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Why Apple TV instead of Mac mini?

M

Mac 13

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 30, 2007
54
0
Los Angeles,Ca
My understanding is that appleTV gets material from your Mac computer so why not just hook up the mini direct to your TV via DVI to HDMI or s-video ? No need to transfer files over a wireless network because you have them on your harddrive or just slide in a DVD. A bluetooth keyboard and mouse now you can surf the net from your couch :confused:
 
:apple:TV half the price of mini. DVI->HDMI carries video not audio so no HDMI receiver with 1 cable. Simple set top device that you just plug in so no need for keyboard. All depends on what you want. For some, a mini is the right choice. Others, an :apple:TV.
 
cohibadad said:
:apple:TV half the price of mini. DVI->HDMI carries video not audio so no HDMI receiver with 1 cable. Simple set top device that you just plug in so no need for keyboard. All depends on what you want. For some, a mini is the right choice. Others, an :apple:TV.
Click to expand...
It's true half price and then again you can make one set up, a computer and entertainment center.If you own a Mac pro you don't want to use that monster just to surf. So I think having access to the internet and use of front row from your living room is a better idea. Here's a link on how to get video and audio to your TV with a Mac mini. :apple:
>
http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
 
mac mini is great and versatile. :apple:TV uses Front Row as it's interface. Sounds like the mini would do what you want. You can use Front Row on the mini to stream media from your Mac Pro too if you have Leopard on each.
 
Apple TV has a better wife acceptance factor. :)

My wife will never agree to putting a computer in the living room, but Apple TV is an appliance, so it's ok. Now she uses it all the time.
 
TheQuestion said:
Apple TV has wireless N, mini doesn't unless you buy an add-on USB adapter. If you are doing any streaming over your network N usually works better than G.
Click to expand...

So to make the apple TV a goner just add HDMI to the mini and wireless G even though you don't need to stream if you have your content on your harddrive Roger that!!!!:D
 
Mac 13 said:
Here's a link on how to get video and audio to your TV with a Mac mini. :apple:
>
http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
Click to expand...

This is really old news. Anyone who's been on this forum for more than 3 months knows this already. I've had a Mac Mini-based home theater for almost 2 years now. I also have an Apple TV. The ATV is a lot more convenient as a dedicated media device. Not as flexible, not expensive, not expandable, but it has its place in the home.
 
Why not???

i'll tell you! I've always had a mac mini connected to my TV... and it was (and is) great fun... but since leopard, i've set up the mini to share an extra external drive and function as timemachine data collector for my macbook pro and my gf's macbook.

and for that reason i've bought an apple tv... and connected it to my TV... works about the same....hacked it, so it plays what it needs to play, and as a bonus, the apple TV has no external powerbick, and boots right into the proper interface...

and to boot, it syncs tunes from itunes and while playing those, it shows foto's from iphoto...

in short, i find it a nice machine....
 
Nobody mentioned 'fanless'. Passive cooling is great. I wish more home devices would go fanless. Fans have the tendency to get louder over their life as they get dirty or wear out. And if the fan fails, your device usually quickly follows. Don't have to worry about this with AppleTV.

And there is no giant power brick with AppleTV. Everything is nicely integrated into the nice, slim device so there isn't any 'cheating' by having big bulky boxes that hang next to the power outlet.
 
rogov said:
Nobody mentioned 'fanless'. Passive cooling is great. I wish more home devices would go fanless. Fans have the tendency to get louder over their life as they get dirty or wear out. And if the fan fails, your device usually quickly follows. Don't have to worry about this with AppleTV.

And there is no giant power brick with AppleTV. Everything is nicely integrated into the nice, slim device so there isn't any 'cheating' by having big bulky boxes that hang next to the power outlet.
Click to expand...

Apple TVs do actually have fans. Although I don't think I've ever heard my fan, the HDD probably makes more noise - or it only turns on in really high heat.

 
Forced Perfect said:
Apple TVs do actually have fans. Although I don't think I've ever heard my fan, the HDD probably makes more noise - or it only turns on in really high heat.

Click to expand...

That's not a fan. (I've opened one up before in person.) Fans generally need to be open for air intake. That thing is closed. It looked like a massive heat sink to me. It is tall enough to extend up to the top of the case and touch it, which I believe is part of the heat dissipation strategy. By doing this, the exterior case also becomes part of the heat sink.
 
rogov said:
That's not a fan. (I've opened one up before in person.) Fans generally need to be open for air intake. That thing is closed. It looked like a massive heat sink to me. It is tall enough to extend up to the top of the case and touch it, which I believe is part of the heat dissipation strategy. By doing this, the exterior case also becomes part of the heat sink.
Click to expand...

Then it is a DC powered, brushless... heatsink? :)

http://www.engadget.com/photos/apple-tv-dissected/192190/
 
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