HD For Indies

Apple came out with further specs on the Apple TV, what was once called the iTV. Lots to say about it, but first up, the specs:

Overview

It is a box that will stream iTunes content (audio and video) and pictures from a Mac or PC to this little device that attaches directly to a TV. So pretty much any old Mac or PC that can run the latest iTunes and is on broadband and can either connect wired (Ethernet) or wirelessly (WiFi in house) to the living room/den where the TV is can feed media.

Apple's Overview

-connects to Mac or PC
-streams content from iTunes to the device over WiFi (including draft spec 802.11n) or Ethernet
-plays anything in your iTunes library - "movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts — plus movie trailers from Apple.com on your TV. And your digital photos from iPhoto on a Mac or Adobe Photoshop Elements or Adobe Album on a Windows PC appear in high definition, so you can put on a stunning big-screen slideshow."
-you download movies (or rip'em or get'em however), Sync to between your Mac/PC to the box, then watch, controlling with the unimpressive Apple remote

Connect to TV

If you have a widescreen TV - an EDTV or HDTV, but NOT a regular standard definition 4:3 TV (as I have, I now note with chagrin after ordering one of these).

-can connect via HDMI for full digital interconnect
-can connect via component analog as well for picture, or RCA pair or optical audio interconnects for sound
-has USB port for....what? Direct connect? More HD space?
-works with widescreen, EDTV (enhanced def TV) or HDTVs with 1080i, 720p, 576p, or 480p resolutions.
-Note that does NOT include 480i or 576i for SDTVs
-they have a list of supported manufacturers: HP, Mitsubishi, Pioneer, Sharp, Hitachi, NEC, Polaroid (?), Toshiba, JVC, Olevia, Samsung, Vizio, LG, Pholips, Sony, & Westinghouse
-CAN create a wireless network from your computer straight to it the apple tv
-you need a Mac or PC, iTunes 7.1 or later, wired or wireless network, and a widescreen (NOT regular) TV, and cabling to connect'em

Syncing

Apple TV syncs wired or wirelessly with iTunes - pretty much like an iPod does. And like an iPod, one computer is the master sync - although up to 5 others can be the streaming source (why limit it? I don't get it)
-Sync it up to get the unwatched TV shows and movies, music, etc. But you only have 40 GB of capacity in the unit - I've already got about 50 GB of music, and 10 GB of TV shows and movies on my various Macs - so you clearly won't be able to always get your full collection on there
-
Apple's page on syncing

Techie Stuff
-smal unit - 7.7x7.7x1.1 inches
-uses Apple Remote, same as for laptops and iPods...and for this usage, it strikes me as kinda lame/thin on buttons and features - hey, will there be an iPhone app to use IT as a remote for the apple tv? THAT would be cool!
-no A/V cables provided - get your own (kinda lame)
-weighs 2.4 pounds
-an unspecified Intel processor - Viiv?
-40GB hard drive, so formats to about 37 GB
-Windows version XP home/pro SP2 required for PCs, 10.3.9 or later for Macs
-has IR receiver, too for the remote
-Video formats supported - iTunes Store 640x380 30 fps progressive, HD up to 1280x720 24 fps - therefore no 60fps or 30 fps HD content (!!!)
-audio formats - AAC, MP3/VBR, ALAC, AIFF, WAV
-picture formats supported - JPEG, BMP, FIG, TIFF, PNG

Apple's tech specs page

This is all just prelude, so I can get to my commentary on it, coming up shortly...here.

-mike

watch the Steve Jobs Macworld 2007 Keynote