Ok, thanks Susan, I can now see the differences. Now just have to convince myself that $999 is worth it over the $399 for the Apple TV. Not a huge sum difference and I think it will be more future proof as well going the Macmini route.
Many thanks Susan and others for input on this topic. Regards Peter... -----Original Message----- From: wamug-ow...@wamug.org.au [mailto:wamug-ow...@wamug.org.au] On Behalf Of Susan Hastings Sent: Wednesday, 11 August 2010 10:29 AM To: WAMUG Mailing List Subject: Re: TV DVD Recording Hi Peter, you have access to online TV channels, such as ABCs iView, so don't need to do as much recording of TV programs. I think other channels have this sort of thing as well. If you want to record to DVDs, having the MacMini attached makes it pretty seamless as EyeTV and Toast play well together. You have access to other computer functions on your TV. You can link to all of the media which is on your other computers in the house through filesharing and iTunes sharing. Using a mouse and keyboard with the MacMini makes some tasks easier in accessing media. I have both an AppleTV and the MacMini, but now that I have the new MacMini, would not bother to buy the AppleTV as the functions overlap. cheers, Susan. On 11/08/2010, at 9:45 AM, Crisp, Peter wrote: > > 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. 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