“A series of Apple patent filings published this week reveal a version of the Apple TV media device capable of browsing and recording live television programming in addition to serving up pre-aired content from the company’s iTunes Store,” AppleInsider reports.
“Originally filed back in October of 2006, the filings clearly show considerable work on the part of the electronics maker to create an alternative to products like the TiVo digital video recorder (DVR), complete with a searchable on-screen guide and configurable touch-based remote control device that would serve as a portable program guide.
The remote, similar in appearance to second-generation iPod nano, would include an LCD display, storage component, and touch-based navigation pad that would allow users to download several weeks of programming information from the Apple TV media device onto the remote interface for later interaction,” AppleInsider reports.
“‘For example, program data for upcoming programs, e.g., for the next month, can be downloaded and stored on the remote control device,’ Apple said. ‘Thereafter, a user of the remote control device can search programs that are to be broadcast and determine which programs to record. The recording settings can be programmed onto the remote control device, and then be provided to the video device when a data communication is established between the remote control device and the video device,'” AppleInsider reports. “(Note: it would seem logical that this functionality could also be integrated directly into the iPhone or iPod touch.)”
AppleInsider reports, “In real world instances, this would allow users to pre-load the remote with the following month’s scheduled television programming, pack the remote with their belongings, and then while on “a commute on a train,” for instance, use the remote to determine what programs to record.”
Much more, including many illustrations from Apple’s patent application, here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Michael” for the heads up.]
MacDailyNews Take: If you wanted an advanced Apple TV (and Mac) remote, wouldn’t your iPhone/iPod touch/future Apple multi-touch devices would be perfect for just such a purpose?
Wow, now that would be great functionality to have!
Yes. A possible replacement for my ReplayTV?
Only if I can stream to other Macs in the house.
Very interesting.
Oh joy. The opportunity to record hundreds of crappy TV shows by remote control. What a boon to humankind!
Now this would finally be something that would make the Apple TV a worthwhile purchase for me. While it has appeal for others right now, I’m content to use my PowerMac for downloading movies and don’t see the value of the ATV. But if it was a true Tivo replacement…
I have been dying for Apple to create a DVR system that integrated with iTunes and my iPhone. I thought I could do it with TiVo, but the CCI copy protection issues made it impossible to do so on every channel except broadcast channels.
I questioned whether or not it made business sense for them, but I certainly hope 2nd generation Apple TV hardware includes tuners and CableCARD (or whatever the latest iteration of CableCARD is) so I can dump my Time Warner DVR.
Finally some evidence that this might happen… If the AppleTV had some DVR capabilities, I’d go buy one today. It would be nice to avoid the monthly fee that Comcast charges to rent their DVR box.
I wonder how Apple will deal with offering the DVR capability while trying to sell the same content through iTunes.
Well, if you believe they only have the content to drive the hardware uptake, a DVR option makes the itunes side less necessary. It would allow Apple to spin off the itunes as a separate entity at some point down the road.
Beryllium, you’re an idiot. I currently use a DVR to record many documentaries from the Discovery, Science, History, and Military channels. Plus Lost, The Office, and Galactica. Nothing wrong with that.
I would SOOOOOOO buy one if they came out with this!
I have also been waiting for Apple to update the remote to something a little more substantial.
Awesome, hope Dish Network uses it for future settop boxes…
So the big question:
Will it record HD and then stream it to another TV or Mac or AppleTV?
Current Cable/Satalite DVRs suck. You need a DVR for each TV you want to watch and you can’t record on one box and send to the other.
Hence, record everything on one in Livingroom. Stream to kids playroom or bedroom or kitchen depending on who or what is watching.
What’s LOST?
@ Think:
You might want to see if you can get FiOS in your area. My grandparents have it and they have 1 DVR and 1 standard cable box, and the DVR will stream recorded shows to the regular cable box.
finally a device that I can sell to my customers with a great user interface! Motorola and Tivo’s interfaces Suck!
Perfect. Let me pay for the content I want to watch instead of forcing me to pay $55 a month for 58,000 hours of content poured into my house of which our entire family can consume only a portion of 1%.
NOW we’re talking!
I’m all for Apple creating a set-top box that can do the following:
1. Receive over the air HD Digital broadcasts.
2. Receive Cable and has Cable Card abilities
3. Works like a DVR… record and pause live TV
4. Can play all media from my computer, or from the iTunes store
Sign me up
MDW Word = have. I just have to HAVE one
Will Apple TV DVR cannibalize iTunes Movie Rentals and Videos?
My guess, perhaps ! That’s why I would be surprised to see this coming. At the same time, as where saying Tim Cook a few days ago about iPod Touch cannibalizing a little bit iPhone:
“we’d rather Apple cannibalize Apple than somebody else cannibalize Apple”.
So after a thought, DVR could be a nice add-on to Apple TV and make it an instant international hit.
This wont be a “tunable” DVR like everyone thinks.
This is going to be an IPTV Box. I will bet that apple has worked out some kind of deal with IPTV providers, or its going to become one.
They can’t get this sucker to market fast enough.
@ Mac+:
Doubt an Apple TV DVR would cannibalize much in terms of movie rentals. As for videos, everyone talks about how video downloads make no money, and a DVR integrated with iTunes could be interesting.
Say there are 3 shows you want to record at the same time, and the Apple TV only has 2 tuners. Integrating with the iTunes Store would allow you to say “record this and this, and download this from iTunes.” Another instance where this would be useful is if your cable or power goes out. The Apple TV pops up and says it couldn’t record X, Y, and Z because a signal was not available, but they are available for download from iTunes. Of course, it would be great if they made the downloads free, but unfortunately I don’t see that happening.
“They can’t get this sucker to market fast enough.”
Wasn’t that what Hoover said??
I want it (the Apple DVR that is). I love/hate my current DVR (no TiVo here). I love it because recording HD programs is great. I hate it because it has software problems (pixelation, temporary HD locks) that is onl;y cured by remote booting by the cable company.
Apple makes great hardware and software…a win win situation.
The many pictures in the Appleinsider article point out just how much thought has gone into the project and how advanced the implementation must be for the GUI to be so thoroughly described. Still, I don’t believe we’re going to see this anytime soon. After all, it’s just “a hobby.”
Apple moving to consumer electronics company? Big mistake if they think they can compete with Sony, Samsung and others. I would rather they get OS and updates out on time rather than focusing on TV