Comments on: Will the New Apple TV Make the Mac Mini Obselete? http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/ NewTeeVee Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:42:24 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: aaw http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-237048 aaw Thu, 01 May 2008 12:21:54 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-237048 <p>Actually AirTunes works with the AppleTV but only as a client so you do need a computer. I wasn't aware of this when I got mine so it was a nice surprise.</p> <p>Quality of the rented movies is very good. AppleTV is one of the cheapest ways of getting HD movies here in the UK.</p> <p>I love my ATV.</p> Actually AirTunes works with the AppleTV but only as a client so you do need a computer. I wasn’t aware of this when I got mine so it was a nice surprise.

Quality of the rented movies is very good. AppleTV is one of the cheapest ways of getting HD movies here in the UK.

I love my ATV.

]]> By: Sean Fitzroy http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-234172 Sean Fitzroy Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:45:11 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-234172 <p>In response to the previous post, the Mac Mini does not have to be "hacked" to play Divx. It requires free software to be installed just like any other Mac. You can install any of the following (or all three):</p> <ul> <li>Perian</li> <li>The Divx codec (or Divx player if you want it)</li> <li>VLC which plays Divx movies.</li> </ul> In response to the previous post, the Mac Mini does not have to be “hacked” to play Divx. It requires free software to be installed just like any other Mac. You can install any of the following (or all three):

  • Perian
  • The Divx codec (or Divx player if you want it)
  • VLC which plays Divx movies.
]]> By: Michael LAX http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232471 Michael LAX Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:28:53 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232471 <p>The first poster is incorrect: the Mac Mini will not play DivX. Just like the AppleTV, it has to be hacked with Perian to support non-QuickTime codecs. Check out the AwkwardTV wiki and forum.</p> The first poster is incorrect: the Mac Mini will not play DivX. Just like the AppleTV, it has to be hacked with Perian to support non-QuickTime codecs. Check out the AwkwardTV wiki and forum.

]]> By: tonyleachsf http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232461 tonyleachsf Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:52:37 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232461 <p>No one has yet mentioned AirTunes... I love being able to play music off my mac mini -> stereo in my family room and have that stream over wireless to my kitchen speakers. Can't do that on the ATV.</p> <p>Once (if) we get a Front Row update to match the Apple TV, I'll maintain my pro-Mini, anti-ATV stance. That is, unless the ATV starts supporting AirTunes as well.</p> No one has yet mentioned AirTunes… I love being able to play music off my mac mini -> stereo in my family room and have that stream over wireless to my kitchen speakers. Can’t do that on the ATV.

Once (if) we get a Front Row update to match the Apple TV, I’ll maintain my pro-Mini, anti-ATV stance. That is, unless the ATV starts supporting AirTunes as well.

]]> By: Todd http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232407 Todd Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:43:19 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232407 <p>Is anybody aware of a project to hack the take 2 software so it can be installed on OS X? Take 2 on a mac mini (with hd rentals) would be ideal.</p> Is anybody aware of a project to hack the take 2 software so it can be installed on OS X? Take 2 on a mac mini (with hd rentals) would be ideal.

]]> By: Dave Zatz http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232395 Dave Zatz Sun, 24 Feb 2008 05:24:17 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232395 <p>I have an Xbox 360, therefore I don't need a small Windows PC?</p> I have an Xbox 360, therefore I don’t need a small Windows PC?

]]> By: Eric Marcoullier http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232389 Eric Marcoullier Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:29:31 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232389 <p>For me, the main problem with the AppleTV is that it routes through another computer running iTunes when accessing an MP3 or video file share. This trebles the number of wifi hops and makes streaming music and video fairly difficult. See my illustration here:</p> <p>http://www.marcoullier.com/blog/2008/02/23/why-the-mac-mini-kicks-the-appletvs-ass/</p> For me, the main problem with the AppleTV is that it routes through another computer running iTunes when accessing an MP3 or video file share. This trebles the number of wifi hops and makes streaming music and video fairly difficult. See my illustration here:

http://www.marcoullier.com/blog/2008/02/23/why-the-mac-mini-kicks-the-appletvs-ass/

]]> By: George Frederick Litterst http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232383 George Frederick Litterst Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:57:04 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232383 <p>I don't yet have an HD TV. However, when I get one, it seems to me that one of the most compelling reasons to go with a MacMini is that I should be able to do iChat and Skype video conferencing and enjoy the luxury of a huge screen.</p> I don’t yet have an HD TV. However, when I get one, it seems to me that one of the most compelling reasons to go with a MacMini is that I should be able to do iChat and Skype video conferencing and enjoy the luxury of a huge screen.

]]> By: Esteban http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232373 Esteban Sat, 23 Feb 2008 07:05:14 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232373 <p>Agree with Everything. Except I want a keyboard on the Apple TV for when i am searching on you tube, and hopefully pretty soon to all video online.</p> <p>thanks</p> Agree with Everything.
Except I want a keyboard on the Apple TV for when i am searching on you tube, and hopefully pretty soon to all video online.

thanks

]]> By: James Gardiner http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232371 James Gardiner Sat, 23 Feb 2008 06:11:58 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232371 <p>DVI and HDMI are the same VIDEO SIGNAL in the cable and both can do HDCP. HDMI is the domestic reincarnation of DVI which also includes extra features like Audio on the cable as well as video.</p> <p>HDMI is a little crappy to me, however, as it does not come with screw in or more reliable connections. I find it falls out a lot. Ok for domestic, but not for prosumer of above.</p> <p>James</p> DVI and HDMI are the same VIDEO SIGNAL in the cable and both can do HDCP. HDMI is the domestic reincarnation of DVI which also includes extra features like Audio on the cable as well as video.

