Apple TV price slashed, 40GB model dropped
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Sep 14th 2009 5:38AM
posted Sep 14th 2009 5:38AM
[Via MacRumors]
Read -- Nld pricing [Google cache]
Read -- New pricing
posted Sep 14th 2009 5:38AM
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Sweet!
Now all we need is a price drop on the Pippin and then I'll finally have a reason to dump Windows Media Center + my Xbox 360!
why would u dump either of those. personally i would love to have a set-up with both an apple tv and a media server... and an xbox duh
Hold on just a sec before you think of ditching your 360 and Windows Media Center setup.
Are you aware that this move from apple comes on the eve of the new Zune software update? This update will bring a brand new Zune video marketplace to the Xbox 360. I'm guessing you won't even need to use Windows Media Center anymore and can just use Zune on the 360.
Apple must be very concerned that the 360 has completely outdone the Apple TV in this space.
360 has :
Netflix Watch it Now - Thousands of Movies and TV Shows...some in HD
Video Marketplace - TV Shows and Movies - Thousands of movies and TV shows. Much of the content is HD
Zune Video Marketplace - I think this will replace the normal Video Marketplace.
I should have added the /sarcasm tag at the end of my post.
I thought that was obvious, and then there's the whole WindowsFTW name that I have...but yeah, this thing is still overpriced and under-equipped for what it does.
Why wouldn't I just build myself a mini PC, something along the lines of a shuttle, slap Windows 7 on it, be able to use it as a real PC, and be able to connect it to my TV for virtually the same price.
Apple TV is a joke, but no more so than the aforementioned Pippin gaming console slapped together by Apple.
You are correct the Xbox 360 video store is becoming the Zune Video store and you will be able to access the same content on your PC as on your Xbox 360 or Zune. Once you purchase the video in one place you will be able to access it for free in the other. Also the Zune Video store lets you start playing back the video instantly without having to wait for it to download. It is even faster than what Netflix is doing with Watch Instantly and yet the Zune Video store supports up to 1080p.
Here is a video of the Zune Video store on Xbox 360: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79g475rUTbw
In about 24hrs, millions of Xbox 360 owners will update their 360s and have a chance to experience Zune software. If you've never used Zune software, it's very good and has received widespread praise from tech enthusiast sites.
This is a huge opening for Microsoft. Soon everyone will know exactly how cool Zune software is running on the 360 and they will also be introduced to the Zune HD. Which looks to best the iPod touch in every category when it comes to hardware. Software also looks to be very interesting, all they need to do now is tell us what kind of games can we expect on the Zune HD and what kind of apps as well.
Honestly all Microsoft need do is get some form of Halo, Gears of War or Forza on there and the Zune HD will sell like hotcakes. It's already cheaper than the iPod touch even after the recent iPod price cuts.
Oh, and yes, the X360 with Windows Media Center functionality added to it is by far a much better product and deal than this Apple TV.
Also, as Bobo pointed out, then there's the whole Netflix, Video Marketplace, and Zune Video Marketplace features to boot.
Apple needs to just discontinue both product lines, save themselves the embarrassment, and move on.
Remember to ditch your Xbox 360 for the iPod Touch, since they are both gaming consoles, you know... (before anyone shoots me, /sarcasm)
Patriks,
LOL!
Yeah, and I guess I should throw away my i7 SLI gaming rig with Windows 7 on it because the iPhone is also a computer.
The most innovating thing about Apple is their Marketing Department.
Haha, you referenced the worst gaming platform ever released. Most people have never heard of the Pippin so they would catch the sarcasm. But that was cleaver.
I suspect keeping that 40GB hard drive in production wound up costing Apple more the 160GB drive.
Haha, wow, I can't believe nobody got that. You'd think people who have no clue what they're replying to (re: the pippin) wouldn't reply for fear of looking dumb... but no such luck.
@WindowsFTW
How do you expect to build a mini HTPC for "roughly the same price" when the OS alone (7 home premium) costs $199? I don't see any way to do this LEGALLY, with brand new parts (since we want to compare apples to Apples) here without spending at least 3 times as much.
Don't say 360 either, that thing is way too loud for a home theater machine!
Jesus the replies in this thread look like a MS PR Release.
"Apple must be very concerned that the 360 has completely outdone the Apple TV in this space."
