Macworld: The Mac media center ...

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47 Replies Last post: Dec 27, 2006 10:35 AM by tallscot 1 2 3 4 Previous Next

MW Forums

12,220 posts since
Aug 2, 2004

Dec 22, 2006 9:20 AM

The Mac media center

Ever since articulating its digital hub vision back in 2001, Apple has slowly been assembling the pieces of that media center. The iTV--when it's released sometime in early 2007--will wirelessly connect your home entertainment hardware to your Mac, and it could be the final piece in that puzzle. more

MGP

50 posts since
Dec 22, 2006

1. Dec 22, 2006 2:04 PM

in response to: MW Forums

Re: The Mac media center

I am not so sure about this iTV device. I have a macMini coreduo with 500GB miniStack hooked up to my entertainment system now. I can't quite figure out what this would buy me, besides wireless-but that's not really compelling enough. No complaints, just curious what others thought.

alansky

357 posts since
Jul 14, 2004

2. Dec 22, 2006 2:18 PM

in response to: MW Forums

Re: The Mac media center

What amazes me is that most companies spend billions every year creating products without reference to any well-articulated, long-term plan. Most companies' products are largely knee-jerk reactions to the products of their competitors. Real innovation is very rare. Then along comes Apple. Blows my mind every time I think about it.

Filburt

240 posts since
Jul 16, 2001

3. Dec 22, 2006 2:31 PM

in response to: MW Forums

Re: The Mac media center

Since so little of iTV is known (much more than Apple phone though), I can't blame the speculative nature of this article. Nevertheless, there are some clues that the writer should have mentioned.

New Macs ship with pre-802.11n. There's no reason to suspect iTV will be an exception. Whether on-board pre-802.11n is firmware upgradeable to final 802.11n (and whether Apple will offer such an upgrade) is a different matter, of course.

There are other potentially exciting possibilities, such as whether included USB port can be used to sync iPod or connect with external hard disk to become a NAS (Network Attached Storage). Will it include WDS (from AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express) to expand the wireless network? Will it run Dashboard widgets and/or iPod games? Will it be able to remotely stream DVD on a Mac?

Since most newer TVs have an ATSC tuner (and many include CableCARD as well), I am not sure whether iTV will need to have one as well. Unless of course, it can function as a DVR (which I don't expect).

amaxware

16 posts since
Jan 25, 2005

4. Dec 22, 2006 3:20 PM

in response to: MW Forums

Re: The Mac media center

My Christmas wish is that Apple decision makers read the posts on Tivo websites, this website etc...
If the iTV to be does not have at least the capablity of being a DVR, I say it flops. There are many degrees of DVR, i.e. like a dumb VCR, a smart one that gets electronic program guide, Tivo with season pass/bells whistles.
Nearly everyone I know and people in the media all now know what Tivo is.

The "buzz" is not about being able to download from the Internet TO the tivo,
therefore the iTV needs either cable card, svideo/rca audio in something to at LEAST test the waters for them on DVR.

Why release a device that gets it's media 1 way? and in a size that is only feasible on IP? Face it, even at twice speed of current wireless, my Season pass options would smoke the cable modem!

Let the iTV accept multi-sources including svideo-in (I'd love hdmi but, lets not get too greedy) then let the market tell Apple what they'll do...
will they buy TV from iTunes? buy movies from iTunes? or use as DVR and record from Satellite/Cable.
If Apple simply releaes a device thinking ...forcing users to usee iTunes for media instead of Satellite/Cable....it's a move that does not cover the bases.

JScott

237 posts since
Sep 7, 2004

5. Dec 22, 2006 3:31 PM

in response to: amaxware

Re: The Mac media center

Absolutely 100% agree with you. If the iTV doesn't have DVR functions its DOA as far as i'm concerned. I'd even be happy to drop my Tivo and pay Apple the monthly subscription. Think about what a great package the iTV DVR would be. They could make it easily transfer video content to your iPod for one. I guess theres the rub though. That would cannibalize sales from the iTunes store. I hope Apple hasn't painted themselves into a corner here.

amaxware

16 posts since
Jan 25, 2005

6. Dec 22, 2006 3:53 PM

in response to: JScott

Re: The Mac media center

I don't think Apple is in a corner, yet... they could EASILY market this, it's Tivo that is in the corner (for now). They can't get content from iTunes, only content is from svideo (except the expensize HD recorder with cablecards)

Market the iTv as MULTI-media device. The definition of multimedia is not , any media you can download, then download again, but an A/V type multi media.

