TerryJ
Jul 14, 08:25 AM
As purely a data storage format, obviously Blu-ray has the potential to store more data than HD DVD.
However, as someone who has been following the whole BD vs. HD DVD consumer video format war, and as someone who has bought an HD DVD player (and, until recently, had a BD video player on order), at this (albeit early) stage of the game, HD DVD is the superior video format.
HD DVD has 30gb dual layer discs available (almost all the latest video releases on HD DVD are 30gb dual layer.) There are many more titles available for HD DVD right now (probably because it's been out longer and the discs themselves are easier to manufacture.) HD DVD uses a more efficient codec (Microsoft's VC-1, which is akin to H.264, in that it's much much more efficient than MPEG-2.) HD DVD titles have either Dolby Digital Plus (a higher bit-rate multichannel audio codec) and Dolby TruHD (a lossless multichannel audio codec).
BD only has 25gb single layer discs available now. Apparently the 50gb dual layer discs are hard to manufacture and the yields are not ready for prime time. No BD retail video discs are above 25gb single layer. No timetable for 50gb discs has been announced. The video is MPEG-2, meaning it takes up more space on the disc. And, the most recent BD releases all suffer from more MPEG artifacts than any HD DVD releases. BD audio is either standard Dolby Digital or space consuming uncompressed PCM audio (which sucks up even more disc space, leaving even less for video.)
The current Samsung BD player actually has the same (Broadcom) chip that the current Toshiba HD DVD player has in terms of outputing video... and it only outputs 1080i. The Samsung player tacks on another (Faroudja) chip to deinterlace it, so it outputs 1080p (so BD can say "we output 1080p!"), except, that chip apparently stinks and makes the picture somewhat soft. In reality, any HDTV worth its salt can easily deinterlace 1080i signals, so the whole "we output 1080p" is a false advantage anyway. Both BD and HD DVD discs store the video as 1080p, by the way.
So, what you have, on the video front, BD has a smaller capacity disk with less efficient video and audio codecs (that look and sound worse). And it is TWICE the price ($500 vs. $1000). And has less titles. And is late.
If you read any reports on BD video quality vs. HD DVD video quality on boards like AVSforum.com, HD DVD beats BD hands down.
Who knows how this video format war will shake out, but Blu-ray is way behind right now.
-Terry
However, as someone who has been following the whole BD vs. HD DVD consumer video format war, and as someone who has bought an HD DVD player (and, until recently, had a BD video player on order), at this (albeit early) stage of the game, HD DVD is the superior video format.
HD DVD has 30gb dual layer discs available (almost all the latest video releases on HD DVD are 30gb dual layer.) There are many more titles available for HD DVD right now (probably because it's been out longer and the discs themselves are easier to manufacture.) HD DVD uses a more efficient codec (Microsoft's VC-1, which is akin to H.264, in that it's much much more efficient than MPEG-2.) HD DVD titles have either Dolby Digital Plus (a higher bit-rate multichannel audio codec) and Dolby TruHD (a lossless multichannel audio codec).
BD only has 25gb single layer discs available now. Apparently the 50gb dual layer discs are hard to manufacture and the yields are not ready for prime time. No BD retail video discs are above 25gb single layer. No timetable for 50gb discs has been announced. The video is MPEG-2, meaning it takes up more space on the disc. And, the most recent BD releases all suffer from more MPEG artifacts than any HD DVD releases. BD audio is either standard Dolby Digital or space consuming uncompressed PCM audio (which sucks up even more disc space, leaving even less for video.)
The current Samsung BD player actually has the same (Broadcom) chip that the current Toshiba HD DVD player has in terms of outputing video... and it only outputs 1080i. The Samsung player tacks on another (Faroudja) chip to deinterlace it, so it outputs 1080p (so BD can say "we output 1080p!"), except, that chip apparently stinks and makes the picture somewhat soft. In reality, any HDTV worth its salt can easily deinterlace 1080i signals, so the whole "we output 1080p" is a false advantage anyway. Both BD and HD DVD discs store the video as 1080p, by the way.
So, what you have, on the video front, BD has a smaller capacity disk with less efficient video and audio codecs (that look and sound worse). And it is TWICE the price ($500 vs. $1000). And has less titles. And is late.
If you read any reports on BD video quality vs. HD DVD video quality on boards like AVSforum.com, HD DVD beats BD hands down.
