Lo all,
Firstly let me say that I have no intention of buying anything at the moment. I don't have the funds or the space to build the media centre I'm planning.
However, I am extremely interested in this area of home entertainment and my curiosity has led me to writing this post.
I'm trying to work out the best thing to do regarding setting up a media server and distributing movies to the TV.
As I see it there are currently two options for the Apple user: Apple TV or a Mac Mini.
My reservations with the Apple TV is that it can only output 720p video, which doesn't seem to be very future proof while the Mini can of course do 1080p over DVI. However, it seems quite hard to get hold of 1080p content at the moment except on Blu-Ray, which of course isn't currently supported by Apple. I'm also not sure what the quality is like when ripping blu-ray using the likes of Handbreak or how a wireless network would cope with streaming such large quantities of data.
The obvious answer at the moment seems to be a windows run HTCP with Blu-Ray player or a PS3, neither of which really appeal to me.
I think the best solution for me would be an Apple TV which supports 1080p Out, along with a Mac that has a Blu-Ray player. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like either of these eventualities are going to happen soon.
What do you lot reckon? Anyone here currently using any of the above systems? how do the Apple TV owners feel about the lack of 1080p support? Do you find 720p limiting?
Cheers
Panzer
Firstly let me say that I have no intention of buying anything at the moment. I don't have the funds or the space to build the media centre I'm planning.
However, I am extremely interested in this area of home entertainment and my curiosity has led me to writing this post.
I'm trying to work out the best thing to do regarding setting up a media server and distributing movies to the TV.
As I see it there are currently two options for the Apple user: Apple TV or a Mac Mini.
My reservations with the Apple TV is that it can only output 720p video, which doesn't seem to be very future proof while the Mini can of course do 1080p over DVI. However, it seems quite hard to get hold of 1080p content at the moment except on Blu-Ray, which of course isn't currently supported by Apple. I'm also not sure what the quality is like when ripping blu-ray using the likes of Handbreak or how a wireless network would cope with streaming such large quantities of data.
The obvious answer at the moment seems to be a windows run HTCP with Blu-Ray player or a PS3, neither of which really appeal to me.
I think the best solution for me would be an Apple TV which supports 1080p Out, along with a Mac that has a Blu-Ray player. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like either of these eventualities are going to happen soon.
What do you lot reckon? Anyone here currently using any of the above systems? how do the Apple TV owners feel about the lack of 1080p support? Do you find 720p limiting?
Cheers
Panzer
