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Feb 21, 08 - 05:35 pm Comment from: Logan

Why can't we have HD content on our computers? Makes no sense...

Feb 21, 08 - 05:35 pm Comment from: Hm...

Let's hope this fixes the infamous "skipped/dropped audio" problem and the "audio out-of-sync with video" problem that has been all over the boards for quite a while now.

Fingers and toes crossed...

Logan: So we have a compelling reason to go out and buy an AppleTV.

Feb 21, 08 - 05:40 pm Comment from: Chip

Does it snap?

Feb 21, 08 - 05:46 pm Comment from: Jim - TIV

My soup making is snappier!

I've had no bad rentals or purchases with my Apple TV as of. Only the occasional iTunes not seeing the Apple TV.

Feb 21, 08 - 05:59 pm Comment from: Darkness

Because HD content on your computer invites piracy. Studio heads will have none of that.

Of course once you hack your Apple TV you should be able to access all of its contents...

Feb 21, 08 - 06:04 pm Comment from: Logan

Can I play the content from my Apple TV on my computer? If so, can I play the HD movies on my computer in another room of the house?

I am contemplating an Apple TV, but the no HD content on the computer might be a deal-breaker for me.

Feb 21, 08 - 06:23 pm Comment from: Darkness

Oh, and why no mention of the $0.99 movie rental special? Seems there's going to be a deal like this every week from now on.

Feb 21, 08 - 06:26 pm Comment from: Darkness

@Logan...

It seems to me that if you can get the content into iTunes, you can stream it to your AppleTV. That's not the same as buying content with your AppleTV and then moving it to your computer. The studios don't want you to do that. But there are plenty of tools that will allow you to back up your existing HD content onto your computer. (Pay attention to how this is stated...) Once it's on your computer you can then stream it through iTunes.

Feb 21, 08 - 06:45 pm Comment from: Tommyr

My Rice Krispies are snappier!

@Darkness

Can you really stream HD content via Airport? I think that is asking a lot. Seems like AppleTV must use a caching technique as my Mac to Mac wireless won't even carry a divx file without stuttering.

I don't think you'd want HD on your computer. Two issues: space issues; and (2) very few monitors can display HD content with any noticeable improvement over non-HD resolution (I think the 30 inch HD Cinema Display may be the only one offered from Apple).

Most Apple monitors can display 720p ... Apple TV drive is MUCH smaller than every drive I have!!

Feb 21, 08 - 07:15 pm Comment from: Darkness

@poo

I was talking about the Apple TV only. It can create an ad-hoc network via Bonjour to get content from iTunes on a remote computer. Thanks to its internal hard disk cacheing isn't an issue. And 802.11n is a fat enough pipe to move the data pretty quickly.

@Steve:

Yes I do want HD on my computer. I have my old Dual 2GHz G5 connected to my 42-inch Toshiba HighDef TV via DVI to HDMI cable. I currently have over a terrabyte of storage attached to the machine. I use Front Row to watch everything. But, Apple won't let me rent HD movies because I don't have an AppleTV. An AppleTV is a step *down* from what I have. With the Perian QuickTime plug-in, I can play pretty much any video format in existence. I can also keep adding storage. I can rip my personal DVD collection the same way we all ripped our personal CD collections with iTunes. Using a Mac for a media center opens a lot of possibilities that AppleTV doesn't allow.

I would like to rent HD movies from Apple but they won't let me. Until they will, I'll have to find them elsewhere (rhymes with dit-phorrent).

iTunes no longer asks me if I want to let it access t'internet every-bleedin-time-I-turn-it-on (despite already having okayed it in security preferences). Thank Jobs they've sorted that out at last.

@Logan and @auctoris, the reason HD is not allowed on your computer is because the studios require an HDCP, Hi Def Content Protection, chip in the loop. There's a HDCP chip in your AppleTV and also one in your HiDef television. Also, the cable connections, are recognized by the HDCP chips, either the HDMI, or a DVI-HDCP. This guarantees the studios that from delivery to screen, there's no opportunity for you to rip the movie, or so they believe.

