Intel Mac mini To Evolve Into Digital Hub?

[Superdrive]

Interesting tidbit about elgato..I'm under the NDA but don't think this breaks it.

I'm running the Dev kit..

Emailed elgato about certain drivers for their systems and he told me they would have drivers ready to go as soon as the Intels shipped.

I dont see Apple buying elgato based on this..

But...speculation is fun ain't it?

Sounds like they need to borrow your Dev Kit to get those drivers built.

Anyone remember the iMacs back in the day when they had iMac and iMac DV? What is stopping Apple from creating Mac Mini and Mac Mini HT? We have PowerBooks that share the same name but different forms, why not the same for the Mini?

 

[Frobozz]

Whoever says a no-fee DVR is not possible is mistaken. The HP media center and all PC based DVRs and the Sony, Mitsubishi, Panasonic and LG DVRs allow for free program guides because these companies get their money by selling the hardware. Tivo makes money selling the service and that will be their ultimate undoing. I don't want one more monthly subscription.

I argue the opposite. A low entry price with smaller payments over time is easier to sell volume. It works like this:

I need to make $500 on a customer. For aguement's sake I have 2 options:

A) Ask them for $50 now and $13 a month for ~35 months.
B) Ask them for $500 now and nothing per month.

The difference in business model is that in order for company B to make more than their $500 on the person, they must introduce some new hardware to sell them. The person then plunks down another $500. For company A to make more than their $500, they just need to keep the customer longer.

Either model is valid and has advantages and disadvantages. Things like inflation, competition, market conditions, upgrades, etc. all factor in. But one thing you can't argue: $50 is less than $500, and a lot of consumers think about that price point because $13 a month isn't that much money.

 

[Frobozz]

I don't understand this "why would Apple let you save TV shows when they want you to buy them for 2$"?

Why does Apple let you import CDs you buy when they sell music on the iTunes store?

I think iTunes is a convenience and lots of people will still buy video from iTunes even though they may be able to record it on their own TV -- because some people may want the show now, or they may have missed recording the show, etc.

You can't stop people from wanting to record TV shows rather than buy them. People will do what they want. It seems intelligent to give customers some options for how they get their content.

Agreed. And I think it makes sense for them to include an essentially "freebie" solution like a DVR and tack on an integrated music and movie purchasing program (iTunes.)

They don't have to drop one for the other, as you point out. They compliment each other. Look at Digital Cable. I have HBO on demand (comes with HBO), the many HBO "linear" channels, and Movies on Demand (for-pay viewing.) None really interfere with each other, despite it all being an antique view of the video world. Nothing should be linear anymore.

 

[gugy]

$13 is not a lot of money but if you add all the other expenses like cable, internet, web hosting, .mac, electricity, phone, cell phones, etc. then the last thing you want is another subscription service.

 

[erroneous]

but you can (last time I checked) only have one EyeTV unit plugged in at a time. No multiple tuners. I think that's a software limitation.

I asked them about this in September last year, and they said:

Currently, the EyeTV software partially supports multiple units. You can hook up two of any EyeTV device, and see Live TV from both simultaneously. Each type of EyeTV device will have its own channel list.

EyeTV will grab the first available unit to record, or you can click on an Live TV window and then start recording. EyeTV cannot choose which unit to record to on a per-recording basis, but that will come in the future.

So, using multiple units is an unofficial feature that works, but is still being finalized.

Of course, I've never tried it.

 

[bommai]

Elgato's former CEO now runs Apple Germany

Interesting tidbit about elgato..I'm under the NDA but don't think this breaks it.

I'm running the Dev kit..

Emailed elgato about certain drivers for their systems and he told me they would have drivers ready to go as soon as the Intels shipped.

I dont see Apple buying elgato based on this..

But...speculation is fun ain't it?

To add some spice to this rumor - a couple of months ago, it was announced that Elgato's former CEO now runs Apple Germany. I am sure there is some tie in. Elgato (German based) makes products just for the Mac and I have heard they are pretty good. I am almost ready to buy an eyeTV 500, but want to wait until January to see if anything changes!!

 

[mdavey]

Why would Apple let you record TV shows

Because it is a different business model. To record a TV show you have to wait for it to be broadcast then record it and store it forever. The buesiness model that people are suggesting in this thread is a video on demand (or nearly on demand) model where Apple will offer a huge catalogue of TV material for you to select from, download and watch whenever you want.

Importantly, Apple could be in the position of offering content before it is broadcast and offering other content many years after it was last broadcast. They might even be able to strike deals with copyright owners allowing them to remaster content so you can watch, say, the original series of StarTrek in high definition.

 

[hyperpasta]

I don't understand this "why would Apple let you save TV shows when they want you to buy them for 2$"?

