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Didn't expect that, but that's probably because we don't own a TV.

I know I was all set to buy one until they made widescreen a requirement. :-(

I have two older, non-HD TVs with a yellow input and stereo sound. Guess I'm SOL, even though I'd happily buy two Apple TVs if they'd just work with my current equipment. I know the new TVs use that HDMI input, but has anyone seen a TV with that RGB input? Last time I saw that was on a Radius monitor in the early 90s.

I have two older, non-HD TVs with a yellow input and stereo sound. - has anyone seen a TV with that RGB input?

these are the same thing

Tommy Boy - RGB is a common interface standard for getting VGA signal to a TV. The reality is that ALL HDTVs support one of the inputs AppleTV has so it is a mute point - your standard def won't work with it anyway!

tommy-boy,

lots of HD tv's have that RGB input...it's called Component input...not to be confused with composite which is the yellow-red-white style.

Most HD tv's are now shipping with HDMI input but if you purchased a HD tv within the past 3 or 4 years chances are it has Component (RGB) input.

Apple has covered all the bases...if you own an HD tv you can connect the AppleTV. Non-HD tv owners are SOL.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but RGB is reasonably common stateside, but almost unheard of in Europe, where SCART is used.

Anybody know if these claims have been verified? It's just very hard to believe that this device is very useful. Maybe it's just Apple fanatics rushing in to buy up anything Steve Barnum Jobs puts on the shelf - without ever stopping to think about whether they will actually use it on any of the days following it's initial installation.

yeah that makes sense - it's not actually people who want the product & know what it does, it's just those dumb Apple fanatics at it again, handing over their hard earned $ to Steve Jobs, just because! you are an idiot.

i doubt i am the only person so far to read this article that has a TV w/ HDMI input am i? come on, people... my Sharp Aquos 1080i 16:9 HD flat screen was around $1400... no big deal, & it has an incredibly good picture.

>>> Old TV Owners <<<<

Rejoice, Apple already offers something even better than Apple TV for old TV owners, MacMini.

I've been using a MacMini to drive my 53" RP Sony TV ever since the first G4 MacMini came out. Later, I bought an Intel mini and have no complaints. Apple sells an adaptor for $19 that will drive composite video or S-video from the MacMini.

The MacMini is a complete computer not a feature deprived step child. You can surf the internet, check email and download TV shows and movies from Apple.

Even my wife who is the worlds biggest techno phobe can use the mini. I have a matching 750GB external hard disk that sits under the mini and it has over 150 movies in it plus dozens of TV shows. It's the server for my video iPod, that's where I fill up when I'm heading out on a long road trip.

We have the wireless keyboard and mouse in a drawer of our coffee table. The Apple remote works for most viewing needs.

I record and produce content in the basement and shoot it across the network to the MacMini in the family room upstairs. It's working great for me.

Hey Deal or not:

This does not surprise me at all. Welcome to the digital age. Very soon you will not see TV channels or rent movies again. With this gadget you can see the TV show or movie you like, whenever you like. iTunes Music, podcasts and photos at your living room coupled with the home theater is another great benefit. No more waiting for the show to begin.

AppleTV and iTunes will soon be the distribution channel for all entertainment media. Except live shows (maybe).

Think different.

Don't understand that. It's a very limited product and there are other more versatile products on the market. I'll bet that there are going to be a lot of disappointed people that buy Apple TV. It has some limited uses but for it to outsell ipods is crazy.

Three words: ease of use.
And to those offering up the Mac mini--the Apple TV is 50% of the price!! Not everyone wants/needs a full computer attached to their HD TV.

Any way to get Video_TS support? hack maybe?

@deal or no deal--How can you stand your own thoughts? "It's just very hard to believe that this device is very useful."

"Believe" has got nothin' to do with it, boy. It is, or it isn't. Your lack of understanding does not negate the usefulness percieved by others.

Did I use small enough words?

@Tony: Widescreen requirement.

You don't necessarily have to have an 11:9 screen. your TV needs to be able able to recognize the 11:9 format. some of the higher end Sony Vega CRT's are able to convert to 11:9 based on the signal input using component inputs from either a Progessive Scan DVD or Digital cable box.

You all know what this means, don't you?

That's right: iPod sales are tanking!