Since the Mac has no HDCP chip, it cannot guarantee that the content will not be ripped, at least not to the Studio's satisfaction. This has NOTHING to do with Apple, but what the Studio's require.

I wish people, if they are going to complain, would at least complain to the right people.

Feb 21, 08 - 07:50 pm Comment from: Jubei

@Brother Mugga

That was sure one annoying piece of bug. I hope your right. Downloading it soon.

As Darkness mentioned HD streaming should be possible. The Slingbox HD coming out in Q3, will stream HD content over your LAN, using H.264 compression at about 6 to 7 Mbps. I've tested my Slingbox Solo over my LAN, and it can stream up to 8Mpbs, using Wifi-g. I can't see why AppleTV and an Airport Extreme N, wouldn't have even better throughput.

Feb 21, 08 - 09:20 pm Comment from: ken1w

The weekly 99-cent movie pick. What a great idea to get people who already have iTunes installed to try the rental service. It'll be like the free weekly music track.

Feb 21, 08 - 09:44 pm Comment from: eMax

@ Steve.....

My apple TV is connected to a TV with a 1024x768 res
My power mac is connected to a Monitor with a 1680x1200 res which is higher?

Feb 21, 08 - 10:31 pm Comment from: DogGone

@emax..1080p HD is 1920x1080 pixels. 720p is 1280x720.

So you monitor can do 720p but not 1080p.

@Ken - I'm dling "The Hours" as I type. I gonna see how it plays on the PB and also when hooked up to my HDTV. For 1 dollar I'm not too bothered if it sucks.

Feb 21, 08 - 10:52 pm Comment from: Magilla Gorilla

I can't figure it out folks. I downloaded the iTunes 7.6.1 update that was released earlier today and now my AppleTV won't play any of my stored movies (i.e. purchases of both TV shows and Feature Films) in iTunes. I get a window that reads, in part, "There are no movies on your AppleTV. Set up a connection with iTunes, or purchase moviesfrom the iTunes store....". When I push the button to select one of my movies, it goes dark and just sits there, unresponsive, for a few moments and then up comes the window I just spoke about. Mind you that I am streaming all of my media to my AppleTV. It's been working flawlessly up until this "update". I can still play my rentals, but, thats it. All of my music plays correctly. Photos still work. Screensaver works. It's just all of my purchases, home movies and any ripped DVD's that I own. Any one having this problem? Any suggestions? HELP!!!
p.s.
I unplugged the device for about a minute and still have the same problem. Same goes for quitting iTunes and reopening it.
p.s.s.
I'm also getting a window that reads, "The selected video cannot be played. The format was not recognized". This even pops up on all my purchases through iTunes also. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Feb 21, 08 - 11:15 pm Comment from: Cubert

Who's got the snappiness report???

@magilla gorilla
Yo have to resync the Apple TV with itunes on the computer you bought the movies on making sure that Itunes on that comp[uter is set to share. I had the same issue before 7.6.1

I upgraded to the new iTunes today and now iTunes won't open. I just got my first iPod and now I can't use it. Apparently this is a problem for many people, yet Apple denies knowing anything about this issue. I hope Mac magazines take special notice of this issue.

Feb 22, 08 - 07:14 am Comment from: Hm...

Sigh. My "hope this fixes the infamous 'skipped/dropped audio' problem and the 'audio out-of-sync with video' problem" was premature -- still getting dropped audio and out-of-sync sound on video.

mike, sometimes it helps to delete iTunes, download it anew and reinstall it. helped me a several times.

Feb 22, 08 - 01:31 pm Comment from: KingMel

24" iMac is 1920 x 1200 ---- 1080P baby!

I upgraded iTunes on two iMacs and AppleTV works just fine.. Everything I have looked at is just like before. I did have to sync and relink the ATV to the wireless connection. Seems snappier!