We quickly realized that the
Apple TV wasn't going to be a HD powerhouse and our
tests have indicated as much -- we have also discovered that the problem is not the hardware. The Apple TV will not sync many videos and Apple has yet to provide any HD via the iTunes Music Store. Sure some of the trailers are in HD, but not all and how can we tell which without watching them. When we first started testing the Apple TV with a few HD clips
we encoded ourselves, we were very disappointed and while it is still
crazy to compare the Apple TV to HD DVD or Blu-ray, acceptable results are possible. We
opened up our Apple TV and
added a few codecs as well as copied over a few videos that would otherwise refuse to sync and we were very surprised at the results, not only were we able to watch some great looking HD, but our surround sound came alive with Dolby Digital 5.1 (no we don't count Prologic II). The real question is why: why would Apple not support DD 5.1, other codecs and most of all, why wouldn't they support higher bitrate video than 5Mbps when the Apple TV can play them so well? If the Apple TV fails to follow the iPod in it's foot steps, we will most certainly blame it on Apple decision to leave these out.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jon @ Apr 11th 2007 10:25AM
This product seems to be a waist of time and money for all but the most devoted Apple fan.
The Xbox 360 is far more capable even without using a PC to network files.
Thargok @ Apr 12th 2007 10:24AM
Jon are you telling me that the Apple TV is a belt by which time is contained? I definitely think it is worth the money then.
c.Lake @ Apr 12th 2007 10:21PM
What? The author of this article JUST SAID that Apple Inc, crippled features on the "aTV" that it's capable of supporting? For you to jump-up on the first post with some random stupid statement about the Xbox is moronic.
The bigger issue and the point of the article is WHY did they do it? The AppleTV could have been so much more had they left in those important features. Instead of being just a cute little novelty, which is what it is.
Dominic @ Apr 11th 2007 11:24AM
Jon: are you kidding me? Xbox 360 shares the sad fate of controlling media content that of Apple... just in the horrid format called WMV.
Mike Botros @ Apr 11th 2007 3:31PM
WMV is one of the BEST formats out there. Even better quality than DivX. And is the format used most promently in HD-DVDs. The Xbox360 is in fact superior and more capable, and come the spring update will also be able to play more video formats than just WMV. I always use WMV for encoding compressed 1080p and 720p video, and it looks amazing. Just because WMV is used doesn't mean that that it has to be DRMed. All the WMV I encode myself is DRM-free.
But to stay on topic, I'm dissapointed with the limiting codecs on the AppleTV. It could be so that they can be able to stream all over n without risking hiccups, just so that it "just works". It's just apples strategy, I suppose. But I wonder why they didn't just add more codec, high bitrate, support, and just limit what videos can be watched based on the connection. Like if you're on wireless, you only get what you're allowed now, if you're connected via the ethernet you can watch more. Well I guess that would just add more confusion to people that don't get why they can't watch everything over wireless. Since Apple is going for the overly simplistic, you get one option, and it's not your best but it "just works" and you pay through the roof for Apple's style. I guess it's working for them, but people like us wouldn't waste their money on something so limited. I guess they musta figured out that enthusiasts will get what they want out of it themselves.
NotNormal23224 @ Apr 11th 2007 6:09PM
You do realize the 360 also supports Mpeg, Mpeg 2, and come May 7th Mpeg 4 and H.264 (the last 2 at highter bit rates than Apple TV)right?
Randy @ Apr 11th 2007 11:52AM
Any chance of getting 1080P over component/hdmi of the Apple TV?
Fredster @ Apr 11th 2007 1:06PM
Or maybe Apple just wanted to come with an update later, when the HD movies are out? I think that might give a more of a WOW-effect and may push the sales a bit more.
Micah F. @ Apr 12th 2007 8:43AM
this wmv vs. mov vs. avi stuff is pointless. mov and avi are container formats, so they will always be as good or better than wmv.
Kevin @ Apr 11th 2007 3:43PM
I couldn't agree more. I consider myself quite a devoted Apple fan... But I can't buy this thing until they make it more usable out of the box.
Joe S. @ Apr 11th 2007 10:40PM
How much does it cost?
Steve K. @ Apr 11th 2007 9:44PM
I'd like to see some follow up on these questions in the article. Where's is all the HD content for the AppleTV? Still nothing from iTunes. Steve Jobs declared 2005 "The Year of HDTV". So what does that make 2007? The Year of 640x480? I'm not even thinking about an AppleTV until we see some real solid easy to use HD solutions both fom Apple and from the hackers.
