Build The Ultimate Mac Entertainment Center
Add a TV Tuner
A TV tuner can turn your Mac mini into a digital video recorder. This hardware connects to an antenna to receive TV channels over the air, while software enables the TiVo-like DVR features: pausing and rewinding live shows, fast-forwarding buffered programs, and more.
To get the most out of these features, a TV tuner carries a bigger footprint than the USB port it occupies. You’ll have to leave adequate hard disk space, plus your Mac mini will have to be left on any time it needs to record.
It’s small and sleek, with big functionality.
Over-the-air digital content starts at a moderate resolution and scales up to huge sizes. Because your content will likely be encoded at one of three standards—480p, 720p, or 1080i—the amount of space it takes will vary. In general, figure that an hour of recorded content will fill about 8GB for high quality. But if you get good enough reception, the tuner could pay off. You’ll be able to capture HD shows for free at a quality equal or greater to what you can buy from the iTunes Store.
So, what tuner package should you buy? We like the combination of the Elgato EyeTV 250 Plus hardware ($199.95, www.elgato.com) plus EyeTV 3 software, but you can substitute your own hardware or software if desired. With the EyeTV, the USB-connected box passes the live TV stream to the software. It even wakes up a sleeping Mac to record scheduled shows, so you don’t need to leave the computer on all the time.
Survey says: It’s just like watching a regular TV.
To get started with the EyeTV, you’ll just install the software and hardware. A free subscription to an online show guide automatically propagates your channel roster, just like with cable TV. The mouse and arrow keys drive basic TV control, and if you run it in full screen, you won’t see any significant difference from the old cable service.
With any tuner, buy an antenna that’s designed for digital TV (you can buy one from Amazon or Monoprice for less than $25). We’ve found that DTV reception has improved over its first few years too. Unlike fuzzy analog TV, if you get a sufficient DTV signal, it’ll look just as it should: You’ll either get a channel or you won’t.
Control with Remotes
We wouldn’t consider subbing a Mac mini for our cable service without an entertainment center–savvy keyboard and mouse. But remotes are essential too; they just feel right. We keep the keyboard and mouse around for certain functionality, like typing in Web addresses, but several remote-style controllers are ideal controllers for all of your media-center activities.
The Keyspan was built to control iTunes remotely.
Between the TV, audio receiver, and Apple TV, you can replace three remotes with a universal device. We like Logitech’s Harmony line because of its easy setup and ability for deep customization. It even includes the Apple TV commands in its database. Check out the Harmony One ($250, www.logitech.com) as a baseline; you could go less or more expensive and still buy the same general functionality.
The Harmony will include macro programs to turn on the TV, receiver, and Apple TV all with one button. Then you can even use it instead of Apple’s bundled remote. The process is nearly the same with a Mac mini, but you’ll have to add an IR port since it doesn’t include one. The Keyspan Remote Control for iTunes ($46, www.tripplite.com) is a solid IR port option. You’ll first set up the Keyspan remote, then program the Harmony to replace that controller.
The Harmony One is all about, well, digital harmony.
Your iPhone or iPod touch will also make a great Apple TV or Mac mini remote, and they don’t require adding other hardware; you’ll just need to download the right app. Apple’s Remote app does a great job, since you can swipe through an iTunes library and even type letters from its pop-up keyboard. Get it free from the App Store.
AirMouse puts remote buttons on your iPhone’s screen and controls all your computers, Mac or PC.
For the Mac mini, also consider software-based controllers. We like the VNC-style LogMeIn Ignition ($29.99, secure.logmein.com/welcome/iphone/Default.asp), because you can see and control the entire Mac from your iPhone. This app is handy when you have the TV off but still want to start music playing. RPA Technology AirMouse (www.mobileairmouse.com) is another great choice ($5.99 in the App Store; the companion Mac app is free). This app turns your iPhone into a mouse and keyboard for your Mac.