Apple - movie downloads and iTV

[jont]

Bit disappointed at the 'near-dvd quality' description of teh movie downloads (640 x 480) but at least we will have a working model through the iTunes store ... but of course whether we will get to see them in the UK is another matter !!

Also the iTV (will be renamed) device looks interesting - obviously means they are keen on seeing the Mac Mini as the home hub entertainment device and have more planned for FrontRow when it ships next year ... and they are touting it as Mac and PC compatible ;-)

All we need is for HD prices to drop again and the concept of terabytes of programmes on demand will be a step closer for Joe Public ...

Jon

[cwick]

Isn't 640x480 the same as NTSC 4:3 though ... so it's v.close to DVD resolution. And with h.264 encoding, it's possibly very close indeed to DVDs quality, as Americans are used to it anyway

Have to admit to having no interest in movie downloads though, the pricing is poor value. But then I don't buy from the Music store either. More than happy to use the hardware, but at $299 for the iTV a Mini + FrontRow under the telly looks like a better proposition, and much more flexible.

[jont]

Guess that's about right - be neater if they did 720x480 for 16:9 movies/shows - but then you'd have 5G iPod owners in arms as the pic would be even smaller on that screen !!

Roll on the proper video iPod - think of a PSP without buttons I hope - size, resolution, aspect ratio, etc - nail the battery life issue and you've got a winner ?

Jon