Who knows how this video format war will shake out, but Blu-ray is way behind right now.
-Terry
notjustjay
Apr 21, 12:19 PM
Viruses collecting data on iOS?
... :confused:
It doesn't exist now, but that's not to say it might never happen in the future.
... :confused:
It doesn't exist now, but that's not to say it might never happen in the future.
ten-oak-druid
Mar 22, 05:26 PM
The ipod still has decent sales numbers. Are there any other mp3 players out there? I mean strictly mp3 players (not smart phones) that are actually selling in decent quantities?
poppe
Jul 14, 12:20 PM
Early June. Its middle of July. Where is it? Wheres the player? They're showing of a prototype disc? Its world away from ever reaching my computer.
So one company doesn't display it that means that the other companies that are working on it couldn't have it out by end of 2006/early 2007 as I stated earlier?
Dell didn't release a workstation. Hp must not either
So one company doesn't display it that means that the other companies that are working on it couldn't have it out by end of 2006/early 2007 as I stated earlier?
Dell didn't release a workstation. Hp must not either
Earendil
Nov 27, 04:08 PM
Same hear. I just find it interesting that you seem to be ignoring the fact that 1 year ago you were willing to pay an approximately $100 markup for SWOP certification, yet you find it completely reasonable for Apple to essentially be charging $300 for it today? I'm about the biggest fan of Apple of anyone but their prices are out of touch on their 20" displays.
I still am failing to see a counter point.
We both agree that Apple has a higher quality display, that id required by professionals. We both agree that the prices a year ago were a good price, and competative. Now you are making a claim that the competition has lowered their prices (linky?), and that this proves me wrong. I've already stated that my quick searching revealed no such compition in that price point half of what Apple's is, and have put the ball in your court to show me otherwise. Surely if you are making these claims you are aware of a product?
It is not hard to find 20" LCD monitors that cost twice as much as Apple's (Check out NEC's site for example). So I'm failing to see an example of a similarly specced wide LCD to show me exactly how out of whack Apple is. All I hear is "too expensive!" and "100% more!!".
Sure, I'd like them cheaper too, but I'm not going to scream foul without being able to back it up with something.
I still am failing to see a counter point.
We both agree that Apple has a higher quality display, that id required by professionals. We both agree that the prices a year ago were a good price, and competative. Now you are making a claim that the competition has lowered their prices (linky?), and that this proves me wrong. I've already stated that my quick searching revealed no such compition in that price point half of what Apple's is, and have put the ball in your court to show me otherwise. Surely if you are making these claims you are aware of a product?
It is not hard to find 20" LCD monitors that cost twice as much as Apple's (Check out NEC's site for example). So I'm failing to see an example of a similarly specced wide LCD to show me exactly how out of whack Apple is. All I hear is "too expensive!" and "100% more!!".
Sure, I'd like them cheaper too, but I'm not going to scream foul without being able to back it up with something.
Ashtangi
Sep 6, 10:33 AM
Please explain to me who would buy a mini and why?
I just don't get it when a imac is close in price with a monitor.
What am I missing?
People who already have an LCD. If you already have a 19" or 20" LCD, why would you want to replace it with a 17" LCD?
I just don't get it when a imac is close in price with a monitor.
What am I missing?
People who already have an LCD. If you already have a 19" or 20" LCD, why would you want to replace it with a 17" LCD?
NathanMuir
Mar 21, 06:13 PM
Perhaps square miles would be a more useful measure. ;)
A simple omission of single word qualifies the person(s) as 'illiterate'?
BFD. :rolleyes:
A simple omission of single word qualifies the person(s) as 'illiterate'?
BFD. :rolleyes:
Built
Apr 2, 07:37 PM
I'll "believe" when they fix the currently unresolved and widespread quality control issues...light bleed on virtually every unit and blemishes, dents and scratches on units straight out of the box.
Fix those issues, Apple, and then I will "believe" enough to get an iPad 2.
Fix those issues, Apple, and then I will "believe" enough to get an iPad 2.
celebrian23
Jul 20, 11:17 AM
With NF you get three movies at a time, and you can get plans with more. It does require a little planning, but right now, the quantity of content you can get in a month for the price can't be beat. If you think it's so stupid, what do you propose as the smarter alternative?
