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 JohnnyPremium
join:2001-06-27
Atlanta, GA
kudos:1 | reply to thender2
Re: Do it right the first time Because files with those formats don't stream from iTunes. So it becomes a mess having to point the thing at whatever folder you put them in. Another mess having to get the file extensions correct. Geeks can do it, but the target market doesn't give a shit about those things. And Apple doesn't have any reason to support streaming a dozen different types of stuff that didn't come from legitimate purchases. | |
| Because files with those formats don't stream from iTunes. That's a plus, not a minus. If that's all you see this unit as, you should be upset it's not free.
So it becomes a mess having to point the thing at whatever folder you put them in. Wait a minute. Just because a file is not streamed from iTunes means it must end up in a "whatever" folder...that I picked? Oh no! 
My DVD player presents those confusing folders in a list that I use my remote to navigate through. Once in a folder with media files, I'm presented with the filename (without extension) and any additional information the player has gleaned from meta data / media tags. The big old 'select' button sets things in motion. The average pet cat could figure this stuff out.
Another mess having to get the file extensions correct. Is this a problem on OSX? Every media player I know handles extensions and most follow up with a file content/header verification.
Geeks can do it, but the target market doesn't give a shit about those things. Anyone can do it, geeks just did it first - better. Every consumer on this planet wants more for less. Most want it simple. None want vendor lock-in.
And Apple doesn't have any reason to support streaming a dozen different types of stuff that didn't come from legitimate purchases. Hyperbole is unbecoming. Keep it in the OS war threads. | | |
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 thender2Glamour ProfessionPremium
join:2004-05-16
Staten Island, NY | reply to Johnny
quote:
So it becomes a mess having to point the thing at whatever folder you put them in.
I don't see how it's a mess. Put the file in a video folder, and viola.
quote:
Another mess having to get the file extensions correct.
99.9% of the files I download come with extensions, where are you looking?
quote:
Geeks can do it, but the target market doesn't give a shit about those things.
Yes, I know, I've heard this before. The target market doesn't care about quality, freedom of use, have a brain, can't walk and chew gum at the same time, etc. I don't buy it. I don't believe joe blow can't put an avi file in a folder titled "video" or whatever the appletv uses, just as easily as he can a .mp4 or .mkv.
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The Problem With Music.
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JohnnyPremium
join:2001-06-27
Atlanta, GA
kudos:1 | The target market doesn't care about quality, freedom of use, have a brain, can't walk and chew gum at the same time, etc. I don't buy it. I don't believe joe blow can't put an avi file in a folder titled "video" or whatever the appletv uses, just as easily as he can a .mp4 or .mkv.
It's not that he can't - after all, he can be taught to run 8 different antivirus products on Windows... but he doesn't want to. He wants to take his existing iTunes, and iPhoto (or PC equiv), which now 100 million people have, and watch it on the TV. That's all. He doesn't know DivX from Shinola. He doesn't even know what MPEG-4 or H.264 is, but he knows there are files that play on his iPod, and he knows they come from iTunes. And he knows that the files on iTunes come from either his purchased CDs or the iTunes Store. He doesn't want to mess with folders or file extensions - just choose it from the databases that iTunes and iPhoto keep.
The Apple TV can be easily modified to play those other codecs, for those who want to.
As far as marketing, Apple is leveraging the iPod and iTunes installed base of 100 million to try and make the Apple TV the easy-to-use choice for living room viewing. Six buttons on the remote, not 40. Music, Photos, Movies, TV Shows, Trailers, not a huge confusing selection of different video types. No menu items or buttons for little-used or geek-only functions cluttering up the works. Same Front Row interface already used on all Intel Macs except the Mac Pro.
Simplicity of the interface is what made the iPod the overwhelming success that it is. They are trying to leverage that. They know that the competitors already have, or are going to be coming out with similar items. They are relying on word of mouth to make the Apple TV the product of choice due to ease-of-use. Note that the voice recorder, FM radio, etc. did nothing to help other mp3 players beat the iPod. It's because their interfaces still sucked. | |
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