What is Apple TV? Is it what I need?

mac mini + elegato eye tv + plex/front row
Hdd -> 500GB, Ram -> 2.
Done, done and done.

Out of the box, the ATV will only do items 1, 2 (only the iMovie portion), and 3 on your list. If you choose to hack the device, it becomes more flexible.

You can install Boxee and/or XBMC to manage/view all your video files (including DivX). With either of those programs you can stream media over your network, or view media stored on the ATV itself. File transfers can be performed by enabling SSH.

One thing you can't do with the current ATV is record. Some folks are hoping for a hardware update (the ATV hasn't had one yet) that may incorporate PVR capabilities, but I think that's wishful thinking. If having PVR functionality is essential for you, a Mac-Mini may be the way to go. Likewise, if you do a lot of 1080p viewing (Blu-Ray rips, etc.), the ATV is not capable of outputting that resolution.

MacGiver said:

Thanks - This looks like an interesting option even if more expensive at the end...
It does not include the ATV...what would the ATV do that this proposed configuration do not do?

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My proposal does not add to the TV, it replaces it. The Mac Mini option can output to much higher resolutions, store much more data, especially when you connect an external HDD to it. Further more, running OS X for real gives you much more versatilty, with the ability to open literally any media file with a program like VLC, run fancy ass widgets to get weather, news, etc.

Just think of the TV as an iPod with no battery or screen (cuz that is what it is.) Would you rather watch a movie on that iPod, or on a desktop computer? You decide.

justaregularjoe said:

{...}Just think of the TV as an iPod with no battery or screen{...}

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Omg, you're right...

NeGRit0 said:

Omg, you're right...

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That happens from time to time.

Apple TV is underpowered, under-featured, closed, and inflexible. It's the one major disappointment in the list of Apple products I have. Adding Boxee helps somewhat, but it's slow, buggy, and modal.

Apple TV needs work as a high definition multi-media device. It's the weakest link in my home theater system. The PS3 and XBox 360 are higher quality and more mature.

Apple TV is lame. Apple needs to get serious about it or drop it altogether.

RaceTripper said:

Apple TV is underpowered, under-featured, closed, and inflexible. It's the one major disappointment in the list of Apple products I have. Adding Boxee helps somewhat, but it's slow, buggy, and modal.

Apple TV needs work as a high definition multi-media device. It's the weakest link in my home theater system. The PS3 and XBox 360 are higher quality and more mature.
Yeah, even the 360 is ages ahead and far easier to use.

Apple TV is lame. Apple needs to get serious about it or drop it altogether.
Word. 40 or 160 GB for an HD MEDIA CENTER? Simply unacceptable.

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The only thing I DO like about TV is the UI. But that is because I cry whenever I see shiny white on shiny black, and i love that blue they have. That shade is just perfect. Ah....
*WHAT WHOA* Sorry. Back now.

What I want to see is a device that will play any kind of media, run something very close to the TV UI, sync AND stream simultaneously, so that you can see files on the device AND back at HQ and have a much larger HD. Like 320 should be good. With HDMI. And in the form factor of the TV. it LOOKS good...