PVR Wire

1. With such limited video sources, I think an XBox 360 as a MCE2005 extender is far more capable, has a more appealing interface, and streams live TV. The small premium over the Apple TV is well worth the ability for HDTV streaming, and the option for the HDDVD drive.

Posted at 8:04PM on Jan 9th 2007 by TurboLag

2. What's the best Mac-side tuner to pair with an iTV to create an iDVR? (I wonder how soon Elgato will have an upgrade to do just that?)

Posted at 10:08PM on Jan 9th 2007 by Patrick

3. 720p is what most good broadcasts are at nowadays- I'm very happy to hear that Apple is using that. Honestly, we couldn't have hoped for anything better- 720p can look nicer than 1080i and 1080p isn't in the spec for broadcast television. I was worried it'd launch with a more bandwidth-friendly 480p, so 720p is great!

Posted at 5:13AM on Jan 10th 2007 by brad

4. Just to note, most broadcasts are 1080i (CBS, NBC, CW, Discovery HD, TNTHD, INHD, HDNet, Universal HD, HBO HD, Showtime HD, and so on) , only a few use 720p (ABC, FOX, ESPN)

Also, 720p is the max resolution it will decode (H.264). It will output at 1080i if you want it too.

I think we can stop having PVR Wire write that products that were release way before AppleTV are still trying to compete with it. Should be the other way around. :)

Chris

Posted at 9:26AM on Jan 10th 2007 by Chris Lanier

5. This is just the first release.. I'll expect Apple to add tuners in the next rev. THAT might replace my 2 Tivos.

Posted at 9:36AM on Jan 10th 2007 by Steve

6. Just wondering, at what cost?

If 40GB if $299 then you really think they can pull off adding tuners for a reasonable price? And then to think they can just jump into the PVR software market and rival TiVo on the first go around? Then there is the basic fact that anything less then CableCARD or DIRECTV/Dish support is a waste.

Sorry, I don't think it's really going to work out. Yes, it's the first version. Yes, there will be upgrades. However, Apple seems more excited to sell me content off of the iTunes Store (which is way more expensive then cable/sat if you watch more than 2 series). Then there is the concept that the first version of Apple TV will basically be trash if they give such upgrades (which would nicely follow the Microsoft path with Media Center Extenders).

Disclaimer: I'm a Media Center user, click my name for a link to my Media Center blog.

Posted at 10:49AM on Jan 10th 2007 by Chris Lanier