Intel Mac mini To Evolve Into Digital Hub?

[EricNau]

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.

PT Barnum was SOOO right.

So I don't have to worry about this, because the Mini's DVR would support Digital anyways, right?

2009

and it would be if a certain percent of the US population can aquire a digital signal.

Did they change the date, because I remember reading January 1, 2007?
If I remember correctly, it was 85% of the local area.

 

[AidenShaw]

dense?

3.5" Hard Drive (lowest cost, highest density)

Actually, 2.5" and 1.8" drives are significantly higher density.

With 2.5" drives, you could fit 681GB in the volume of a 500GB 3.5" drive. (About 5.7 of the 120GB 2.5" drives.)

With 1.8" drives, 883GB would fit in the same volume. (11 of the 80GB 1.8" drives)

The 0.85" drives are lower density, you could fit 98 of the 4GB drives in the same volume as the 500GB, but you'd have a little less than 400GB of data.

 

[YunusEmre]

What's to say Apple can't license the program guide? They set up the box to work with the service. You can use it or not, and pay the money or not. Get three months free, after that you can use it as a media center with or without the Tivo-like features. Still pretty useful even if it's not a DVR.

Yes, that is possible, but someone has to pay for the guide. Yes, Apple can license it for a price, and may be roll it into .mac subsccription. I mentioned that because there are folks here who seem to think they can get Tivo service like features without paying for it. There is no such thing as free PVR, even though people out there claim you can get "free" DVRs from Sattellite operators and cable MSOs. The comsumer pays for it one way or the other. Anyhow as I said, unless the new mini is more of a settop box than it is a PC, it aint going to be a Tivo killer (I am getting wary of this term, Tivo-killer, everytime someone says that about a product it turns out to be a complete piece of junk, but I sure hope the new mini is not a jack of all trades, master of none).

Like I said mini acting as a DVR is not a good idea. I hope Apple does not bloat the mini with media center like hardware features. Because I think it is perfect the way it is to get folks to switch from MS windows to Mac. Apple can bring out a media center mac, which can be setup as a DVR + photo + music etc. server. I think we will see wireless iPods, that can stream audio/video before we see more video features in macs.

Looking at the future though, I see a different picture. When IPTV is mainstream, everything with broadband access and a hard disk can act as a DVR, and most likely they will.

 

[Lacero]

Wishful thinking, but not for another year at least.

Not until October 2007, at the latest.

Here's to the Crazy Ones ​

 

[~Shard~]

Not until October 2007, at the latest.

Yes, that would be another way to look at it...

 

[AidenShaw]

Intel links with movie, music powers for ViiV PCs

http://news.com.com/Intel+links+with+movie,+music+powers+for+ViiV+PCs/2100-1041_3-5975890.html

Intel links with movie, music powers for ViiV PCs

Next year, coming to a PC near you: easy access to French TV programs. And most any other entertainment link your heart might desire.

Intel is working with film distributors, music publishers, game developers and other entertainment companies to integrate their offerings into an upcoming line of upscale entertainment PCs branded with the Santa Clara, Calif.-based chip giant's ViiV technology.

Companies such as French TV giant Canal Plus and British Sky Broadcasting will provide desktop links that give consumers online access to their libraries of digital content, said Kevin Corbett, vice president and general manager of the Content Services Group in Intel's Digital Home Group.

Japan's Bellrock Media, meanwhile, will release made-for-the-Internet content via a link on ViiV PCs. With one or two clicks, consumers should be able to link to exclusive videos from this international talent agency.
...
The ViiV technology is Intel's attempt to expand the upscale segment of the home PC market. ViiV computers will sport Intel's top-of-the-line processors, the Windows XP Media Center Edition operating system and a host of technologies designed to take some of the pain out of trying to use a home computer as a digital video recorder or a stereo. Simplification will become one of ViiV's big selling points.

Maybe the new MiniMac will be a "ViiV Mac" !!

 

[rtdunham]

after-hours AP story offers intriguing info

from an AP story released in the early morning hours:

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Looking to boost the number of computers whirring away in living rooms, Intel Corp. (INTC) on Wednesday unveiled its first list of companies whose products are expected to work with the chip maker's upcoming Viiv entertainment PC platform.

...Digital video recorder pioneer TiVo Inc. (TIVO) plans to use the technology to make it simple not only to transfer from TiVo set-top box to a Viiv PC but also allow for the transfer of shows on the PC to a TiVo. Viiv also will make it easier to move the content to a DVD or handheld player.

