MacMini vs iTV

[DrStrangelove]

I've been waiting and waiting to include the macmini in my home theatre setup. I finally think it's time to do it and I hear the announcement about iTV.

I immediately thought (especially with the new lower macmini model being dual core) that the mini was still the way to go. We don't just want to play movies, stream audio from the iMac, etc... we also wanted to surf the web-- nothing heavy just basic web browsing, perhaps some webmail.

Anyway then I read that iTV will have internet capabilities. I'm wondering what this means? Just the ability to go to iTunes and download or the ability to host other apps as well... like a web browser. I mean, isn't iTunes a kinda web browser anyway? And they're claiming the iTV price will be right.

I don't know-- kinda confused. My gut is still saying macmini bumped up to 1GB of ram but I also don't want to through a component at my system that may end up being overkill.

 

[wakerider017]

I've been waiting and waiting to include the macmini in my home theatre setup. I finally think it's time to do it and I hear the announcement about iTV.

I immediately thought (especially with the new lower macmini model being dual core) that the mini was still the way to go. We don't just want to play movies, stream audio from the iMac, etc... we also wanted to surf the web-- nothing heavy just basic web browsing, perhaps some webmail.

Anyway then I read that iTV will have internet capabilities. I'm wondering what this means? Just the ability to go to iTunes and download or the ability to host other apps as well... like a web browser. I mean, isn't iTunes a kinda web browser anyway? And they're claiming the iTV price will be right.

I don't know-- kinda confused. My gut is still saying macmini bumped up to 1GB of ram but I also don't want to through a component at my system that may end up being overkill.

That is a good question, though I don't think it can be answered at this time...

There is not enough known about the iTV yet...

I will be keeping an eye on this thread.

 

[Jowl]

I'm still going Mac mini....as I want an Optical drive.

I may in future add a iTV upstairs or something (when I actually own a house )

 

[DrStrangelove]

Okay, stupid question-- the DVD drive on the mac mini doesn't "upconvert" for a HD display does it?

 

[GoCubsGo]

I've been waiting and waiting to include the macmini in my home theatre setup. I finally think it's time to do it and I hear the announcement about iTV.

I immediately thought (especially with the new lower macmini model being dual core) that the mini was still the way to go. We don't just want to play movies, stream audio from the iMac, etc... we also wanted to surf the web-- nothing heavy just basic web browsing, perhaps some webmail.

Anyway then I read that iTV will have internet capabilities. I'm wondering what this means? Just the ability to go to iTunes and download or the ability to host other apps as well... like a web browser. I mean, isn't iTunes a kinda web browser anyway? And they're claiming the iTV price will be right.

I don't know-- kinda confused. My gut is still saying macmini bumped up to 1GB of ram but I also don't want to through a component at my system that may end up being overkill.

I am on board with your confusion and your pull between getting a mini or getting a iTv. I think Internet on iTV may be a lot like webtv but maybe worse? I do not know and anyone that says they know either better work for apple and be violating their NDA or they're lying! However, maybe iTV will be iTunes capable thus making it internet capable but not browser worthy? IF so, maybe a macmini is worth the extra couple of hundred dollars.


Good question though. I think this announcement and all the hype really tells Apple that they should get it out asap and they DO have a market. Good going Apple!

 

[Lollypop]

I don't know-- kinda confused. My gut is still saying macmini bumped up to 1GB of ram but I also don't want to through a component at my system that may end up being overkill.

Cant the mini go up to 2GB?? I want to see what the iTV can do, if the iTV cant play HD content then the mini is a better investment IMO....

 

[Nutter]

I doubt that the iTV will feature a web browser.

If you want to browse the web as well as use Front Row, that's a good reason to choose a Mac mini over the iTV. The iTV certainly won't be able to do anything that a Mac mini can't, so if you have the cash, there's no reason not to buy a Mac mini now.

 

[i.Feature]

I'll be waiting until the final announcement before i take the leap. I'm leaning towards a mini myself. But the itv may do everything i want. The thing is if the itv is almost exactly what i want i may end up waiting for the second revision.

 

[wakerider017]

The thing about the iTV is it has no Video inputs... Soo all your data has to be coming from another computer or be downloaded from iTunes (not sure if iTunes will be included or not)...

Apple would much rather you buy TV shows off iTunes than you record them yourself...

Wouldn't that be neat though if it was a DVR too?



I went with the 24" iMac... it is like an all in one media center when you pair it with a eyeTV Hybrid... This worked for me b/c 24" is the perfect size for my room. I can understand you guys that have the 60" TV's though... (I have one in my Family Room)

I think the Mac mini would be a great buy for a home media center! Be sure to get a bluetooth keyboard and mouse!

 

[weldon]

Okay, stupid question-- the DVD drive on the mac mini doesn't "upconvert" for a HD display does it?

The drive doesn't upconvert, it's the software player that does this. Unfortunately, on the Mac the Apple DVD Player doesn't do a good job on video and VLC Player is still not as good as what you can do with Windows. You'd be better off with a standalone upconverting DVD player than with Mac OS X.

If your display doesn't accept DVI or VGA, one option that some people have used is to take the VGA output from a Mac mini and run it into a 9A60 transcoder to get component video to their display. This option costs about $150.

If you want high-quality DVD playback, your best bet is to install Windows XP MCE on your Intel Mac mini and use the numerous tools and video drivers available for MCE to get the very best video playback.

We all hope that Apple will pay more attention to video quality and custom display resolutions / timings in OS X 10.5, especially with products like iTV coming up.