Apple Coming to Your Living Room

[roma_turok]

This wasn't the only significant announcement from Apple though. The Apple TV product was also finally revealed, and we've already begun discussing the inevitable trademark issues Apple will have the chosen naming.

The Apple TV device will allow the playback of standard-definition and high-definition content downloaded via your PC or Mac over the Internet via the ubiquitous iTunes. This content can then be sync'd to the device, similar to an iPod except via the built-in wireless connection. The device will then play back the SD or HD content on a widescreen TV.


The device is expected to be launched in February at a price of $299. It contains a 40GB hard-drive and an unspecified 'Intel processor'.
Here's a quick rundown of the currently known specs:

CPU: 'Intel processor'
Storage: 40GB hard drive
Storage spec: Up to 50 hours of movies and TV shows/9,000 songs/25,000 pictures
A/V Ports: HDMI (video and audio), Component video, Optical audio, Analog RCA stereo audio
Data: 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, USB 2.0, 802.11n WiFi, IR receiver for Apple remote
Footprint: 7.7 by 7.7 inches (197 by 197 mm)
Height: 1.1 inches (28 mm)
Weight: 2.4 pounds (1.09 kg)
Audio formats supported: AAC, protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV
Video formats supported: H.264, protected H.264: 640 by 480 @ 30 fps,
(cont.) 320 by 240 @ 30 fps, 1280 by 720 @ 24 fps, MPEG-4: 640 by 480 @ 30 fps
It's a shame this product had to be launched alongside the furore of the iPhone launch, as the Apple TV device is not an insignificant announcement.

It seems unlikely the Apple TV will make the huge inroads into peoples lives as the iPod has, especially now consoles are providing movie/TV downloads and even IPTV (via the newly announced Xbox 360 IPTV announcement) - albeit Apple's interface looks significantly more developed.

However, we still expect the Apple TV to sell in good numbers, to the usual Apple zealots, and people without any need for a console in their living room.

It seems Apple is finally making use of the success of the iPod, and launching a full-frontal attack on consumers hearts, minds, and wallets. When the kit is this sexy, we can only wish them good luck.
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=36835
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2373
http://www.apple.com/appletv/

[RabidDog]

It has to have a "core" processor surely??

[guns1inger]

I don't get the fuss. Again, it is just Apple taking something that has been around for a while, making it small and silver, and also making it conform to their limiting model of what's good. If Microsoft had announced the same thing everyone would be howling it down as doomed to failure.

On top of that, I don't even have an interest in pay television, and broadband is substantially more expensive than video hire. That is without taking into account the fact that I can rent a movie in 15 minutes, or download standard definition content in 3 hours at a higher cost.

So we have a banal product on a poor cost model.

Have I missed the point ?

[InXess]

I don't think you've missed anything... As alternative to HDD DVDR or PVR it offers nothing I would be interested in. At $299 it is no competition to DVDRec. and HDD space is half of low end units. Clearly it has been released with iTunes in mind. I'm not a member now I don't plan to be in a foreseeable future.

[Conquest10]

Nobody is making a big fuss over this. Everyone is making a fuss over the iPhone. This was the first thing announced at Macworld. It was just like a "here it is, now on to the better stuff".

I am looking forward to this. Its a tiny, quiet box that allows me to stream stuff off my computer without me having to go out and buy Windows MCE. I love the idea of having my movies stored on the computer in the back room and watch them on my tv in the living room. Its also a lot better than having the discs where the little ones can get a hold of them. Here there are no discs involved. Just backup the movies onto the hard drive and sync them to the AppleTV. When I want to watch it, just select it from the menu. Plus the HD can really come in handy in the near future (since I already got HD content backed up in quicktime format).

[guns1inger]

I don't get the iPhone either. I have a mid-range Nokia that plays videos, takes photos, plays games, accesses the internet, and is easy to use. It doesn't look too different to the iPhone either. I have accessed the net with it once, and probably won't ever need to again.

