Apple rumors are fun when they're about HDTV
by Richard Lawler 
posted Feb 23rd 2006 at 3:33PM
Nothing we love more than
The announcement, whatever it is, will be made at a just-announced press event February 28th, so check back here on Tuesday to see what is what. What do you think: is there anything video or high-def related coming out of Apple's closet next week?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dan in DC/VA @ Feb 23rd 2006 4:14PM
I've set my expectations from them to come out with the much rumored Mac mini Tivo-killer.
Apple is free to "own" my living room if they actually release a product that is fits into the entertainment center *and* can actually decompress HD with choking or freezing (let alone perform some other task at the same time). Do any of you guys have a mini thats pushing HD content well?
This new mac could happen. A few months ago Apple hired an Elgato executive (Elgato makes the only HD tuners for macs). Coincidentally, today Elgato just slashed their prices on their refurb HDTV tuners ($199 an all-time low for this product). Does Elgato know something about future Apple products that we dont? Maybe their original $350 MSRP price point for a tuner wont compare well to newly beefed up mac mini priced at $499. Is it possible? Your guess is as good as mine. Hmmm.
Remember how Steve Jobs said "2005 would be the year of HD"? Somebody get that guy a calendar widget. He's missed his deadline.
http://elgato.com/index.php?file=shop_onlineshop_eyetv500_refurb
Dan Bedford @ Feb 23rd 2006 4:15PM
I surely hope so... Remember Macworld SF '05 when Steve Jobs declared 2005 to be the "Year of HD"? Not much really came from that, so maybe he really meant, "In a year from now, we're gonna release an awesome product that has to do with HD". Haha... It would be cool if it was a media center type Mac (maybe even based on VIIV), but I wouldn't mind if it was that new video iPod (see here: http://static.flickr.com/26/103357149_ebe5a6a8c7.jpg )
Eric Carroll @ Feb 23rd 2006 5:01PM
Video Maybe, HD, not yet.
I think we will see a new Mac Mini. I can't say for sure wether it will feature Front Row and so on, but my gut is that it will.
I think the problem with HD right now is that there are too many different ways to connect to HDTVs, until Apple can sell us a simple, JUST PLUG IT INTO YOUR HDTV solution, I think they will shy away from it (or create their own dazzlingly simple and powerful, but painfully proprietary solution), but currently it would look more like, if you TV has "Port a" get "adapter 1", Port b? get "adapter 2" and so on. Apple doesn't like that sort of thing.
The second problem is content. Were Apple to sell us an HD Media Center, what HD would they want us to watch? Apple has been very careful not to rely on any delivery methods other than the internet as of late, that way they retain control. Until Downloading HD episodes of Desperate Housewives is more plausible, until the kind of storage you'd need to hold a few seasons of HD content is readily available and until there is an easy way to Downlaod one HD copy of a movie that will play nicely on our decidedly unHD iPods, I think Apple will steer clear of HD. I don't think they will do anything to HINDER use with an HDTV, but it won't be the angle they push yet.
HD content needs to be available on Disc before I can see Apple making its first real "HDTV" moves. Until then we'll have to settle for edit HD and burning discs that only fellow Mac users can watch...
Samual Icky @ Feb 23rd 2006 5:15PM
If it's a new mini or some home media center thing I hope it has HDMI... I wish my new iMac had an HDMI output... but I understand the reason why Apple wouldn't do that... but if it was a media center hook up one cable would be nice... well okay two (power and hdmi).
I have a nice spot for the sucker right next to my HDMI swith :)
Ben Drawbaugh @ Feb 23rd 2006 6:03PM
Eric, if I know one thing about apple they don't care about being compatible. They sell a laptop with out a PC-Card(PCMICIA) slot and no VGA output without a dongle.
All they would have to do is ship a Mini with a DVI out and a HDMI dongle then they cover everyone that can watch full ress HD. All they need is a switch either hardware or software that says 720p/1080i/480i.
As for HD content they already have some of the best downloadable HD content via trailers etc. They have the CODECS in place for HD and now with the Core dou Proc they have the power to render it. MovieBeam only using 1.2Mb's of thourghput to send WMV9 HD content to it's subscribers. Since most broadband users have at least that it would work with a similar model.
I disagree completely, I think the writing is on the wall for HD, especially considering the previous rumors of Apple Video distribution network.
Eric Carroll @ Feb 24th 2006 12:43AM
Hey Ben,
Don't get me wrong I think I would LOVE a Mac Mini with true HDTV out put, and I think it WILL happen... eventually. But the question was do I think it will happen this week... The answer to that is no, I don't think that will happen. That being said, I HOPE I AM WRONG, I would LOVE to see an TRUE HDTV supporting Mini, in-fact I will order one on day 1 if that is introduced...
