tv

[bwana]

So - is anyone actually considering getting one of these? http://www.apple.com/appletv/

Much ado about nothing imo - especially without a localised iTS.

[nGAGEd55]

Cisco's one will be better :p

[bwana]

Cisco's one will be better :pI dont know much about the cisco one but the mac Mini does a better and more comprehensive job imo than the AppleTV and it's a fully fledged computer.

[spiderz]

Cisco's one will be better :p

Link?

[nGAGEd55]

bwana, do you maybe know what processor the AppleTV has?

all i could find out is that it's an Intel chip.

would be interesting to see whether it could be hacked to run something else.


Link?
was just kidding :rolleyes:

EDIT: well, if it is all true, it might just turn out to be better than AppleTV: http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5695

[bwana]

bwana, do you maybe know what processor the AppleTV has?

all i could find out is that it's an Intel chip.According to this article I saw on digg (http://www.digg.com/apple/Apple_TV_runs_on_1_0GHz_Intel_Pentium_M_nVidia_G72 M_64MB_chips) this morning it is a 1.0GHz Pentium M-based chip - http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2395

[doobiwan]

Considering no local iTunes, and the fact that Telkom is using Microsoft IPTV/Xbox, I think it's going to be a non start in ZA.

Also, Downloads are PC, ahem, sorry Mac, driven whereas the Microsoft platform runs from the STB.

[spiderz]

What about the tivo's? How does that compare?

[bwana]

What about the tivo's? How does that compare?The AppleTV doesnt have PRV capabilities so it's a completely different category of product imo.

[icyrus]

I would probably get it if I lived in the US. From what I have seen the Apple TV is focused on on-demand TV so you would have it in place or cable of satellite. If you've got a fast connection and an iTunes account it would be cool.

[bwana]

I would probably get it if I lived in the US. From what I have seen the Apple TV is focused on on-demand TV so you would have it in place or cable of satellite. If you've got a fast connection and an iTunes account it would be cool.For most people using it in place of cable or satellite would be an expensive option - I'd say in conjunction with.

[spiderz]

The AppleTV doesnt have PRV capabilities so it's a completely different category of product imo.

True, but does'nt the tivo offer the same features and more then?

Tivo:
- bit old and aged
- Bigger than the AppleTV
- does not require iTunes :sick:
- PVR Capabilities

AppleTV:
- nice white and small
- wireless

[JStrike]

Just got back from Mozam and was greeted with this news. I was very, very excited for this (Especially as most of my TV now comes from the iPod. And hooking the iPod up to the TV is not fun after a while).
But then discovered that it requires a widescreen TV. Pretty damn crushing news.
If I had a widescreen TV, I would be rushing out to get this
BTW, you dont need an iTS account. However you get your TV shows off the internet, iTS, bittorrent, etc will all work

[Roman4604]

Cisco's one will be better :p

was just kidding :rolleyes:Actually quite truthfull ... Cisco own Linksys & Linksys owns KISS. Their top of the range media player is regarded as one of the best ... http://www.kiss-technology.com/?p=600en&v=users

[bwana]

True, but does'nt the tivo offer the same features and more then?

Tivo:
- bit old and aged
- Bigger than the AppleTV
- does not require iTunes :sick:
- PVR Capabilities

AppleTV:
- nice white and small
- wirelessCan then tivo can stream video off the computers in your house (up to 5 iirc)? I dont know much about them as it's been ages since I've had my hands on one.

On thing that irked me is that they didnt include the ability to use it as a wireless AP - thats why I've just ordered a new Airport Express.

[JStrike]

I have a Tivo and it is great. But this excites me more

[icyrus]

For most people using it in place of cable or satellite would be an expensive option - I'd say in conjunction with.

If you watch a lot of TV then cable or sat with a tivo like box would probably be better value. But for people like me that hardly ever watch TV shows - and when I do I want it to be on my schedule - then this is a winner as I am not paying for a lot of content I will undoubtedly never see and never be interested in.

[bwana]

Just got back from Mozam and was greeted with this news.
....

BTW, you dont need an iTS account. However you get your TV shows off the internet, iTS, bittorrent, etc will all workWelcome back.

You might not need a iTS account but unless the old hacks still work you will either have to download content in MPEG4 or H264 or re-encode it yourself.

I have a mini attached to my plasma - what does the AppleTV offer me? nada. :)

[TivoZA]

What about the tivo's? How does that compare?The series 2 TiVo's come standard with media streaming facilities such as support for videos, music & pictures. If you go the DirecTiVo route, you get 5.1 Surround Sound, HDMI and/or component out. Neither the series 2 or DirecTiVo's are able to work as far as recording is concerned in South Africa but you could still use them as a media streaming device.

