“Remember how critics of Apple TV have complained that it can’t record ? Well, it turns out the makers of the Miglia mini HD have been chatting with Apple in a friendly way for a while now. Further, all Miglia products are now gone from the Apple Store,” Carl Howe writes for Blackfriars’ Marketing. “So what is up with that?”
Howe writes, “Here’s our marketing-colored glasses speculation: Apple may be planning to buy Miglia to add TV recording add-on capabilities to iTunes and Apple TV… Think about the typical application for Apple TV. It goes in the living room, and connects directly to your HDTV. What else is in there? Your TV antenna or cable connection, almost certainly. What better place to put a TV recording device?”
“The problem, though, is that Apple TV only has a 40 GByte hard disk. That’s not going to store much HDTV content; you’re going to get two or three movies at most. That doesn’t make a great DVR experience. But if the a Miglia TVMini HD+ could export the HD content it is recording back to a bigger disk on an iTunes-enabled Mac using Apple TV’s 802.11n Airport Extreme wireless network? Ah, now you’re talking,” Howe writes.
Howe writes, “The fact that the Miglia TVMini HD+ is an external USB device allows Apple to integrate the function without having to send the Apple TV back to the FCC for recertification. But why buy the company though? Well, you’re going to need some serious software integration on the iTunes end to recognize the Miglia device and use it properly. That’s not exactly in Apple’s interest if Miglia remains completely independent.”
Full article here.
Also, read The Apple Blog’s “Is Apple secretly working with Miglia?” article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Art C.” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Miglia debuts TVMAX+ Mac PVR, TV tuner, content provider for iPod, iPhone or Apple TV – March 16, 2007
Piper Jaffray expects 2 million Apple TV units to be sold in 2007 – March 16, 2007
Apple TV ships – March 15, 2007
Solution providers expect Apple TV to be hot seller – March 15, 2007
Apple TV could help kill traditional TV ads – March 14, 2007
Miglia responds to Elgato’s termination of EyeTV license – March 14, 2007
Elgato terminates EyeTV licensing agreement with Miglia – March 12, 2007
Apple TV manufacturing ramp up to begin as early as today – March 12, 2007
Why Apple TV is more important than iPhone – March 12, 2007
Apple TV concept may eventually catch on with consumers – March 12, 2007
Apple CFO talks Apple TV, iPhone, Leopard and retail (link to full transcript) – March 07, 2007
PC Magazine: Why Apple TV matters – February 23, 2007
Bear Stearns: Apple TV and iPhone have changed the Apple story for the better – February 21, 2007
Deutsche Bank: Apple TV could take 30% of set-top box market within a few years – February 21, 2007
How do Apple TV and Elgato’s EyeTV work together? – February 16, 2007
Apple embraces casual gaming; iPhone, Apple TV to join iPod as gaming devices – February 09, 2007
Former GM of Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade: Apple TV to become video game console – February 08, 2007
ZDNet’s Graham: Apple TV hits a number of sweet spots, poised to make a big impact – January 25, 2007
Is Apple out to kill cable television? – January 25, 2007
RUMOR: Apple TV sales blowing away Apple’s internal expectations – January 25, 2007
Steve Jobs: Apple TV is the ‘DVD player for the 21st century’ – January 22, 2007
Apple TV beats out iPod, hits top spot on Apple Store sales chart – January 19, 2007
Report: first batch of 100,000 Apple TVs to ship this month – January 11, 2007
Steve Jobs moves to control the living room with Apple TV – January 10, 2007
Analyst Bajarin: Apple’s iPhone and Apple TV are industry game changers – January 09, 2007
Apple premieres Apple TV: movies, TV shows, music & photos on your big screen TV – January 09, 2007
RUMOR: Apple may enter video game market – December 05, 2006
Could Apple become king of game consoles? – September 26, 2006
It’s funny that this article is coming up. I was thinking that their recent split from EyeTV meant that Apple was going after EyeTV, though. Wait and see…
I thought it would be between Apple and El Gato as the previous CEO became head of Apple Germany back in late 2005.
Um the back of Apple TV has a USB port, why not use that?
Unimpressed. Still looking for a Mac mini solution with big storage. If it comes from a third party (no content strings attached) then even better.
I hope so. That’s the one thing stopping me from buying an Apple TV!
If Apple is going to buyout or work with Miglia,
they could do something about the form factor
of that funky looking little box. Presumably make
it the same foot print as tv
Kinda looks like the same foot print to me
http://www.miglia.com/products/video/tvmaxplus/index.html
Okay so I’m going to have a stack that includes a:
– Mac Mini
– Mini-Stack for a big hard drive
– Apple TV
– Airport Extreme N
– External PVR product
Apple get your sh!+ together and give me a single box that combines all 5 products!