Why does Apple let you import CDs you buy when they sell music on the iTunes store?

Here's why. Let's say I want to get CD X onto my iPod. If I already own CD X, which most people don't, I import it. Otherwise, I get it from ABC.

But let's say I want to get ABC Show X onto my iPod. Most people, including myself, get ABC. But it's hard to get it onto my iPod, so I pay for my show again. If I could get it easily onto my iPod without having to buy it again, say through the new Mac mini, then there's absolutely no case for the iTVideoStore.

Think about it a bit.

I'm not saying it won't happen, but I'm saying that there IS a conflict there that needs to be resolved. Maybe we'll just see a full selection of TV shows instead.

 

[hyperpasta]

Because it is a different business model. To record a TV show you have to wait for it to be broadcast then record it and store it forever. The buesiness model that people are suggesting in this thread is a video on demand (or nearly on demand) model where Apple will offer a huge catalogue of TV material for you to select from, download and watch whenever you want.

Importantly, Apple could be in the position of offering content before it is broadcast and offering other content many years after it was last broadcast. They might even be able to strike deals with copyright owners allowing them to remaster content so you can watch, say, the original series of StarTrek in high definition.

I dn't understand. Are you agreeing or disagreeing?

 

[mdavey]

I dn't understand. Are you agreeing or disagreeing?

Um?

I am saying that Apple would allow you to record TV because that would have negligable impact on their business model. Just as with music, much of the profit will come from being able to offer a huge back-catalogue and charging the same price for them as new-releases - such as last night's episode of Lost (which you missed because your sister called 5 minutes before it started and chatted with you for over an hour).

 

[hyperpasta]

Um?

I am saying that Apple would allow you to record TV because that would have negligable impact on their business model. Just as with music, much of the profit will come from being able to offer a huge back-catalogue and charging the same price for them as new-releases - such as last night's episode of Lost (which you missed because your sister called 5 minutes before it started and chatted with you for over an hour).

Sorry I didn't understand.

While your back catalog point is valid, if someone had two buttons that said "Record Lost Tonight for Free" and "Buy Lost Tomorrow for $2", then most everyone would choose to record. I don't mean to start a flamewar here, I'ts just my opinion. But I bet Apple has something up their sleeves that we don't know a bout- the pieces don't quite connect.

 

[Peace]

Really can't see the type of modeling folks are talkin about here.
IMHO the Mini's gonna be mainly for playing content from the storage in it.
Video On Demand is a completely different thing..Gonna need HUGE bandwidth for that and it's just getting off the ground with comcast et.al..
My satellite receiver has a DVR and I can record anything being "currently" broadcast or I can set up a timer to record a show in the future.Nothing allows me to record anything from the past...e.g. VOD for television..

Now they may start VOD for movies.Being able to watch any movie anytime.But that model would incur a "pay-per-view" scenerio.

Nope..Not gonna happen..

MacMini with a 3.5in. 250gig HD for storing movies and the like connected via cable to your SVideo/DVI in on the TV or LCD or HDTV.
Going wireless with the .11g or even the newer 11.n is gonna task the network capabilities built into OSX

Now if the Mini has SVideo/DVI and Optical IN with built in MPEG-2 decoding THAT's a different story, and would knock elgato and TIVO out of the Mac market.

 

[aussie_geek]

Originally Posted by pkscout
but you can (last time I checked) only have one EyeTV unit plugged in at a time. No multiple tuners. I think that's a software limitation.I think those are my biggies. Yes, EyeTV does #2 already, but you can (last time I checked) only have one EyeTV unit plugged in at a time. No multiple tuners. I think that's a software limitation.

Nope - I have an eyetv 410 and an eyetv wonder plugged in simultaneously. You can watch and record 2 separate shows. I actually use mine for TV and xbox. Works fine.

A G5 is required though - I tried it on my PowerBook... It really struggled and got quite hot.


aussie_geek

 

[greenstork]

Don't you all think that Apple has to be introducing a subscription service, for the purpose of maintaining up-to-the-minute TV program guides.

Apple has never shied away from charging as much as possible for its superior products. Their M.O. is to distinguish themselves from the competition, charge way more for the hardware, and slightly less for the content. That said, I'll bet that if this rumor is true, they'll roll out a $5-10 per month subscription service for TiVo like features like recording an entire season of a show, or a detailed program guide.

 

[bommai]

Free recorded program - no ipod transfer, you pay - it is yours

Sorry I didn't understand.

While your back catalog point is valid, if someone had two buttons that said "Record Lost Tonight for Free" and "Buy Lost Tomorrow for $2", then most everyone would choose to record. I don't mean to start a flamewar here, I'ts just my opinion. But I bet Apple has something up their sleeves that we don't know a bout- the pieces don't quite connect.