For iTMS to beat it, it would have to match netflix's pricing as well, which would be $1 or less per rental. I don't see that happening. They'd also have to have better quality and include all DVD extras with all movies.
Until then, I'll happily stick with netflix.
I don't use netflix, but I think it's a great thing and itms isn't going to be able to overtake it. I'd take netflix over any computer movie rental service anyday
For iTMS to beat it, it would have to match netflix's pricing as well, which would be $1 or less per rental. I don't see that happening. They'd also have to have better quality and include all DVD extras with all movies.
Until then, I'll happily stick with netflix.
I don't use netflix, but I think it's a great thing and itms isn't going to be able to overtake it. I'd take netflix over any computer movie rental service anyday
guzhogi
Sep 1, 01:14 PM
I hope the resolution is higher on the 23" iMac than it is on the 23" Apple display. I'm sure the current Apple displays (of all sizes) don't go up as high as they could.
Anyways, weren't there also rumors of 42" Apple displays or something? Or are they waiting for HDMI to come more standard an video cards since doesn't HDMI handle higher resolutions than DVI? Just think of how high the resolution on a 42" screen would be like. 4800 x 3000? At least a dozen megapixels!
Anyways, weren't there also rumors of 42" Apple displays or something? Or are they waiting for HDMI to come more standard an video cards since doesn't HDMI handle higher resolutions than DVI? Just think of how high the resolution on a 42" screen would be like. 4800 x 3000? At least a dozen megapixels!
aznguyen316
Sep 12, 08:39 PM
I got Night Sky (very dark blue).
do you have a picture? I assumed it would be dark blue but the pictures look like violet.
do you have a picture? I assumed it would be dark blue but the pictures look like violet.
jonharris200
Jan 1, 07:15 PM
Thanks arn for the (early?!) round-up.
One thing's for sure. Apple will save their PR gunpowder. Even if all the rumoured products are ready for release, you can guarantee they'll keep a few things up their sleeve for later in the year. (This will disappoint those who fail to appreciate that MWSF never contains a complete roadmap for the following 3 months, let alone the next year.)
I reckon:
- Updates to iLife and iWork
- New Video iPod and iTV released
- Leopard previewed with more cheeky digs at our Redmond friends, Vista etc, but not due for launch until March
- No word on an iPhone whatsoever, which will freak some people out
One thing that would be fantastic would be a complete overhaul to .Mac. What are the chances I wonder? :confused:
What's exciting though is that the rumours are so far so unreliable. :D
One thing's for sure. Apple will save their PR gunpowder. Even if all the rumoured products are ready for release, you can guarantee they'll keep a few things up their sleeve for later in the year. (This will disappoint those who fail to appreciate that MWSF never contains a complete roadmap for the following 3 months, let alone the next year.)
I reckon:
- Updates to iLife and iWork
- New Video iPod and iTV released
- Leopard previewed with more cheeky digs at our Redmond friends, Vista etc, but not due for launch until March
- No word on an iPhone whatsoever, which will freak some people out
One thing that would be fantastic would be a complete overhaul to .Mac. What are the chances I wonder? :confused:
What's exciting though is that the rumours are so far so unreliable. :D
MacMan86
Apr 21, 04:05 PM
But it doesn't need to be as persistent and as precise as it is for that to work. My history of last year is not relevent. The file should be flushed/cleaned out after a certain time. After a point, the data isn't useful to the phone.
The data is nearly always useful to the phone. Cell towers don't move very often, cached data would very rarely be out of date. If you go back to a city you visited several months back but have no data connection, the cached cell tower data could still be used to find your rough location.
It also shouldn't be backed-up. The device starts with a new DB when its new, no reason it shouldn't start over when you restore. That would alleviate some of the privacy concerns at least.
I would agree, but there's a hell of a lot of other information in an iTunes backup (geotagged photos, passwords in clear text in plist files stored by 3rd party apps who don't bother to use the Keychain, SMS messages, call logs etc) and if you're worried about privacy you should already have ticked the 'Encrypt backups' box - that's all it takes. I'd say all the other data in an unencrypted backup is just as, if not more, valuable.
And if this same file isn't what is being sent to Apple, and you have information indicating this, then the summary of the article that makes it sound like it is should be fixed.
