One last Apple TV Note
January 9th, 2007 -- by Augie De Blieck Jr.
It would seem that you NEED a widescreen TV to use the Apple TV. It’s not just optimized for 16:9, but rather required.
Now I really need to upgrade to the HD set, just so I can get the Apple TV, right? ::sigh::
January 9th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
What got me is you need to run 802.11g/n for video streaming. Guess what, they also came out with a new Airport Extreme today for only 179 more $$$. So for $400, you can have a AppleTV or a XBOX-360 which does the same thing and plays great games, connects easily with the apple (once you dl a shareware program), and does true 1080i (although no HDMI yet). Plus, the XBOX 360 runs on a normal screen.
Thanks, I’ll stick with the 360, but I can’t wait for the iPhone….. I know its expensive but, oh so nice…… Since it runs OS X, it should be possible to run some 3rd party apps (w/ a hack or two)…. I still have this dream of playing WOW on the ride home from work….
January 9th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
My TV started conking out late last year, and since I can’t do my job without a good TV, it looks like I have to upgrade to HD anyway.
But I’m also thinking about upgrading to DirecTV — more HD choices than my local cable company — and I read that they’re planning on offering a “wirelessly connect your computer to your television” app sometime in 2007.
I love Apple, but I’ll probably pass on AppleTV. Too expensive, and I don’t know that I’d use it that much.
January 9th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I’m not too worried about video streams, I don’t think. Can’t I just wait a minute for the Apple TV to copy the video podcast I want to watch from my computer to my Apple TV over 802 11b or 11g? I don’t need it to stream, right? Maybe for HD content or movies, but for short form or lower quality video, it shouldn’t be a problem.
January 9th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Oh, and my 802 11b is really starting to look and sound ancient these days. . Combine that with LinkSys’ lack of Mac friendliness, and maybe it IS time for an Airport, after all.
January 9th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
I think you’ll be okay with a non widescreen 480p, and 576p are what dvd’s output and you’ll probably just get the same letterbox effect no?
January 10th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Yeah, Jobs made quite clear you’d need widescreen, he said it at least a half dozen times. He DIDN’T say you’d need HD, but you would.
Nor did he say you’d need a whole new internet subscription to even get that part of the iPhone to work, which is going to mean beaucoup bucks to lots of people on top of what they’re already paying for their current (different) internet service, which is why the price point can be as low as $599 ’cause they’ll make it back on monthly phone and ‘net charges, but there you are. You don’t announce hidden costs like that at a launch. :)