“Apple’s forthcoming iTV promises to place all your digital media on your TV. But what if you don’t want to wait months before enjoying your iTune’s music and video or iPhoto pictures in your living room? And is iTV really worth the price? Ryan Faas looks at the options that exist right now and tells you why you might actually be able to spend less money and get a more rounded solution today,” Ryan Faas writes for Peachpit Press.
Full article here.
Not enough is known about Apples’ “iTV” to be able to state categorically that you can replicate it for a lower cost today, but the article is interesting nonetheless.
This may not go over well in this forum, but quite honestly, the Xbox 360 costs the same as iTV ($299,) and it can do EVERYTHING iTV does plus it has a built-in HD-DVD player, a hard-drive and it plays games.
I’m not against the Xbox idea entirely, but I’d rather have BluRay down the road. I also have serious problems giving that company any more money.
hmmmmmmm well do u want all of ur media on a 20gb drive or 300gb computer drive?
1 HD film will probably 5 gbs so lets see, 60 films or 4
easy choice , oh and the interface is better
Options, that may be true but the same can be said about the iPod. Other players do the same literal functions, others even have extra features, the iPod has still beaten them.
iTV may fail and the xbox may succeed in this arena, but comparing two products with somewhat overlapping abilities and then declaring one the winner based on specs alone is a bit stupid – especially when the iTV specs haven’t been announced.
and the xbox360 does NOT have a built in hddvd drive
Options, I thought the HD-DVD is an purchased add- on with millions of lines of bloated code to work?
A 20Gb hard drive won’t get you very far either…
It may work, but not in any satisfactorily way. But it could interface with your Zune!
I’m pretty sure you have to buy the HD-DVD cause it’s external. So 299 + 199 = more money than iTV. Plus it can’t play my iTunes content.
Also the article is incorrect. He states that iTV is a one mac only solution. Idiot. Front row right now supports multiple macs from one machine and iTV will do the same.
I agree, I’m not crazy about giving MS money either. But I do admit they’ve got a couple of things going for their model that Apple doesn’t.
1. Movie RENTALS.
2. HD quality.
Two very important features for me. I hope Apple matches these features, when iTv is released. I also like the idea of having a DVD player and a hard-drive built in to my media center.. I’m not much of a gamer, but let’s face it, for the same price as an iTv, I’d probably buy a few games if I got an Xbox 360.
Options, your XBox360 does not have a built-in HD-DVD player, it is big, power hungry and hard to operate by anyone not into games. The iTV will have a six button remote while XBox360 has joypads and a remote control with more buttons than a keyboard.
and the xbox360 does NOT have a built in hddvd drive
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Sure it does, it’s the standard drive on the front of the box. The Xbox 360 uses HD-DVD format for it’s games. Blu-Ray would be nicer, but it is HD-DVD.
The Xbox 360 might be a viable option for many people. However, it should be noted that the HD-DVD drive is an additional $199.99 on top of the on top of the $299.99 that you already paid for the basic system. If you want a Hard Drive to store information you need to buy the more expensive system for $399.99. So, for a 360 with a hard drive and the HD-DVD drive you will pay $199.99 and $399.99 for the system that has the hard drive for a total of:
$599.98. (BTW. Sony PS3 with Blu-ray is $499).
So, to recap:
X-Box (with all options) $599.98.
PS3 (with 20 Gig Hard Drive) $499.
iTV $299.
You can like the Xbox all you want (I have no problem with that) but don’t be so disingenuous about its price. It’s actually the most expensive option out there.
I stand corrected. The HD-DVD drive is an add-on.
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/xbox360/whyhddvd.htm
The Xbox 360’s image as primarily a game console will hinder it, whereas the iTV will be known as a dedicated media hub. Those with little interest in games (i.e. the majority) will go for the iTV.
@Options
“it has a built-in HD-DVD player”
Well, actually no.. Its not built-in.. Its an extra accessory that costs money…
The rumored hard drive of iTV has a capacity of 60Gb.. The Xbox one is of 20gb… (BTW, the xbox version with hard drive costs 399$)…
Anyway, i believe that a better price for iTV will be 199$…
Also, you can’t stream videos in your mac to your xbox 360.. The xbox 360 uses a modified non-standard UPnP protocol that only works with windows xp media center and windows media connect..
