I think they should just buy the mac mini and put mythtv or vista ultimate on it. Switching between programs to watch videos or watch tv is not ideal for a dvr.
but it is a start for osx.

rothgar

Wow, this seems like it would be great if you already have a Mac mini. Otherwise I think it would make more sense just to buy a dvr?

Myles

doesn't vista ultimate alone, cost more than a dvr?

steeple

Honestly don't knock Vista Media Centre (you don't have to buy Ultimate for that) until you've tried it. The hardware requirements are surprisingly low; all I had to do was grab a bottom-of-the-range video card and the rest of my HTPC is spare parts (P4 3ghz, 1GB DDR 400, 10GB HDD).

For a lot less cash I think you'd be better off buying Vista Home Premium OEM (just grab a HDD or something) and building your own. I'm sure we all have a few bits and pieces lying around which could be assembled without too much hassle (and its oh so much more fun!).

m4dm4n

...this article says what that's new? How did anyone NOT know about Front Row and EyeTV by now?

Find an article that tackles optical out, surround sound, combining those with AirTunes, using a Time Capsule as the file server, and configuring a Logitech Harmony to control it all - then I'll be impressed.

SpencerLavery

RickRoll a Mac Mini Media Center with Leopard, you mean?

Edmund_Burke

Yeah, this tutorial is a little obvious... but not to everyone. Someone has to write these sorts of things for the less technically inclined.

I already have a setup similar to this, sans EyeTV (I already have a DVR). I've been wanting to expand it so I can watch my stuff in the bedroom too, but spending another 500 or so to get another mac mini isn't really exciting me.

Of course, if all you're looking to do is watch movies on a harddrive on your TV, a hacked appleTV would do the trick just fine. I'd have one already if it weren't for that speeding ticket that wrecked my fun budget.

[awkwardtv.org]

kilbourne

Oh, and he also had Tiger at the time. He has upgraded to Leopard since.

RavingRabbid

I know a friend that works for Intel and is also a Mac freak. He had EyeTV, an early Intel iMac, and TWO monitors. He also recently told me that the processor in my late 2007 MacBook was made in the town I live in. (Merom processors are made in Chandler, AZ. Heck, he invited me for a tour of Intel and was able to peek in at the new FAB (FAB32), where I believe Merom processors are made.)

RavingRabbid

bah, i wish we could edit posts. anyway, i also wanted to mention that you can pick up used minis pretty cheap, and if you don't care about running windows on it you can get g4 based ones even cheaper.

firesign

@Myles: that's fine if all you want is the dvr functions. with a mini you also get a computer.

firesign

You can do the same thing with Windows (either with Media Center if you have it, or GB-PVR if you don't) or Linux (MythTV; there are even pre-configured MythTV-centric distros like KnoppMyth and Mythbuntu). Not exactly a reason to rush out and buy a Mac Mini, but it's not a bad use for one if you happen to have an extra lying around.

HeartBurnKid

i prefer xTV on my xbox

[i65.photobucket.com]

fredygamer

"On the other hand, if you're still rolling Panther on your Mac…"

Presumably you mean Tiger?

Kalessin