Need to justify getting a mini

[upsguy27]

I really want to get a Mac Mini to go in my room so I can hook it up to my TV and use it as sort of a media center. I would just get the Apple TV, but I really would like the ability to say, browse the Internet or other Mac things while sitting on the couch. (Yes, I have a couch for my bed. It's comfy!) Now, I have a MacBook right across the room, but I cannot watch movies on that small screen. Also, I would like to save it's hard drive space. I know I just kind of answered my own question, but I need someone to help me justify getting it. I have a tendency to get things I don't need and end up selling them a few months later, and I don't want this to be another one of those. Help!

[rippyz]

I'm also thinking about getting a Mini as my media center, but mostly as a secondary computer in case the main one suddenly dies. I've heard too many story of people having just one computer and how they had to scramble to find a replacement when it died.

[Chundles]

It's an awesome little desktop.

[upsguy27]

I'm just trying to justify getting it since, as I said before, I get things I don't need and then sell them a few months later.

[i.shaun]

if you can afford it, and already have a good TV (LCD) I'd say go for it

having a macintosh hooked to the TV, using all features, including Front Row on the TV would probably make it better than an Apple TV

No streaming from iTunes, you'll have iTunes, and all other programs right there. Internet, and for extra space, hook up an external HDD

if I had the money, I'd probably do it too haha. and to think, it's a mini -- just pick it up and go somewhere else, with the entire mac -- hook it to a friends TV and off you go.



apple EyeTV can record shows too, but it gets very very hot in the process.
It said it could record HD, but only came with composite & S-video.

If you try to record a video game off that thing, split the video feed, as the recording is lagging in comparison to real time broadcasts.



I was trying to justify getting an ipod Touch. The one thing missing on it is an iSight for pictures/video.

Originally Posted by i.shaun

if you can afford it, and already have a good TV (LCD) I'd say go for it

having a macintosh hooked to the TV, using all features, including Front Row on the TV would probably make it better than an Apple TV

No streaming from iTunes, you'll have iTunes, and all other programs right there. Internet, and for extra space, hook up an external HDD

if I had the money, I'd probably do it too haha. and to think, it's a mini -- just pick it up and go somewhere else, with the entire mac -- hook it to a friends TV and off you go.



apple EyeTV can record shows too, but it gets very very hot in the process.
It said it could record HD, but only came with composite & S-video.

If you try to record a video game off that thing, split the video feed, as the recording is lagging in comparison to real time broadcasts.



I was trying to justify getting an ipod Touch. The one thing missing on it is an iSight for pictures/video.

just make sure it contains the features you want (ie: OS X 10.5, HDD space, Processor power, etc..)


I just wanted to ask -- can you not get a connector to hook the macbook to the TV in question?

I would rather do that. I tried hooking my iMac up, however splicing the mini DVI to manually VGA didn't quite work.

[NRose8989]

Originally Posted by i.shaun

I just wanted to ask -- can you not get a connector to hook the macbook to the TV in question?

I would rather do that. I tried hooking my iMac up, however splicing the mini DVI to manually VGA didn't quite work.

what type of tv do you have? Do you have a HDTV? If so you could just hook up you MacBook via mini dvi to dvi then connect a dvi to hdmi cable to you tv.

I was contemplating your same situation several months ago but I opted for the apple tv. 1.) I couldn't afford the mac mini at the time and 2.) no HD rentals.

Do you watch online tv like hulu.com or just movies and video podcasts? You could spend less money on a exteral drive and a apple tv. Then handbrake all your movies and sync them to your apple tv.

I don't have cable tv so I watch a lot of revision 3 shows in hd on my apple tv, and it's awesome because you don't even need them downloaded in your itunes library, just add them to your favorites and the apple tv can stream them automatically.

Then if I want to watch hulu I just connect my mbp. I usually hate this route because i like my set up clean and streamlined without cable mess and i can't use my computer at the same time without sitting right next to the tv.

the mac mini would be a awesome addition to a home theater setup by recording live tv with a eyetv and being able to watch hulu.com without having to tether a macbook but you do give up some features like HD rentals AND the ability to stream music from your macbook to your home theater speakers or tv (yes the apple tv has the airtunes like on the airport express)

[silverblack]

I am on the same boat, and just ordered a refurb mac mini with eyeTV 250+ yesterday. I'll be using them with a Viewsonic 27.5" monitor to form my media center. The mini is to replace my HP S3120 (Vista MCE). I am so fed up with this HP machine. It keeps waking up from standby in the middle of the night to download "something". Then half the time it won't wake up when I want it too. I HATE Vista!!!

I am so looking forward to the mini and eyeTV. Does anyone have any experience with this setup? any complaints, tricks that you want to share? I would really appreciate it.

[gehrbox]

Think of it like you would a toaster or coffee maker. No need to justify them, you need them for basic life

[repre]

Say that it could be used as more than just a media player but an additional computer if someone needed the macbook.

[netdog]

Originally Posted by upsguy27

I need someone to help me justify getting it.

Your other computers are too big.

[rfruth]

Originally Posted by netdog

Your other computers are too big.

You've got money burning a hole in your pocket

[m1stake]

If you need to justify it, you usually don't need it :/

[rippyz]

But if you're thinking about it, then just get it.

[i.shaun]

Originally Posted by silverblack

I am on the same boat, and just ordered a refurb mac mini with eyeTV 250+ yesterday. I'll be using them with a Viewsonic 27.5" monitor to form my media center. The mini is to replace my HP S3120 (Vista MCE). I am so fed up with this HP machine. It keeps waking up from standby in the middle of the night to download "something". Then half the time it won't wake up when I want it too. I HATE Vista!!!

I am so looking forward to the mini and eyeTV. Does anyone have any experience with this setup? any complaints, tricks that you want to share? I would really appreciate it.

eyeTV (atl east Elgato EyeTV Hybrid) gets very hot just after one hour. It shipts with only S-video/composite In (with left and right RCA audio)

When I record shows, they remain as large EyeTV files, and I have to hit export for ipod to get it into a movie file -- this could be a time consuming process. I had to delete a couple of shows because for some odd reason, it would not import.


All in all, I'm not happy with the eyeTV -- I'm sure it's built in tuner has uses, but I wanted a simple way to record things on my mac -- I also found that if I try to record a video game (say call of duty 4 for Ps3) The recording lags like crazy compared to the video feed -- no one can possibly play like that.


All I require is:
-Composite/S-Video in
-ability to record directly to movie file
-as little lag as possible
-something that doesn't get ridiculously hot