You can do that with a PS3.. Because there is software that support the Location Free protocol… But a PS3 costs 499-599$… And if you are in europe,(like me) you will have to wait until march 07 to buy one…
I have a xbox 360 and personally I think it’s a great device, but the DVD-player doesn’t really give a great quality (maybe it’s just my dvdrips :D)
And I would say that buying a xbox 360 will be a better buy than the iTV even if your not a gamer.
After reading all the discussion above, I’ve come to the conclusion that the xBox 360 will see limited success with those that are more interested in games.
Additionally, the amount of time required to download an HD image will stop people from using either the iTV (if it were to have it) or the xBos. Instead, they will opt to rent the disc (much faster).
So based on performance and price I see the iTV as a much better solution, for a much larger audience. As an investor I’m not at all concerned about the price. People will, and do, pay for convenience.
Media Center sucks, and so do all of the extenders. PERIOD.
XBox 360 IS a great device. I love to hate Microsoft just like everyone else here, but it should be noted that MS’s Xbox team is a completely self-contained unit that is separate from the rest of MS.
Additionally, the amount of time required to download an HD image will stop people from using either the iTV (if it were to have it) or the xBos. Instead, they will opt to rent the disc (much faster).
—————
Streaming is said to begin several minutes after download begins. I can’t say how well it works, but that is how it’s being advertised.
I agree that the XBox is a solution for avid games players. Certainly not for parents, and certainly not for normal folk for whom games do not feature – ie the vast majority.
Be interesting to see what Sony’s new playstaion can do too…
iTV will do just fine for me.
I am striving for simplicity, in use and in look. A 40″ Sony LCD w/Cablecard slot, a Bose CineMate, and a Mac Mini.
Few wires-check
Digital cable-check
Surround sound-kinda
An iTV would be a nice addition, but I would hope that the future Mini’s will allow much of the same ability, with a DVD player, hard drive recording (EyeTV) and WiFi “n” to my iMac for streaming, not to mention internet.
I think the iTV is a great idea for people to add to a system, if they don’t have those capabilities already.
Next spring, hopefully.
Will the Xbox360 wirelessly stream media from the desktop to the TV? I’m not a gamer, so I don’t know its capabilities – but I’m anxiously waiting for iTV because I have lots of movies and music and pictures that are already organized on my computer, and don’t want to copy them to another hard drive at the TV. I simply want to enjoy them on the big screen from an intuitive interface, without having to run wires or copy them to yet another hard drive.
Simply put, can I sit in the living room and wirelessly watch a movie that’s on my desktop upstairs? I’d consider buying an Xbox if that’s the case…
I remember reading several years ago where Gates said that the Xbox 360 was not Microsoft’s gaming platform, but rather it’s entertainment platform (i:e games, music, movies, photos.) Even from the very beginning it was titled Xbox so that it could evolve, un-like Sony’s (PLAY)-station title. I suppose it’s all up to marketing to change people’s perception.
“Will the Xbox360 wirelessly stream media from the desktop to the TV?”
Yes.
I have a 360 on my wireless network, and I got a $20 shareware program for my Mac that let’s my Mac stream my iTunes and my iPhoto to the 360. It works perfectly! The only limitation of the software is that the 360 won’t play the purchased iTunes songs. So what, I don’t have any!
Now, I can’t send any of my video from the Mac to the 360 but I don’t care.
I don’t purchase low-quality, limited use video content from iTunes. Until they sell movies that are HD quality for $10, there is no compelling reason to do so, when I can get a DVD for the same price and have no restrictions on it.
Plus, I don’t have to back up a DVD! I am already getting sick of having to back up my stuff frequently.
Imagine how much HDD space you would need on an external HDD to back up all this purchased MOVIE content! Forget that.
The 360 is an awesome piece of harware. The interface is NOT difficult. If you have trouble navigating the 360 interface, you can’t operate any modern device, even a cell phone.
Now, Microsoft’s support? That is crappy. The 360 comes with a 90 DAY warranty! Are you kidding? Pretty much forces you to buy the extended warrary for the unit.