To address some of your points: Are you saying the no VGA without a Dongle is a downside for like the iBooks with their little MINI-VGA port? Or do you want PowerBooks to have both DVI and VGA (which in my opinion would be a waste of space since I mostly use DVI and don't need the YET another port on the side of my PowerBook, that and I don't mind carrying a DVi to VGA dongle for the times I need to use VGA). But as you are pointing out, Apple wanted a way to keep their 12" laptops small, so they invented a port you need an adapter to use, which if you'll go back to my comments, I did say that the possibly of them coming up with some proprietary port was a possibility. As far as the DVI-to HDMI cord being an option, I guess, but again, it doesn't seem very... APPLE to me. and sure a lot of TVs now have HDMI, but for example MINE doesn't so I better be able to get it with out that cable since by Apple Math I am sure this will add $50 if not $150 dollars to the price. And see thats is where it seems "in-elegant" and looses the Apple feel, in my opinion.
Concerning Content: Perhaps Apple is ready to roll out a full-fledged movie distribution network, but I have to say I work for Apple (no not in the Retail Stores, I do work for Apple Corporate, but also I won't pretend I am some engineer with access to any secret labs, I am in Sales) and I've yet to hear any rumblings to suggest this is happening right now. But honestly, would they throw these movies up on iTunes? How are they going to price it, I have to assume places like NetFlicks, Wal-Mart, BlockBuster, etc. wouldn't be too keen on it being EASIER and CHEAPER to buy movies from Apple and since THEY, control the DVD sales/rental industries I have to assume the studios would listen, not to mention they probably have delusions of starting their OWN paid downloading sites. Also what does this mean for the iPod content that is up there now, do I have to Re-buy LOST to get it in HD? do I get the iPod formatted copy for free with the purchase of an HD piece of content? Or do I have to choose, and or pay twice to have it in HD and iPod formats... Again this is where is gets, messy and I don't see it working just yet...
Apple is able to call a lot of shots with the Music industry right now because they OWN the MP3 player market. So the fact that music you buy from iTunes only plays in iTunes and on iPods is allowed by the industries. I doubt Apple has a killer pitch for explaining why it should be able to sell other people's HD content which can only be played on machines with iTunes (or maybe even JUST Macs). Until they "own" the living room the way they "own" the music in our pockets, I am not sure they are going to hold the attention of the studios.
I LOVE the movie trailers and I love them in HD, but I certainly couldn't justify buying a Mac Mini with HDTV out to be able to watch HD movie trailers on demand...
Don't get me wrong, I think Apple has plans for this "space"... i also LOVE Apple, so none of my comments are supposed to be "anti-Apple", and I agree with you that it is entirely POSSIBLE, as it the technology IS THERE. I just feel like it hasn't matured to the point Apple can polish it up and resell it to us in a nice shiny little package, which is what they do so well...
(Also, thanks for actually replying to the comment, nice to be talking in a place where people read and reply, not say, "What? HD Rules ur DUMB - APPLE 4ever!")
Ben Drawbaugh @ Feb 24th 2006 7:40AM
Eric,
You make some great points and I don't disagree.
I like the way Apple does the ports on their laptops now. Give your customers the latest and greatest, sorry for those folks who can't use it because of their older technology.
I don't think Apple will annonce something this big right now either. I predicted in our Podcast that they will annonce an iBook and a Mac Mini and maybe a 17' MacBook Pro. We have just over a month till April 1st and I think that is when they will make a big annoncment if any. On the other hand if they do annonce a Mac Mini I would not be one bit surprised if it supported HD resoultions right out of the box. Sure you can do it now but you need DisplayX to create the HD supported res. This would make it possible for them to add the HD content on the iTunes music store later. As for buying shows again. I don't think that will happen, I think Apple will let you get different versions of your shows if you already bought them once, but that may be more wishfull thinking than anything else.
No problem, I read all the comments, yes all! It is good to get a dialoge going, it helps me think of other topics to blog about.
dave @ Feb 24th 2006 9:57AM
How can you make an HDTV video ipod...the screen resolution would never get to 720p?
Eric Carroll @ Feb 24th 2006 2:28PM
Dave,
I don't think we'll be seeing an iPod that display true HD on a display built into the iPod, but if it had the power to process HD, down convert to play nicely on the iPod screen when thats our only option, but play it full res. out of the "video out" jack on our HDTVs, that could happen... Thats how I see HD and the iPod crossing paths...
Eric Carroll @ Feb 24th 2006 2:33PM
Ben,
What is Display X? and will it allow me, with the right hardware based converter hook my DVI out PowerBook up to my 1080i Component ONLY HDtv?
And it seems we actually ARE in agreement on most issues after all! I can't wait to have a nice little Mac with a remote control hooked up to my HDtv, for looking at my digital picture ALONE it would be worth every penny...
Ben Drawbaugh @ Feb 24th 2006 2:46PM
I am sorry it is DisplayconfigX not displayX
You can find it here.
http://www.3dexpress.de/
It will only let you output via component with a vga to component transciever, which costs about $150.
I cover all the details in this article.
http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/02/08/how-to-connect-your-pc-to-your-hdtv/