Comments on: The state of HTPC on Mac OS X http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/ a [mostly] technical weblog Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:50:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Brian Williams http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-120 Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:00:54 +0000 http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-120 I'm using my PowerBook G4/800 (with a broken screen) with the EyeTV 200, the Keyspan remote, and a Logitech Harmony 659 remote (the harmony learned all the commands from the keyspan). I needed the IR receiver from the keyspan remote, as the Harmony doesn't come with one. For software, I have it switching between EyeTV 2.3.2 and MediaCentral 2.3.1. This works but the switch between the two softwares is pretty awkward. Supposedly MediaCentral will eventually add support for the EyeTV 200, then I can keep everything within MediaCentral. I've read about situations where the integration with EyeTV already works, but they must have removed that functionality in later releases of MediaCentral. I feel like I'm very close to having it all figured out. I already rely on this setup for my living room, I'm just waiting for the software to catch-up. I’m using my PowerBook G4/800 (with a broken screen) with the EyeTV 200, the Keyspan remote, and a Logitech Harmony 659 remote (the harmony learned all the commands from the keyspan). I needed the IR receiver from the keyspan remote, as the Harmony doesn’t come with one.

For software, I have it switching between EyeTV 2.3.2 and MediaCentral 2.3.1. This works but the switch between the two softwares is pretty awkward. Supposedly MediaCentral will eventually add support for the EyeTV 200, then I can keep everything within MediaCentral.

I’ve read about situations where the integration with EyeTV already works, but they must have removed that functionality in later releases of MediaCentral.

I feel like I’m very close to having it all figured out. I already rely on this setup for my living room, I’m just waiting for the software to catch-up.

]]> by: David http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-8 Sun, 02 Apr 2006 06:14:28 +0000 http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-8 Ronan, I'd like to know more what your setup is, and why you have AppleScript doing whatever it is you ask it to do... I first setup a Windows-based HTPC with BeyondTV, but then switched to linux and MythTV because windows has never been for me. Linux was too much configuration for me, took 2 months to get it set up. And now I have a mini running the show. All in all, beyond TV was the best setup. I have never fully integrated a frontend for any of these, though I'd like to. Once EyeTV has both hardware encoding AND decoding, the ability to change the channel of your set-top box for a scheduled recording, and a full-screen program guide... I will be a very happy camper. Until then, I think I'm actually a few days away on giving up on the whole home-brew pvr idea and paying the $6/mo for DirecTV DVR. I'd still use the mini for DVD, CD, mp3, mpeg, archiving, etc. I kinda have to since I sold all my DVD/CD/mp3 players. :) DirecTV-EyeTV 200-Mac Mini 1.25-Sony Wega 27" CRT Klipsch speakers-Turntable-VCR Ronan,
I’d like to know more what your setup is, and why you have AppleScript doing whatever it is you ask it to do…
I first setup a Windows-based HTPC with BeyondTV, but then switched to linux and MythTV because windows has never been for me. Linux was too much configuration for me, took 2 months to get it set up. And now I have a mini running the show. All in all, beyond TV was the best setup. I have never fully integrated a frontend for any of these, though I’d like to. Once EyeTV has both hardware encoding AND decoding, the ability to change the channel of your set-top box for a scheduled recording, and a full-screen program guide… I will be a very happy camper.
Until then, I think I’m actually a few days away on giving up on the whole home-brew pvr idea and paying the $6/mo for DirecTV DVR. I’d still use the mini for DVD, CD, mp3, mpeg, archiving, etc. I kinda have to since I sold all my DVD/CD/mp3 players. :)
DirecTV-EyeTV 200-Mac Mini 1.25-Sony Wega 27″ CRT
Klipsch speakers-Turntable-VCR

]]> by: Ronan http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-6 Thu, 09 Mar 2006 19:54:35 +0000 http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-6 You make a good point Josh, but I'm hoping that they realize that they'll never gain market or mind share unless they do include PVR functionality. The iPod would not have sold a single unit if people could not rip cds and put them on there. You make a good point Josh, but I’m hoping that they realize that they’ll never gain market or mind share unless they do include PVR functionality. The iPod would not have sold a single unit if people could not rip cds and put them on there.