NotNormal23224 @ Apr 12th 2007 7:35AM
For Streaming and DVD playback only $299 with a composite cable(yes the core still hooks up to Windows machines), for all the above and a 20GB harddrive and component cables: $399, for all the above a 120GB HD and HDMI cables $479; to be fair if you want wireless connectivity that does cost an additional $99, but some of us (like me) have a router next my console (360, Wii and Ps3) and my computers are what is hooked up via WiFi. Oh and all of those can play HD games as well and the ones with Harddrives can hook directly up to Marketplace download content (all at higher resolution than offered by Itunes at full DVD resolutions not 640x480, and quite a bit of it in HD the 1280x720 variety).
Mike Botros @ Apr 12th 2007 4:12AM
It costs $300, same as AppleTV. To have the media center extender functionality (like AppleTV) all you need is the core system. $30 for HD component cables. If you need HDMI then you can get the Elite for $480 with 120GB HDD (all cables included).
Ciacco @ Apr 12th 2007 8:20AM
You all seem to forget that this stuff is upgradeable, codecs are able to be added. When he first announced it as iTV everyone said "it will fail because it doesn't have a hard drive or HD support!" and when it was released (gasp) it had a hard drive and HD (while limited) support. They don't have to show everything if the product is able to be udpated over time (ie, the core concept behind a flexible iPhone interface - it can change!) Wait until Leopard comes out, I think that Apple is holding some of their cards close to their chest until their full connected system is out in the open. (Chances are if we public commenters are identifying gaps, etc, I'm just 'guessing' apple may have thought of them as well.) After the Vista/Tiger comparison, I don't blame them for being a little guarded. Same story with iPhone, comment but don't condemn until you see the final working product within the full apple scheme.
NotNormal23224 @ Apr 12th 2007 6:31PM
No I didn't forget that the codecs are upgradable at all, I didn't mention it because the Codecs are updatable on the Xbox360 as well so there isn't any advantage or dissadvantage there. but now that you mention that the connectivity on the 360 also provides the flexibility to use 3rd party connections, not just Microsofts (windows media 11, Zune software, or MCE), like ORB or TVVersity, heck there is even a MAC client too (currently just does music, and pictures though) that already support way more codecs right now.
chuck Cribbs @ Apr 12th 2007 10:02AM
As if we need another box to watch stupid movies on.
I will get an AppleTV for MY movies and pictures and iTunes songs. I want something that seamlessly allows me to view my iMovies of vacations, kids, family, etc. that I have made. THAT is what AppleTV is about, IMHO. But everyone forgets that part.
Why would I want to burn a DVD of all my movies when this stores them for me and I can get them from any of my Macs? I cannot believe we have an incredible way of editing memories of our lives, which is very cost effective, and everyone wants another way of watching content produced by someone else.
Geez, if I want to watch DVDs, I can do that now with a DVD player.
Bob @ Apr 12th 2007 1:55PM
Folks, the AppleTV has only been out for a few weeks and is in its 1st gen phase. When the original Xbox came out, it could not do 1/4 of what it can do now. Give it time and allow for future updates before passing final judgement.
Matt @ Apr 12th 2007 2:56PM
Actually the xbox 360 had video playback support at release via media center pc's through its extender ability which is what I tend to use mine for 95% of the time to watch videos
Appletvbbs @ Apr 12th 2007 4:11PM
The Apple TV is still new to the market, its going to be more updates and changes before it gets to be a great off the shelf product. Right now your best bet is hacking your Apple TV to play more formats and do other things. The hacking is expanding day by day. Find out what you can do to your Apple TV at our forums http://www.appletvbbs.com
default.is.for.you @ Apr 12th 2007 4:21PM
Ipod, ITV?, just overpriced proprietary crap. Apple makes great products for the average loser(joe). But if you have any bit of technical skill there's a much bigger world of options for portable media players than whats available at your local walmart.
I've personally used this for awhile now:
-54$ Kingwin DivX/MP4 player
-20gb 2.5" HD from old unused notebook
NotNormal23224 @ Apr 13th 2007 10:20PM
The "Why" is a good question, they should have brought out a box that was more capable at what it does rather than less capable when compared to what is already out there especially when the thing that a lot of reviewers themselves are comparing it to was primarily made for the games market rather than the streaming market. I just don't get why when Apple shipped the ITV they didn't make sure high-def high quality content hit Itunes at the same time to avoid being held up in an unflattering light to a game system.