You are kidding, right? The sold-in-the-millions xBox? The sold-to-a-few-individuals AppleTV? Why on Earth would Apple have ever considered the AppleTV as a competitor to the 360? They didn't. They are not that stupid (despite what some people think). They even made clear their opinion of the AppleTV, and it was "a hobby", not "a competitor to the 360".
"Why wouldn't I just build myself a mini PC, something along the lines of a shuttle, slap Windows 7 on it, be able to use it as a real PC, and be able to connect it to my TV for virtually the same price."
1) Because other people want to use a MacOS-derived OS, 2) Because of the price of Windows 7 pushing the total of your setup to more than the AppleTV, 3) Because they want the easy access to iTunes shows and movies more than they want to use it as a real PC, 4) Because they want an AppleTV for some other strange reason that you haven't considered or countenanced.
No one product can meet everyone's requirements. Sure, there are good reasons for you to setup something else rather than buy the AppleTV. But there are also good reasons for other people to buy an AppleTV rather than setup a PC themselves.
The difference between "no good for me" and "no good for anyone, because it is no good for me and everyone has exactly the same requirements and desires as me" is the difference between commentor and fanboy.
"The most innovating thing about Apple is their Marketing Department."
Like I said, fanboy. That criticism does not apply to Apple or Microsoft or any other company responsible for real, genuine innovations that (if you just did a bit of research) are recognised world-wide and industry-wide. How immature of you to suggest that Apple have not been an innovator, when they are known as precisely that - you are making yourself look extremely stupid (or hopelessly biased).
still no mms or cut and paste...
I honestly laughed out loud. I ranked you up. :)
^
still no brain cells left ?
Please make it into a streaming box, then it will be hella cheap :)
Only in the US apparently, no change in the UK.
Competition 101: Zune HD is US only for now. Hence go F yourself if you want an ATV, Britain
-Apple.
Great if you can match the bandwidth that you need to stream HD movies but try doing that in the UK!? (without VM's 50Bit service)
I don't have any problem streaming HD movies to mine in the UK.
Paying £12 a month for Be's Unlimited 24Meg service and never had any issues with bandwidth.
Sounds like you have plenty of bandwidth over there. Here in the states most people have far less than that. I have 5Mbps and have been watching plenty of stuff via 360 Netflix in HiDef.
With 5Mbps I don't think I'll get 1080p out of the new Zune streaming stuff, but I'm sure I will get 720p at least. All of the 720p stuff on the current video marketplace looks excellent! I can hardly tell a difference between the 720p stuff and Blu-Ray. And I would consider myself a videophile with a very nice Samsung 46" that I calibrated properly.
I'm in the UK, and according to Speedtest.net I get 0.48Mb/s. (Thats Megabits btw, not bytes) The UK is awful for internet unless you live in the middle of a city. Gordon Brown says I am going to get 2mb/s by 2012 though. Thanks Gordon.
Sorry - I should have been clearer ... it's not bandwidth it's the "fair use" policy that is the problem. You can only download up to something like 4.5GB in one 24 hour period so if you're streaming HD content that goes over that then you're stuffed!?
I know you can get a better service than VirginMedia over a BT line (with various ISP offerings) but then you need to be close to the telephone exchange to actually get a decent speed. I am miles from any exchanges and I practically live in a forest.
I have complained so much to VM that they are upgrading me to their 50Mbit service for no extra charge. They say it's unlimited, no capped and not subject to any fair usage policy - wish me luck!?
Good luck;) I agree unless your in a city the internet in the UK is crap, i get around 0.6mbs:(
Mbit even!?
It will take more than a pricecut...
Yeah, they will have to make it, ummm, good?
Yup. 230 bucks for a broken product is still 230 bucks too much.
The good news is you can still buy it in the UK (at the time I write this) for £195, equivalent to $322. Or we can get the 160GB version for £263 or $434!
Can you say rip-off Britain!?
Apple tax + British taxes = fun
Great. Now we need a software update. Those iTunes LP's would look great on the HD screen.
I did notice you can prevent it from automatically syncing in iTunes 9 as well... another small but helpful addition.
Its a good device, it just needs a little bit more TLC from Apple.
Itune LPs? LOL
Thanks for the low rank but seriously. I saw the whole LP demo. You all actually like this crap?
How about offering Apple Lossless format for LP's. That's basically what you're giving up by buying digital. Screw the visuals.
