iTV, cablecard, .n

[Dave Schroeder]

On Dec 11, 2006, at 2:36 PM, j o a r wrote:

>
> On 11 dec 2006, at 00.39, Kevin Callahan wrote:
>
>> or is it expected that Apple will have us stick with TiVO or EyeTV  
>> and in some way get those files into Front Row?
>
> I wouldn't expect for iTV to be anything but an extension of iTunes  
> (and the whole QT + iTMS platform), just like the AirPort Express  
> is for audio content.

Exactly. iTV will definitely work with any iTunes-capable computer,  
Mac or Windows.

>> We all realize that the point of iTV is for any Mac user on the  
>> network to vend their digital media to the big screen.
>
> I would be _seriously_ surprised if it didn't work with both Mac +  
> Windows! Again, just like iTunes, iTMS and the AirPort Express.

Definitely.

>> But, it's clear a lot of folks want their recorded shows (not just  
>> iTMS downloads) to seamlessly integrate with Front Row.
>
> Anything that can be played in QuickTime can be played in Front  
> Row, right? I would guess that the same thing holds true for iTV.  
> Steve likes his home video projects, so I'm sure you will be able  
> to play more than iTMS downloads through the iTV.

iTV will definitely support H.264 (and probably MPEG-4, and possibly  
any media that QuickTime can play or understand from any source), as  
long as iTunes is aware of it (i.e., in the iTunes library). I don't  
see how they'd be able to do this any other way. It definitely won't  
only be able to play purchased iTMS content.

Essentially, iTV will be able to play/display any media that is in  
any iLife application (or iTunes on Windows) from any source.

>> also,  is 802.11n a factor in the delay of iTV?  it's odd that  
>> Apple showed iTV so far ahead of schedule.
>
> I think that 802.11n could be a part of the delay, but it's  
> probably not the whole reason.
> Apples difficulties in getting more partners providing video  
> content to iTMS is more likely at the core.

Agreed. Apple needs more video content, and it's kind of a Catch-22.  
They need content to drive sales, and they need sales to drive  
content. In the meantime, they hope to capitalize on the success of  
the music/audio portion of iTunes - and remember how that started  
out? (On the flip side, it did start out small, but they also were  
able to sign up all the big labels from the beginning - they weren't  
able to do that with the movie houses. However, they've got pretty  
much all the major TV studios/channels on board; what this comes down  
to is the content owners trying to ensure that they get as much money  
from as many sources as possible. Even if it's not exclusive to iTMS,  
I hope Apple is able to solidify agreements with all the major movie  
houses. If they don't, the movie portion of iTMS could *really* suck.)

- Dave
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