...Corbett declined to comment on whether Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) is participating in Viiv. Earlier this year, Apple announced that it would start using Intel microprocessors in its Macintosh computers, and it also has released entertainment PC-like software for its latest iMacs.

PCs based on Viiv, which rhymes with "five," are expected to be available in a variety of forms, ranging from the size of a stereo system component to a more traditional PC tower. All will run Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)'s Windows Media Center operating system.

After the initial boot, Viiv owners will be able to put their PCs in a standby state with the press of a button and reawaken it instantly the same way. The machines also ship with 5.1 surround sound, with an option to upgrade to 7.1.

Viiv systems will include a configuration wizard to walk users through setting up network components using their remote control.
In addition, the systems will have a media server "engine" that reformats digital content for viewing on a variety of devices.
Viiv is expected to be available in the first quarter of next year.

 

[rtdunham]

erroneous related info from Reuters?

this, from a Reuters article tues evening:

"TiVo in recent weeks has announced a raft of deals with Yahoo Inc. (YHOO), Apple Computer Inc (AAPL). and Sony to expand its reach and potential revenue base.

"TiVo expects soon to start testing a feature that will let subscribers transfer recorded television shows to Apple iPod players or Sony's PlayStation Portable gaming device."

is that correct? or would it be more accurate to say tivo announced negotiations with apple, which fell apart; separately, tivo says it'll extend its "tivo to go" feature to apple users?

terry

 

[lolex]

Hey !! Steve, thank you. I love to have these things.

 

[yoak]

This story has already made it to the front page of Norways biggest newspaper (online edition).
Here´s a link to fellow Norwegians or anyone else that master the language
http://forbruker.no/digital/nyheter/data/article1167319.ece

 

[Aggamemnon]

Perhaps this will hit the price point vacated by the eMac....

e for Entertainment, and use the Viiv platform?

 

[kyeblue]

Yes! Robert Cringely seems to think so as well.

http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20050120.html

The mac mini makes the perfect 'TiVo' like device. Coupled with iTunes and iLife and Front Row, it makes the next Mac mini a very viable consumer friendly device.

Wonder if it has enough power to handle HDTV format.

 

[kyeblue]

Think Secret claims an Intel-based Mac mini will make an appearance at MacWorld San Francisco in January. Expected to be included in the update, other than the move to Intel processor:

• Front Row 2.0
• "TiVo-Killer" DVR application
• Built-In iPod Dock
• Possible move to 3.5" hard drive

Whether the DVR capability comes standard on the mini or as an add-on module is unknown. According to Think Secret, the built-in iPod dock was expected on the first mini, but later scrapped. The inclusion of a larger 3.5" hard drive would indicate the form factor for the mini would increase in size to accomodate it.

With my mac mini less than one-year old, how could I convince my wife that i need a new gadget.

 

[pjkelnhofer]

... There is no such thing as free PVR, even though people out there claim you can get "free" DVRs from Sattellite operators and cable MSOs. The comsumer pays for it one way or the other...

Actually, there are at least two: MythTV and FreeVo.

 

[AidenShaw]

Wonder if it has enough power to handle HDTV format.

It would arrive stillborn if it didn't.

Any non-HD capable media center wouldn't be viable at this point in time - at least in the US market where digital broadcasting and HD are being phased in by mandate.

There are quite a few HD-PVR and media center devices available - like the HP Media Center PC mentioned a while back (the HP can simultaneously record three video feeds - one HD and two standard). This proves that dedicated hardware codecs are cheap enough for mass market systems.

ATI sells a video card for PCs with real-time HD recording (http://www.ati.com/products/hdtvwonder/specs.html) - it's $119 and the minimum CPU requirement is a 1.3 GHz Celeron...

 

[AtHomeBoy_2000]

It would arrive stillborn if it didn't.

Any non-HD capable media center wouldn't be viable at this point in time - at least in the US market where digital broadcasting and HD are being phased in by mandate.

Why not offer 2 "Mac Media Center" versions? One with HD capacity, one without? THere are a LOT of people who dont have HD TVs that want a DVR, but why would I pay extra for a larger hardrive and extra HD hardware when I dont need it?

 

[Lacero]

Wonder if it has enough power to handle HDTV format.

I think so. HDTV decoding could be hardwired into a special DSP chip designed to do it efficiently, or allow the GPU to handle the decoding/encoding.

