I do think the future is from the web, not the DVR, but right now a PVR is the simplest way to easily record and watch the shows I want.

I have used bittorrent, apple tv, sage and Beyond TV, and own 2 Dish DVR units. My satellite tv provider makes it happen so much easier. Convenience is what I am paying for.

That being said, I would LOVE replace my satellite providers monthly DVR fees for something else. But nothing is as easy.

I have referenced your post on a post on my blog here: http://phatphotographer.com/?p=77

As it stands today, my top two ways (and I’m an early adopter) of getting content to my television are through a DVR and through Netflix.

AppleTV can not accomodate either of these methods at present.

memeslider,

I do hear what you are saying though and actually what you are saying makes me think.

I could actually envision a future in my life where I cancelled my broadcast service and just existed on a diet of Netflix and OTA HDTV. But it will still be convenient for me to have a DVD player on the unit connected to my HDTV extender unit and a DVR to capture my OTA content to stream to my TV box device.

I still think the XBox 360 does a better job at this than AppleTV and it is also a kick ass gaming console.

Also, iTunes is still the backbone of the AppleTV experience, and as long as iTunes does such a horrible job with my media library — Apple *please* let your users disable gapless playback and album art as an option — it’s difficult for me to get excited about building a strategy around AppleTV.

While that is true, it doesn’t support your point that Microsoft’s product Does It and Apple’s Does Not. Neither product is a DVR.

I am an Executive Producer at a company that owns a few cable networks. I help create design packages, promos, interstitials, etc. for these networks. I say this because I know that my days in network promotions are numbered. We really don’t need broadcast networks anymore.

As a consumer however, I feel like I am being overcharged for Comcast’s cable TV service. I really only appreciate the premium shows from HBO, Showtime, etc. The other channels are not worth much to me, but I am saddled with them just to get to the Premium tiers. And all I care about are the shows. The content. Not one iota about the network that delivers it.

Doing the math I spend about $1200 a year just on cable TV. Written out, that seems like a lot of money! Why? So I can record a few shows on my DVR? I am happier waiting for the entire season of Dexter to be available on DVD and then watching the whole season in a weekend. I’m a little surprised at this, but I enjoy the show more.

I am beginning to see the value in dumping cable TV and getting a box that will play video files. Files that I buy from iTunes, make myself or, in the not-too-distant future, purchase and download directly from the content producers themselves.

So no more networks… just an internet connection and content. What use then, is a DVR?

You will not see DVR functionality in the Apple TV. Ever. Because Steve knows what I know and will use his company’s resources to design for the future and accelerate the change.

Meanwhile, I better get writing on my show ideas, I’m going to be out of a job soon!

I use my cable service to watch a couple of series. Period. Why bother getting a DVR if I can pay 1.99 and download the episode I want to watch…when I decided to watch, without commercials and without worrying about setting the thing up to record my show?

I watch lots of movies, which I download ripped from BitTorrent for free, watch, and delete. I wouldn’t mind paying 3.99 for having an instant download, better image quality and proper subtitles when needed. But I haven’t rented a DVD for myself in years.

Plus, if I can watch so much independent, creative youtube videos and podcasts, why would I ever care about most of the garbage produced nowadays for TV? Seriously, take out series and movies…what is left?

I think they see what the future will be, and are pushing it instead of supporting old models.

Assuming that the online rental have a decent selection of movies, I’ll cancel my cable subscription and buy an Apple TV the day the service becomes available in Canada.

I could easily be wrong but I’ve yet to see a video streaming service be anywhere close to “instant” when under load, especially if you add HD and most people’s slow internet connections into the mix.