Hello all, just a quick question to see if anyone has the same dilemma as myself. I am looking to go all digital and all legal on my music and film collections and want a suitable device to be the centre of the multimedia set-up. I currently have a very hot and loud home build PC with a massive PSU in it running vista that allows my hot and loud PS3 to stream all my mp3s and video files across my network. I also have a very hot and loud old skool Dell linux server in my attic that I use as a development server for all of my web work.
I recently took my first steps into the world of the Mac when I purchased a Unibody MacBook Pro which is quite simply the most brilliant thing I have ever purchased. That got me thinking about reducing the number of other devices I have that are getting heavy use but obviously make a serious amount of heat and are not very efficient. So I was thinking - if I got shot of the beast PC that I never use, and the server in the attic could I use a MacMini loaded with OSX Server to be my web dev server and my media server and then use front row straight on that to watch video on my TV - or is there a benefit in coupling this setup with an Apple TV and using that as the interface with the TV? Also in the mix I have 2x 1TB Lacie Hard Drives that are full of media that can be hooked up the MacMini but obviously won't work with the Apple TV without modding.
Any suggestions as to the best way to solve the problem will be appreciated. Sensible suggestions please! Apple Tv or MacMini or both ... or something else?
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Apple TV or MacMini ?
The AppleTV can be hacked to add Boxee if I am not mistaken. That will allow a lot more files to be played back. But the mini will allow you access more things and I like to surf the web on my TV so having my Mac hooked up is a big plus. The mini has Front Row built-in which a stripped version of what aTV runs.
You already have the unibody. Try hooking that up to your TV and see how you like it.
You already have the unibody. Try hooking that up to your TV and see how you like it.
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I'd, personally, go for Mac Mini... but that's your choice. It seems like the logical answer. Pay for two separate devices, or pay for one and get it all?
The advantage of an Apple TV is simplicity. It acts like an iPod and syncs to your main iTunes library. Also, the Apple TV is remote driven so you don't have to worry about a keyboard/mouse.
Get a Mac Mini if you want flexibility. You can run any software, add external storage, add DVR functionality, play DVDs and stream Netflix/Hulu/etc.
I went with a 160GB Apple TV based on cost, no keyboard/mouse and the advantage of managing a single iTunes library. But if I had the extra cash, I would plug an EyeTV into a Mac Mini + 2TB HDD and be enjoying a monster home theater rig.
Get a Mac Mini if you want flexibility. You can run any software, add external storage, add DVR functionality, play DVDs and stream Netflix/Hulu/etc.
I went with a 160GB Apple TV based on cost, no keyboard/mouse and the advantage of managing a single iTunes library. But if I had the extra cash, I would plug an EyeTV into a Mac Mini + 2TB HDD and be enjoying a monster home theater rig.
This is exactly what I do, as well as coupling the setup with HDHomeRun, which enables HD pickup of local channels over ethernet or wifi (plugged into AirPort Extreme). Add to that Rowmote from the app store to turn an old iPod Touch into a remote to control the action, and it's an awesome setup.
Personnaly, I have a mac mini connected on my samsung 42 inch LCD with 3 x 500 gig external hard drive via firewire... I run PLEX on the mini and it works very smooth (better than boxee and xbmc) with the apple remote or my harmony universal remote. Very happy with this installation.. considered the ATV but too many constraint with external hard drive and all... Moreover, i can control and configured my mac mini from my macbook with VNC.
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