Mac Boxee Box- seeking advice

[bgcecil]

I have been using boxee for a while now... just on my iMac... and occasionally hooking up my work laptop to my HDTV. I love Boxee so much, that I may just get rid of cable service.

I am to the point where I am ready to have a dedicated Boxee box for my TV, getting away from hooking my macbook when needed.

I was looking at buying a Mac Mini for US$600, which would satisfy both my wants/needs for Hulu, local videos, and Netflix. I have even been combing Ebay for a broken lcd macbook (cheaper) to be my Boxee Box, but no luck. Mac Minis on ebay/craigslist are not much cheaper than new at the apple store.

However, I was also considering buying a refurbished Apple TV and a Roku (just for NEtflix) since Apple TV won't do Netflix. This setup would be about $300, half of a Mac mini.

My question is, how is the current Version of Boxee on Apple TV concerning Hulu? does it stutter, etc? I have read conflicting reports. What's you advice/opinions on this?

Thanks... and Thanks for Boxee :)

[nalthien]

I experienced Boxee on ATV for a period of about 24-hours this weekend before I went to the store and picked up the components to build my own HTPC (since that's honestly what I wanted anyway). My frank opinion is that--at least as it is currently--Boxee on the ATV feels "limited" to me. Trying to do more than 1 task at a time invariably led to the ATV freezing (for example, watching a south park episode and indexing new media).

Now I'm not saying its something the developers can't fix; I'm saying that for me it always seemed 1-step behind me. Boxee on my Mac is snappy--and frankly works great. I'm looking forward to the Windows Alpha so I can get it on my HTPC and (hopefully) replace XBMC all together (My HTPC supports Blu Ray so Linux isn't a viable option at this point :(

[nonliteral]

I've been running Boxee on an ATV while waiting for a new model of Mini to be released. I don't mess with Hulu much, but my main complaint with the ATV has been the inability to play 720p content without stuttering.

Last weekend I had to travel, so I threw Boxee on my old Core Duo (pre Core 2 Duo) Macbook Pro, along with some content (all 720p).

Not only did it handle the 720p content fine, but the difference in the "comfort factor" of the interface vs. the ATV was amazing.

Net result is that I'm now trying to get my MBP displaying properly on my HDTV, with the idea of using it as my Boxee source until the new Minis come out -- I've got a lot of trouble going back to the ATV after playing with Boxee on a machine with decent speed.

[perrin21]

Ive built a dedicated HD OSX HTPC that works great with Boxee as its front end. I would thoroughly recommend this route to anyone.

[nalthien]

Ive built a dedicated HD OSX HTPC that works great with Boxee as its front end. I would thoroughly recommend this route to anyone.

What software do you use for Blu Ray playback under OSX?

[perrin21]

What software do you use for Blu Ray playback under OSX?

Blu ray doesnt work yet but it will as soon as apple release the code. Its a bag of hurt at the moment lol.

[nalthien]

Blu ray doesnt work yet but it will as soon as apple release the code. Its a bag of hurt at the moment lol.

So Steve says. :)

Unfortunately, the only reason I'd have at the moment to switch to OS X on this is to install Boxee--everything else is up and running and working in Windows.

Ideally I'd be doing this all on Ubuntu--but no Blu-Ray support (and almost certainly none coming anytime soon).

[mattohara]

I just bought a Intel C2D Mini with 1GB and 80GB HD along with a 1TB external. Actually cheaper new from Amazon than Apple.

I went the Mini route because I'd rather have a fully-functioning computer that can play all types of files. I also installed Dropbox on it and made a folder called Torrents. Then if I find a torrent at work that I want I'll put it in my Dropbox there and it automagically starts on my home machine. I will also eventually be putting an FTP server on there and may open up a port so I can remotely manage Transmission.

I'm currently just outputting the video over VGA to my Olevia LCD. The audio goes into my receiver in analog. I've got a Toslink cable and an adapter for it to go into the headphone jack as well as a DVI->HDMI cable. My next step is to use SwitchResX to set up a display that the receiver can handle and my whole output will be digital. I believe this process is a little easier on the ATV.

So your main considerations here are:
1) Do I want to have the ability to use the machine as a fully-functional computer?
2) Do I want to have remote access functionality to control bittorrent, do FTP, etc.?
3) Do I need the ability to play/view files outside of iTunes/iPhoto?

I know there have also been some complications for ATV users with video streaming but I think those have been or are being figured out and had more to do with the networking protocol (SMB) than Boxee.

[askelton]

Mac Mini 2Ghz will play just about anything, hooked up to my 1080p Sony panel with a £3 DVI to HDMI cable works an absolute treat, with optical to my AV receiver.

Bonus is the fact that the Mini comes with a remote, although basic. Can use as a normal computer - writing this on mine now, and gives you a small, but fully functioning machine. I've also got a USB stick with EyeTV so I can record and playback TV on it as well.

[StickyC]

I also installed Dropbox on it and made a folder called Torrents. Then if I find a torrent at work that I want I'll put it in my Dropbox there and it automagically starts on my home machine.