Although the series 1 TiVo's don't come standard with streaming facilities, using nanVue (http://tivoza.nanfo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=423) you are able to upload video's of any format onto the TiVo. nanVue includes direct support for simply dragging and dropping files or links (e.g. Youtube, Google videos) which will result in the file being automatically converted and uploaded to the TiVo. The other advantage of nanVue is that it allows you to download your TiVo recordings and automatically convert them into another format for archiving, viewing on a mobile phone or on a portable video player (e.g. iPod, PSP, Zune, etc).

One of the main advantage of going the TiVo route is it means you have one interface (http://tivoza.nanfo.com/wiki/index.php/Quick_Tour) for all your recordings as well as your streamed/uploaded videos :D

[JStrike]

bwana : iTunes will re-encode all videos for you

[TivoZA]

Can then tivo can stream video off the computers in your house (up to 5 iirc)? I dont know much about them as it's been ages since I've had my hands on one.Yip, the TiVo can stream media from as many PC's as you like but only one at a time. The TiVo can also act as a streaming hub and have it's stored video's stream to other devices (e.g. PC, Xbox, MCE).


On thing that irked me is that they didnt include the ability to use it as a wireless AP - thats why I've just ordered a new Airport Express.There are no problems using a wireless access point to upload/download videos to/from your TiVo, if you wish to stream recordings from your TiVo then you need to make sure your wireless network isn't impeded by too many walls.

[bwana]

bwana : iTunes will re-encode all videos for youThats awesome news - pity it doesnt do it already.
There are no problems using a wireless access point to upload/download videos to/from your TiVo, if you wish to stream recordings from your TiVo then you need to make sure your wireless network isn't impeded by too many walls.Thats not the issue - one of the (few) selling points of the Apple TV is the high speed wireless (802.11n) on board. What I was referring to is the inability to use the Apple TV as a wireless access point - not using it with one. Getting one might have made sense if I could replace my existing airport express in my lounge.

[JStrike]

TivoZA : Never thanked you for recommending TivoTool to me. Couldn't be simpler. Imports the TV shows from the Tivo to my Mac, and straight into iTunes. And then I just simply cut out the adverts and done (BTW, I though iMovie would be best for this. Turns out the easiest way is simply Quicktime Pro. Just select and cut)

[JStrike]

bwana : Huh? I have used iTunes often to re-encode movies into H264

[bwana]

bwana : Huh? I have used iTunes often to re-encode movies into H264My mistake - I thought we were still referring to downloading content via p2p etc where the most commonly used format is xvid which you cant re-encode or import with iTunes. There are ways around it - I use them regularly - but I'd prefer native support.

[TivoZA]

TivoZA : Never thanked you for recommending TivoTool to me. Couldn't be simpler. Imports the TV shows from the Tivo to my Mac, and straight into iTunes. And then I just simply cut out the adverts and done (BTW, I though iMovie would be best for this. Turns out the easiest way is simply Quicktime Pro. Just select and cut)Pity you're on a Mac as nanVue is currently only available Windows.


However you get your TV shows off the internet, iTS, bittorrent, etc will all work
...One of the other features nanVue offers is "Directory Monitoring", if you're downloading video from any source you simply set the output directory to one that you've configured to be monitored by nanVue and based on the files settings (i.e. resolution, framerate, etc) and the assigned filetype profile or monitored directory profile nanVue will automatically determine what need to be done with regards to the conversion and uploading. It will also automatically letterbox the content to ensure the aspect ratio is maintained, this includes adding padding to cater for your TV's overscan which often results in media devices cutting the sides off of your videos.

nanVue is not limited to the TiVo, it can output the videos and images in many standard formats so it can be used with other HTPC solutions and media devices as well :cool:

[JStrike]

bwana : Oh right. Ya, iSquint rocks for those occasions. But rather check iPodNova. Ipod formated already

[JStrike]

TivoZA. naVue looks really great. Did you write it yourself?

[bwana]

bwana : Oh right. Ya, iSquint rocks for those occasions. But rather check iPodNova. Ipod formated alreadyYou're just making my argument stronger. Why get a aTV when a mini can do everything the aTV can plus the all the re-encoding, iTunes, iSquint, and anything else you can think of?

And the footprint of the mini is smaller :D

[TivoZA]

TivoZA. naVue looks really great. Did you write it yourself?Yip, it does make use of ffmpeg (as do most converters) but the rest of the functionality is built-in.

[JStrike]

Well, the price difference is pretty big. But I suppose the widescreen requirement makes up for that

[BobJones]

I've got a mini hooked up to my LCD, but I'm still thinking of getting the AppleTV. I like they way you can sync content with your iTunes Library. Its like having a ipod with proper outputs right next to your TV. I've never really picked up the PVR/Tivo thing, if I miss it live the first time, I generally don't find time to watch it later. And if I want to catch up on the Whole series, I'll probably just get it on DVD/ or iTunes Store (in about 10 years:D).

