You can replace this with a Mini Cooper
I have heard that Apple plans to add hardware video decoding to all of its new computers beginning fairly soon, certainly this year. The chip’s primary codec is H.264, which is at the heart of both Apple’s QuickTime software and its iTunes video downloading service.
Up until now it took a multi-core machine with a lot of memory to support real 1080p (HDTV) decoding, but soon you’ll be able to do that easily on a Mac Mini while leaving the main CPU to handle other chores like networking, running the graphical user interface, or perhaps integrating in real time a variety of video ad streams.
So what’s in it for Apple? Potentially a lot, because the chip Apple has chosen…doesn’t just do hardware H.264 decoding, it does hardware H.264 encoding, too.
Even the lowliest Mac will be able to effortlessly record in background one or more video signals while the user runs TurboTax on the screen…In a YouTube world, the new Macs will be a boon to user-produced video, which will, in turn, promote the H.264 standard. By being able to encode in real time, the new Macs will have that American Idol clip up and running faster than could be done on almost any other machine.
Cringeley must feel pretty certain about this one. He’s already patting himself on the back!
Overdue. I imagine Apple is tight with Intel on this one and – if and when it comes to pass – most PC manufacturers will fall over each other to do the same.
But… it’s Cringely?
Yeah, I know. He’s such a dweeb. He gets it right once in a while.
It does make sense.
ZOMG H.264!!!!1 Now macs have everything!!!!1
On another note, this means that Macs are going to have DRM like this on them…
http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.html
bwhahahahah!!!!
Finally, an excuse to pay much MUCH more for the same hardware other than “The case is pretty!”
#4 — hardware protocols for DRM are already in place through HDMI/HDCP. Any devices handshaking with TV sets for example – via HDMI already have the DRM hooks. Unlikely that mfg will add the DRM to chipsets when the HDMI protocol already has that crap covered.
That’s one of the interesting things about AppleTV for example. It has HDMI out – which includes the requisite DRM. It also offers Component hookups – which being analog has no DRM protocol.
#6,
Gutmann’s “take down” of Vista was to critique MS’s addition of HD-DVD and Blue-Ray services. What I think you can infer from the addition of this chip to macs is that Apple is going to release a model with either a HD-DVD or Blue-Ray drive (or both?) …
That means Apple is about to copy Microsoft and add these sorts of DRM functions that make Vista unstable (sarcasm mixed with irony for the humor impaired).
Apple already has the space for 2 optical drives in the Mac Pro. As much as I chuckle at M$oft’s less-than-optimal use of all their programming talent – I wouldn’t lay special heat on them either for problems with HDMI. It is one of the suckiest protocols ever inflicted on electronics.
It’s up to iteration 3, now, I think. And it still sucks.
[duplicate post]
Angel, I remember that someone did a comparison between an Apple Pro and a similarly configured Dell and the Dell cost about 20% more.
But… it’s Cringely?
Up until now it took a multi-core machine with a lot of memory to support…a variety of video ad streams.
Have you ever blocked out the middle of an explanation, to find what they’re really trying to say?
Sorry, I don’t think Fox News would replace a news van with a Mini Cooper. More likely they’d switch to an Abrams tank.
#10
But for the price of a MacPro I can build an omfgImhavinganerdgasm clone.
#14 – Which would not be a laptop, which would be comparing apples or oranges (pun intended).
Pedro, MS is a copy of Apple… a bad one at that. We’re just letting you know you ain’t there yet. But keep trying, it’s fun to watch.
Let’s see… when was the last time my Mac got a virus….
oh ya… that would be never.
Pedro, MS is a copy of Apple… a bad one at that. We’re just letting you know you ain’t there yet. But keep trying, it’s fun to watch.
Let’s see… when was the last time my Mac got a virus….
oh ya… that would be never. 😉
14 – nerdgasm? omfg that’s funny…
Pedro, you know you’re a dumb ass, yes? Prove that your M$ computer is better… which we all know you can’t… or shut the hell up.