Brilliant! I used to do that back in the day with Windows/Azureus and a write-only FTP folder for dropping torrents. I'm using DropBox all over and hadn't thought to make a torrent drop folder there.

[bgcecil]

The sad part is that I've been sitting on some money for a while waiting for the Mac Mini to be updated by Apple. Despite the fact that wasn't updated at Macworld, I just know as soon as I buy one, they will update it. I just hate to spend that money on something that has been *so* neglected by Apple... just for spite, I guess. I have even been exploring Windows and Linux solutions that may be cheaper, but nothing seems to be as fitting as the Mini (that darned DRMed Apple media I have purchased keeps me tagged to a Mac OS solution)

Nonetheless, I am certain that Boxee (or the concept of Boxee) is the future of how I will exclusively consume television.

Cheers all.
Cheers Boxee.

[PHermas]

if you keep waiting for an update and the newest and best, you'll never end up buying anything. sure it sucks when you get that new gadget and the next month it's faster and cheaper, but hey it's technology.

[subvertbeats]

besides, todays base model mac mini is all you need to run everything with boxee :)

[bgcecil]

You are correct sirs about the changing technology trends... if it was any other product line, purchasing it wouldn't bother me.... but I find myself spitefully not buying a Mini because the technology nor price has changed in 1.5 years:

Mid-2007 technology at Mid-2007's prices... in 2009.

I can't remember a product (except maybe for Apple TV) that has been so forgotten.

That's why the thought of this is so appealing: http://blog.boxee.tv/2009/01/16/a-boxee-box/

We can Hope
:)

[lizj]

(that darned DRMed Apple media I have purchased keeps me tagged to a Mac OS solution)


Are you referring to media purchased from iTunes Music Store? That will work on Windows as well as Macs. You're allowed to have 5 computers tied into one account.

[subvertbeats]

Mid-2007 technology at Mid-2007's prices... in 2009.


Firstly I do 100% appreciate where you are coming from, but try for a moment to shift your perspective slightly.

Forgetting the bonus of OS X, try buying (or even building) a PC that does what the Mac Mini does, in such an aesthetically pleasing package, at such a competitive price point.

Before I got the mini I was looking at building an HTPC.
Financially, and in terms of effort, it just didnt make sense...so plumped for the mini, despite me sharing your point of view..

[jcampbell]

besides, todays base model mac mini is all you need to run everything with boxee :)

Much as I agree with you on one level, the value of a Mac Mini is just too diminished. When one can pick up an AppleTV on craigslist for roughly 100-200, it makes you wonder if getting that additional Roku box won't be such a bad idea.
And if 1080p is your heart's desire, you can pick up a small, compact Dell Studio Hybrid and throw Linux on it. It's got a faster processor, twice the RAM, twice hard drive space, the upgraded Intel integrated graphics X3100 (as opposed to the Mini's seriously outdated GMA 950)and HMDI. And it's actually $100 less than the mini with better more decently spec'd hardware! And just like the mini, it's got a small footprint.

I am a huge fan of Apple. I've got an iMac, an aluminum Powerbook G4, and a MacBook system. The Mini could still be a great option: but if you're using this for home theater and Boxee, a lot of what you're paying for is the OS X software including the iLife '08-'09 suite (which is excellent, but unnecessary for what you are using it for). There is the added comfort of knowing OSX will be easier to operate than learning and installing Linux, especially if you've already installed Boxee on a pre-existing Mac system. The only thing that might scare me away from the Studio hybrid is the "Dell" branded Wireless N option. I'd almost be tempted to just use a cheapo USB wireless adaptor that I know is Linux compatible OR just use the wired connection. And of course, there's always the option of waiting until the Windows port is let out into the wild - then you could actually have the Blu-ray drive installed and have a truly functional High-Def compact home theater system. As it stands, Apple sees BD as a conflict of interest with their iTunes HD movie format; so they aren't exactly jumping on the bandwagon.

I'm not hating on Apple guys, but I am saying that since they have neglected the mini platform, it's not a bad idea to check out what other options exist. When all is said and done, for the sake of simplicity, I might actually go that route anyway.

[bgcecil]

Are you referring to media purchased from iTunes Music Store? That will work on Windows as well as Macs. You're allowed to have 5 computers tied into one account.

[DOH!] Yes... what a complete oversight on my part. I have no earthly idea what my brain was thinking when I posted that (perhaps just Linux on the brain). I should stop posting my ramblings right before going to bed, I guess :)

[legal Forum]

For over 2 years I developed my Qt app
(http://albumshaper.sourceforge.net/) using an old PIII 700mhz Dell
laptop and "got along." I now use a 2.5Ghz G5 Powermac and am much
more productive. Support for Gcc4 by Qt will make me MUCH more
productive still. Initial experiments show the new gcc compiles and
linking C++ code MUCH faster on my G5 system. One advantage I see from
using XCode with a dual processor G5 is that you'll actually use both
processors. Currently building your Qt app from the command line with
qmake + make you'll only get 50% CPU utilization. As far as disk
space, my /Developer directory (which includes all the tools,
libraries, headers, etc) takes up 1.28Gb. I could probably trim that
down a bit by removing older OSX SDK's I suppose.