Posted by Doug Jacobs on 04/18/07 23:58

Derek Janssen <ejanss@comcast.net> wrote:

> Apple Movie Store pretty much cemented the Download issue:
> Since the AppleTV wasn't invented yet (although it's getting good
> reviews), and nothing connected it to the TV, nobody really caught on to
> WHY the heck we were now all supposed to download our movies, like the
> magazine articles all said we would--
> What Apple Movie got by on was exactly what we *were* using it for: You
> bought a nice, permanent legal clean-ripped copy of the movie, at
> hard-DVD prices, that you could keep on your iPod or desktop. Period.

And it's easy to use. A lot of tech companies simply overlook the human
aspect to their product, but the reality is, not everyone is a die-hard
tech/gadgeteer geek who's willing to put up with some highly technical
configurations and a poor UI.

Personally, I'm fine with putting up a server and ripping movies to it.
What I haven't found yet, is a nice, (cheap) easy to use set top streaming
box. I don't want to to put up a full-blown computer. I want something
that's self contained, and bulletproof. Something that even my in-laws
will feel comfortable using. Very few devices pass the in-law test...

> Basically, the "living room" factor seems to be the one stumbling block
> for every other company--It's nice to play HD download movies in your
> living room on X-Box Live, but that's IF you happen to own an X-Box.
> Which puts their half of the tech-war right back in the Gamerz' hands
> again, which is part of how all the Blu/HD fighting started in the first
> place.

Well, both Sony and Microsoft have stated they want to be in control of
your entertainment system, covering not just games, but movies, videos,
internet, etc.

I've never felt that "convergence" was some silver bullet that would
somehow make everything so sexy and profitable. There's a reason why AV
afficianados don't go with "all-in-one" solutions. I'd personally rather
just have my devices do a single job, and do it VERY VERY well. This is
why I think, despite its shortcomings, Apple's AppleTV product is going to
overtake both the 360's and PS3's media services.

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