I get the feeling that AppleTV is going to be a serious contender for the mini. I think that lots of people got the mini as a second mac (with first time switchers going for the macbook or iMac instead).

[bwana]

I've got a mini hooked up to my LCD, but I'm still thinking of getting the AppleTV. I like they way you can sync content with your iTunes Library. Its like having a ipod with proper outputs right next to your TV. I've never really picked up the PVR/Tivo thing, if I miss it live the first time, I generally don't find time to watch it later. And if I want to catch up on the Whole series, I'll probably just get it on DVD/ or iTunes Store (in about 10 years:D).

I get the feeling that AppleTV is going to be a serious contender for the mini. I think that lots of people got the mini as a second mac (with first time switchers going for the macbook or iMac instead).So you're going to remove your mini altogether from your LCD and get another monitor for it? Mine is the hub for all my tunes and video content - thanks to the 500gb firewire drive. :D

Another problem - you cant add external storage to the aTV. :o

[BobJones]

Haven't decided yet. I'm probably going to add the aTV to the room with the projector.
There hasn't been any talk yet about what the USB port on the aTV is for. I wouldn't rule out being able to expand the storage, but why would you need to when you can just sync what you want when you want it or stream?
BTW the 20 Bond movies are 20gig by themselves so I know what you mean.
Chances are that you'll be able to link file to other locations same as you can in Front Row.

[bwana]

Haven't decided yet. I'm probably going to add the aTV to the room with the projector.
There hasn't been any talk yet about what the USB port on the aTV is for. I wouldn't rule out being able to expand the storage, but why would you need to when you can just sync what you want when you want it or stream?
BTW the 20 Bond movies are 20gig by themselves so I know what you mean.
Chances are that you'll be able to link file to other locations same as you can in Front Row.Yes there has - it's "for service and diagnostics".

The whole linking idea might be nice if you have the accessibility but what if it, like the iPhone, isnt funning full blown osx? What if there isnt an interface that enables you to make the symlink or alias?

You think 007 was bad - try 10 seasons of friends :eek: Speaking of 007 one of my dvd's seems to be scratched and wont encode :o

[BobJones]

Strange, I would have thought you could flash it over the ethernet port same as a router.
I'd be surprised if its running full blown os x more like a ipod version with "front row". From the keynote it looks like when you link to a computer to stream from you (shared library) can have the symlinks in that library.
I wonder if there will be a disk access mode like with ipod?

[bwana]

I just wish they'd allow the TV to function as a wireless AP then I'd pony up the difference between the TV and the Airport Express that I need to replace.

[BobJones]

TV symbol test?

Strange... didn't work before when I tried.

[bwana]

?TV symbol test?

Strange... didn't work before when I tried.Keep in mind it wont quote and if you edit the post you have to re-enter the code.

Added a couple more to http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=63731

[BobJones]

More on the tv versus mac mini choice can be found on theAppleBlog (http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/16/apple-tv-vs-mac-mini-which-one-is-right-for-you/).
Interesting read.

[bwana]

Yeah - read that last night and thought it was pretty fair. The qn it didnt answer is if you already have a mini attached to your hdtv then what should you do.

I'm going to keep the mini just where it is. I could conceivably get an TV for the spare room but I doubt the missus is going to let that dog hunt. :)

[BobJones]

Local pricing for the tv is R2735 on the ZAStore (http://www.zastore.co.za/appletv.php). Good thing they are starting to come to their senses (http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=61610) with their markups. Now if only they would do something about the iPod prices.:D

I see that they are also listing two Tom Tom GPS models... I wonder who the distributor is for SA?

[bam-bam]

if we add the divx, xvid & other video codecs to the library/quicktime folder, theres no need to convert coz quicktime will play these videos with the codecs. I have a 250 gig external harddrive with all my movies / tv series on it which i watch via frontrow. I just use a movie alias in my home/movie folder which connects directly to my external harddrive when i am in frontrow.

Now ... i have not read alot on the aTV but im sure there are more reasons to buy a aTV than a mac mini & hook it up to your plasma or lcd.

one more thing LOL (",) ( just like steve jobs keynotes )..... is there any way around the copyrights mumbo jumbo on the content downloaded from itunes, i luv the h.264 codec & would simply enjoy watching anything from the itunes store.

[bwana]

Speaking of front row I finally managed to edit the menu titles (Trailers, Movies, TV shows etc) which was nice because all my aliases meant everything went into Movies so within that section was another Movies, Animation, Series etc. Now if I could just figure out how to get rid of the Trailers menu altogether. :o

Still - the TV offers me little, if anything, I dont already get with my mini so thanks but no thanks.

[BobJones]

I think that the ability to auto sync content from ur main media machine is gonna make it worth it. Sorta like having a permanent ipod with proper outputs and interface right next to the tv.

