A few weeks ago we asked which digital device people preferred for playing back digital music, movies and TV shows on their central home entertainment systems: Apple TV or Mac mini? Or do people simply prefer to connect iPods, iPhones or Apple notebooks to their entertainment systems to play back media? Does anyone simply watch TV and movies on an iMac? Here are some of the responses.
Editor’s note: Many users refer to the Apple TV as “ATV” in the following comments.
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“I’ve been watching the rumor mills for about a year. I’d like to move to an ATV; however, there just seem to be too many drawbacks; like
- needs a remote keypad with built-in touch pad
- needs to be able to get to some of the FREE playback sites, like HULU
- I’m certain there are more that I’ve heard of, but my wife’s certain that my dinner is getting cold
When we purchased our large HDTV, I researched the various models and technologies and made a decision that we’ve been very very happy with.
Next, we researched the choices and quality of data for the TV in our area, and went with over-the-air. Again, we’ve been very very happy, and save quite a bit every month. The quality of the picture from over-the-air and the big screen are a joy. By the way, we compared picture quality between cable and over-the-air before dropping cable, and over-the-air wins by bunches as far as we’re concerned. 15 to 30 miles to the nearest over-the-air broadcaster, and we use an indoor antenna to get our super quality.
Now, back to the ATV; if Apple created one that combined massive storage, DVD/CD drive, touchpad, networking, and a program viewing/recording metaphor like Tivo, then my viewing room would be blessed. Just the fewer cables/cords would be a blessing. It needs to interface with our network, the TV, and our Bose sound system.
Let me know when they release it, and I’ll stand in line the night before to be sure I get one.”
Matt M., Waynesville, OHIO
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“I have a 52” Sony LDC with a 5:1 audio system and a Digital Video Recorder. I regularly hook my MacBook Pro to the receiver by HDMI and put the video on the big screen to see photos and videos and as well use the remote to control playback.
However I have been unable to get the audio to work so I’ve added a small audio system that I’ve plugged into the audio out of the laptop (incidentally the remote controls this as well). I have had no joy getting help from either the big box store where I bought it or from Sony.
Recently I have been giving some thought to getting an Apple TV or a mini to free up my MacBook and hopefully get the proper audio connection.”
Ron H. – Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
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“I just got an Apple TV and after a couple of weeks wish I had gotten it when it first came out. I love the quality of the downloaded HD movies and the convenience of being able to sit on my couch to watch podcasts instead of my desk chair is simply unable to appreciate until you do it. Also, the iphoto screen saver is something that I plan to display proudly during my birthday party that is tomorrow. I intend to always have one. The Mac mini was just too much for not much more then the Apple TV as far as I am concerned.”
Glenn
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“Not a side-by-side comparison, but a few thoughts on the Apple TV and why I opted instead to just get a mini-DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter…”
http://blog.founddrama.net/2009/10/the-case-against-the-apple-tv
Robert F.
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“I was reading your newsletter while configuring my Apple TV again for use with Boxee. Without Boxee, the ATV is not all it can be. Unfortunately Apple doesn’t make it easy to add Boxee. Upgrades always break something.
ATV on its own is a great way to have music and slide shows in another room or larger screen. I don’t rent or buy movies but use Netflix and wish ATV would do Netflix on demand. Some claim the processor isn’t fast enough for streaming movies. The mini doesn’t have this issue. My main issue with the mini is the video connection. Perhaps the key is a DVI-to-HDMI adapter.”
Mark G.
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“I use an HDMI connection from the back of my present G5, to an HDMI connector on my 40” Panasonic Plasma Flat Screen. I have been doing this for around 6 months and love watching programing from the net.
I will upgrade to a new tower Mac and then I will be able to upgrade on the programing input as some are only compatible with the new chip Macs (not the old IBM chips of my G5).
I think if I wanted to copy the incoming movie, or program (like the ABC presentation of “V”) I would just purchase a program to copy the incoming and then burn it onto DVD for my personal movie/program collection.
As long as the Apple TV can not accept the sources of my choice, I cannot use it.
In 2010 I will purchase a new Mac Pro and then terminate my Satellite service, using only the net as my programing source.”
David P. – San Jose CA
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“Great topic! I too am right in the middle of the debate/question about whether to get one or the other or neither for my upscale audio/video system. I’ve read tons of articles and reviews on both; visited the Apple store twice to discuss it; and solicited feedback from numerous owners of both in two Apple user groups.
I’ve read the pros and cons of the Mini and I see the incremental improvements in the Apple TV. The potential for ATV to become the media integration center for my system seems to be a possibility, but not yet a reality. The ATV continues to be restricted to iTunes offerings, limited HD movies, limited movie resolution and lacks full access to other online media (like NetFlix, HULU, etc.) that I am looking for. I hope you have some useful insights into this issue.”
Mac C. Bellingham, WA
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“I’ve been using Apple TV for about two years now and have enjoyed it a lot.
The majority of the time I watch podcasts. I subscribe to about 10 Mac-related Podcasts—both video and audio. A few times I will view other Podcasts online and watch them via streaming.
I rent movies from Apple about twice a month. Perhaps once a month I will scan through the Movie Trailers to see what’s coming up soon.
I do have one digital movie loaded onto the Apple TV, but have not taken the time to view it yet.
When Apple announced the Mac mini Server a few weeks ago, I perked up a little bit wondering if this might be something I could use for more video stuff, but I think not. I’d have to purchase a regular Mac mini. So, I will be reading your words very close to see if this is something I could use for viewing more videos, maybe TV shows, etc.”