It says so quite clearly at the top of Levinson's article which this MR article links to (https://alexlevinson.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/3-major-issues-with-the-latest-iphone-tracking-discovery/):
1) Apple is not collecting this data.
And to suggest otherwise is completely misrepresenting Apple. I quote:
Apple is gathering this data, but it�s clearly intentional, as the database is being restored across backups, and even device migrations.
Apple is not harvesting this data from your device. This is data on the device that you as the customer purchased and unless they can show concrete evidence supporting this claim � network traffic analysis of connections to Apple servers � I rebut this claim in full. Through my research in this field and all traffic analysis I have performed, not once have I seen this data traverse a network.
If the phone sends Apple a cell tower ID and gets back a lat/lon of that tower (this is being done anonymously according to T&C's), what is the benefit to Apple of sending this log back to them? They've already got the information from the calls to their servers, no need to get it twice.
The data is nearly always useful to the phone. Cell towers don't move very often, cached data would very rarely be out of date. If you go back to a city you visited several months back but have no data connection, the cached cell tower data could still be used to find your rough location.
It also shouldn't be backed-up. The device starts with a new DB when its new, no reason it shouldn't start over when you restore. That would alleviate some of the privacy concerns at least.
I would agree, but there's a hell of a lot of other information in an iTunes backup (geotagged photos, passwords in clear text in plist files stored by 3rd party apps who don't bother to use the Keychain, SMS messages, call logs etc) and if you're worried about privacy you should already have ticked the 'Encrypt backups' box - that's all it takes. I'd say all the other data in an unencrypted backup is just as, if not more, valuable.
And if this same file isn't what is being sent to Apple, and you have information indicating this, then the summary of the article that makes it sound like it is should be fixed.
It says so quite clearly at the top of Levinson's article which this MR article links to (https://alexlevinson.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/3-major-issues-with-the-latest-iphone-tracking-discovery/):
1) Apple is not collecting this data.
And to suggest otherwise is completely misrepresenting Apple. I quote:
Apple is gathering this data, but it�s clearly intentional, as the database is being restored across backups, and even device migrations.
Apple is not harvesting this data from your device. This is data on the device that you as the customer purchased and unless they can show concrete evidence supporting this claim � network traffic analysis of connections to Apple servers � I rebut this claim in full. Through my research in this field and all traffic analysis I have performed, not once have I seen this data traverse a network.
If the phone sends Apple a cell tower ID and gets back a lat/lon of that tower (this is being done anonymously according to T&C's), what is the benefit to Apple of sending this log back to them? They've already got the information from the calls to their servers, no need to get it twice.
GregA
Dec 28, 05:34 PM
Guys,
For home cinema systems, I would agree that Plasma/LCD outsell tubes/rear projection systems. However, there are still more tube TVs sold for non home-cinema systems (ie people without surround sound) and will be while they are cheaper.
It will be very interesting to watch Apple's moves in this area. I believe Apple's first device will be made as simple as possible to allow them to catch the attention (and understanding) of as many people as possible.
For home cinema systems, I would agree that Plasma/LCD outsell tubes/rear projection systems. However, there are still more tube TVs sold for non home-cinema systems (ie people without surround sound) and will be while they are cheaper.
It will be very interesting to watch Apple's moves in this area. I believe Apple's first device will be made as simple as possible to allow them to catch the attention (and understanding) of as many people as possible.
cube
Mar 24, 02:24 PM
Uhh, ok? You linked to a video where the HD 3000 is going against an unreleased APU from AMD. May as well have posted a comparison to the GMA 950 to the 6990. :rolleyes:
I never said there was nothing better than the Intel 3000, I said it doesn't suck as bad as he makes it out to be(or AMD's unreleased propaganda, or you).
With only a couple months difference in release date, Sandy Bridge is a bad purchase.
I never said there was nothing better than the Intel 3000, I said it doesn't suck as bad as he makes it out to be(or AMD's unreleased propaganda, or you).
With only a couple months difference in release date, Sandy Bridge is a bad purchase.
Zaty
Mar 20, 09:52 AM
If you want to compare Macs to PCs, you just can't take any PC being sold for $500. Like other people said, you get what you pay for. On the other hand, not every PC is a piece of crap (hardware wise). I bought a top of the line PII 450MHz in late 1998. It cost almost $2000 back then. But guess what, it's still running happily. The question is how long is the computer going to last? The more you pay, the longer your computer (Mac or PC) normally lasts. The good thing about Apple is that there is no $500 crap.
