Comments for Apple TV Junkie http://www.appletvjunkie.com Apple TV Junkie (appletvjunkie.com) has arrived on the scene to provide a helpful new service for users of the Apple TV. It was born out of a surprising shortcoming on the Apple TV after noticing that there was no comprehensive list of high definition movies anywhere. ATVJ fills that niche with a full list of all HD movies which is updated daily. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:24:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 Comment on Amazon Video On Demand Now Open For Mac And PC by David L Good http://www.appletvjunkie.com/amazon-video-on-demand-now-open-for-mac-and-pc#comment-871 David L Good Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:08:02 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=527#comment-871 I tried the Amazon video service (demo) and have to say I wasn't too impressed. I have a fast pipe to my home, but experienced less-than-wonderful results at times. In all, I don't think I would be interested in purchasing/renting content that was streaming. It's just too limited. The best streaming engine comes from FOX.com. It's a very smart adaptive stream that will play at almost any data rate -- so if you're in a hotel room in Salt Lake City watching with your 3G wireless adapter you can watch their shows uninterrupted (you may get varied quality, but at least you don't have to wait for "buffering"). Another site of interest would be HULU.com, which went public not too long ago. If you don't have a solid connection you will be met with some "buffering" issues, like most other sites, but at least the content is free and vast. Do they have the latest/greatest movies? Not always. But I would prefer to rent an actual DVD (Netflix, RedBox, etc., et.) or get it from the iTunes Store -- a much better value than pay-per-stream services with buffering issues. I tried the Amazon video service (demo) and have to say I wasn’t too impressed. I have a fast pipe to my home, but experienced less-than-wonderful results at times. In all, I don’t think I would be interested in purchasing/renting content that was streaming. It’s just too limited. The best streaming engine comes from FOX.com. It’s a very smart adaptive stream that will play at almost any data rate — so if you’re in a hotel room in Salt Lake City watching with your 3G wireless adapter you can watch their shows uninterrupted (you may get varied quality, but at least you don’t have to wait for “buffering”). Another site of interest would be HULU.com, which went public not too long ago. If you don’t have a solid connection you will be met with some “buffering” issues, like most other sites, but at least the content is free and vast. Do they have the latest/greatest movies? Not always. But I would prefer to rent an actual DVD (Netflix, RedBox, etc., et.) or get it from the iTunes Store — a much better value than pay-per-stream services with buffering issues.

]]> Comment on The iPhone, HD Video, And iTunes 8 Rumors by westmd http://www.appletvjunkie.com/the-iphone-hd-video-and-itunes-8-rumors#comment-870 westmd Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:49:46 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=526#comment-870 I think one of the biggest adavantage would be that I can have just one file and can watch it in the best possible resolution on my ipod and on the Apple TV. Also I can encode video material in the best quality and not twice for ipod and Apple TV quality. I think one of the biggest adavantage would be that I can have just one file and can watch it in the best possible resolution on my ipod and on the Apple TV. Also I can encode video material in the best quality and not twice for ipod and Apple TV quality.

]]> Comment on The iPhone, HD Video, And iTunes 8 Rumors by Jeff http://www.appletvjunkie.com/the-iphone-hd-video-and-itunes-8-rumors#comment-865 Jeff Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:59:58 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=526#comment-865 I think if this is true that we are missing the key part - there was a patent recently where Apple had a way to stream content via wifi to your iPhone/iPod touch. If there is wifi on the new iPods coming out this would make sence. You would be able to watch the video streamed to your hand held media device without storing it on it and the quality could be downgraded to fit the specs on your device before its streamed. Here is were it would get good. The same 1080P video could be streamed to your device at full quality while it was hooked up to a special hub that has HDMI out to your TV - same with AppleTV (speculating a new version will be capable of 1080p and older AppleTV's would have a the 1080p video downgraded to 720p on the computer before its streamed to the AppleTV). Thats my guess anyway:) I think if this is true that we are missing the key part - there was a patent recently where Apple had a way to stream content via wifi to your iPhone/iPod touch. If there is wifi on the new iPods coming out this would make sence. You would be able to watch the video streamed to your hand held media device without storing it on it and the quality could be downgraded to fit the specs on your device before its streamed.

Here is were it would get good. The same 1080P video could be streamed to your device at full quality while it was hooked up to a special hub that has HDMI out to your TV - same with AppleTV (speculating a new version will be capable of 1080p and older AppleTV’s would have a the 1080p video downgraded to 720p on the computer before its streamed to the AppleTV).