HDMI is a little crappy to me, however, as it does not come with screw in or more reliable connections. I find it falls out a lot.
Ok for domestic, but not for prosumer of above.

James

]]> By: george http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232368 george Sat, 23 Feb 2008 03:52:49 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232368 <p>Hey Rob, you mean HDMI connecter, not HDCP. HDCP is a content protection scheme to prevent digital copying from the HDMI connector. AFAIK, the mini doesn't have HDMI, but my Sony Bravia and Sony SXRD both have computer inputs the mini can use with included adapter. BTW, My Sony SXRD was made in Mexico anad has a bug where audio is out-of-sync with picture when using the HDMI connector. If this happens to you, use the component connectors or computer connection instead.</p> Hey Rob, you mean HDMI connecter, not HDCP. HDCP is a content protection scheme to prevent digital copying from the HDMI connector. AFAIK, the mini doesn’t have HDMI, but my Sony Bravia and Sony SXRD both have computer inputs the mini can use with included adapter. BTW, My Sony SXRD was made in Mexico anad has a bug where audio is out-of-sync with picture when using the HDMI connector. If this happens to you, use the component connectors or computer connection instead.

]]> By: george Creedle http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232366 george Creedle Sat, 23 Feb 2008 03:47:47 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232366 <p>Hook up a miglia miniHD ($150ish) to a Mac Mini and you have an ASTC HD DVR with no DRM, plus it will automatically downconvert and export for iPod and iPhone. During the day I use the mini to show stock quotes, calendars in the office. Just upgraded my mini to 2 GB Ram for $50 and now its super speedy. aTV is great, but Minis rock!</p> Hook up a miglia miniHD ($150ish) to a Mac Mini and you have an ASTC HD DVR with no DRM, plus it will automatically downconvert and export for iPod and iPhone. During the day I use the mini to show stock quotes, calendars in the office. Just upgraded my mini to 2 GB Ram for $50 and now its super speedy. aTV is great, but Minis rock!

]]> By: rob friedman http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232352 rob friedman Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:22:14 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232352 <p>If DVI is able to convert to HDMI, is HDMI backwards compatible/convertible to DVI?</p> <p>Also does the Mac Mini support HDCP? I have a Sony HDTV, which only has a DVI port that accepts HDCP input, and analog component inputs.</p> If DVI is able to convert to HDMI, is HDMI backwards compatible/convertible to DVI?

Also does the Mac Mini support HDCP? I have a Sony HDTV, which only has a DVI port that accepts HDCP input, and analog component inputs.

]]> By: Rick http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232349 Rick Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:32:11 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232349 <p>The Mac mini is a desktop computer! Try running Word or iPhoho on your Apple TV. Give me a break. This post is retarted.</p> The Mac mini is a desktop computer! Try running Word or iPhoho on your Apple TV. Give me a break. This post is retarted.

]]> By: Patrick Koppula http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232348 Patrick Koppula Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:29:59 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232348 <p>If you have a Wii, it may not be long (as in when the ON2 codec is ported to Opera) before you won't need a Mac Mini or an Apple TV.</p> If you have a Wii, it may not be long (as in when the ON2 codec is ported to Opera) before you won’t need a Mac Mini or an Apple TV.

]]> By: Fraser http://newteevee.com/2008/02/22/will-the-new-apple-tv-make-the-mac-mini-obselete/#comment-232347 Fraser Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:18:37 +0000 http://newteevee.com/?p=3257#comment-232347 <p>Vinicius and Sean have it bang on. To add to the heap:</p> <ul> <li><p>Apple TV requires you to have 2 copies of all your media, one of the the ATV and one one the computer hosting the library.</p></li> <li><p>A mini is just one more cpu in the house to add to your Xgrid and Qmaster jobs- a big plus for media professionals.</p></li> <li><p>The mini is a box that is ALWAYS on and doesn't need to worry about bogging down the user while it does workhorse jobs like downloading and encoding.</p></li> </ul> <p>Also, in my experience with the two systems, it feels as though the Mini is a lot faster. I owned both for about 2 months (until I decided the Apple TV had to go) and sometimes the ATV would "stick," as in: I'm-to-fast-for-this-interface syndrome. And some of the higher resolution files would take up to 5-10 seconds to buffer... way to long for me. That, on top of the fact that I have to re-encode everything that I download for it... I just don't see the point.</p> Vinicius and Sean have it bang on. To add to the heap:

  • Apple TV requires you to have 2 copies of all your media, one of the the ATV and one one the computer hosting the library.

  • A mini is just one more cpu in the house to add to your Xgrid and Qmaster jobs- a big plus for media professionals.

  • The mini is a box that is ALWAYS on and doesn’t need to worry about bogging down the user while it does workhorse jobs like downloading and encoding.

Also, in my experience with the two systems, it feels as though the Mini is a lot faster. I owned both for about 2 months (until I decided the Apple TV had to go) and sometimes the ATV would “stick,” as in: I’m-to-fast-for-this-interface syndrome. And some of the higher resolution files would take up to 5-10 seconds to buffer… way to long for me. That, on top of the fact that I have to re-encode everything that I download for it… I just don’t see the point.

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