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Intel Mac mini To Evolve Into Digital Hub?

mandoman said:
... Need that content to sell more video ipods!!!
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Right- and that's exactly why they would NEVER release a DVR system that couldn't tranfer to the iPod as suggested above.

'Here's our new iPod that plays videos! And here's our new DVR that records videos!... ummm... but you can't put the videos on the iPod.'

No chance of that. The two models could easily coexist. There are millions of shows out there that you won't predictably see on any given day on TV. Those are the ones you buy. Because you want them, at that moment.
 
If they have TiVo-like functionality, can network together wirelessly, can output an HDTV signal with 7:1 surround sound, and have an Apple logo on them, I'll buy 6 when they come out. The ultimate distributed audio/video for my new house!
 
my heart tells me it's going to happen...my head tells me no way.

if it does, i hope it's able to work with directv.
 
Question:
January 1, 2007, Congress is making all TV signals to be broadcasted in Digital signals (someone at bestbuy told me it also had to be HD Widescreen, don't know if that's true or not).
Will the Mac Mini be able to support this once everything changes? I would love this computer, but not if in less than a year I had to buy a new one.

I was going to buy a iPod - maybe I'll have to buy a Mac mini instead, or I guess I could get both :)
 
Mudbug said:
I think Lacero reloads the front page incessantly so he/she can get first post a lot. Plus, he/she knows the trick for holding the spot. For the record, I'm fine with that, and appreciate that you're using it for an actual post, instead of "neato - first."
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Is there a way to make a page automaticaly refresh?
 
I'd probably buy this!

The 3.5" hard drive and larger size is a fair trade off for DVR features. Plus, encoding to MPEG uses a lot of processing power, they'd probably have to enlarge it anyways to install fans and keep the processor cool.
 
I went through most of the posts, but didn't see much about pricing for DVR. Few options:

I don't think Apple will charge for the DVR service - simple reason is selling point. People are sick of paying monthly fees. Jobs sees this as an opportunity to get MORE people to purchase songs on iTunes....now from the conforts of their couch.

second option - Apple does charge a monthly fee, say 9.99, or you can subscribe to .mac (which includes the dvr subscription) for $89-99 a year.

My guess is second option.
 
EricNau said:
Question:
January 1, 2007, Congress is making all TV signals to be broadcasted in Digital signals (someone at bestbuy told me it also had to be HD Widescreen, don't know if that's true or not).
Click to expand...

What he told you is flat out WRONG! He's not even in the ball park. THe switch date will be a little later than that and not every signal has to be HD or Widescreen. It just has to be digital. Simple as that. THe ATSC signal includes a digital version of todays broadcast quality, but it also includes all the HD formats.
 
joemama said:
I went through most of the posts, but didn't see much about pricing for DVR. Few options:

I don't think Apple will charge for the DVR service - simple reason is selling point. People are sick of paying monthly fees. Jobs sees this as an opportunity to get MORE people to purchase songs on iTunes....now from the conforts of their couch.

second option - Apple does charge a monthly fee, say 9.99, or you can subscribe to .mac (which includes the dvr subscription) for $89-99 a year.

My guess is second option.
Click to expand...

Why cant the subsription be optional? Example: you pay $10 a month for an onscreen guide that is updated daily. Or, for free is acts as a programable VCR. I like ehe last option psersonally.
 
This is EXACTLY what I've been waiting for! I love the size of the current mini, but if they have to make it a little bigger to accomodate a 3.5 HD, I'm okay with that. As long as the price is similar or *gasp* lower than the current minis, I'll have one the day they're released. :D
 
MWSF is definitely keying up to be quite the exciting event! Whether it's this new Mac mini, new Intel iBooks/PowerBooks/iMacs, or displays, it should result in some very cool new toys for all us Mac users! And don't forget iLife '06 and iWork '06 as well - perhaps we will see a revamped iPhoto (i.e. Aperture Express) and a spreadsheet-type program for iWork.... :cool:
 
EricNau said:
Question:
January 1, 2007, Congress is making all TV signals to be broadcasted in Digital signals (someone at bestbuy told me it also had to be HD Widescreen, don't know if that's true or not).
Click to expand...


PT Barnum was SOOO right. :D :D :D
 
I tried to read through the thread (and search it) to see if some one already mentioned it, but if Apple produces a computer that is designed to act as DVR the I am sure the good people over at MythTV will work hard to make sure that it can run it well. Suddenly you have a well built hardare DVR solution and an already mature (Linux-based) software solution that is subscription free!!!