Thats my guess anyway:)

]]> Comment on The iPhone, HD Video, And iTunes 8 Rumors by CHASH http://www.appletvjunkie.com/the-iphone-hd-video-and-itunes-8-rumors#comment-864 CHASH Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:22:10 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=526#comment-864 The reason why HD content isn't available on the Mac, and *is* on AppleTV, is because the AppleTV design supports HDCP and the Mac and computer displays don't... Unless you can provide content protection for the studios, you will not see HD content on these (unprotected) clients. As far as HD on the iPhone, I'm no sure I see the point. OTOH, if all the video DRM issues could be solved on the Mac side, then the confusing mishmash between non-transportable AppleTV content vs iPod/iPhone/Mac content, would be eliminated in one swift stroke... That would be heaven, but I'm dubious of the possibility. The reason why HD content isn’t available on the Mac, and *is* on AppleTV, is because the AppleTV design supports HDCP and the Mac and computer displays don’t… Unless you can provide content protection for the studios, you will not see HD content on these (unprotected) clients.

As far as HD on the iPhone, I’m no sure I see the point. OTOH, if all the video DRM issues could be solved on the Mac side, then the confusing mishmash between non-transportable AppleTV content vs iPod/iPhone/Mac content, would be eliminated in one swift stroke… That would be heaven, but I’m dubious of the possibility.

]]> Comment on The iPhone, HD Video, And iTunes 8 Rumors by Nate Thompson http://www.appletvjunkie.com/the-iphone-hd-video-and-itunes-8-rumors#comment-863 Nate Thompson Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:50:39 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=526#comment-863 Oh, and hopefully they would let you output via iPhone and iPod Touch via component cables, although I'm sure the MPAA wouldn't like that too much. Oh, and hopefully they would let you output via iPhone and iPod Touch via component cables, although I’m sure the MPAA wouldn’t like that too much.

]]> Comment on The iPhone, HD Video, And iTunes 8 Rumors by Nate Thompson http://www.appletvjunkie.com/the-iphone-hd-video-and-itunes-8-rumors#comment-862 Nate Thompson Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:37:43 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=526#comment-862 The ability to play HD content on your iPhone/iPod Touch would mean that they could expand their HD rental business to these devices. This would probably also mean they would allow rentals on Macs; I believe the only reason they do not currently allow this is to help alleviate customer confusion in the iTunes store (I can only imagine how many people would rent the HD version if it were available in the iTunes Store and then complain when it wouldn't work on their iPhone). In all honestly, you won't see any benefit from the resolution increase, but you'll have more options with your files if they allow HD content onto the iPhone platform. The ability to play HD content on your iPhone/iPod Touch would mean that they could expand their HD rental business to these devices. This would probably also mean they would allow rentals on Macs; I believe the only reason they do not currently allow this is to help alleviate customer confusion in the iTunes store (I can only imagine how many people would rent the HD version if it were available in the iTunes Store and then complain when it wouldn’t work on their iPhone).

In all honestly, you won’t see any benefit from the resolution increase, but you’ll have more options with your files if they allow HD content onto the iPhone platform.

]]> Comment on AppleTVHacks.Net For Sale? by David L Good http://www.appletvjunkie.com/appletvhacksnet-for-sale#comment-861 David L Good Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:17:35 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=507#comment-861 I think hacks, or anything AppleTV related would be a good fit for this site. Learning about new rentals and movies/TV shows is great, but limited. Brining additional news, information, updates related to AppleTV would drive a lot more traffic to this site, as it would make it much more appealing to a wider audience. For me, I think it's nice to quickly glance at new releases, but I'm probably more interested in learning about the $0.99 movie of the week at-a-glance. The standard lists I pretty much just glance at. Now... when you post something different to the site -- information about improvements or upcoming events related to the AppleTV you get my attention, and I read the post entirely. Of course, that's my opinion. Your site has gained a slot in my daily "open in tabs" list of bookmarks -- I think additional content would encourage others to place this site high up on their 'daily review' lists as well. I think hacks, or anything AppleTV related would be a good fit for this site. Learning about new rentals and movies/TV shows is great, but limited. Brining additional news, information, updates related to AppleTV would drive a lot more traffic to this site, as it would make it much more appealing to a wider audience.

For me, I think it’s nice to quickly glance at new releases, but I’m probably more interested in learning about the $0.99 movie of the week at-a-glance. The standard lists I pretty much just glance at.

Now… when you post something different to the site — information about improvements or upcoming events related to the AppleTV you get my attention, and I read the post entirely.

Of course, that’s my opinion. Your site has gained a slot in my daily “open in tabs” list of bookmarks — I think additional content would encourage others to place this site high up on their ‘daily review’ lists as well.

