06-29-2009, 01:35 AM
Let's just leave it at some people prefer Apple TV, some prefer the Mini.
Myself? I have a Mini (same one as the Microcenter one, but I got mine a couple months ago. I have it connected to my Samsung 32" LCD using the TV's VGA connector. I didn't have a HDMI cable, and haven't gotten one yet, but I had heard about problems with connecting via HDMI to TVs...forget exactly what it was.
But in any event, I've been *really* happy with my setup. I don't have it connected to a stereo, because I don't really have my stereo set up yet. I use Plex to play movies, iTunes music, and iPhoto pix that are stored on my iMac in a different room. The Mini has built-in wifi, but I opted to connect it via ethernet. I also have lots of the Plex "channels" installed: CNN videos, Comedy Central, Hulu, etc. There is a TON of content available for free, and it all is accessible via the one app, Plex, and can all be controlled via the Mini's remote.
I also got rid of my DVD player since the Mini can play DVDs. I don't have any HD or Blue Ray discs, and probably won't get them any time soon.
I've thought about getting an EyeTV or something...not so I could watch TV on the computer on the TV...but so I could record TV on the Mini, then play it back on the LCD TV easily. Isn't there some type of programming guide one can use with an EyeTV to make it easy to record shows?
Oh, and I also have an iSight camera (one of the older stand-alone ones) that is connected to the Mini, so I can do video iChats with my family. I can sit in the comfort of my living room, and they can see me chillin' like a villian...and I can watch them on the 32" LCD. Yeah.....it pretty much rocks. ;-)
I have the Apple wireless keyboard (the small one) and think it's awesome. I have an infrared wireless mouse that I had lying around. I never really have liked the Mighty Mouse, so didn't get one of those wireless ones.
Myself? I have a Mini (same one as the Microcenter one, but I got mine a couple months ago. I have it connected to my Samsung 32" LCD using the TV's VGA connector. I didn't have a HDMI cable, and haven't gotten one yet, but I had heard about problems with connecting via HDMI to TVs...forget exactly what it was.
But in any event, I've been *really* happy with my setup. I don't have it connected to a stereo, because I don't really have my stereo set up yet. I use Plex to play movies, iTunes music, and iPhoto pix that are stored on my iMac in a different room. The Mini has built-in wifi, but I opted to connect it via ethernet. I also have lots of the Plex "channels" installed: CNN videos, Comedy Central, Hulu, etc. There is a TON of content available for free, and it all is accessible via the one app, Plex, and can all be controlled via the Mini's remote.
I also got rid of my DVD player since the Mini can play DVDs. I don't have any HD or Blue Ray discs, and probably won't get them any time soon.
I've thought about getting an EyeTV or something...not so I could watch TV on the computer on the TV...but so I could record TV on the Mini, then play it back on the LCD TV easily. Isn't there some type of programming guide one can use with an EyeTV to make it easy to record shows?
Oh, and I also have an iSight camera (one of the older stand-alone ones) that is connected to the Mini, so I can do video iChats with my family. I can sit in the comfort of my living room, and they can see me chillin' like a villian...and I can watch them on the 32" LCD. Yeah.....it pretty much rocks. ;-)
I have the Apple wireless keyboard (the small one) and think it's awesome. I have an infrared wireless mouse that I had lying around. I never really have liked the Mighty Mouse, so didn't get one of those wireless ones.