Oops, my mistake. I had only seen this one…
http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/15/is-apple-secretly-working-with-miglia/
HA HA MDN mw: student
I am the student here obviously
seems like allowing the recording of shows & movies would evaporate a not insignificant portion of the content sold on iTS.
why buy lost when you can just record it? this idea doesn’t make sense to me.
why buy lost,
1. We didnt get on the band wagon, and are buying past seasons
2. would gladly pay $1.99 for commercial free shows
Where it will hurt iTunes, is in buying movies, we purchase pay per view on Direct TV for 3.99 each
“Apple get your sh!+ together and give me a single box that combines all 5 products!”
Yeah Apple get your sh1t together since you haven’t done ANYTHING right the last 7 years
No and this is why
Hollywood’s precious content requires new DRM schemes called HDMI and ACSS.
Unless Apple gets to license the DRM, the majority of content will be downgraded if we can get it at all.
It’s the content producers that want a top to bottom lockout through the cable companies. No HD for computers.
The only other HD we might get is a few ATSC “over the air” (yes a rooftop antenna pointed in the right direction per channel, uhg).
The future is HD, by the end of 2008 the entire US market is to switch by law.
If your thinking of buying a PS3 for BlueRay HD movies
Make sure the TV is 1080p max capable. (mostly large $$$ unfortunatly)
Sure you can watch BlueRay DVD on a 720p through composite.
Well, here is my take.
Apple already makes a box that does most of this-the iMac.
The setup I was planning on was to have my iMac in the office hooked to my EyeTV 200 set to expot to iTunes. There now, shows are available for AppleTV.
If need be, I may need a converter box in the office to get high def and upgrade to a 250 or Hybrid (Elgato).
OK, what about DVDs? I can rip and export, but what if I want to watch one on the fly? If ther is no integration of DVD Player to Apple TV, then I will need to get a Mini rather than the AppleTV for the living room.
I can then set up a network to access my iTunes library, or get an Airport Extreme with a G-Spot hard drive (er, G Tech, sorry)
OK, this is still not perfect, unless the DVI port to HDMI with the onboard graphics handles everything-which I have heard it can.
So, unless Apple adds some type of DVD fucntionality to its new toy, I will be getting a Mini. Why? Because I don’t want a load of crap in the living room, I’ve done that for 27 years. I want one box hooked to a TV with a CableCard in it, two speakers and a sub (Bose Cinemate would be fine, I’m tired of going for the goooglaphonic nirvana {Stve Martin})
You would think Steve J would be going for some type of simplicity. If you can access Front Row with AppleTV, he will have a hit.
dam, that was some strong coffee…
content recorded to your tivo/dvr is virtually commercial free. i zip through the commercials as do most people. would i pay $1.99 PER SHOW not to have to fast forward? are you kidding me? listen, i’m lazy, but nowhere near that lazy.
as for people who arrived a little too late for late & are trying to catch up with the show: yeah, there certainly will be people willing to pay to catch up. i just don’t think that’s a significant market. perhaps i’m wrong.
Apple is using Miglia as a leveraging point agaist (mostly) the movie industry.
Currently, Apple has no DVR threat to leverage against its reluctant media suppliers (yes, the movie and TV netowork industry is view at Apple as nothing more than suppliers, but it is the correct way to view them – many do not).
Apple will let the studio’s know DVR is coming soon to AppleTV unless they pony up with movies in the following manner:
1. Movies can be rented and self-delte after 5 days.
2. Movies must be available in HD at Apple’s desired price points.
3. Purchased movies will order directly via AppleTV and dump down to iTunes on a PC.
Many may ask “How is this delivering a ton of leverage for Apple?”
Answer:
1. DVR on AppleTV is sure to make it a quick mass market seller. This drives even more iTunes content being sold, and makes iTunes even more important to revenue streams for TV networks and movie studios, thus it delivers Apple more negotiating powers regarding price points and more.
2. DVR gives users the ability to record movies – Studio’s will not like this.
3. Worse for media providers is that unlike traditional DVR’s, this recorded content will be easily dumped back to iTunes on a PC for playback on PC’s, and iPods. Most importantly, this recored and portable content will have ZERO DRM, thus the content can be posted online, or easily cooked to DVD’s. This has studio’s very nervous, as this isn’t some geek 20-step process to achieve this, rather, it simply requires and AppleTV box, and away the consumer goes.
Apple has a ton of leverage with a DVR solution in AppleTV, and Apple is likely to get it what it wants, one way or another.
1. The do not include DVR, and the studio’s cave, giving Apple HD content, rentals and back-storage to iTunes library from AppleTV if purchased, and Blue-Ray burn ability (one burn per title).
2. Studio’s do not follow suit, and Apple includes DVR capabilities, and Apple wins with massive sales of AppleTV’s. This in turn continues to increase iTunes media sales, giving Apple more leveage on terms.
Steven
I don’t want to own my tv shows. I want a tv subscription service on AppleTV. $50 a month is a good value for cable because of all of the channels I have access to for shows that will never show up on iTunes.