]]> Comment on Site Update: Commenting System Updated by David L Good http://www.appletvjunkie.com/site-update-commenting-system-update#comment-860 David L Good Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:08:06 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=523#comment-860 Now THIS is a welcome improvement. There have been a few times I've wanted to comment on something posted, but fell short of doing so because I simply did not want to have to register for yet ANOTHER comment/blog/site. Thanks for doing this. Now THIS is a welcome improvement. There have been a few times I’ve wanted to comment on something posted, but fell short of doing so because I simply did not want to have to register for yet ANOTHER comment/blog/site.

Thanks for doing this.

]]> Comment on Could HD Content Be Coming To The iTunes Store? by Keith Foster http://www.appletvjunkie.com/could-hd-content-be-coming-to-the-itunes-store#comment-859 Keith Foster Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:57:18 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=521#comment-859 This might be the first sign of Apple TV / Mac Mini hybrid. Kevin also said something about HD visualization; granted, most monder computers have no issue with HD content. This sounds, to me, Apple had the Apple TV in mind with iTunes 8. This might be the first sign of Apple TV / Mac Mini hybrid. Kevin also said something about HD visualization; granted, most monder computers have no issue with HD content. This sounds, to me, Apple had the Apple TV in mind with iTunes 8.

]]> Comment on Could HD Content Be Coming To The iTunes Store? by Jeff http://www.appletvjunkie.com/could-hd-content-be-coming-to-the-itunes-store#comment-853 Jeff Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:48:14 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=521#comment-853 The decoder mentioned is for production and it creates extremely small files in production. It is much larger than h.264 and not practical to deliver files with. It's is 6-10 times smaller than uncompressed but h.264 is much smaller. Also please not that the Kevin Ross quote says download - not buy (Im leaning towards HD is only available via subscription). The decoder mentioned is for production and it creates extremely small files in production. It is much larger than h.264 and not practical to deliver files with. It’s is 6-10 times smaller than uncompressed but h.264 is much smaller.

Also please not that the Kevin Ross quote says download - not buy (Im leaning towards HD is only available via subscription).

]]> Comment on Site Update: Commenting System Updated by Ben Drawbaugh http://www.appletvjunkie.com/site-update-commenting-system-update#comment-852 Ben Drawbaugh Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:32:00 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=523#comment-852 Sweet, may you have more comments, and less spam. Sweet, may you have more comments, and less spam.

]]> Comment on Could HD Content Be Coming To The iTunes Store? by kaembo http://www.appletvjunkie.com/could-hd-content-be-coming-to-the-itunes-store#comment-846 kaembo Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:17:28 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=521#comment-846 Don't think so. HD is not available to PCs via iTunes, because of the lack of a HDCP-Copyprotection. The ATV has a HDMI output with HDCP, that's why it is allowed to play HD-Content. Regards, Kaembo Don’t think so. HD is not available to PCs via iTunes, because of the lack of a HDCP-Copyprotection.

The ATV has a HDMI output with HDCP, that’s why it is allowed to play HD-Content.

Regards,
Kaembo

]]> Comment on Could HD Content Be Coming To The iTunes Store? by Galley http://www.appletvjunkie.com/could-hd-content-be-coming-to-the-itunes-store#comment-845 Galley Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:09:07 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=521#comment-845 The MPEG-4 encoder that Apple uses is already twice as efficient as MEPG-2 that DVD use. Uncompressed HD quality at SD rates sounds implausible. The MPEG-4 encoder that Apple uses is already twice as efficient as MEPG-2 that DVD use. Uncompressed HD quality at SD rates sounds implausible.

]]> Comment on Donnie Brasco Is the New $.99 Movie Of The Week by Chris Blackwell http://www.appletvjunkie.com/donnie-brasco-is-the-new-99-movie-of-the-week#comment-844 Chris Blackwell Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:56:32 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=515#comment-844 I don't know why but Canada always seems to have a different $0.99 movie of the week. This week in Canada it's "Be Cool". I don’t know why but Canada always seems to have a different $0.99 movie of the week. This week in Canada it’s “Be Cool”.

]]> Comment on Its been slow so some random Mon…err Tuesday thoughts. by Ben Drawbaugh http://www.appletvjunkie.com/its-been-slow-so-some-random-monerr-tuesday-thoughts#comment-843 Ben Drawbaugh Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:18:25 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=513#comment-843 While I agree that caps seem the same as a rate increase (after all we were paying for unlimited before)with that limit you can still download a HD movie a day without going over. You have to admit that is a pretty reasonable limit. While I agree that caps seem the same as a rate increase (after all we were paying for unlimited before)with that limit you can still download a HD movie a day without going over. You have to admit that is a pretty reasonable limit.