Multimedia
Aug 25, 10:05 AM
I really do wish to see a mini or something similar with more power. At the moment I have a G4 mini (7200rpm disk, 1GB ram and overclocked to 1.58GHz), but I still need a little more power. What is my option at the moment, an Intel mini? I don't think I'd see much of a real difference, so it has to be a Mac Pro? Too much dosh. There has to be something in between for those that have a screen and keyboard, etcNo. Now is not the time to buy it yet. Wait for the Core 2 Duo mini and you will see a radical increase in performance. Current Core Duo too. But as long as the Core 2 Duo models are imminent, no point in not waiting. Why do you think you won't see much real difference? Are you kidding? It's night and day. :rolleyes:
RayLancer
Oct 1, 01:40 AM
Actually I just wiped the inside of the case a bit with sandpaper and the watermarks are mostly eliminated. It basically looks like I brush metaled the iPod without actually doing so. It'll probably scratch the hell out of my iPod if I leave in for too long but I figure I'm never rocking this thing naked anyway so might as well.
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8225/crw3095.jpg
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/2222/crw3097.jpg
Yeah they're not that great, but it does keep it pretty safe for a cheap temporary case. Its very hard to squeeze into when you first get it, but once you do, the case loosens. A little too loose actually.
Both the cases I got were like warped out of place or something. It wouldn't properly cover the iPod like in your pictures.
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8225/crw3095.jpg
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/2222/crw3097.jpg
Yeah they're not that great, but it does keep it pretty safe for a cheap temporary case. Its very hard to squeeze into when you first get it, but once you do, the case loosens. A little too loose actually.
Both the cases I got were like warped out of place or something. It wouldn't properly cover the iPod like in your pictures.
kriskkalu
Jan 5, 06:31 PM
At macworld 2007 Apple will announce that you can download The Beatles music on iTunes and possible there will be a Beatles branded iPod.
rasmasyean
Apr 8, 06:48 PM
So why not Mexico? Mexico is experiencing way more violence than most of these Middle East countries yet their request for U.N. aid in 2009 was denied. They are on our doorstep and we are ignoring it for the most part even though we are partly to blame for the violence. The U.N. actually told Mexico just the other day to withdraw their own Military forces from the fight against the cartels.
Prolly has something to do with leaving the country messed up so we can draw modern day slaves from the wreckage to fuel parts of our economy. Whatever "charity" we do, there's often an alterior motive. If there isn't a potential gain, we usually ignore it....especially if ignoring it actually has a potential gain in itself. Just like ignoring the columbian drug trades or whatever WITHIN our country so that their drug war may go on to achieve political objectives.
Prolly has something to do with leaving the country messed up so we can draw modern day slaves from the wreckage to fuel parts of our economy. Whatever "charity" we do, there's often an alterior motive. If there isn't a potential gain, we usually ignore it....especially if ignoring it actually has a potential gain in itself. Just like ignoring the columbian drug trades or whatever WITHIN our country so that their drug war may go on to achieve political objectives.
cube
Mar 24, 02:10 PM
It outperforms the 320M under OS X. It certainly doesn't "suck" as much as you make it out to be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdPi4GPEI74
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdPi4GPEI74
chutch15
Sep 12, 09:43 PM
The photos on the BestBuy and Belkin websites are pretty good as far as fit and shine, but they do show the color as way too light and much too purpley. It's much darker and much closer to midnight blue than violet. It certain light there is a very slight violet hue, but it's a very cool deep color.
Here is the best I can do for a photo right now...
http://ghostland.com/nightsky.jpg
Here is the best I can do for a photo right now...
http://ghostland.com/nightsky.jpg
azentropy
Apr 19, 11:13 AM
I'll put in a plug again hoping for a Matte screen option.
applefied
Sep 9, 11:14 PM
Gumdrop has two:
http://www.gumdropcases.com/ipod-touch-4g-cases.html
One of which is reviewed at iLounge:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/gumdrop-cases-moto-skin-for-ipod-touch-4g/
http://www.gumdropcases.com/ipod-touch-4g-cases.html
One of which is reviewed at iLounge:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/gumdrop-cases-moto-skin-for-ipod-touch-4g/
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