As pointed out last week Real Networks now has a legal DVD copying solution. So where is Apple on iTunes DVD ripping? This would be a benefit to the consumer and to Apple; because, they [Apple] could not only drive sales in the same why they do with music, you give the consumer an easy option with media they already own. I get the idea behind not doing it: they want to drive sales of the video store, but if the move to HD and digitally distributed media has shown one thing its people hate to double dip. It’s one thing to ask someone to pay $9.99 for music(a tape or an LP, you know records they made them) they have owned for years VS 9.99 to 14.99 for an SD download of a movie they most likely bought for less. Apple is obviously trying to get a lock on the video market with the AppleTV, iPods, and the video store. By adding in video ripping, much in the way they did with audio, you will drive sales of device and content. So come on Apple give us what we want, an easy and legal way to rip DVDs we already own to iTunes.
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Update: An Apple event is now scheduled for next Tuesday September the 9th.
First off, did all of you see that Comcast is now starting their 250gb a month Cap? If you have been a reader of this site, you may remember, I wrote about this a few month ago. At the time I felt the move was to hold off digital distribution, IP TV, and on demand services such as Apple TV. I still do, and some of the things I wrote about are also talked about on Twit (This week in tech) episode 158. Jim Louderback and Leo Laporte seem, both of whom have a heavy stake in online media, to share my sentiments. Both have far more experience in this area than I do, and I found the converstion very intresting you should take a listien.
Second, with the iPod revisions on the horizon (as early as next week according to some,) still no talk of the future of Apple TV. I am convinced that Apple will do more with the Apple TV in the next few months, but the question is when. While I still dont subscribe to the Apple TV as a TV bit, a new version or updated fetures set has to be coming along, right. I am starting to think that Apple will not add “DVR” fuction, but what about opening it up for something like Elgato Eye TV ?(Credit to this thread on Mac rumors for the idea). Now you could in theory get a tuner card, record to your MAC/PC, convert the video to a proper iTunes format, then use iTunes to catalog the recording. As I have said before the only way to make the Apple TV the iPod of the living room is to make it easy for everyone.
By now I am sure you have heard the rumor about iTunes unlimited. If not the short version is Apple might unveil an iTunes subscription service; for a fee you can download all the music you want, but you don’t get to keep it unless you pay for it. I’m not a fan of this model, I like to buy my music not rent it, but I can see the appeal to some. If Apple could somehow bundle in video I would be all for it, yet it seems to be long shot. Movies, maybe you could make the case that you’re monthly or yearly fee covers X movies a month. TV, what I want, on the other hand is a pipe dream. I can’t see how apple makes the case to the networks to let this happen; honestly, the networks hate DVRs because we can skip ads, and watch shows over and over and they don’t see a dime of it. If Apple did come out and say for 150.00 a year I can music, TV, and Movies (with caps on video most likely) I would sign up day one. What do you think, any chance Apple gives video with a subscription plan?
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So here it was a Saturday night we have some friends over, and want to watch a movie. What a better chance to show off my Apple TV to some people who, I could see, buying one at some point. We all decided to watch Harold and Kumar click to rent, and after a few minutes it’s ready to watch. I press play and get…… nothing, a white screen, I can forward the chapters, but nothing no sounds no video. After a few moments of cussing, restarting, and getting the “this is why I netflix” from people around me, I pop over to the Apple support forums and found this. After a full reset (unplugging the Apple TV for 30sec) I was able to get the movie to play. In fairness this is the first time I have tried to watch while downloading; normally I download before I go to work and it runs smooth. The most frustrating part was on Sunday when I wanted to watch systm, and had to reset my Apple TV to my PC, my question is will this happen the next time also? According to what I read over at Apple support this seems to be an issue since the last firmware update, and some people have had this happen 3-4 times over the last few weeks. How about all of you, have you had this also?
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Raise your hand if you know about the PS3 Play TV…. Long story short it’s a USB tuner to turn the PS3 into a PVR, also allowing you to copy over to a PSP (while I can’t find confirmation it may also allow streaming to the PSP). You might be asking why do I care, this is an Apple TV site. True, but it underlines why Apple needs to roll out Apple TV V2. Recent price drops have blu ray drives right near the 100.00 mark, and that’s retail for you and I. ATSC/Qam tuners are cheap and Apple can build the software for a PVR. So I think you can see where I’m headed with this, right? Apple TV + Blu Ray + PVR + streaming and importing to iPods . All for under the price of a 40gb PS3, Apple will have its iPod for the living room. I still stick by the idea of two versions of the ATV one for you main TV like above, and cheaper less functional units for around the house.
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