Mac Mini as a media center or just go with the apple tv?

[WhiteShadow]

I am in the market for a media center computer for the living room; I was thinking of a Mac Mini with a tv tuner plug in

What are some suggestions? I would want the apple tv but it doesn't have all the functionality that I am looking for, mainly the tv turner aspect. I love front row and if there is a way to use the apple tv as not only a device to access my media from other computer but also to switch to live tv I would be in heaven. I wonder how many more times I could refer to tv in this post.

Thanks any suggestions on what to do would be great.

I'm looking for a low cost solution. I don't currently have a tv but I have an extra 20" ACD the old plastic ones.

 

[Cave Man]

The Mini will always be more versatile. You can check out my setup from the link in my sig, if you like. The biggest advantages for me are the Dolby Digital/DTS 5.1 surround and the Eye TV Hybrid.

 

[I'm a Mac]

I'm not sure what your budget range is, but why not get a 24" iMac? The screen is good enough to watch tv on, just pop in an eyetv.

You can get a low-range model for just about 2000...

It would be a great investment b/c it would be like having a great computer with an HDTV all at once.

EDIT: I would even use mine as a tv if i didn't have a 32" sony bravia.

 

[mslide]

An iMac as media center PC? For $2000, you could get the lower-end mac mini, a lower-end 42" plasma and probably have enough left over for a decent programmable remote (like a harmony or the lower end universal MX series remotes). For regular DVDs, music and PVR-stuff, a mini is fine. They can output 1080p resolution (but probably not handle 1080p content) and digital surround sound. There is a Mac HTPC forum over at avsforum.com. Plenty of people over there who are using macs as media centers.