[pmd918]

So far everything I've read on this forum relates to Windows-based systems, with tidbits here and there about Linux.


Does anyone use a Mac for HTPC? Now that Mac OS X is UNIX-based I would think that it might get someone's attention.


Of course there is Apple's DVD Player that comes standard with the OS, and there are a few PVR programs available such as EyeTV and Formac, but how do they stack up against the Windows programs? Also, I can't seem to find any HDTV-compatible solutions for the Mac.


Macs "play" pretty well with PCs these days, so I have no problem building a PC-based system, but I would prefer to do it with a Mac if it is possible.


Thanks,

Phil

 

[timfick]

NO! I would rather spend $1000 on a system that is compatible with everything than $3000 on a system that isn't.

 

[pmd918]

No need to get hostile - although I expected this kind of response.


I simply wanted to know if there are good Mac solutions out there so I could take advantage of hardware I already own.

 

[meep]

Tim


That's just plain misleading.


You can buy a Mac new starting from $799 ( look here )


For $3000 you can get;


Dual 2GHz PowerPC G5

1GHz frontside bus

512K L2 cache/processor

512MB DDR400 128-bit SDRAM

160GB Serial ATA

DVD-RW Drive

ATI Radeon 9600 Pro

64MB DDR video memory

56K internal modem

On-Board SPDIF

OSX Operating system

Photo, Movie, Music & Productivity Software.


( see here )


I would be delighted to find an equivalent specced windows-based PC with OS and equivalent software bundle for $1,000.


I hink its unhelpful to trot out the same old anti-mac bias in a flippant, poorly researched and frankly arrogant statement like that. In particular, it's of no help whatsoever to Phil who asked a valid question.


As in all things, there are degrees. No absolutes and sweeping genralisations like you make are unconstructive.


Phil, to go some way towards answering your question, there are intermittent attempts to use macs for HTPC but it usually comes down to lack of support for custom resolutions and poor DVD playback software. (though things are looking up with 5.1 output from next gen DDV player and SPDIF out built in to the new g5 range)


Do a search on here for Mac as HTPC, there are a couple of lengthy threads about.

 

[RPack]

Phil -


Not everybody around here is like that. As someone who works (and plays) in both worlds, I would love for Apple to get serious about HTPC/HDTV. As much as I find my Wintel boxes to be flexible and functional, they are neither simple to construct/configure nor elegant to use - things that Apple pretty much got down a long time ago, at least for most end-uses. There are distinct advantages in being able to control both hardware and software.


I've heard rumors of Apple possibly cooking something up, but as always, we'll know it to be so when we see Jobs up on stage with it in his hands. Until then.... As Meep said, the lack of custom resolutions makes using things like projectors, plasmas and other high quality displays quite problematic. The inability to tweak DVD players, and the absence of HDTV solutions are major problems in the Mac world. The sad thing is that Apple has had the best Firewire implementation I've seen, the G5's should absolutely smoke, they've always been quiet, Quicktime server is a joy (cross platform through Darwin, to boot) compared to the others, and the elegance of the desktop/file management is a beauty to behold and would make custom front ends much easier to construct. So many of the right pieces are there. If Apple would do it and I could see that it was stable & functional, I'd probably jump within 3 months of release.


In the meantime, though, I'm using my home built AMD/XP pro to do all those things, now. It has taken a lot of time and some hair-pulling, it still feels "clunky" in lots of ways, and certainly is not as "pretty" as most Macs, but it works.


Richard

 

[pmd918]

meep & Richard,


Thanks for your civil responses.


Sounds like I will need to build a PC. No big deal, really, but I was hoping I might be able to use a Mac.


Thanks,

Phil

 

[geofstro]

pmd918,


I sympathize. I do my daily work on a Mac and have been a Mac advocate since 1988; but like you I'm forced to go the PC route for an HTPC solution at the moment.


I'm sure Apple will get there. The Cube would have made a lovely HTPC, if only the limitations already stated were alleviated.


Some of the most important HTPC software is open source, so perhaps it could be ported to Mac OSX.


You asked about HDTV and Firewire was mentioned above, so you may be interested in this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=269141


I hope someday we'll see an HTMAC that'll really give the HTPC a run for its money.



Geoff

 

[pmd918]

Geoff,


Thanks for the info. The thread you reference is interesting, albeit a bit over my head. The good news seems to be that the near future may hold promise for a Mac-based system. For now I will build a PC-based system.