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Mac Mini vs. AppleTV compared for features/flexibility? - Jem - 02-20-2007
Anyone know if there is a good comparison of features and practical usability of a Mac Mini vs. the AppleTV for use as a home media "PC"?
There are a few key features missing from the AppleTV such as 1080p output and DVD optical disc playing/recording that I'd really like in an all-in-one solution.
The mini on the other hands seems to lack the Toslink digital audio out for Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS audio (unless there is an adapter for the combined analog/digital port included). Also, I'm not sure how the built-in UI of the AppleTV compares to what is in FrontRow. I'd think the ability to upgrade FrontRow would be easier than the UI in AppleTV, but since there is no track record yet for @TV, that's just a guess... they *could* make it upgradeable I'm sure, but will they? If they follow suit as they did with the iPods, they'll make each successive revision better, but leave previous versions unimproved vis-a-vis the software and features they run.
Finally, are there any "must-have" features of the AppleTV that just can't be had in a Mac Mini (either as a reasonable add on purchase... or would be too clunky to be useful).
I sense that the AppleTV is intended to be simple to use and elegant... like the iPod, but I'm concerned it also be out-dated very quickly if Apple isn't committed to allowing users to augment it's features over time.
A Mini on the other hand offer a lot more flexibility, but may be a bit more complex in terms of making sure it "just works" when using it in a way similar to the AppleTV.
Any thoughts?
Re: Mac Mini vs. AppleTV compared for features/flexibility? - Jem - 02-20-2007
D'Oh!
Just found this...
http://theappleblog.com/2007/01/16/apple-tv-vs-mac-mini-which-one-is-right-for-you/
But feel free to share your thoughts anyway :}
Re: Mac Mini vs. AppleTV compared for features/flexibility? - Will Collier - 02-20-2007
This was the bottom line for me:
Since the Mac mini runs a full version of OS X, other video formats are supported such as DivX, Xvid, and VIDEO_TS. What is that capability worth to you? The Apple TV does not have this ability at all.
That lack of capability basically limits you to homemade or iTunes video on your server--no thanks. I have a Mini in my entertainment stack now, and I don't regret the extra cost one bit. No problem at all hooking it up to the TV--but then again, my TV has a VGA input, simplifying things a great deal.
Re: Mac Mini vs. AppleTV compared for features/flexibility? - Jem - 02-20-2007
[quote Will Collier]This was the bottom line for me:
Since the Mac mini runs a full version of OS X, other video formats are supported such as DivX, Xvid, and VIDEO_TS. What is that capability worth to you? The Apple TV does not have this ability at all.
That lack of capability basically limits you to homemade or iTunes video on your server--no thanks. I have a Mini in my entertainment stack now, and I don't regret the extra cost one bit. No problem at all hooking it up to the TV--but then again, my TV has a VGA input, simplifying things a great deal.
Will,
How do you handle Digital Audio with your Mac mini? My JVC Receiver has both Toslink optical and Digital Coax inputs, and can decode Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS streams. If a Mini could output to those formats (even with a reliable adapter), and could push the 1920 x 1080p via the DVI output, I'd be thrilled. (I have a 42" 1080p LCD as my living room "diplay")
I'd just hate to have to tweak it each time I wanted to play a DVD.
Another thing that was pointed out, was that there are likely to be some new FrontRow features in OS X 10.5 when that comes out. Not sure if those will make it in to Rev A. versions of the AppleTV.
The otehr thing I haven't seen specs on, is how much "legs" the builtin GPU of the AppleTV has versus the Shared memory GPU of the Intel Mac mini (or even the ATI 9200 of the G4 Mac Minis).
Re: Mac Mini vs. AppleTV compared for features/flexibility? - deckeda - 02-20-2007
Well Jem, I think you about have it. I mean, half of the opinions on this are based on varying expectations, the other on questions (insecurities, actually) as to capability. That means neither one is "best."
Re: Mac Mini vs. AppleTV compared for features/flexibility? - BigGuynRusty - 02-20-2007
Apple has really crippled the AppleTV, not being able to do DiVX is really a killer.
They actually had to go out of there way to block that abiliity!
I'll stick with my EyeHome's.
The FrontRow interface seems nice at first, but you'll be hating life once you get more than fifty movies. No way to jump to, or search for a title.
I am way over 300+++ ripped movies loaded on my DVD Server, I would shoot myself having to watch those titles drift by on the FrontRow interface.
BGnR
Re: Mac Mini vs. AppleTV compared for features/flexibility? - anonymouse1 - 02-20-2007
Re 1920x1080p:
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/archives/mar06/030306.html
http://bradchoate.com/weblog/2006/03/04/a-closer-look-at-the-mac-mini
Re: Mac Mini vs. AppleTV compared for features/flexibility? - Will Collier - 02-20-2007
[
Will,
How do you handle Digital Audio with your Mac mini? My JVC Receiver has both Toslink optical and Digital Coax inputs, and can decode Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS streams. If a Mini could output to those formats (even with a reliable adapter), and could push the 1920 x 1080p via the DVI output, I'd be thrilled. (I have a 42" 1080p LCD as my living room "diplay")
Toslink'd to my Pioneer receiver. I didn't have to tweak it at all. No clue about 1080p (my screen maxes out at 1366x768), but I'd be surprised if a Mini had enough horsepower for it. 720p plays fine, though.
Re: Mac Mini vs. AppleTV compared for features/flexibility? - Jem - 02-20-2007
[quote Will Collier]Toslink'd to my Pioneer receiver. I didn't have to tweak it at all. No clue about 1080p (my screen maxes out at 1366x768), but I'd be surprised if a Mini had enough horsepower for it. 720p plays fine, though.
Maybe I'm missing something, but the shape of the "audio out" on the Mac Mini looks different than the typical Toslink cable that goes out of my DVD player and into my JVC receiver... different than the one on the AppleTV. Did you get some kind of adapter, or a Toslink cable with a specially shaped end? Thanks!
And as for 1080p playback... it seems according to Anonymouses' links that the Intel Core Duo Minis WILL playback 1080p content... Cool!
Cheers,
Jem
Re: Mac Mini vs. AppleTV compared for features/flexibility? - Will Collier - 02-20-2007
It actually takes a "Mini Toslink" cable. By dumb luck, I happened to have one laying around when I bought the Mac Mini.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=1557&seq=1&format=2&style=