[bwana]

I think that the ability to auto sync content from ur main media machine is gonna make it worth it. Sorta like having a permanent ipod with proper outputs and interface right next to the tv.Cant you just do the same thing with an alias or symlink from your other machines?

Besides - I'd sooner have all my media by the tv and share that to other machines - not the other way around. I wouldnt want to have to get up and go open up my laptop that's sitting in another room so I could watch a show or movie.

[BobJones]

But that is why the auto sync should work just great - with the latest unwatched episodes of your favourite video podcasts pushed to the tv box ready for watching. Granted, you can do the same with a mini, but the process will now be streamlined, and you'll be free of the keyboard and mouse.
I wonder how long it will be before someone sticks a 160 or 200gig drive in the box.

[bwana]

But that is why the auto sync should work just great - with the latest unwatched episodes of your favourite video podcasts pushed to the tv box ready for watching. Granted, you can do the same with a mini, but the process will now be streamlined, and you'll be free of the keyboard and mouse.
I wonder how long it will be before someone sticks a 160 or 200gig drive in the box.How many people are going to buy one of these, go home, attach it to their tv, find out its not compatible with their tv, go buy a widescreen tv, plug it in, find out they need to connect it to their computer, hook it up to their wifi network, find out the 802.11g doesnt cut it, cant find a 802.11n for their box, drill holes in the walls to run ethernet . . . . .all to watch a podcast (cos thats the only 720p content available on iTS) that the box should have downloaded for you!!!

The only time I'm using the keyboard and mouse on my mini is when I'm using it as a computer - the rest of my time they're in a cupboard.

[BobJones]

You're just being facetious. People read the system requirements when they're spending R2700. Pretty much anything that is in iTunes can be used on aTV.
Its ur own beef that you didn't rip ur DVD's to H.264:) Guess what format my rips are in;)

[bwana]

You're just being facetious. People read the system requirements when they're spending R2700. Pretty much anything that is in iTunes can be used on aTV.I'll bet you a load of people will buy this thinking hey - its apple so it just works . . . the average guy isnt going to know what variant of 802.11 they have. Macs are designed with the non-tech savvy in mind after all.
Its ur own beef that you didn't rip ur DVD's to H.264:) Guess what format my rips are in;)Actually I do - but I fail to see the relevance.

Speaking of DVD rips - how much legwork is going to be involved in watching a dvd assuming you dont keep your computer in the lounge where the aTV is (safe assumption cos if you did you wouldnt need the aTV in the first place). Yes, I know you can rip it to your hard drive but that's illegal in many places, including the states - apple's target market.

Guess I'm not enough of a fanboi to be impressed by this but I'll try harder in future ;)

:D

[JStrike]

It does work with 802.11g

[bwana]

It does work with 802.11gI'm sure it does - just not particularly well. Ever try streaming a dvd over wifi?

[bwana]

Well - thanks to Makro finally having stock my mini now has a second seagate 500gb firewire drive on it so I can finish encoding my dvd collection. Chalk up another point over the Tv.

[JStrike]

bwana : For the live streaming stuff, fair enough. But for the normal stuff that ends up on the HDD, it will be fine

[BobJones]

iLounge is reporting that video streaming (http://backstage.ilounge.com/index.php/backstage/comments/9460/) from a HDD attached to the Airport Extreme 802.11n is "trouble-free" with no sign of the bouncing beachball when scrolling thru the vid.

[adsl3g]

Just got this ad from Makro:

Looks very nice too - more like a DVD player as opposed to a PC casing.



Fujitsu Siemens SCALEO EV
Entertainment PC for your living room
Latest technological innovations from Intel® with a powerful and fast Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor and Intel® Viiv 1.5 support for impressive entertainment experience make the SCALEO EV a perfect partner for your digital home. With its attractive design as well as with its small form factor it is fitting perfectly in your digital home and in every HiFi rack. With just one device you can organize your home office and enjoy all your media content, too. The SCALEO EV is a DVD player and recorder, a HiFi system to listen to your music collection, a TV receiver as well as a digital photo and video system. And with its versatile analog and digital interfaces like SCART, HDMI, VGA, IEEE1394 and USB 2.0 ports you can connect the SCALEO EV to all your other entertainment devices. In the end the SCALEO EV is a powerful combination of a reliable PC for all home application and an easy-to-use multimedia device in-one-housing.
# Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 included.
# 250GB sata hard drive.
# 1GB DDR2 Ram
# TV tuner
# S-Video / HDMI scart
# 802.11G WLAN
# Wireless keyboard
# Remote control
# Excludes screen
# 12 month guarantee

Comes with 7.1 surround sound too.

Very pricy at R9995

[bwana]

Just got this ad from Makro:

Looks very nice too - more like a DVD player as opposed to a PC casing.

Comes with 7.1 surround sound too.

Very pricy at R9995I'll still stick with a mini :)