How about $19 per month for tv show subscription. I can watch as many as I want and I don’t get to keep them after I cancel my subscription.
Music I want to own, tv shows, please, I couldn’t careless. There might be some tv shows I want to own.
There is some music I don’t want to own and I wish Apple would allow music subscription too. I want to own the music I like and rent the music I am just curious about or only like every once in awhile (like rap or oldies)
Give me choice, offer both options. Subscriptions and Purchasing of both music and tv shows. Now movies, that is a different topic. Some I want to own, others I only want to see once. Well, maybe it is not a different topic. Give us the choice on all three.
WiseGuy
The new latest date for final digital conversion of OTA broadcast is Feb. 17, 2009, I believe. They keep changing it, though.
Cant use the tv’s USB port for connecting peripherals because it is currently only useful for diagnostics. http://www.123macmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=67681&sid=beb2907a8a0a1da806b947f0794a7fde
Apple should consider supporting the HDHomeRUN through iTunes and through the Airport Extreme. Check out this versatile QAM/ATSC dual tuner.
http://www.9thtee.com/hdhomerun.htm
Apple doesn’t need help doing a DVR this isn’t a brain dead company they don’t need to buy greatness they already have that, although it might save them money not having to develop it. I know that this might seem stupid but I get the feeling that they won’t do something like this until they are sure that it wont affect their iTunes sales. The tv to iPod good luck with that what will only happen when piracy is dead and I can’t see that happening any time soon. If it this does happen DRM will waiting on it hand and foot. I hope that they can use this as a little bit leverage withe the Movie Studios but come on who is bigger Apple or the Media companies (this is coming from one a HUGE Apple fan Boy)? iTunes – media companies=0. If the Media companies say no which I think they might it won’t happen. If Apple wanted this they would of put it in to start with. Now I know they were just testing the water and they wanted to keep the price low but they could of done what they did with the iPhone a high end model and a lower end model (It’s obvious that I don’t now much about what I am talking about now).
I’ll stop talking before some one puts there fist though there CRT or LCD I did that and it huts.
Keep dreaming….This is NOT going to happen!! Wake up MDN! You claim to understand Apple…yet you don’t see how Apple is SELLING content from iTunes…they’re NEVER going to give you a DVR! If you want a DVR get a TiVo or that Microsoft POS! And you can fast forward through your commercials. If you want an elegant TV/Movie watching experience un-interrupted by the “bwoop bwoop” “>>>” of the FWD key on your remote then get an TV and with the money you save on HBO, etc you can buy a few movies a month and keep up with your favorite TV shows…
@ TowerTone
You won’t need another dvd player because apple tv uses the Front Row interface and the elegantly simple apple remote, which allows one to use the dvd player inside your mac.
@ Anger Monkey
The usb port on the apple tv could be easily configured to be multifunctional with a simple firmware upgrade, which undoubdtedly will be required anyway when his Steveness adds Miglia to the mix. Also, just as I think Tower Tone will be doing, you can connect the Miglia box to your mac as well.
@ Tommy Boy
You don’t need that big a stack. Only the apple tv needs to be connected to your HDTV. Your mac will likely be in a different room altogether. It may be a mac mini, which is fine, or some other model, but the mac mini certainly does not need to be connected to your HDTV. The Miglia box (or usb thumb device — see below) would be connected to either your computer or the apple tv. The external hard drive will be in the same room as your computer, nothing unusual about that. Finally, it is not recommeded that you stack your aiport with other electronic devices. The shape may be suggestive, but it degrades performance. I have my aiport near my printer and my external hard drive, connected to both by a multiport usb hub.
I think its clear that Apple will buy someone’s technology, either Miglia or El Gato, and incorporate it into the Apple entertainment solution. As far as form factor, all of the functionality of the Miglia box can be distilled into a usb thumb-drive-sized component, which El Gato has already done. Also, we all know that this is only the first iteration of apple tv; there are sure to be subsequent models with increased functionality as Apple wages its crusade to dominate the US entertainment industry. I’m so glad to be a macophile; it really does improve the quality of life.
Finally, what the fsck am I doing submitting such a long post on a Saturday afternoon? Well, my fellow San Franciscans can attest to how crappy the weather is today, so there.
Somewhat Off Topic:
If there were some sort of firewire to HDMI interface possible, then I could see the MacMini being a capable companion to the HDTV, but be it as it may, the AppleTV was created to allow that protected content connection to the TV. The only thing I think would be great is if you could have a blueray or hd hdvd drive that would connect to it’s USB port for playback on the HDTV and also for playback to the networked computers.
TowerTone is correct on the date. Everyone keep in mind that while the law will require DIGITAL transmissions in 2009, it does NOT require that transmissions be high definition. High definition is digital, but digital is not necessarily HD, such as standard DVDs. The ultimate over the air quality will be decided network by network, and could be anything from up converted standard defintion to HD, It’s too early to tell what we are going to get.