Run for the hills! Run for the hills!

AppleTV was a disappointment for me because of no 1080p res output. 2nd version might have that capability.

Consider this, we just finished with the Xmas rush on iPods, and I'm bettin' many people are holding off buying a new iPod waiting for the next gen. With that in mind these stats make sense.

Sheridan: I'm with you one that one - rather wait for V2 is higher graphics performance.

Still it's good that Apple are getting a good response from the early adopters. After all they need all the money they can get since the only made $1B last quarter.

Anyone know if AppleTV renders it's interface and iPhoto pictures at 1080i (1920x1080) or if it renders everything at 720p (1280x720) and then scales to alternative resolutions (1080i, 576p, 480p)?

Because if it renders interface and photos in 1080i then I am going to order one, but if it renders at 720p and then scales I am not and will wait for v2.0

My 8 year old Sony Wega tv has component in and also supports both 4:3 and 16:9. I haven't ordered an AppleTV yet, but once they are avaiable at the retail store I'm sure that I will buy one. The reason? iTunes will be available on my tv along with the ability to pick my music. Right now, I have a Airport Express hooked up to a set of speakers - works great except I have to go my computer to change the music. The rest is gravy...or at least less important to me....for now.

My girlfriends analog Sony CRT has the RGB inputs, which, BTW, are not the same as the yellow, red and white as someone said (I know most of you know this)

I'm a little surprised it took off this well, also. Good for Apple. Now combine it with the Mini and make it a Maxi.....with wings!

Me- "...AppleTV has so it is a mute point -.."
I think that trying to point out certain people who cannot speak as part of your discussion is insensitive and profane. Giving them points is not going to help the situation either. Just because they can't talk does not mean they can't compete in the marketplace of free ideas and win 'on their own'.

I would say more but my comments would fall on deaf ears.

oh- wait... I'm typing not speaking.. never mind,
the point is moot.

ok 7

I had to mute iTunes and read that one twice...(I'm hard of hearing)At first, I was blind to the intent, but now I see what you said with your words, man. I hear ya!

Hywel: by "RGB" you mean "Component".

Component video is luminance, plus two color signals -- been around since dawn of HDTV in USA. It is not Red, Green, Blue signals even though that's the color of the RCA plugs.

Scart is tv connector in Europe that has RGBS (seperate red, green, blue, sync) signal -- this has been around since the mid-1980s.

Yep, whilst USA was going nuts for 'high quality' s-video Europeans had RGB for years. :o

I'd like to see a big marketing campaign on tv for this. but personally i think i'm going to wait until it does 1080P and has a bigger hard drive. 40GB is kind of weak.

Hi,Towetone, i am typing this slowly as i know that you are not a fast reader...
sorry, you want me to... what


SPEAK UP … OK THEN</pre>

M.A.D.
Burn it to DVD and watch it on your player. Its impossible to get every concoction of format to play on one deviice. Except mayby a laptop. I've retired my old G3 iBook to the lounge room, it plays virtualy everything via VLC. Yeah it's not HD so what.

FYI - The Apple TV "footprint" may seem like it is the same as a Mac mini, but it is actually about 1.5 inches wider. The new "n" Airport Basestation, however, is the same sized square as the Mac mini.

Giggles
my arthritis is flarin, you're gonna have to use smaller words...

Windows MCE, XBOX 360, OWNED.
Your potential, Our passion.

"Anybody know if these claims have been verified? It's just very hard to believe that this device is very useful. Maybe it's just Apple fanatics rushing in to buy up anything Steve Barnum Jobs puts on the shelf - without ever stopping to think about whether they will actually use it on any of the days following it's initial installation."

I'm not sure I get this quote or any of the others like it. Unless you already have a full fledged Mac Mini (or something larger on less elegant on the Windows side) why *wouldn't* you want an Apple TV?

I would certainly get one if I didn't have the Mac Mini set up. Streams from any computer in the house, can buy directly from iTunes, and store a goodly number of media in its own hard drive.

I've thought the iPhone has unfairly eclipsed this device from day one. I mean the iPhone is great but the Apple TV is fairly cheap and *anyone* regardless of tech skills or Mac fluency can plug this baby up and be all digital.

And, of course, can play iTunes DRM. No small consideration for the 100 million folks who have iPods already.