It's the same thing. Take what everyone else has already done, make it look pretty and stick an apple logo on it, and the cult will offer up their first born to own one. And the world still turns if you don't . . . .

[Conquest10]

What else is out there like this? HDMI, supports HD, and DOES NOT require me to go out and buy MCE.

[dnix71]

Is anyone here old enough to remember the original Apple TV?
The one that ran OS 7.1, had a scsi cd reader and a built-in tv tuner.
It was $1200. Progress is good.

[guns1inger]

What else is out there like this? HDMI, supports HD, and DOES NOT require me to go out and buy MCE.

http://www.z500series.com/overview.php

I know - it's not brushed aluminium and doesn't have the apple logo

[yoda313]

It's the same thing. Take what everyone else has already done, make it look pretty and stick an apple logo on it, and the cult will offer up their first born to own one. And the world still turns if you don't . . .

yep my thoughts exactly. Everyone else has already been doing streaming media and widescreen video players. And mind you Microsoft beat apple to the punch with ZUNE by a few months - granted its not a phone but its a widescreen mp3/video player.

It seems like apple wants to claim if you don't do it their way you're not doing it right. Ha you can get a dlink digital media player and stream everything from your pc for a 100 less than the apple tv right now - granted its not high def and no hard drive but its essentially the same technology you can grab off the shelf today and in the pc world not mac.

[bucho]

I don't get the iPhone either. I have a mid-range Nokia that plays videos, takes photos, plays games, accesses the internet, and is easy to use. It doesn't look too different to the iPhone either. I have accessed the net with it once, and probably won't ever need to again.

It's the same thing. Take what everyone else has already done, make it look pretty and stick an apple logo on it, and the cult will offer up their first born to own one. And the world still turns if you don't . . . .

Ya, that's it. Apple takes existing products, makes them look pretty, slaps a logo on it - and macophiles rush out to buy them. It couldn't have anything to do with their ability to make products that are overly complex easy to use. No, it's cult-like behaviour that explains their recent success.

[Conquest10]

http://www.z500series.com/overview.php

I know - it's not brushed aluminium and doesn't have the apple logo

I don't care if it has an Apple logo on it. I'm not a fanboy. While that player looks pretty good, seeing as I don't live in Australia I can't really walk down to the store and pick one of those up. Can I?

And mind you Microsoft beat apple to the punch with ZUNE by a few months

Ah come on Yoda. You can't possibly be that stupid ( ). The iPod was released in October 2001. Zune was released in November 2006. How November 2006 came months before October 2001 I have no idea.

[yoda313]

Ah come on Yoda. You can't possibly be that stupid ( ). The iPod was released in October 2001. Zune was released in November 2006. How November 2006 came months before October 2001 I have no idea.

I thought I made my reference clear - I WAS REFERRING TO THE WIDESCREEN feature:
And mind you Microsoft beat apple to the punch with ZUNE by a few months - granted its not a phone but its a widescreen mp3/video player.

[guns1inger]

They have a US distributer : http://www.mediawestdistribution.com/

[bucho]

I thought I made my reference clear - I WAS REFERRING TO THE WIDESCREEN feature:
And mind you Microsoft beat apple to the punch with ZUNE by a few months - granted its not a phone but its a widescreen mp3/video player.

The Zune has the same resolution as the iPod (320x240 - that's a 4:3 ratio, not widescreen), giving it a lower PPI and a fuzzier image, it's hardly impressive. I guess I'm now sounding a bit like an Apple loyalist though. :P

[JohnnyMalaria]

They have a US distributer : http://www.mediawestdistribution.com/

Not only that, but is the same price as that Apple thing ( http://www.mediawestdistribution.com/task.php/cart )

(I won't buy either. I have no need for high-def and can't get broadband.)

[oldandinthe way]

Not coming to my living room.

Apple has popularized low quality audio and will attempt continue to add low quality video to their arsenal.

There isn't enough bandwidth to non-lossy video in the current internet and I'm too old to wait for slow downloads even on my cable link.

I expect the "network-neutrality" will remove any incentive to find a higher bandwidth solution.