Does Apple TV support "Live" TV ?

Question

Level 1

47 points

Does Apple TV support "Live" TV ?

I'm confused about the TV aspect of Apple TV. As far as I can tell there are NO "Live" TV shows supported at all?? For example, if I wanted to watch a live Football game or live Auto Race -- just not possible with Apple "TV"?

Also, 720p?? Sure that's technically HD, but it's middle of the road HD, not top of the line HD which is 1080p. Surprised that this "NEW" Apple TV still does not support 1080p which is what I get from DirectTV HD.

Am I missing something? It just seems like this device is really just a glorified streaming WiFi device? I mean my laptop can do the same and in fact better since my laptop can output 1080p to my TV.

If this device supported 1080p and Live TV broadcasts, then sure, it would be an easy $99 sell, but as far as I can tell it supports neither?? Hopefully I'm wrong.

Rob

Mac Pro 3Ghz 1.33GHz Bus 64bit, Mac OS X (10.6), ATI HD 3870, 8GB RAM, 2.5TB, 30" HD, 24" Dell, Motu Ultralite, Mackie, BlackMagi

Posted on Oct 1, 2010 8:23 AM

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Answer 1

BobPenn

Level 1

34 points

Oct 1, 2010 9:41 AM in response to Rob A.

There is currently no live tv, as AppleTV only supports iTunes and Netflix, neither of which have live streaming. I hear that YouTube is, or will soon support some sort of live stream, so Apple TV could conceivably support that. Once apps start coming onto Apple TV some live TV app may appear (assuming apps DO appear one day).

As for 1080p, yes it doesn't have it. But the Apple TV 720p streams look better on my Pioneer Kuro than the DirecTV 1080p pay per view feeds, I believe. Or at the least, they looks essentially the same. Apple TV does a great job with compression, which is more important than 1080p given a choice.

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Answer 2

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

Oct 1, 2010 9:57 AM in response to Rob A.

i shouldn't be surprised that, if an app store for TV ever materializes, you will be able to get live TV to the device.

similar to what you can do with *eye tv* (tuner connected to Mac, use eye tv app to receive the live stream) on e.g. your iPad ...

J GG

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Answer 3

Rob A. Author

Level 1

47 points

Oct 1, 2010 10:10 AM in response to BobPenn

Thanks for the response ... think I'll pass on this product until it gets "real" TV (heck my HTC EVO can even do live TV and it's just a phone). I suppose the technical term of TV is accurate, but in a normal usage environment (the masses), most of the consumer population assumes TV includes transmission of "live" images.

Sorry, but 1080p looks a lot better on DirecTV than any 720p stream I've seen. DirecTV uses 3 data streams to compile moving images on their HD channels (hence the special dish). On my 63" TV, the clarity is amazing with no compression artifacts I've notice, certainly WAY better than 720p regardless of Apple's compression ... which is really determine at the source not by Apple TV.

Apple TV is really just a WiFi device with abililty to convert one digital stream of data into an HDMI protocol (which is a slightly different digital stream of data). It's good that it's only $99. But it's got a long way to go (still) before I would consider it useful.

Rob

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Answer 4

Rob A. Author

Level 1

47 points

Oct 1, 2010 10:12 AM in response to Jolly Giant

Fair enough, I'll wait for that to happen before I take a second look at this device.

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