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alligator · Jan 16, 2008, 08:07 PM

Maybe I'm missing the section where they announced the release of the Apple TV update, but I can't seem to download it. When is it released, and will it work on old Apple TV's?

::maroma:: · Jan 16, 2008, 08:12 PM

I'm not exactly sure when its supposed to be available (maybe it already is?), but it will indeed update any Apple TV.

imitchellg5 · Jan 16, 2008, 08:47 PM

Apple - Apple TV - Free Apple TV Update

stwf · Jan 16, 2008, 09:18 PM

Is this just an upgrade to Front Row?
Can I get the same benefits from a Mac Mini?
Especially the HD movie rentals. I understand Apple will not be making those available for normal iTunes. So will this be restricted against a mini running FrontRow?

iMan G5 · Jan 17, 2008, 12:07 AM

Apple is selling those for iTunes on any iTunes. Mac PC tv. Mac mini is basicly a better tv.

SoBayJake · Jan 17, 2008, 01:23 AM

Originally Posted by iMan G5

Apple is selling those for iTunes on any iTunes. Mac PC tv. Mac mini is basicly a better tv.

I thought HD movie rentals were AppleTV only? They would NOT be synced to a computer (Mac or PC), right?

analogue SPRINKLES · Jan 17, 2008, 02:24 AM

I thought I heard it is only coming in 2 weeks.

::maroma:: · Jan 17, 2008, 01:52 PM

I remember hearing them say that HD movies are only available if you're on an Apple TV. Sounds like a way to sell more Apple TVs. Keeps people from using a laptop or Mini as an Apple TV replacement I guess.

alligator · Jan 17, 2008, 02:21 PM

So nobody really knows when it will be available. The Apple site says "soon" but you can update your software manually now. I tried it, it doesn't work. Thus, I guess the best guess is "soon."

analogue SPRINKLES · Jan 17, 2008, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by ::maroma::

I remember hearing them say that HD movies are only available if you're on an Apple TV. Sounds like a way to sell more Apple TVs. Keeps people from using a laptop or Mini as an Apple TV replacement I guess.

Yup, HD movies only play on the Apple TV. Lame.

BRussell · Jan 17, 2008, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Yup, HD movies only play on the Apple TV. Lame.

I think it makes sense. It would be confusing if you could download movies to your computer that you couldn't play on your ipod. This way, they side-step the whole issue of having multiple file formats: Rent it on your computer, and it plays anywhere. Rent it on AppleTV and it only plays on the AppleTV. It will screw up the .01% of people who have a Mac connected directly to their TV, but the AppleTV is so much cheaper than a dedicated computer anyway.

dawho9 · Jan 18, 2008, 01:12 AM

Here is the question I was wondering. Can I purchase movies on my AppleTV? Or can I only rent them? Or do I have to walk upstairs and purchase on my mac and transfer it down?

dw9

50leaves.com · Jan 18, 2008, 02:56 AM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Yup, HD movies only play on the Apple TV. Lame.

Wow thats kinda lame

HD Movies on a laptop would be very nice, especially on a long trip.

jokell82 · Jan 18, 2008, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by 50leaves.com

Wow thats kinda lame

HD Movies on a laptop would be very nice, especially on a long trip.

Blame the content owners and their requirement of HDCP. That's the reason we wont get HD downloads on our Macs anytime soon.

::maroma:: · Jan 18, 2008, 03:23 PM

I remember reading that you can transfer your rentals (and probably purchases) from the Apple TV to your computer and/or iPod and iPhone. So can you even view HD movies on iPod/iPhone? Are they 720p?

BRussell · Jan 18, 2008, 03:42 PM

No you can't do that. Rent it on Apple TV and it stays on Apple TV. Not even the standard def movies play on the iPod (they're now called "DVD quality" rather than "near-DVD quality").

You can purchase with Apple TV, and when you purchase they're in the lower "near-DVD quality" playable on iPods. Then you can sync those purchases back to your computer. But not rentals.

::maroma:: · Jan 18, 2008, 03:58 PM

I just watched the Apple TV Guided Tour, and the very pretty lady says that you can indeed rent movies and watch them on anything (TV, computer, iPod, iPhone). She didn't specify which format or anything though.

Hmmmm...

Nexus5 · Jan 18, 2008, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by ::maroma::

I just watched the Apple TV Guided Tour, and the very pretty lady says that you can indeed rent movies and watch them on anything (TV, computer, iPod, iPhone). She didn't specify which format or anything though.

Hmmmm...

right. _All_ (including HD movies) content bought/rented on the Apple TV is synced to your iTunes if you want. SJ mentioned this more then one time in the keynote.

nexus5.

jokell82 · Jan 18, 2008, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by Nexus5

right. _All_ (including HD movies) content bought/rented on the Apple TV is synced to your iTunes if you want. SJ mentioned this more then one time in the keynote.

nexus5.

Care to point out where? I've got the keynote here and that's not something I saw. And apparently every other site missed it too.

BRussell · Jan 18, 2008, 05:24 PM

It is misleading the way she phrases it. You can rent movies via iTunes on your computer and watch them anywhere. But rent them via AppleTV and you only watch them on AppleTV. Only purchased videos/music are synced back to iTunes on your computer.

BRussell · Jan 18, 2008, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Nexus5

right. _All_ (including HD movies) content bought/rented on the Apple TV is synced to your iTunes if you want. SJ mentioned this more then one time in the keynote.

nexus5.

Only purchased videos (which are 640X480 and thus playable on iPods), not rented (which are HD or DVD-quality, i.e., larger than 640X480 and thus not playable on iPods).

Nexus5 · Jan 18, 2008, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by jokell82

Care to point out where? I've got the keynote here and that's not something I saw. And apparently every other site missed it too.

OK, I will watch it again - perhaps the red wine I had yesterday is responsible for this "reality distortion"!

nexus5.

alligator · Jan 22, 2008, 10:51 PM

Stupid update, I still can't download it. This is one thing that should have been made available immediately.

jokell82 · Jan 22, 2008, 11:36 PM

Steve said two weeks, just be patient.

Wiskedjak · Jan 22, 2008, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by BRussell

I think it makes sense. It would be confusing if you could download movies to your computer that you couldn't play on your ipod. This way, they side-step the whole issue of having multiple file formats: Rent it on your computer, and it plays anywhere. Rent it on AppleTV and it only plays on the AppleTV. It will screw up the .01% of people who have a Mac connected directly to their TV, but the AppleTV is so much cheaper than a dedicated computer anyway.

Or the higher percentage of people who would like to watch HD content on their computer.

BRussell · Jan 23, 2008, 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak

Or the higher percentage of people who would like to watch HD content on their computer.

Yeah, I know I would. But I suppose they figure HD content is more important for the TV, and this way, anything that goes on the computer can also go on the iPod. I'm not sure it's the wrong decision.