Comments on: Apple reveals plans for joining PC to TV

Apple TV, formerly known as iTV, doubles as both a storage device and a networking connection between a computer and TV.

[lindsayhough]

"when connected to the Mac or PC"

I thought the point of this device is that it would sync with PCs wirelessly, not when connected. I want a device that will let iTunes find this device over the WiFi network and let me sync it wirelessly. otherwise its just a remote-controlled iPod, right? also will it work with lower WiFi standards and with 1080i

[tcarreon]

Right

It's wireless or wired, but not connected directly to a computer.
It streams content from 5 computers and stored items directly
on the internal HDD from 1 computer. "Connected" was a bad
choice of words.

From Apple's site:
"Apple TV works with widescreen, enhanced-definition or high-
definition TVs capable of 1080i, 720p, 576p, or 480p
resolutions..."

"AirPort Extreme, Wi-Fi 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n wireless
network...Wireless streaming requires 802.11g or 802.11n."

[Tom Krazit]

Connects with or without wires

You've got to hook it up to the computer in some fashion, to get the videos from iTunes to the TV. You can connect wirelessly over 802.11n to do this, or you can run an Ethernet cable, it's got an Ethernet jack on the back.

[bishop1641]

Hoping for too much

The initial features are great but I was also hoping for a capture device built in. Perhaps I may order one and take a part, if the open source community can figure out the drivers that can be used the hard drive in it can be replaced and I can capture video off tv like a tivo and save it to my hard disk. Seems like all this does is makes itunes available throughout the house which is nice but I would have liked to see that little extra.

[DrtyDogg]

Try a media center pc

Does everything you are looking for.

[lawhog]

What about DVD content?

Currently iTunes will not rip DVD content into the iTunes library, so this device will only allow me to play content I have bought from the iTunes store, and not DVD content I may want to store on my PC.

No thanks.

[Bronzit]

vPod? Too expensive w/o HD Tivo features

As already stated in this thread, it's just an expensive, large
screened iPod if it can't record off of HD broadcast transmissions
like an HD Tivo.

[jdbphd]

Instant Handbrake

If you want to convert DVD's to iTunes format. Freeware

[Christopher Hall]

Is it like a DVR?

I'm a bit confused by the use of this device. Does it allow you to record television shows or is it entirely based on what you have on your PC?

[seamusiv]

Unfortunately, No

Apple TV does not have DVR capabilities - it's meant more as a way to stream content from other computers to your home theater system and/or download content directly from the iTunes store. So, just like you can listen to shared files in your iTunes, you'll be able to view TV shows or videos, stream photos, or listen to mp3s.

Because Apple wants you to purchase shows like "The Office" or "Scrubs" from iTunes, it's unlikely they will offer DVR capabilities in the near future. However, there may still be a few ways for you to turn your Apple TV into a DVR.

(1) Elgato's EyeTV Hybrid is a USB capture device for Macs (software is included with device) that you may be able to plug into the USB port on the back of Apple TV and go from there. Elgato wasn't able to confirm compatibility yesterday when emailed them.
(2) There have been rumors that the 2007 version of iLife (to be released in March, I believe) will include an app that would allow you to record TV programs, whether or not you would be able to run iLife on the Apple TV is another question entirely.

Until these questions are answered, you may be better off waiting for a while to hear consumer feedback.

Your best option, if you are a Mac user, is to just buy a Mac MINI and an EyeTV. It will cost you about $400 more, but you can have the DVR, surf the Internet from your TV, and play CDs or DVDs.

[jakec]

Been There, Done That...

I can already do the majority of the things the Apple TV can do with my Xbox 360 (also with a Media Center PC).

The Apple TV is a great concept for those who bought a crap load of iTunes downloads. As for me I have long since stopped using iTunes over a year ago. This product is not for me.

[peterh_oz]

Podcasts

For the rest of the world who aren't allowed to buy tv/movies thru itunes, it is less appealing. However its price has it competing with the dlink 520 and other devices from netgear etc.

It streams radio via itunes, and can stream other files etc from other computers on your network, just as these other devices can. However what file formats will it play? Can it stream shoutcast radio, or windows media radio? Radio which isn't in itunes?

And what about video? Can it stream divx or do I have to re-encode all my home videos I already have on my home network? If I do, will it include software to do so?

It will be great for podcasts - especially the video ones! They will become "tv shows" automatically downloaded to your tv to be viewed when you want (yes like TiVo, which is also not available worldwide!).

Hopefully the file formats will make it worthwhile, and not lock us all into ".mov or not .mov". No more format wars please!

Speaking of which - why is there mp3 for audio but no "world standard" for video?

[skeptik]

enough whining

Come on people; just put a PC (or Mac if that suits ya) in the living room and be done with it. Your ability to expand functionality will be virtually unlimited. Everything from playing optical discs, to any conceivable file format to DVR to gaming, to media ripping, to expandable hard drives... and the list goes on.
If Apple et al want to sell devices for the living room entertainment center, we should be seeing a plethora of interfaces to allow us to browse and control the media center PC (term used generically, not as the MS product per se) without a traditional keyboard/mouse/monitor. Buying another $300 box with a limited range of funtions is just insane.

[deitiphobia]

Must not have used a 360

My Xbox 360 does everything this box wants to do. I can play files right off of a USB Thumb Drive or portable Hard Drive as well as stream files from my PC with or without Windows Media Center.

The Apple TV interface looks like a rip off Media Center.

It's amazing how Apple releases products years after the competition and then has the audacity to say it is 5 years ahead????

[lingsun]

They invent things after the fact too.

Remember how Apple fanantics claimed Apple invented the mp3 player and the GUI? I'm sure they will claim Apple invented the cellphone too.

[alek_nedic]

rip off Media Center

http://www.analogstereo.com/volvo_940_owners_manual.htm

[lingsun]

My Media Center PC does all this already

My HP Media Center PC connects by cable to my TV. It has a remote control. I can play videos on my TV that I have on my computer. Why would I buy an extra piece of hardware from Apple that does this?