For about two weeks now, I've been living without a TV and I have to say, I don't really miss it at all. Now that I have an iPad with apps like HBO Go, Netflix, Hulu, and a bunch of websites that allow video playback, I don't really have a need for a TV. I'm finding that the tablet form factor is a pretty good experience watching TV and movies solo (foreveralone), but it's also not too bad with other people.
I just saw today that Elgato is releasing a TV tuner called the EyeTV Mobile that plugs into the 30-pin connector at the bottom of an iPad that lets you watch broadcast TV live. I remember when I was a kid, portable TVs were amazing, but most of the ones that I messed around with were huge and the picture quality was pretty crappy. Unfortunately, the Elgata EyeTV Mobile only supports European broadcast signals with a potential release in Japan. One thing I do miss about the traditional TV is channel surfing, which this would effectively resolve, though with much less channels. I'd be interested if they brought this over to the US.
Elgato EyeTV Mobile hands-on: www.engadget.com/2011/09/04/elgato-eyetv-mobile-ey...
Discussion about
Would you replace your TV with an iPad?
Clearly this is a very subjective issue, and there's no right answer. I'm sure that for you, it would work to just use your tablet to consume video media.
But to me? It sounds like the worst conceivable idea I could imagine for my viewing experience.
There's few things I enjoy doing more than kicking back and watching some backlogged TV episodes on my Tivo. I have a 60" TV and surround sound, and while technically an iPad up close to your face might have a larger subjective screen size, it's not the same experience.
And are you serious about it being "not too bad with other people?" Honestly, have you asked them what they think about this experience? I like my friends and all, but not only would it be uncomfortable for them to sit so closely to me, it would be uncomfortable for ME. While I think it might be an okay experience with my wife, I can't imagine watching something with her on it unless we're on a trip or something. When I'm at home it's the home theater all the way.
Also, the ergonomics of watching video on a tablet are a nightmare. I don't have to hold anything up when I'm watching my TV.
But to me? It sounds like the worst conceivable idea I could imagine for my viewing experience.
There's few things I enjoy doing more than kicking back and watching some backlogged TV episodes on my Tivo. I have a 60" TV and surround sound, and while technically an iPad up close to your face might have a larger subjective screen size, it's not the same experience.
And are you serious about it being "not too bad with other people?" Honestly, have you asked them what they think about this experience? I like my friends and all, but not only would it be uncomfortable for them to sit so closely to me, it would be uncomfortable for ME. While I think it might be an okay experience with my wife, I can't imagine watching something with her on it unless we're on a trip or something. When I'm at home it's the home theater all the way.
Also, the ergonomics of watching video on a tablet are a nightmare. I don't have to hold anything up when I'm watching my TV.
You don't have to be on top of each other to watch a video with other people on a tablet. If anything, I think it's more fun to pass around the tablet so we can all take turns picking videos to watch.
I forgot about the gaming aspect, I'm obviously not a gamer, but they do have OnLive on the iPad now!
I forgot about the gaming aspect, I'm obviously not a gamer, but they do have OnLive on the iPad now!
I own TV's but I wouldn't replace it for two reasons: console gaming, and live sports. I, too, hardly watch movies with others, and when I do it's usually via Netflix, Hulu Plus, or on Blu-Ray.
I still enjoy the experience of console gaming, and likely will continue to do so until I'm blind (which could happen sooner than later), thus the need for a TV is still there for me.
I still enjoy the experience of console gaming, and likely will continue to do so until I'm blind (which could happen sooner than later), thus the need for a TV is still there for me.
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For family viewing, this won't fly, but, for personal viewing, I am already doing all my solo Netflixing on my Nintendo 3DS, so I could live without the TV if I were single and did not require a screen for my XBox 360.
We like to host TV viewing/movie nights at our place, so a large TV is a must. We have a cable box and Blu-ray player attached to it, and sometimes we even attach a laptop to watch web stuff with our guests.
It's really all about what you value. I value a large viewing screen and excellent picture quality.
It's really all about what you value. I value a large viewing screen and excellent picture quality.
My wife and I still enjoy the experiencing of winding down at the end of the day and sitting down to watch a movie or serial drama in our home theater. Now that we don't get to the movies as often as before (because we're old and we have parents) it's like bringing the theater experience to our home. So no, I would not replace my TV with and iPad, but the iPad does server as a nice supplement when I want to watch something on my own.
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I'd never replace my TV with an iPad, I'm also a console gamer (although I'm getting a little over the games at the moment), however I think it can complement it with HDMI Mirroring, AirPlay and an AppleTV. I haven't watched 'live' TV in several months, I just can't stand the adverts. An hour show is littered with up to 20 minutes of adverts. A half hour show can see around 8 minutes of ad's. Since Apple added TV Shows to the AppleTV here in Australia, I've been watching all the TV shows I like that way, or I'll buy them on DVD.
In the event I do actually want to watch live TV, I have an Elgato Netstream device, which I can either watch live shows (wirelessly) via my Mac or iPad, or I can record the shows on my iMac, and add them to iTunes to watch later via AppleTV (and zap the ad's! :)
In the event I do actually want to watch live TV, I have an Elgato Netstream device, which I can either watch live shows (wirelessly) via my Mac or iPad, or I can record the shows on my iMac, and add them to iTunes to watch later via AppleTV (and zap the ad's! :)
