Apple TV

On 5/12/2007 11:40 AM, "Clark David" wrote:
> I just received Adam's announcement of a new Take Control book for
> Apple TV.
>
> Am I correct that the device will NOT stream audio from my iMac?

Nope, that's incorrect. The Apple TV can indeed stream audio from any
computer running iTunes on your local network.

The Apple TV WILL stream audio from your Mac (songs in your iTunes library), but what I think you're asking is if it will stream Internet radio, and the answer to that is no. It also won't stream photos; it will only display photos that have been synced to its hard disk.

--On May 14, 2007 3:28:17 PM -0700 Jeff Carlson <jeffctidbits.com> wrote:

> library), but what I think you're asking is if it will stream Internet
> radio, and the answer to that is no. It also won't stream photos; it will
> only display photos that have been synced to its hard disk. --

Ars Technica has an article on a plug-in for AppleTV that will stream
internet radio:

<http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2007/05/16/listen-to-internet-radio-from-your-apple-tv>

It's part of the Awkward TV project:

<http://wiki.awkwardtv.org/wiki/Main_Page>

If I were Steve Jobs, and wanted to get into the home theatre game, I would sell a large flat-screen TV that had iTunes and Safari built in, as well as a hard drive, DVD player (maybe even a changer), slots for cable cards, wi-fi/ethernet, and auxiliary A/V inputs. The remote would be based on the iTouch with bluetooth connectivity (not an iTouch, but the same iPhone/iTouch screen and UI and with different information displayed on its screen than on the big screen), so it could conjure up a keyboard when necessary, and also provide a mousing interface as well as an iPod kind of interface when appropriate. In effect, it would be a Mac optimized for theatre viewing and living room sound system, getting content off the internet, and being controlled from a distance like normal TVs and DVD players. Alternatively, it could be in a box with everything BUT the screen, and you could pair it with your choice of plasma/LCD or whatever monitor. Either way, it should have flexible audio output options to allow monster external audio systems, and maybe they could partner with Bose or Nakamichi or someone. It could also serve as the household iTunes server. I mean, the current Apple TV is just lame. Something like this would be cool.

Fritz, I ABSOLUTELY agree. I would add this to the requirements/wishlist.

The box has to be able to get HDTV shows from over the air waves, cable cards (as said), DVDs, and downloads. Analog is dead (well near dead) and we have to start planning to replace obsolete equipment. Need FM too.

I want to interact directly with the AppleTV box through my TV screen(monitor)/iTouch controller and not have to stream stuff from my computer handling each download twice.

I also want a large monitor without the tuners (why pay for something not used)?

My iTouch controller has to have a Logitech Harmony-esque functionality.

My goal is to pay as I go for TV viewing with a monthly cap less than or equal to my combined TIVO and COMCAST (or DISH/ATT/etc) subscriptions. I want bundled nothing. Note the LESS than part.

The Amazon/iTunes models are flawed in that I don't want to buy a flick: I don't want to copy it; I want to just view it. I may want to save it until my hard drive fills up and then I'll deal with discards. Why pay for DVD writes, blank disks, and set-up time when I can simply download again (if the price is right)? i.e. it has to be < $.50 per download.

Merry <fill in your own> and a Happy New Year.

Mike