I can hook up my 400 dollar Acer 1410 to my tv with hdmi. Ooohh..look at me, i got Apple TV too now along with being able to stream everywhere else. Make Apple TV more compelling to buy. It's a joke.
You can get bonus features made specifically for iTunes. I don't need lossless for everything. If I like a particular album or artists, I'll get the CD. If not, I just buy online. Not everyone is an audiophile or obsessive about their music. I downloaded one and found it to be an interesting feature.
Looks like Australia's Apple Store still shows the 40 Apple TV at full price - http://store.apple.com/au/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/apple_tv?mco=Nzk2MDUzMA
Typical, always getting ripped off here.
lol a 40gb tv recorder
It doesn't even record tv though...
I can't decide whether this is a sign that Apple will definitely not be updating the AppleTV any time soon, or if they are reducing their stock and making room for an update. The extra space doesn't really make a difference for me, since I plan to stream from my home server. But I would really like a bump to the specs so it will play higher resolution content and maybe run cooler.
I still don't understand why this Apple TV product exists. Why not just build the Front Row software into every iPod and when you dock it to your TV have it function exactly as Apple TV does. I guess for now iPods aren't powerful enough to output HD, but if the Zune HD is doing it already it can't be that long off until an iPod is powerful enough to handle HD too.
Yea - whatever happened to the rumoured iPod HD video out?
No price change or drop of the 40 gb Apple TV in Denmark either..
It still has the 2299/2999 DKK price (450.78$/588.03).
*sigh* I almost wanted an Apple TV for a sec there...
Better get back to my iPhone which I payed a little less than 1100$ for in total... :/
Why is it when apple has a product that kinda bombs they just call it a 'hobby?' The PR machine at work..
Apple is usually pretty good at giving its electronics a really clear reason to exist. That's really where they dropped the ball on the Apple TV, I'm not entirely convinced what they even want me to use it for. If they don't give a clear message for why we should want their products, then it's pretty hard to build up a desire to own them.
This isn't really a price cut, since the lowest point of entry is still $229, it's just a feature bump. It's like all those fake PS3 price cuts that Sony kept bragging about where they just bumped up the capacity, killed a side feature, and claimed that they were the kings of the price cut. Nobody fell for it then and nobody's going to fall for this either.
Sorry. Scam TV isn't going to fool anyone but the idiots who buy iPhones.
I don't understand the hate for Apple TV. I think it is a great box ( I have 3 of them). They are great at streaming video from my home media mac. I have all my video and audio in iTunes on a central iTunes mac box and then the apple tv boxes connected to 3 differnet tv's in our house. I really don't see the need for the local disk to be more than 40gb which all mine are. The only value of the local disk is if you buy something from the itunes store via apple tv. Once a purchase is completed it is synced up to the connected itunes and then sent it available to the other apple tv's all without any intervention from me. Whether the video or audio is streamed or local is completely transparent. I also have eyetv record tv if needed and it gets converted and added to itunes automatically.
I previously had dlink media players connected to a media server and this setup was complete crap.
The appletv boxes are just plug in power, connect to tv via hdmi and then wifi connect to my mac. I for one love the ease of use.
I can see great value also in the Apple TV, I like the idea of having local storage, so that you don't have to have a PC/Mac or NAS turned on all the time... better for the electricity bill, fire risk and noise.
I don't own one at the moment, because I have a PS3, the only reason I haven't sold the PS3 and bought an AppleTV is because the PS3 can view and record live Freeview TV in the UK (via PlayTV). I rarely use it for games, it's more of a DVR/media hub than a games console for me.
The PS3 is currently missing online HD film rentals which frustrates me, but I understand that it is due this year in the UK.
If Apple TV became a DVR for Freesat or Freeview I'd snap it up in an instance. The advantage it would have over the PS3 is the format issues, a film or TV programme I buy on the Apple TV can be sync'd back to iTunes which I can then sync to my iPhone automatically. I don't have to worry about transcoding eveytime, having multiple copies of files for each device I want to view on, plus if the videos are DRM'd then I can I have a happy little Ecosystem of Apple Products that all work together and don't cause conflicts.
I used to have a PSP but I sold it when I bought an iPhone.
Also, I have tried the DLNA/TVersity approach before, and just didn't get on with it. Too many headaches. Local copies is by the far the best way of sharing media.
I can imagine Steve Jobs, a few years ago, throwing a Buffalo NAS out of the window shouting "Damn, there's got to be a better way than this"