May be their whole pay model is for iPod and portability. If you use the DVR feature, the program is stuck in the DVR and you cannot transfer. How about that?

 

[mandoman]

Here we go again with the iHome rumors...

Yet another MWSF approaching and the inevitable
iHome rumor. All's I can say is, don't get your hopes up.

I believe an upgraded intel mini is coming, but
don't expect anything major besides maybe front
row support and digital audio output. Maybe an apple branded
optional dvi to hdmi cable for $79 announced with it. That's it, nothing
to see here, move along. Built in ipod dock? ICK! Ruins
the beautiful mini form factor.

No Apple branded PVR. Apple wants to sell on demand video.
I'm guessing the 'tivo-killer' rumor was started by
apple to get the TV networks to play ball.

Don't you think the engineering effort just transitioning
to Intel in time for MWSF is enough as it is without throwing
in a bunch of extra features?

I sure hope I am wrong though, I would be second in line
to buy an apple htpc - after the guy with the car barring the doors to
the apple store with the shotgun, I don't want my head blown
off trying to be first in line.

If the TV networks don't step up and provide content
to apple, than an apple branded pvr accessory might come
to fruition eventually. Actually, it'll just be El Gato designed
stuff with Apple logo/marketing. Need that content to sell more video ipods!!!

MWSF will see intel mini's and ibooks (90nm pentium m, not yonah), ilife06 and
iWork06 w/Spreadsheet app.

 

[2nyRiggz]

this is nice, i would get one in a heartbeat if it is true.

Bless

 

[hyperpasta]

May be their whole pay model is for iPod and portability. If you use the DVR feature, the program is stuck in the DVR and you cannot transfer. How about that?

That would work. But you see what I mean? Something like this will happen if both are to coexist.

 

[Kirbdog]

Replace by TV

I was considering a new iMac with a EyeTV box in spring when I get done school. This mac mini sounds like it could be alot cheaper. I would really like to integrate my television and computer, I don't need or want a ton of redundant stuff anymore. Why buy a stand alone DVD player, TV, PVR and stereo when I can integreat it all into one computer and large monitor combo. It would be cheaper and I could get much more out of it.

I don't know if this is feasible but it is what I would like to see. Many companies have tried but no one has cracked it yet. Remember Sony WebTV?

 

[Doozy]

This is great news. I love my tivo but, I would give it up in a heart beat if apple can do a better job. I don't get all that tivo offers using the direct tv offering anyway. Although, if the mac mini can't record more than one program at a time I will not buy.

I wouldn't mind if the mini was a little bit bigger to acomadate a larger drive.

 

[~Shard~]

I'd warm mine up but, I think it's been frozen by the bank!

Ah, I see - mine's just been frozen by winter.

 

[Daveway]

My face while reading THAT article.

 

[savar]

No Apple branded PVR. Apple wants to sell on demand video.
I'm guessing the 'tivo-killer' rumor was started by
apple to get the TV networks to play ball.

Everybody keeps saying: Apple can't sell a DVR, they want to sell video on demand.

???

Can we please all step back a second here...Apple doesn't want to sell videos. They don't want to sell music either. They want to sell iPods! If this HTPC stuff works, they'll also have a way to push more mac minis.

I would imagine the stuff on iTunes is encoded from original material, so the quality is much higher than recording a broadcast signal.

 

[devman]

I'd warm mine up but, I think it's been frozen by the bank! I guess I'll start saving up now, this'll be one nice machine when/if it comes out


Yeah I know this and was scratching my head why everyone was up in arms about HDMI on a Mac Mini. Just have the standard DVI to S-Video/Composite (Maybe componenet eventually) and everyone will be happy. No need for HDMI yet, ok so it's one cable with audio and video in a neat package but, a lot of people don't have HDMI, let alone DVI on their TV sets...I know I certainly don't! S-Video or composite with an optional component adapter for HDTVs would be fine

Cool. I thought the reason though was that HDCP was somehow dependent on HDMI. i.e. no HDCP with DVI. If true, that's an issue. Do you know anything about this, 'cos I'd like to know more about it.

 

[mandoman]

Everybody keeps saying: Apple can't sell a DVR, they want to sell video on demand.

???

Can we please all step back a second here...Apple doesn't want to sell videos. They don't want to sell music either. They want to sell iPods! If this HTPC stuff works, they'll also have a way to push more mac minis.

I would imagine the stuff on iTunes is encoded from original material, so the quality is much higher than recording a broadcast signal.

This was the same point I was trying to make if you read furthur down my post:

If the TV networks don't step up and provide content
to apple, than an apple branded pvr accessory might come
to fruition eventually... Need that content to sell more video ipods!!!