• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

AppleTV + Perian = neato

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: Sudheer Anne
I think GPU manufacturers really need to step up to the plate and start offering real MPEG4 hardware acceleration (similar to how MPEG 2 accelerators used to be popular when DVD first came out). Clearly x264 is the way of the compression future and relying on CPU power to do all the decoding just isn't practical for the masses.
Click to expand...

They already do....it's the encoding that is weak right now😀
Click to expand...

Why is it that every review I see testing how much assistance decoding the video card does seems to turn up that the video card only decodes about 15% of the video. There have been many tests where one runs a HD WMV or H264 video with and without video card acceleration and the CPU processing power use always goes down from like 60% to 50%. That is pretty weak and it has always been this way. I have yet to see a worthwhile video decoder on a video card.
 
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: randomlinh
Wow, I happened to be at the mall today and decided to check out the AppleTV for myself. Such a huge disappointment. I thought it would scale the non-HD stuff to acceptable levels... I was dead wrong.
Click to expand...

🙁
Click to expand...

I would like to hear from what others have to say. Some reviews seem to find it acceptable... maybe I have too high standards? I mean, I'm sure native res stuff would be fine, but what's in the store now.. it just looked .. blah.
 
I love how all these HT component devices (X-Box 360, AppleTV, etc) have to run third party "hacks" to get it to decode xvix, divx, etc when a modded X-Box (1) does all that and more. As for it not playing H.264 or HD, what content are you guys using (recorded) that is in HD? AppleTV is not a DVR so that takes HD feeds out of the equation. With the current quality of xvid/divx encoded HD broadcasts, there is no need to download the raw format which is 10+ times as large. I just simply don't understand the argument for anything else.
 
Originally posted by: sygyzy
I love how all these HT component devices (X-Box 360, AppleTV, etc) have to run third party "hacks" to get it to decode xvix, divx, etc when a modded X-Box (1) does all that and more. As for it not playing H.264 or HD, what content are you guys using (recorded) that is in HD? AppleTV is not a DVR so that takes HD feeds out of the equation. With the current quality of xvid/divx encoded HD broadcasts, there is no need to download the raw format which is 10+ times as large. I just simply don't understand the argument for anything else.
Click to expand...

1. licensing costs

2. it plays h.264 at an HD resolution natively.
 
Originally posted by: MrBond
Originally posted by: 91TTZ

I just read Apple's site, and they say it can do 1280 by 720 pixels at 24 fps. So it doesn't even support 720p without dropping frames.
Click to expand...
Movies are shot at 24fps.

Edit: Some TV shows are too, but the only one I know offhand that is shot at 24 fps is Everyday Italian.
Click to expand...

That's for film. You can't display the broadcast TV shows at 24 fps.
 
Originally posted by: Goosemaster

That means nothing except that it can play movies at a true film FR. That probably spells more about the future content that the iTMS will offer than the device's capabilities. We have no idea what the device is capable of.
Click to expand...


But not all HD content is from film, so I don't know why they'd advertise that they can only display 24 fps if not for the fact that it can't. Is it capable of displaying a broadcast HDTV show?

This site did a detailed report on it listing the specs, so we should be able to figure out what it's capable of doing.
 
Originally posted by: Goosemaster

That means nothing except that it can play movies at a true film FR. That probably spells more about the future content that the iTMS will offer than the device's capabilities. We have no idea what the device is capable of.
Click to expand...

I was right. Read the latest review that Anand wrote.

"Not only is Apple TV picky about the file format and codec of videos, there are bit rate and resolution limitations. According to Apple, H.264 video is supported only at bit rates up to 5Mbps. For H.264 content, the maximum supported resolution is 1280 x 720 at 24 fps or 960 x 540 at 30 fps. The bit rate limitations explain how Apple is able to get away with playback on a 1GHz Pentium M (even with the help of the GeForce 7300). "
 
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: Goosemaster

That means nothing except that it can play movies at a true film FR. That probably spells more about the future content that the iTMS will offer than the device's capabilities. We have no idea what the device is capable of.
Click to expand...

I was right. Read the latest review that Anand wrote.

"Not only is Apple TV picky about the file format and codec of videos, there are bit rate and resolution limitations. According to Apple, H.264 video is supported only at bit rates up to 5Mbps. For H.264 content, the maximum supported resolution is 1280 x 720 at 24 fps or 960 x 540 at 30 fps. The bit rate limitations explain how Apple is able to get away with playback on a 1GHz Pentium M (even with the help of the GeForce 7300). "
Click to expand...

IIRC their intro video is at 6.xMbps, no?

 
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: Goosemaster

IIRC their intro video is at 6.xMbps, no?
Click to expand...

You got me... I really have no idea. The only info I have to go by is what Anand posted.
Click to expand...

I just measured it and while it hit 5.x a few times, it was at 6.1-6.5 most of the time and even had a burst of 7.346Mbps😀
 
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: sygyzy
I love how all these HT component devices (X-Box 360, AppleTV, etc) have to run third party "hacks" to get it to decode xvix, divx, etc when a modded X-Box (1) does all that and more. As for it not playing H.264 or HD, what content are you guys using (recorded) that is in HD? AppleTV is not a DVR so that takes HD feeds out of the equation. With the current quality of xvid/divx encoded HD broadcasts, there is no need to download the raw format which is 10+ times as large. I just simply don't understand the argument for anything else.
Click to expand...

1. licensing costs

2. it plays h.264 at an HD resolution natively.
Click to expand...

I don't understand your response. What HD/H.264 content do you have?!?! HD Quicktime trailers off the Apple website? Please.
 
Originally posted by: sygyzy
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: sygyzy
I love how all these HT component devices (X-Box 360, AppleTV, etc) have to run third party "hacks" to get it to decode xvix, divx, etc when a modded X-Box (1) does all that and more. As for it not playing H.264 or HD, what content are you guys using (recorded) that is in HD? AppleTV is not a DVR so that takes HD feeds out of the equation. With the current quality of xvid/divx encoded HD broadcasts, there is no need to download the raw format which is 10+ times as large. I just simply don't understand the argument for anything else.
Click to expand...

1. licensing costs

2. it plays h.264 at an HD resolution natively.
Click to expand...

I don't understand your response. What HD/H.264 content do you have?!?! HD Quicktime trailers off the Apple website? Please.
Click to expand...

😱
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top