]]> Comment on Daily HD Rental Update 8-28-08 by Eddie V. http://www.appletvjunkie.com/daily-hd-rental-update-8-28-08#comment-841 Eddie V. Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:50:06 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=499#comment-841 Yeah that would be one of the many mysteries surrounding the Apple TV and iTunes Store. On occasion there are titles that will appear on Apple TV but not in the iTunes Store. We have no explanation for this. There could be issues with Apple, there could be issues with the Studios. I wish I had a better answer for you. Yeah that would be one of the many mysteries surrounding the Apple TV and iTunes Store. On occasion there are titles that will appear on Apple TV but not in the iTunes Store. We have no explanation for this. There could be issues with Apple, there could be issues with the Studios. I wish I had a better answer for you.

]]> Comment on Daily HD Rental Update 8-28-08 by macdandr http://www.appletvjunkie.com/daily-hd-rental-update-8-28-08#comment-840 macdandr Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:34:52 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=499#comment-840 How is it that the Apple TV can have the Movie Waterworld available for rent in both SD and HD but the iTunes store has no sign of the movie at all still? I thought Apple TV was getting all of it's SD content from the same iTunes store? Does the Apple TV have its own iTunes store entirely? How is it that the Apple TV can have the Movie Waterworld available for rent in both SD and HD but the iTunes store has no sign of the movie at all still? I thought Apple TV was getting all of it’s SD content from the same iTunes store? Does the Apple TV have its own iTunes store entirely?

]]> Comment on New Poll - Are On-Disc Digital Copies Enough Incentive To Purchase A DVD? by Keith Foster http://www.appletvjunkie.com/new-poll-are-on-disc-digital-copies-enough-incentive-to-purchase-a-dvd#comment-839 Keith Foster Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:21:59 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=501#comment-839 I have a few movies with digital copy; Juno, and Family Guy Blue Harvest. First the copy was not the reason I bought the movie it was just an added bonus. Like Galley said they look fine on an iPod, and great on my iPhone, but when I have viewed them on my Atv the quality is well below DVD. I get better results with DVD43 and Handbrake (PC) and some time encoding. The MPAA needs to wake up and see that digital is wave and allow ripping from DVDs. I would love to pop in a new DVD and rip it to iTunes and just put it away. You know the same thing I do with CDs that I buy legally. I have a few movies with digital copy; Juno, and Family Guy Blue Harvest. First the copy was not the reason I bought the movie it was just an added bonus. Like Galley said they look fine on an iPod, and great on my iPhone, but when I have viewed them on my Atv the quality is well below DVD. I get better results with DVD43 and Handbrake (PC) and some time encoding. The MPAA needs to wake up and see that digital is wave and allow ripping from DVDs. I would love to pop in a new DVD and rip it to iTunes and just put it away. You know the same thing I do with CDs that I buy legally.

]]> Comment on New Poll - Are On-Disc Digital Copies Enough Incentive To Purchase A DVD? by ccunning http://www.appletvjunkie.com/new-poll-are-on-disc-digital-copies-enough-incentive-to-purchase-a-dvd#comment-838 ccunning Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:01:09 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=501#comment-838 I have not yet purchased a movie with a digital copy so I don't know what the quality is like. If what Galley said above is true then I don.t see it as much of a value add unless(until?) they make the copy at least close to DVD quality. I don't use my iPhone to play movies. That being said I don't purchase many new movies anymore anyway. Between Netflix and the occasional AppleTV rental my movie watching needs are met. I have not yet purchased a movie with a digital copy so I don’t know what the quality is like. If what Galley said above is true then I don.t see it as much of a value add unless(until?) they make the copy at least close to DVD quality. I don’t use my iPhone to play movies.

That being said I don’t purchase many new movies anymore anyway. Between Netflix and the occasional AppleTV rental my movie watching needs are met.

]]> Comment on New Poll - Are On-Disc Digital Copies Enough Incentive To Purchase A DVD? by Galley http://www.appletvjunkie.com/new-poll-are-on-disc-digital-copies-enough-incentive-to-purchase-a-dvd#comment-837 Galley Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:28:32 +0000 http://www.appletvjunkie.com/?p=501#comment-837 I love the idea of a "digital copy", but just like audio files, you are limited to whatever bitrate and codec they are using. I believe these are only 1500Kbps, which will look fine on a iPod, but not so great on an HDTV. I love the idea of a “digital copy”, but just like audio files, you are limited to whatever bitrate and codec they are using. I believe these are only 1500Kbps, which will look fine on a iPod, but not so great on an HDTV.

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