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Silver Samurai
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Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Posts: 67
Location: Cambridge, ON
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 Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 10:49 am Post subject: Mini as DVR?- (super n00b) |
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Hello,
I was wondering if anyone could tell me if its possible to get the Mini to work as a DVR? I guess something like Tivo (we don't have Tivo in Canada though)
Anyways what I'd like to do is use the Mini to record stuff off TV so I can watch them at a later date. Like a VCR but better quality.
It would be connected via s-video since I don't have HDTV programming.
Also to get the Mini to record, what program would I need?
Thanks!  
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kes601
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Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Posts: 122
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 10:52 am Post subject: |
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You'd want to look at something like this:
http://elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyetv200
I have not used anything to make the Mini a DVR, but I believe several people in this forum have had experience with it. |
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Silver Samurai
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Location: Cambridge, ON
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, but is it just me or does the elgato thingy not have component/dvi plugs?
Although all I need now is s-video, it would be nice to have it as an option for the future...
Sorry, but I just can't tell...
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kes601
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Joined: 06 Dec 2005
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Location: Virginia Beach, VA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Silver Samurai wrote: | Thanks, but is it just me or does the elgato thingy not have component/dvi plugs?
Although all I need now is s-video, it would be nice to have it as an option for the future...
Sorry, but I just can't tell... |
They have some other models on that site as well, I sent a direct link to that one since you said that you did not have an HDTV. Just go to their products link and you will see the other items. |
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Silver Samurai
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Joined: 19 Sep 2005
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Location: Cambridge, ON
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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HOLY CRAP!!!!
It's $450 CAD!!!! And thats just for the non-HDTV version.
Well so much for that idea...
Thanks anyways though. Or are their other options?
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devo
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Joined: 23 Jan 2005
Posts: 5290
Location: Dunwoody, GA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 10:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Silver Samurai wrote: | | Thanks anyways though. Or are their other options? |
Your only other option is something like the myTV.PVR. You can get one for around $150, but the reviews are mixed and it's USB.
http://www.eskapelabs.com/myTVPVR.html |
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Silver Samurai
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Posts: 67
Location: Cambridge, ON
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 10:53 pm Post subject: |
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| devo wrote: | | Silver Samurai wrote: | | Thanks anyways though. Or are their other options? |
Your only other option is something like the myTV.PVR. You can get one for around $150, but the reviews are mixed and it's USB.
http://www.eskapelabs.com/myTVPVR.html |
How is it though?
Are you happy with it?
I mean is the elgato one THAT much better? Sure FW would be nice but I'd leave it to record when I'm not around so speed is not a huge deal to me.
I'd probably just use it to record stuff, watch the odd show, but usually just copy it onto my ipod and then watch it on my imac (depending on what it is)
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devo
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Silver Samurai
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Location: Cambridge, ON
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the links.
Maybe I'll just get the mini in a few months if I can...
Maybe something else will be out by then...
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twalker294
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Joined: 03 Aug 2005
Posts: 152
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 10:32 am Post subject: |
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| Silver Samurai wrote: | HOLY CRAP!!!!
It's $450 CAD!!!! And thats just for the non-HDTV version.
Well so much for that idea...
Thanks anyways though. Or are their other options? |
True but think about what you'll spend on a Tivo box, PLUS the monthly charge to get the programming info and the EyeTV starts to look a little better. Once the technology matures a bit I am going to replace one of my Tivos with a mini based HTPC...
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Todd Walker
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1.42Ghz mini, 1 gig RAM, 250 gig ministack, superdrive |
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picaman
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:15 am Post subject: |
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| twalker294 wrote: | | Once the technology matures a bit I am going to replace one of my Tivos with a mini based HTPC... |
Exactly where I am. Those boxes need at the least to have an IR blaster to control the cable box--I don't think they have them yet.
By the time Elgato, etc. gets the technology perfected, Apple may put them all out of business with their solution.
Jamie |
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druber
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Posts: 66
Location: East Africa
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:08 pm Post subject: |
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If you don't need a digital tuner (i.e. HDTV), I'd definitely try Plextor's ConvertX unit. It's close to 1/3 cheaper than the EyeTV200, uses the EyeTV software, and has hardware encoding to Divx and other forms. Which is a lot easier for a low-end machine (like a mini) to play back. For analog TV, this seems to me like the way to go.
Jamie, you may be right. Maybe Apple will come out with a PVR-killer. But waiting for Apple to release some new category of products doesn't help you reach a solution for any problem you have right now. I don't expect Elgato to hit a perfect product, whether Apple enters that market or not. Decide how badly you need a solution in the near-term, and do what you should do. |
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picaman
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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| druber wrote: | | Decide how badly you need a solution in the near-term, and do what you should do. |
I completely agree.
Jamie |
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Silver Samurai
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Joined: 19 Sep 2005
Posts: 67
Location: Cambridge, ON
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| Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:36 pm Post subject: |
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| twalker294 wrote: | | Silver Samurai wrote: | HOLY CRAP!!!!
It's $450 CAD!!!! And thats just for the non-HDTV version.
Well so much for that idea...
Thanks anyways though. Or are their other options? |
True but think about what you'll spend on a Tivo box, PLUS the monthly charge to get the programming info and the EyeTV starts to look a little better. Once the technology matures a bit I am going to replace one of my Tivos with a mini based HTPC... |
You do bring up a good point, except $500 w/ taxes (plus the cost of the Mini) is too much for me since I'm a student.
I thought the extra "dongle" would be 100-150 at the most. But hey, if you don't ask you don't learn right?
Thanks for the heads up druber. I may look into that option in the future.
My cousin works at the Apple store here in Canada and has said they drop the prices of the Minis to about $300, which is what gave me the idea of the Mini as a PVR.
I don't "need" it though, nor do i "need" a new Mac since I picked up my G5 iMac in Oct. But maybe this summer if I get an intership I'll have some extra $$$.
Ah well only time willl tell.
Thanks again though! 
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