]

Re: Apple TV app?

You could pick up a used one or two year old 3D Blu-Ray player with Vudu App for $50 off eBay and be rocking 3D 1080P Vudu.

Provided you don't mind adding ONE more box.

Good idea. Especially since the disc tray seems to be playing out. Last movie I put in it made a crunching noise and sounded like a car running. And it takes at least 6 tries to get the tray to open.

[Lunchbox]

Re: Apple TV app?

It does when you use the hdmi cable, absolutely. But, if like me, the hdmi port stops working, not all tvs will allow 1080p when using component video cables. I can choose 1080i or 720p, but not 1080p and have it display on the tv. If I choose 1080p, which it does allow, all I get is a black screen. Now, this may be more of a limitation of my tv than of the xbox, but it is something that I personally have to live with since I don't find it annoying enough to pay for its repair.

I had noticed a post how Vudu on a blu-ray player looked better than Vudu on a xbox then followed the info and did some research. (Which was just a back and forth of it does have and does not have.)

I don't know if the info was accurate, but it stated the xbox does not have actual 1080p; it just upscales.
Does anyone know if that's true?

I compared a xbox Vudu app movie in HDX, then the same movie on a blu-ray player Vudu app using the same HDMI and TV. You see a noticeable difference. Anyone figure this out let me know.

[Lunchbox]

Re: Apple TV app?

I forgot, I had bought an xbox HD drive when they first came out. I had Transformers which I also own the hdx on Vudu. When I play Transformers on Vudu on the Xbox it does not look as good as the HD player. Very noticeable difference. This is also why I do not believe the xbox is true 1080p. But anywho.

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: Apple TV app?

I forgot, I had bought an xbox HD drive when they first came out. I had Transformers which I also own the hdx on Vudu. When I play Transformers on Vudu on the Xbox it does not look as good as the HD player. Very noticeable difference. This is also why I do not believe the xbox is true 1080p. But anywho.

PS3 --> HDMI = 1080p. Processor smokes the Roku by a mile too.

Just FYI.

[Lunchbox]

Re: Apple TV app?

PS3 --> HDMI = 1080p. Processor smokes the Roku by a mile too.

Just FYI.

lol very true. I'm waiting for my xbox to die before I buy any new system.

[jeremymc7]

Re: Apple TV app?

Going to vary.

Some systems are going to upsample. Others will not. Also depends on the type of signal you're feeding it and what it's connected to. Not to mention how, as you saw with the issues with your HDMI port. Even the circuits can of course make a difference. Two Blu-Ray players with Vudu app's that both output 1080P withOUT upsampling (True 1080P) can have vastly different picture quality based on the quality of the components. IE Chevy V6, Ford V6, Audi V6, Porsche V6, etc.