]]> by: Josh http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-5 Wed, 08 Mar 2006 23:14:17 +0000 http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-5 OK, as much as I would LOVE Apple to release a PVR inside FrontRow they simply will not do it, a large chunk of Apple's revenue stream is based around people buying TV Shows thru iTunes, if you think Uncle Steve is going to introduce afeature that lets you grab the same shows for free you are dreaming. OK, as much as I would LOVE Apple to release a PVR inside FrontRow they simply will not do it, a large chunk of Apple’s revenue stream is based around people buying TV Shows thru iTunes, if you think Uncle Steve is going to introduce afeature that lets you grab the same shows for free you are dreaming.

]]> by: Ronan http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-4 Wed, 08 Mar 2006 20:40:03 +0000 http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-4 MediaCentral is clearly the most polished of the available apps. In principal, I much prefer open source applications to freeware, but free is free. The video playback quality is still a deal-breaker for me, but I imagine these perfomance issues will be moot on a spiffy new Mini. Good luck with your new setup! MediaCentral is clearly the most polished of the available apps. In principal, I much prefer open source applications to freeware, but free is free. The video playback quality is still a deal-breaker for me, but I imagine these perfomance issues will be moot on a spiffy new Mini. Good luck with your new setup!

]]> by: Phil http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-3 Wed, 08 Mar 2006 08:31:58 +0000 http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-3 I've been using a WindowsXP-based HTPC for a couple years now, using the Meedio software. I am finally deciding to switch to a MacMini-based one using MediaCentral. I think it is ready for the job. I am NOT going to use it for TV capture though. I have decided to revert and use my Sky+ set-top box for that. I think MediaCentral has the chance to be 'the one' for us mac lovers. I am not convinced about Front Row at the moment. I’ve been using a WindowsXP-based HTPC for a couple years now, using the Meedio software. I am finally deciding to switch to a MacMini-based one using MediaCentral. I think it is ready for the job. I am NOT going to use it for TV capture though. I have decided to revert and use my Sky+ set-top box for that.
I think MediaCentral has the chance to be ‘the one’ for us mac lovers. I am not convinced about Front Row at the moment.

]]> by: Ert http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-2 Sat, 04 Mar 2006 21:32:15 +0000 http://ronandowling.com/2006/02/26/the-state-of-htpc-on-mac-os-x/#comment-2 I, too, am searching for exactly this solution, and was quite dismayed to discover that the MythTV backend isn't ported to Macs. At the moment I have a tired old 20th century G3 tower hosting my music files and running Slimserver to serve them to a couple of SlimP3s around the house. I love the SlimP3s, but the server just hasn't kept up with the growth of my library or network. I thought that last week's announcement of Intel MacMinis might be the ideal time to upgrade that system and finally get a HTPC solution to boot, but now I'm starting to think that I should get a cheap PC and run Linux. My research also indicates that, surprisingly, Macs aren't anywhere near the forefront of being home theater media machines, and I would hate to sink into a half-assed choice with current hardware only to have Apple finally roll out the much-rumoured DVR machine in a few months. I find myself wondering aloud how Front Row + EyeTV might fare, though. I, too, am searching for exactly this solution, and was quite dismayed to discover that the MythTV backend isn’t ported to Macs.

At the moment I have a tired old 20th century G3 tower hosting my music files and running Slimserver to serve them to a couple of SlimP3s around the house. I love the SlimP3s, but the server just hasn’t kept up with the growth of my library or network. I thought that last week’s announcement of Intel MacMinis might be the ideal time to upgrade that system and finally get a HTPC solution to boot, but now I’m starting to think that I should get a cheap PC and run Linux. My research also indicates that, surprisingly, Macs aren’t anywhere near the forefront of being home theater media machines, and I would hate to sink into a half-assed choice with current hardware only to have Apple finally roll out the much-rumoured DVR machine in a few months.

I find myself wondering aloud how Front Row + EyeTV might fare, though.

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