Wes R. – Lawton, OK
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“We have an Apple TV (purchased at the Burlington Small Dog store, of course!). We have it connected to our 60” Sony SXRD Rear Projector display, along with a Blu-Ray player, and a Series 3 (HD) TiVo.
By far, the TiVo gets the most use, which is pretty understandable as we get a decent array of HD programming via Comcast. With the premium movie channels, we find we are usually willing to wait for movies to come around so we can grab them with TiVo to watch at our leisure, and this has meant that we don’t rent as much as we used to.
I mention this because I see the Apple TV as primarily a video rental platform at this point in time. Buying movies on iTunes is not very attractive because iTunes HD movies are 720p, not full 1080p as with Blu-Ray, and yet they cost as much as most Blu-Ray disks via Amazon. Frustratingly, the movie studios seem to have arm-twisted the rental outlets (including iTunes) into a 30-day delay on new DVD/Blu-Ray releases, so we could buy Star Trek (the new movie) for $19.99 on iTunes today but cannot rent it until next month. That is one I wasn’t willing to wait for so I bought the Blu-Ray disk.
It is also worth noting that there are rental options on the TiVo as well, via Amazon, Netflix, and Blockbuster. We occasionally have used Amazon for rentals.
Finally, I find the Apple TV to be frustrating for the amount of manual conversion necessary to show my own collected material. In a very un-Apple-like gaff, iTunes lets you sync video to the Apple TV which it cannot play… I still shake my head at that one every time it bites me. I have to manually make sure that the format of videos is compatible or I get an infuriating message later when I try to play it, which requires a trip upstairs to my office to convert the video and re-sync it.
For the Apple TV to be truly useful, it would need to be able to take the place of our beloved TiVos (we actually have 3 HD units, one in each room with a TV), and the Apple TV would need to be 1080p capable, with iTunes selling/renting 1080p content.
Of course we do use it as an AirTunes outlet, but we did that previously with the much cheaper AirPort Express with an optical link.
I am happy enough with the TiVo HD for the moment that I have not really explored the necessary bits to use a Mac mini as a home theatre media device, but since it would be impossible to plug CableCards into it, I think it would suffer from some of the same shortcomings as the Apple TV (i.e. a limited set of features). Perhaps it would output a 1080p image, and it might play more media formats without requiring conversion, which would be a bonus, but that is something Apple TV should be able to do anyway.
If I were advising a friend who had access to HD on cable, I would say get an HD TiVo and an AirPort Express and you’ll have virtually all options open to you, without having to engineer the system from assorted bits yourself.”
Lou K. Green Mountain Software Corporation
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“I have both a Mac mini and an Apple TV hooked up to my 50” Samsung HDTV. I thought I would be replacing the Apple TV with the mini, but I find I like them both. I use the Apple TV to stream content (movies, TV shows, picture slideshows etc.) from my office Mac, and I use the mini to watch Hulu.com and pick up TV shows I’ve missed, as well as doing training online through lynda.com. It makes it convenient for me and my husband to watch in comfort at the same time. I haven’t yet gotten apps such as Boxee or Plex to manage content; I’m pretty simple right now with it.
I also purchased the ATV Flash to upgrade the Apple TV so that I could add a browser or access other content online or Divx movies, but I find that I don’t like to keep installing it and I never used it that much anyway. I love the simplicity of the Apple TV menu and downloading from the iTunes store. I find both a great addition to my home theater setup. I can also stream Netflix through the mini, or through my Blu-Ray player. I’m pretty well set for now, and I wouldn’t give up either device.”
Debby
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“Hi there, I’m a great fan of Kibbles & Bytes and Tech Tails. We simply attach my iPods (classic, nano, touch) to the auxiliary input on my household stereo. Works great.
What I’d really appreciate is a thorough review of using the Mac as a DVR. For those of us who opted out of cable TV (and don’t want the monthly fees associated with TIVO) but want the ability to record PBS programming, the Mac is a logical option thanks to Elgato EyeTV Hybrid 2009 and similar devices.
Admittedly, there’s some baggage attached to the “free” alternative: the cost of purchasing the hardware and software, connecting the laptop in preparation to recording, maintaining the optional external hard drive for recorded files, and dealing with the recorded programs (e.g. compressing, editing, etc.). There are probably more issues I haven’t even considered.
The good news is the considerable power saved by NOT having the conventional DVR box always on. Another plus is the money saved by not having to “rent” the box and service (our local cable company charges $20/mo ~ $240/yr for DVR service in addition to the monthly cable charge).
We’re not big TV users and couldn’t justify purchasing either an Apple TV or a Mac mini to address the scenario I’ve described. That being said, however, shouldn’t diminish the potential of a newer MacBook as a viable household media center. (We love connecting it to our flat screen TV and stream NetFlix movies from our queue.) But conventional TV via an antenna? There must be an easy (Mac) solution.”
Nick V. – Southern Oregon
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“I have both; I think I prefer the mini because of its greater ability as a computer, so I can do Hulu and my own content.” – Via twitter: @debonnaire
“Still holding out hope that Apple TV will get some updates to truly compete, until then it seems mini is the way to go.” – Via twitter: @scottmccracken
“Mac mini because it plays back more file formats also boxy Netflix and hulu or any site with video or audio.” Via twitter: @billstreeter