Using VGA instead of HDMI for HTPC

Here's a decent thread on 123macmini.com that has convinced me to use VGA when I get my mac mini.

One problem with MacMini

I see that a lot off folks like the Mac Mini for a home media center. I can understand why, it's small, it's cool and you can probably run OS X on it. But, until Apple shoves a BluRay or HD-DVD drive in there, it won't be able to be an all-in-one box.

LinuxMCE

Linux Media Center Edition is a compilation of various projects that attempts to bring together the best options offered by most MediaCenter suites out there.
Linx MCE Website

Check out this LINK for a GoogleTube video demoing the features. This is of course a "canned" demo so take it with a grain of salt, but the features look pretty good. *Note. I watched this last night, but for some reason I couldn't view it today. Not sure why.

What's cool is how well it integrates with multi-room end units.

Check out HERE for hardware info.

Connecting cable box to Mac Mini

According to this thread on avsforum, this guy was able to connect his Mac mini to his comcast motorola HD cable box. He used some software called AVCvideocap.

I found some info about AVCvideocap.
One of the things that kind of concerned me is where it says the files size is 100MB per minute. So without re-compressing an hour show it would consume 6GB!

Also found this bit of information on another forum:
Don't know your specific unit - but if you download FirewireSDK from apple developer support, it includes freebies like AVCbrowser, AVCvideocap, virtualDVHS etc. Assuming your DVR unit has a firewire port enabled (my comcast motorola has one), you can hook up your mac by firewire and AVCbrowser now should be able to identify it, and AVCvideocap should be able to record mpeg2 streams when you play back your content on your DVR. Just to rub it again, 1 min of Hi def content will be about 120MB. And for playback on a standard dvd player you would have to edit it, which will be a very processor intensive task as well. My mac mini 1.4ghz records stunning quality hi definition content in real time without dropping a single frame! The best part is you can schedule it work like a PVR, it can change the channel of your cable box at a particular time to record a particular show and stop at a particular time! One CAVEAT to remember is this will only work on unencrypted channels like the broadcast channels - other cable only channels are usually encrypted and you might record something but won't be able to playback - at least not yet!

Here is a site with step by step instructions.

Free NAS Software

I found this free NAS software on the 123macmini.com forum. It is appropriately called FreeNAS. The description on their site says:

FreeNAS is a free NAS (Network-Attached Storage) server, supporting: CIFS (samba), FTP, NFS, AFP, RSYNC, iSCSI protocols, S.M.A.R.T., local user authentication, Software RAID (0,1,5) with a Full WEB configuration interface. FreeNAS takes less than 32MB once installed on Compact Flash, hard drive or USB key.

Check it out and let me know what you think. www.freenas.org

Hard drive prices

I was looking on Tiger Direct today at hard drive prices. They have a Hitachi sata-300 500 GB drive for $109.oo. They have a Hitachi 750 GB sata-300 for $219 and a hitachi 1 TB for $399. For the price of the 1 TB you could almost buy four of the 500 GB drives.

Update: 4 port sata pci raid card, $149.99

Podcast: Using a Mac Mini as a video server

HT Guys from HTguys.com talk about how to take your mac mini and turn it into a video server. There is good info about software and storage ideas.

Podcast

More details on Sony's new PlayTV

More details on Sony's new PlayTV

From engadget.com

IF this comes to the US, then my decision may be made. My biggest problem now with the PS3 is the crap browser they have. The fact that you can take any program that you record on the PS3 and transfer it to a PSP is money. The only thing sony needs to do know is put a hard drive in a PS3 so I wouldn't have to spend a ton of money on those Memory Stick Duos (fat chance).

Sony also announced a video download service for the PSP.

Super Strong PS3!

No Red ring of death for the PS3, check this out:
Link

The PS3 is SofaKing Reliable!

CableCARD-equipped Dell XPS 410 desktops now available

CableCARD-equipped Dell XPS 410 desktops now available

From Engadget.com

FUZE unveils whole-home media system

FUZE unveils whole-home media system

From Engadget.com

PS3 Firmware update

Looks like Sony keeps pushing out these little firmware updates for features, bugfixes, etc.

The latest (1.9) allows you to set a wallpaper for the XMB:
http://www.us.playstation.com/ps3/network/updates?DCMP=ILC-PS3_1304&LINK=PS3SU

PS3 to receive Tuner, DVR capabilities

PS3 to receive Tuner, DVR capabilities
From Engadget.com