Apple needs to get in the leap frog train with Tivo. If Apple releases the iTv, Tivo will find a way to download easily TO the Tivo. Then Apple leapfrogs with some other innovation ( I can't think of one but you get my point)

TenoB

25 posts since
Jun 8, 2005

7. Dec 22, 2006 4:09 PM

in response to: amaxware

Re: The Mac media center

I don't agree that the DVR is the be all to end all. Tivo will have real problems as cable/sat companies will dominate the DVR market.

iTV serves quite a different function, streaming media from the computer to the television. If Apple allows third party software and hardware to develop around iTV, it will have a great deal of potential for many uses. Apple should allow third party products to add DVR function to iTV.

Peter Cohen

4,166 posts since
Feb 5, 2003

8. Dec 22, 2006 4:14 PM

in response to: TenoB

Re: The Mac media center

Quote:<hr />
I don't agree that the DVR is the be all to end all. Tivo will have real problems as cable/sat companies will dominate the DVR market.

<hr />

Depends. Comcast, for example, and TiVo have been working on a deal that will enable Comcast DVR users to upgrade their boxes with TiVo software.

Given that the Comcast boxes are cheap and very good (I have the dual tuner Motorola box and I'm very happy with it), I'm happy about this, because their software stinks. TiVo software running that box would be the best of all possible worlds, especially if it makes it easier to download video to a computer.

amaxware

16 posts since
Jan 25, 2005

9. Dec 22, 2006 4:18 PM

in response to: TenoB

Re: The Mac media center

I think you may be missing part of my point here, the iTv is hardware and hardware decisions need to be made , like input ports.
You can't release hardware without svideo in then say: hey third party vendors, develop a DVR for th iTv but there's no input port...

amaxware

16 posts since
Jan 25, 2005

10. Dec 22, 2006 4:25 PM

in response to: Peter Cohen

Re: The Mac media center

I think the "synergy" between Comcast and Tivo is that Comcast is a major investor in Tivo. There were rumours you may have heard, that Comcast bought Tivo, but I believe it to be false. But the strong fincial partnership remains.

Don't get me wrong, Apple would need to start the leap frogging with software/interface as good as Tivo.
Add in the hammer of being able to access iTunes directly, throw in the iPod keyword and I think you'd get some REALLY big buzz.

TenoB

25 posts since
Jun 8, 2005

11. Dec 22, 2006 4:31 PM

in response to: Peter Cohen

Re: The Mac media center

Quote:<hr />
Depends. Comcast, for example, and TiVo have been working on a deal that will enable Comcast DVR users to upgrade their boxes with TiVo software.

<hr />

A few years ago (2004 I believe) Tivo rejected the deal with Comcast. Its good they are reversing that decision. My point is Tivo going against the cable/sat providers is a loosing battle.

Quote:<hr />
the iTv is hardware and hardware decisions need to be made , like input ports.

<hr />

iTV has a USB port.

Filburt

240 posts since
Jul 16, 2001

12. Dec 22, 2006 4:40 PM

in response to: MW Forums

Re: The Mac media center

DVR is obviously an important feature for many people, but it's just not realistic at this point. Apple's iTV will sell for $299, a price point low enough to leave very little room for High Definition DVR. I suppose Apple can require .Mac subscription to enable DVR, but let's face it. Recording and watching TV is not Apple-friendly. It's just not elegant. I don't see Apple wanting to bother iTV with issues commonly associated with DVR/TV (e.g., commercials, programming schedule overage, TV network logo bug, copyright issues) -- all for $299.

Steve has emphasized wanting to bring iPod/iTunes experience to home theater, and not money losing DVR business. I see iTV as the evolution of AirPort Express. I am sure that will disappoint many people, but let's keep things in perspective here.

TenoB

25 posts since
Jun 8, 2005

13. Dec 22, 2006 5:00 PM

in response to: Filburt

Re: The Mac media center

Quote:<hr />
Apple's iTV will sell for $299, a price point low enough to leave very little room for High Definition DVR.

<hr />

True with Tivo Series 3 costing $650 - $800.

Machound

866 posts since
Jan 4, 2004

14. Dec 22, 2006 6:26 PM

in response to: Filburt

Re: The Mac media center

I agree with all Filburt's points. People are expecting way too much from iTV. As an EyeTV 500 owner for 2.5 years I've seen the glory of time-shifted 1080i TV. Unfortunately, I just don't see Apple moving into this space. It might function as media extender for playing back my recorded ATSC content, but that would certainly be a welcome surprise and not something I'd lay any money on. The better alternative will probably continue to be a refurbished CoreDuo Mac Mini for $500-600 which functions beautifully as our primary 1080i media center, and possibly a second Mini at another TV in the future.

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Dec 22, 2006 9:20 AM

The Mac media center

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