[pcryan5]

Background - I'm looking for a device to play some DVDs on that will not display close captions on my SONY DVD / HD TV. The Close Captions display fine on my MBP but I would rather not have to lug that to and from my TV to watch a movie..

Other than cost (a big other I agree) what does Apple TV bring to the party that a mini can't do?

Thanks All

[shifuimam]

I have yet to see anything that makes the Apple TV worth buying over a Mini. And since the Apple TV won't play DVDs, I'm not sure why you're even considering it.

If you mean playing movies downloaded off iTunes - and that's ALL you want to do, ever - then you can use the Apple TV, but the Mini will certainly provide more functionality and longevity.

If you really just want to play DVDs, then go buy a DVD player.

[pcryan5]

<<>>If you really just want to play DVDs, then go buy a DVD player.

Laugh - I have 3!
The issue is DVD player's are very hit and miss when it comes to displaying close captions (CC) for the hearing impaired on HD TV. (I'm deaf)
When a DVD has an English subtitle option I am fine. When the subtitle option is only French/Spanish I have to depend on CC - which works perhaps 50% of the time as opposed to 100% on my MBP.

[adamfishercox]

Well, it sounds like you're gonna need a mac mini then... but sell some of those DVD players to make some money back

[NobleMatt]

wow, you learn something knew everyday, i had never heard of it as CC before only Subtitles, so googled it and found out the meaning... actually just read the last post again... i didnt read enough, so whats the diff between English Sub's and CC, how does CC work if there isnt an English Sub?

Sorry sounding like a moron but intrested/confused.

Matt

[adamfishercox]

Closed Captioning is offered for any television program/ DVD/ video that has it coded into their signal for the hearing impaired. English Subtitles can do the same, but they are intended for Foreign films so that English-speakers can know what is going on.

Usually Closed captioning will be in the language that is being spoken in the program. Subtitles are usually in another language.

[shinji]

Seems to me the Apple TV would be a hassle for you, as you'd have to rip whatever DVD's you want with subtitles/CC into h.264 or something, where as a Mac Mini you can just put the DVD in and you already know it works.

[NobleMatt]

Originally Posted by adamfishercox 

Closed Captioning is offered for any television program/ DVD/ video that has it coded into their signal for the hearing impaired. English Subtitles can do the same, but they are intended for Foreign films so that English-speakers can know what is going on.

Usually Closed captioning will be in the language that is being spoken in the program. Subtitles are usually in another language.

ah ok i think i have it then, was just getting confused cause are CC sometimes called English Subtitles on English fims?

[pcryan5]

<>where as a Mac Mini you can just put the DVD in and you already know it works.

I agree. I was puzzled about the Apple TV's appeal - simply could not understand what it other than it's price perhaps.

As adamfishercox noted close captions (CC) are added to many TV shows. You probably have a button on your remote to activate CC - which even for hearing folks is perfect for those late night don't want to bother anyone TV watching. Quality can be hit or miss as the dialog is often chopped to a few words reducing Nicholson's speech in "A Few Good Men" to "wasn't me so there!". Overall CC works and its how deaf folks watch TV.

thanks all for the inputs.

[NobleMatt]

i think Wiki picked up on this, it think im still not getting it cause of a Translation problem, it mentioned that in the UK it is mainly called Subtitles, so i think whatever language they're in we call them Subtitles.

Sorry for the confusuion

Matt