How will Apples iTV affect high-definition entertainment?
Apple announced yesterday that it will be launching a set-top box (STB) in early 2007 which will allow streaming video content from your computer to your HDTV. It will feature 802.11 standard wireless technology, Ethernet, USB, optical audio and an HDMI port. I’m left wondering how this will impact on the high-definition world. Other announcements from Apple included the iTunes Store selling downloadable movies – however they’ll only be in ‘near DVD’ quality – with resolution of 640 x 480 – this is NOT high-definition by any stretch. How good the new Apple STB will be at upscaling them to your 720p/1080i/p TV remains to be seen – it’d better be good. But moving forward, this could just be the start. Apple were wise not to introduce a computer and display in one – as other commentators have suggested, this could prove expensive when the computer needs to be upgraded. No, a box is the answer, and there’s no reason why high-def content couldn’t make its way onto the box in the future.
