Comments on: Apple Unveils Media Center Type IMac

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 12:17:00 +0000

"disruptive technology is both radically different from the leading technology and ... often initially performs worse than the leading technology according to existing measures of performance."

Apple have always done this.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Oct 2005 22:37:00 +0000

Note: I'm a Mac Zealot, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

Now that that's out of the way: I like it.

However, I like it the same way I like the iPod with video. The iPod with video is just that, the great digital music play the iPod is, with some video capabilities. I like the idea, because it allows for you to watch an episode of Family Guy while waiting for your ride to and from whereever, for catching up on Auqua Teen when you're waiting for your pizza, etc, etc.

However, is it meant to be your portable DVD player replacement? No, just what you use when you don't have it (that's saying you have one).

The same holds true for the new iMac. If I miss an episode of Lost, I'd like to see it without paying $40 for the Box Set, or waiting 3 months until it comes out, at which point you'll figure out what happend in the one you missed. It's also great for when the relatives are over, and you can get to your photos, music, and home movies with the push of a button.
Even better, if you're a college student or have a small apartment, what better than using you computer as your TV to (using an add-on like EyeTV from Elegato (Google it)).

However, is the replacement for my TV? No. I'll watch Lost when I can on it, use it for most of my DVD's, and play my video games on it. However, it's great in a pinch, or does work as a replacement in situations.

You're also forgetting that if you were to nab EyeTV and the new iMac that it does have a DVI out, which can be converted to composite or plugged in (if your TV has a DVI port). So if you stuck it in a cabinet near your TV, you would have the same functionality as the average media center.

By: PG

PG — Sat, 22 Oct 2005 06:22:00 +0000

Interesting, but there is an awful start-up cost – both money-wise and in terms of grappling with the latest gizmos — related to using a TiVo or a Media Center PC, not to mention streaming stuff at your home or over the Internet. Come again, how many are actuallt *using* Media Center PCs to stream broadcast content to some other platform? MP3 players are mass-market products, and everybody can stand o lose two bucks on any given day.

By: Phil Leitch

Phil Leitch — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 12:41:00 +0000

full disclosure: i'm an apple fanboy.

that said i think the idea of a video iPod is ridiculous, I have no desire to watch anything at all on a 2.5" screen. And I certainly don't want to watch a 320x240 version of Lost via my Powerbook attached to my 42" HDTV.

To say that it isn't as good as Windows Media Center though I guess isn't saying much. From everything I've heard or read that isn't the greatest product either, in fact it isn't even widely used is it? I don't know anybody that even talks about it and I have way more Windows using friends than Apple zealots.

The iPod was dismissed the day it was launched too. Look how that turned out. Not to say that Apple has hit another homerun but I think it's a bit too early to say they missed the boat.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 16:17:00 +0000

Wow, Apple fanboys show up in droves to talk about how marvelous a not-all-that-exciting new product is. The fact that Thomas is as rabidly pro-Microsoft as you guys seem to be for Apple does not change the fact that this announcement is pretty lame. $2 for 320×240 with DRM? Please. FrontRow? It’s a half-assed version of MCE (and I don’t even like MCE, I use MythTV) with no TV component. I don’t doubt that Apple will come out with a better product eventually, one that will rival MCE, but for now none of these products are all that exciting.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 12:50:00 +0000

Apple has no intention on competing with MCE. It's an entirely different animal. At present Front row is a compliment service to Apple's iPod business not a real threat to the average MCE/PVR box

The REAL PROBLEM is MS is going to panic and play follow the leader--
Just watch MS will rollout a MTV download service with Rollup2. This will be MS pale attempt to look as hip as Apple.

Instead-- MS should focus on their own business and deliver what MCE customers really want HDTV! I hope i'm wrong because i really do love the MCE concept.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 11:57:00 +0000

Dude, write about something you know, eh...

Only 20 inches? No TV? This iMac is a computer, dude, a nice stylish computer with a cool 10' interface when you want to relax in your room.

If you want HDTV on your plasma, get satellite service. Then get a HD PVR, 'cause your MCE doesn't cut it as a HD PVR either.

You and your MS buddies also loved the great look and features of WMP 10. LOL.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 11:32:00 +0000

dont expect apple to try to compete with the media center head on. this is a flanking move. They want to be #1 in legal downloads of tv. this is just the first step towards that.

By: jimh3

jimh3 — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 11:05:00 +0000

hey at least they are not in B&W;

i agree it is just a first step as a proof of concept. Good for the companies, not good for early adopters.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 10:47:00 +0000

My guess is that providing the TV programming in low res is intended to be a confidence builder. Show ABC/Disney (and everyone else) that there really is a market for downloadable TV programming, without taking the (perceived) risk that would come with providing higher res downloads. If this works, then at some point we’ll see the networks begin to provide downloadable programming in HD. But for now, let them get more comfortabl with the general idea of sanctioned downloads.