Ok, thanks for that Ray. In the mean time I had a look at the Apple site and noted on the current Macmini it has 4 USB ports - which is plenty I think, and also an onboard Superdrive - so burning of discs is taken care of there.
It is probably obvious to most out there, but can someone give me in simple terms - the differences between the Apple TV and a Macmini - and more importantly - what more will the Macmini enable that the Apple TV can't do? Thanks Peter... -----Original Message----- From: wamug-ow...@wamug.org.au [mailto:wamug-ow...@wamug.org.au] On Behalf Of Ray Forma Sent: Wednesday, 11 August 2010 9:27 AM To: WAMUG Mailing List Subject: Re: TV DVD Recording Peter, My 4yo Macmini, running EyeTV and Toast, has an internal burner that burns up to double-layer DVDs. Can't do Blueray, but the current Macminis can't either. My old Macmini has 4 USB ports. I use one for the keyboard/mouse, and one for the EyeTV stick. A slightly expensive, but very useful extra to an EyeTV, Mac, Toast setup is a screen colour calibrator. Makes colours much more vibrant on my system, which uses a 24" Samsung monitor as the screen. Should give even better results on a HDMI-driven TV screen because TVs screen makers tend not to worry too much about rendering colours very accurately. Just compare the pictures on the various screens running the same p[program in your local TV retailer. Has anyone mentioned that you can use your TV-Mac for other computing work while watching TV (with screen clutter) or when not watching TV. Would never dream of using AppleTV instead. On 11/08/2010, at 7:17 , Crisp, Peter wrote: > > Hi Daniel, this use of the Macmini sounds fantastic and very > versatile. > I am some time in the near future to set up my home entertainment > units > and have a simple Panasonic HD recorder currently (with twin digital > tuners on board) so it is fine for my current 'couch potato' needs. > But > to incorporate itunes, iphoto, internet capability, avi file (and > other > file types) DVD playback and perhaps others by piggybacking a macmini > into the mix, sounds like something that will give me access to > some of > my media which is slightly inaccessible currently and some further > functionality that I have never experienced on the home TV platform. > > Below you note about burning off to DVD using Toast. Does the macmini > have a burner on board or is it an external attachment? > > How many USB ports does the macmini have? Can it accommodate the eyetv > dongle as well as an external drive/burner attached if that is what's > required? Can it function with a hub if I need multiple USB ports? > > I had anticipated up till now an Apple TV would give me what I want > (with the atv hack of course and maybe an attached external drive for > mega capacity) but maybe the Macmini approach will give me all this > and > more than the Apple TV will give for around the same or even a little > more $$'s. > > Your comments appreciated. > > Regards > > Peter. Regards, Ray Forma Tel & Fax +61 (0)8 9335 6568 Mob +61 (0) 428 596938 -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Unsubscribe - <mailto:wamug-unsubscr...@wamug.org.au> ***************************** NOTICE - This message from Hatch is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information which is privileged, confidential or proprietary. Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, arrive late or contain viruses. By communicating with us via e-mail, you accept such risks. When addressed to our clients, any information, drawings, opinions or advice (collectively, "information") contained in this e-mail is subject to the terms and conditions expressed in the governing agreements. Where no such agreement exists, the recipient shall neither rely upon nor disclose to others, such information without our written consent. Unless otherwise agreed, we do not assume any liability with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the information set out in this e-mail. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by return e-mail and destroy and delete the message from your computer. -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Unsubscribe - <mailto:wamug-unsubscr...@wamug.org.au>
