While
we loved the Apple TV, we're
still annoyed at the lack of
HD downloads from the iTunes store. No doubt iTunes will
never be a replacement for HD DVD or Blu-ray; if the lack of true surround sound isn't enough of a killer, the maximum bit-rate is. That being said, we'd still like to have some HD downloads, and it looks like we might see them next week. One of the current problems with Apple TV HD files is that they don't play on the iPod, so Apple would have to sell multiple versions of the same file, a new iPod could resolve this. The other possible piece of the puzzle that has recently changed is that Apple's partner Akamai just
upgraded their infrastructure to support HD downloads. Either way, we'll have to wait till next week to find out.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Craig @ Aug 31st 2007 6:04PM
i never looked that closely, but i assumed apple tv couldn't produce 5.1 sound because it didn't have an optical out. why can't it produce 5.1 sound if it has an optical out? and conversely, why does it have an optical out if it can't produce 5.1 sound?
Ben @ Aug 31st 2007 6:05PM
It doesn't support AC3, only AAC, MP3 etc.
It is a software problem, many have added support themselves, but that doesn't help much with HD content from iTunes. For whatever reason Apple believes Dolby PL II is close enough to surround sound.
The General @ Aug 31st 2007 6:31PM
iTunes and Quicktime support transcoding.
What I'm saying is ... "Convert to iPod Format" like you can do with audio files...
Bob Mc @ Aug 31st 2007 8:51PM
I hope this is the case. Of course The Office and Battlestar Galactica will have to torrented now.
JeffDM @ Sep 1st 2007 8:32AM
Craig, it always had optical out. The problem is that almost nobody makes AAC tracks higher than stereo. The people that say that surround is done now are most often using Pro Logic / DPLII, not any surround that is more than two discrete channels. I think Apple kept the compatibility list short just because they want to promote their favored audio & video formats. It's trivial to expand the compatibility list, but that might mean more royalty payments.
riverside_guy @ Sep 1st 2007 10:39AM
Well, it seems NBC-Uni had an argument about pricing with Jubs and he decided to "fight back" by pulling all the new stuff that it seemed he'd be carrying until the end of the year (i.e. the new shows).
Of course, did NBC-Uni REALLY want 3.99 as the bottom price for all shows? I'm w/Jubs on that one, nothing more than 2 bucks seems to right place.
I just LOVE mega rich corps having pissing matches like a couple of schoolyard bullies!
Craig @ Sep 1st 2007 10:43AM
so it sounds to me like 5.1 surround is something that could be implemented with a software update...
i was kind of excited about apple tv when it was announced, but at least four major factors are keeping me from making a purchase:
1. It doesn't play HD (as of yet)
2. Limited codec support
3. Lack of 5.1 surround sound
4. Lack of a rental option for movies
Ben @ Sep 1st 2007 10:45AM
It does play HD, has since day one, but Apple doesn't sell any.
You're right on with the other 3.
Personally my biggest negative is that the gpu isn't fast enough to play high bit-rate video. Apple says they only support 4Mbps, but I have personally (with hacks) played some 8Mbps clips that play nicely. I'm not sure why they cut themselves short, but regardless I'd like to play some 15Mbps video.
jwbeck17 @ Sep 2nd 2007 9:10AM
Ben - are you sure that 5Mbps is the fastest bit rate? Apple may even claim it is so, but they do have a recent history of adding functionality to previously sold components that had the hardware quietly built in, such as the wireless N spec. I'm hoping that all of these issues can be handled with software updates, as that is one of the competitive advantages of the Apple product line
Ben @ Sep 2nd 2007 10:05AM
According to the Apple.com Apple TV specs page it is caped at 5Mbps, but your right it isn't really that low.
http://www.apple.com/appletv/specs.html