Here's to the Crazy Ones ​

 

[bommai]

There is free program guide

Yes, that is possible, but someone has to pay for the guide. Yes, Apple can license it for a price, and may be roll it into .mac subsccription. I mentioned that because there are folks here who seem to think they can get Tivo service like features without paying for it. There is no such thing as free PVR, even though people out there claim you can get "free" DVRs from Sattellite operators and cable MSOs. The comsumer pays for it one way or the other. Anyhow as I said, unless the new mini is more of a settop box than it is a PC, it aint going to be a Tivo killer (I am getting wary of this term, Tivo-killer, everytime someone says that about a product it turns out to be a complete piece of junk, but I sure hope the new mini is not a jack of all trades, master of none).

Like I said mini acting as a DVR is not a good idea. I hope Apple does not bloat the mini with media center like hardware features. Because I think it is perfect the way it is to get folks to switch from MS windows to Mac. Apple can bring out a media center mac, which can be setup as a DVR + photo + music etc. server. I think we will see wireless iPods, that can stream audio/video before we see more video features in macs.

Looking at the future though, I see a different picture. When IPTV is mainstream, everything with broadband access and a hard disk can act as a DVR, and most likely they will.

You are the one that is mistaken. All entertainment PCs have free TV Guide. I just bought a Sony HD-DVR that has free TVGuide. eyeTV 500 uses TitanTV as free program guide.

 

[YunusEmre]

Actually, there are at least two: MythTV and FreeVo.

Actually they are not. I'd not class them as a DVR. A DVR is one an 8 year old can set up and grandmother can use. You need to be a geek to set those up and keep them upto date. Not to mention the fact that it uses a PC. They are not going to be mainstream unless someone takes them and turns them into a settop box you can buy from Frys or Best Buys. And who is going to do that without wanting some profit and money to keep the business going?

 

[ccrandall77]

Actually they are not. I'd not class them as a DVR. A DVR is one an 8 year old can set up and grandmother can use. You need to be a geek to set those up and keep them upto date. Not to mention the fact that it uses a PC. They are not going to be mainstream unless someone takes them and turns them into a settop box you can buy from Frys or Best Buys. And who is going to do that without wanting some profit and money to keep the business going?

Ease of use is irrelevant as to whether or not a product is or is not a DVR.

Besides, KnoppMyth isn't all that hard to install.

 

[YunusEmre]

You are the one that is mistaken. All entertainment PCs have free TV Guide. I just bought a Sony HD-DVR that has free TVGuide. eyeTV 500 uses TitanTV as free program guide.

Good luck with the Sony HD-DVR. I wonder if the content can be viewed on a different device? Watch out, it probably has a built in camera spying your every move But, yeah it is a cablecard ready DVR. It can be used on a cable network. So you cannot use it with your sattellite feed. It costs somewhere between $600-$800. So I think you ARE paying for the guide.

The other you mentioned is not a DVR, just a program. You need to tie up a personal computer to have one of those, so it is not free. Can you say, I am going to give my mother/dad a DVR, heck it is free? No, you cannot. You'd have to find a PC that can handle the work and install software on it and be on the support call to them day and night. I'd rather give them a box that is designed to be a DVR in the first place.

 

[YunusEmre]

Ease of use is irrelevant as to whether or not a product is or is not a DVR.

Besides, KnoppMyth isn't all that hard to install.

OK, one more time. I am talking about mainstream (becaue the term used was Tivo-killer). To kill Tivo you need to be mainstream. It works out of the box, you do not need to be a geek to install setup and use.

 

[cr2sh]

I think I'm out of touch with mainstream America... cuz as a total tech nerd, I have NO interest in a DVR.

Who has time to watch that much TV?

Give me a goddamn tablet so I can work more efficiently!

 

[ftaok]

I'm not sure if this was mentioned yet (I only got through the first 5 pages), but to everyone complaining about a possible size increase, I have this to point out.

The current mini does not fit in well with existing A/V equipment. Most people will have a cable/sat box, a DVD player, maybe a VCR, possibly an A/V receiver. All of these devices are about 12" to 16" wide and about as tall as a mini. So if Apple were to create a Media Mac, they will probably keep it the same height as the mini, but allow it to grow in width. This would make the mini fit in an entertainment center in a much more aestetically pleasing manner.

ft

 

[pjkelnhofer]

Actually they are not. I'd not class them as a DVR. A DVR is one an 8 year old can set up and grandmother can use. You need to be a geek to set those up and keep them upto date. Not to mention the fact that it uses a PC. They are not going to be mainstream unless someone takes them and turns them into a settop box you can buy from Frys or Best Buys. And who is going to do that without wanting some profit and money to keep the business going?

That hardly determines what whether or not something is a DVR. The theoretical Apple DVR is going to use a PC so how would it qualify. I don't think my post was in response to them being mainstream, it was in response to you saying there is no such thing as a free PVR.