[Ruahrc]

I was at my university computer store today and saw that they had a Mini on display. It surprised me because I thought they were not out for a little while (shows how much I read the forums... hehe)

Anyways I was looking at it, and was very impressed with the design and build quality of the computer. Then I realized that Apple could have a huge winner on their hands if they tried to market this as a living room computer too? But there is no TV-out on the back of the Mini... or is there (did I not see it?)

I think it would be great to use as a living-room computer. If they threw in video-in capability as well (maybe just add a 3rd party firewire one) it could be a PVR, and with a DVD burner it would be very useful. It looks fantastic and would not ugly up any TV room, and is very quiet, small, etc. and with bluetooth it seems perfect for wireless keyboard/mouse usage.

What do you think? I would like to see a TV-out port added for the 2nd gen mini. Anyways I think the current mini is a very good idea as it is finally an "affordable" mac that can compete with PC's. Apple is in a good spot too because they can really harp on how spyware and viruses don't affect OS X, making the internet usable again. I guess the only bad thing that can come of this is that if OS X becomes much more popular with people, spyware and viruses will start to migrate to OS X too .

Ruahrc

[insha]

I thought the Mac mini came with an adapter that had and s-video out on it so it can be plugged into a TV... if I'm wrong please correct me.

edit: not sure if it comes with but you get an Apple DVI to Video Adapter at Apple Store. I'm getting one if it is not included with my mini.

[osxisfun]

Originally posted by insha:
I thought the Mac mini came with an adapter that had and s-video out on it so it can be plugged into a TV... if I'm wrong please correct me.

edit: not sure if it comes with but you get an Apple DVI to Video Adapter at Apple Store. I'm getting one if it is not included with my mini.

yep.

[osxisfun]

> Then I realized that Apple could have a huge winner on their hands if they tried to market this as a living room computer too

apple does not have to do this... the alpha geeks are already doing this:

http://mrzippy.org.uk/macmediacenter/

(and few dozen other stories already posted like it)

the word will spread from there without apple confusing people with the whole "do i put it in my living room or my den" thing

[tooki]

Would it have been so hard to look at the existing threads before posting a whole new one on this well-discussed topic?

tooki

[mikerally]

Take a few minutes to actually read through Apple's own Mac mini homepage, and you'll be surprised to see the Mac mini already supports both S-Video and and Composite Video output to a TV screen.

All you have to do is buy the Apple Video Adapter aftermarket accessory for $30 (available at the Apple Store, online and retail).

It would be nice if Apple supplied the adapter with the Mac mini (just like with the DVI to VGA adapter), but Mac mini concept is to sell the bare essentials to get people to that platform and leave all the frills as additional options.

http://www.apple.com/macmini/

[JMII]

Most newer HiDef TVs and flat panel displays have DVI ports on them already so in that case no adaptor needed. For mini to become a true HTPC (Home Theater PC) a few more things have to be added like Dolby Digital out, video-in (record like TiVO) , a remote control, better video chip, faster processor and larger hard drive. As mentioned there are alot of web sites popping up about people working on soultions to these issues thru various third party products.

My guess is at some point Apple will offer a 2nd mini model that is a ture multi-media / HTPC type machine but it will cost more like $1,000 and thus target a completely different market.

[tooki]

Steve Jobs is notoriously anti-TV, so I doubt it'll happen under his watch.

tooki

[Evan_11]

Originally posted by tooki:
Steve Jobs is notoriously anti-TV, so I doubt it'll happen under his watch.

tooki

But based after the keynote he is notoriously pro-HD. Apple might make a play for that market bypassing the cable companies and forming aliances with the movie studios. With the rev.1 Mac mini I think he has the building blocks there.

[JMII]

Originally posted by tooki:
Steve Jobs is notoriously anti-TV, so I doubt it'll happen under his watch.

He was also anti-Flash based iPod until last month

Some people have been hinting at a possible iFlixs type deal where you can download movies just like we currently down music from iTunes store. Jobs is clearly pro movie. With all the hype surrounding H.264 this seems like the next logical step.

[mattyd]

I'd bet my bottom dollar that Steve's been having many a secret meeting with the movie studios and we'll see the iTunes Movie Store within a year.

Wouldn't surprise me if we saw a video iPod and music subscription service at the same time.