I've read through so many threads and posts my head hurts and need help deciding what to do.

I first looked at Apple TV, seems like a limited, easy to use interface unless you hack it and can get a bit more out of it.

Then looked at Mac Mini, can do same at ATV plus more. (Not going to get into the details.)

Question is, I have a Mac Pro that i don't use very much, what can i do to it to make it a superior HTPC, my specs are as follows:
• Processor 065-6355 2.00 GHz Quad Xeon
• Memory 065-6358 2GB 667 DDR2 FB DIMM ECC-4x512
• Graphics Card 065-6363 ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB
• Hard Drive Bay1 065-6409 250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s drive
• Hard Drive Bay2 065-6742 None
• Hard Drive Bay3 065-6743 None
• Hard Drive Bay4 065-6744 None
• Optical Drive 065-6251 16x SuperDrive DL
• Wireless Option 065-6140 None
• Modem 065-6455 None
• Fibre Chl Card 065-6285 None
• Keyboard Language 065-6287 Apple Keyboard & Mighty Mse
• Mac SVR OS Language 065-5988 None
• Apple Software Applications 065-6419 None
• Mac OS Language 065-6245 Mac OS X
• Country Kit 065-6244 Country Kit


I have upgraded it to Snow Leopard and added wireless card.
I got this back in Jan '07, it cost me quite the penny and I hardly use it, I use dell laptops for work and had been just using those for now. But since i just finished my theater room downstairs, i want to have a media center.

How do I turn this into a DVD/Bluray rippin, media interfacin, crazy arse media tank? Or is it possible?

I use my MacPro (2009 2.66GHz single CPU quad core) as an HTPC and find it absolutely excellent -- I have 8TB internal disk space (1 WD Caviar Black, the boot drive + 3 WD Caviar greens). It is very quiet, has normal sized, dedicated optical digital (TOSLink) ports, and certainly has a ton of CPU power and graphic card flexibility. The only drawback is the lack of built in IR, but I use my iPhone as a remote. I use EyeTV, Apple DVD Player, Front Row, DVDPedia, etc.

You can instal a BD drive, though I haven't (yet) done that.

I use my MacPro (2009 2.66GHz single CPU quad core) as an HTPC and find it absolutely excellent -- I have 8TB internal disk space (1 WD Caviar Black, the boot drive + 3 WD Caviar greens). It is very quiet, has normal sized, dedicated optical digital (TOSLink) ports, and certainly has a ton of CPU power and graphic card flexibility. The only drawback is the lack of built in IR, but I use my iPhone as a remote. I use EyeTV, Apple DVD Player, Front Row, DVDPedia, etc.

You can instal a BD drive, though I haven't (yet) done that.

What do you all do with your Mac pro?

I use mine for motion graphics creation, video editing and 3d animations. It's my professional tool of the trade. Thinking about using as a media streamer too.