If Apple tried to charge a monthly fee for a DVR service, I would go the MythTV or FreeVo route with the Mini! Until now, both of these have been poorly supported on Mac due to the PowerPC chips. With "Intel Inside" I am sure that will change quickly!
 
I dont think so....

well......guys....Apple will not offer TV capability for free....
Please download your intrested prgramme daily through iTMS.....
 
too bad they won't make Christmas.

intel chip, 3.5in slot and SATA support for my 400gb 'Cuda, a version of Tiger x86 stable enough to run Samba Apache and iChat.... with just that I'm sold. I mean an integrated 6600 would be tight, though. I just hope they don't go overboard with the DVR stuff and slap HDCP crap on it.
 
stephenli said:
well......guys....Apple will not offer TV capability for free....
Please download your intrested prgramme daily through iTMS.....
Click to expand...

Sure, no problem - just as long as Apple provides me with the ability to download every program I might want to watch. :p If they're not planning on offering that type of a selection, then they should go the TiVo route so that users can access any show they want. :cool:
 
EricNau said:
Question:
January 1, 2007, Congress is making all TV signals to be broadcasted in Digital signals
Click to expand...


2009

and it would be if a certain percent of the US population can aquire a digital signal.
 
You will never see an Apple branded DVR. Not in hardware or software.

Apple's model is to pay for downloads. They can control that. They can make money on that. Why would they offer "recording" features? That's just not what they are about. The iTunes Music Store is bound to have more video offerings in the future. Maybe Steve will re-launch it as the iMedia Store in January? Whatever it evolves into, that is their model. You will have to turn to third parties offer DVR capablities.

Don't ever expect anything from Apple in the way of DVR software, ever. It ain't gonna happen. I guarantee it 100%.
 
100% guarantee!

skellener said:
You will never see an Apple branded DVR. Not in hardware or software ... I guarantee it 100%.
Click to expand...

Could you please clarify the conditions of your generous guarantee. Are you offering to refund all of us swayed by your convitions into buying ElGato?
 
Wow... If Apple does this, I just might have to buy one of those fancy TEE-VEEs that seem to be all the rage just to check it out!

Or not.

And yes, I really don't own a television. Chew on that, you addicted masses, you! That said, this is great news. I'd love to see Apple keep expanding it's user base, and this seems like a good way to do it. But I will say that it's not the Apple product I've been waiting for years to see. But every move closer to general electronics is another move closer towards that very product. One day my dreams may come true. (No, I'm not talking about a cell phone either. But hey, that'll be nice too if should ever come to pass.)

P.S. Long live TikiBarTv! (Which I need no tv to watch, thus bringing this post ironically full circle.)
 
Not another Mac Mini

I think this may be Apple's version of an HD home media server using Macintosh hardware and software technology. However, unlike Microsoft, they will not try to make a dual-use PC/Media Center. It will ONLY be a media and communication device.

The success of the iPod and iTunes Music store has put Apple back in the game. A new iTunes Music/Video/Movie store will be the Trojan horse to the living room. This is one of the biggest reasons they partnered with Intel (and Intel partnered with them) - the potential for incredible high-volume sales using the lowest-cost hardware available. They have the name-brand recognition and retail presence they need to get this to the masses. Their biggest problem may be competition with cable and satellite set-top boxes and whether or not the cost dictates the need for a service provider business model.

I think this new product will be in a standard DVD player form factor (done right the Apple way) with the following features:

HD DVR (with Apple's version of a TiVo-like service)
iTunes (with new Music/Video/Movie store)
iPod interface (using USB, not a direct dock connector)
CD/DVD play/record
Photos (iPhoto lite)
Communications - video, audio, IM, email (iChat AV, Mail)
Front Row (10-foot user interface)
NO Finder (It's not a computer!)

Hardware:
CD/DVD R/W (SuperDrive)
NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner
CableCARD 2.0
HDMI
S-video
5.1 digital audio
Ethernet (10/100)
WiFi (AirPort Extreme)
Bluetooth 2.0
USB 2.0 (iPod, camera)
FireWire (iSight, camcorder)
3.5" Hard Drive (lowest cost, highest density)
IR Remote

Do I have a clue? Only Apple knows for sure.
 
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