Rumor Alert: The Mac Mini will support CableCard
This post was published 3 years 2 months 23 days ago and its content may not be valid anymore.A little birdie has alerted me to a possible Mac Mini upgrade. It is rumored that Apple will be adding a “cable in” feature to the Mac Minis.
The rumor goes on, indicating that Apple will continue to have two tiers of hardware. The low end Mac Mini will sport a processor upgrade to the Core Duo processor, while the high end model will gain a modest processor upgrade as well as a dedicated video card, that will accept a cable card. The rumored video card is an ATI card based on their 650 models but catered to Apples specification.
It is also rumored Front Row will receive a major update to accept a live TV signal, and record TV programs. This could be one of the ‘undisclosed features’ that might be included in the yet unreleased Leopard OS. The source warned that Apple will limit the “PVR” function of this machine to simple point and click recording and with the possibility of scheduled recording. This supposedly was designed to allow the iTunes music store to continue to push it TV sales.
My initial reaction to this tip was curiosity on why Apple would want to include PVR functions in their machine when it is the least used feature on a multimedia PC? But after digesting the information a but, it makes sense. The Mac Mini is positioned to be the center of your digital life. With the addition of a TV tuner even with limited recording capabilities, it will make the Mac mini even more attractive to the growing base of users that think they want media center functions on their new computer, and it follows Apples tradition of adopting underappreciated technologies. Remember Apple was the first manufacturer to make USB their primary IO, the first company to ship a wireless based laptop, and bring Bluetooth to the mainstream? But the benefits are not purely to bolster the appeal of the Mini, it will also further push video sales at the iTunes video store. It is hinted that the new Front Row will help you purchase an episode of a TV show if you forget to schedule a recording.
Do you think this is a smart move for Apple?
Brilliant move for apple. HDMI support too?
Great move to position the Mini as a definite living room system.
Remember the Newton. Apple was also the first to have a PDA, and to try handwriting recognition. :)
The Mac mini was always destined to be a living room addition if you ask me. There were also rumours some time ago of the Mac Mini having a built in iPod dock. The size of the machine, frontrow, and even the sudden EyeTV compatibility.
EyeTV
Link
Regarding HDMI, I guess so. Apple has always been on the ‘frontrow’ with HD technology. iMovie HD came out before HD cams where commercially available. I guess HDMI will be included. No one is buying plasma/lcd TVs if they’re not HD ready.
What’s more, Apple’s DVD player is HD compatible already.
Haven’t we heard this rumor about 1,000 times already. First Apple was going to buy TiVo, then they were going to build their own, now they are ready to make the leap to HDTV technology. Everytime Apple has an annoucement, everybody says that it’s a PVR, but they still don’t have one. They will either be really late to the party or my guess is that Steve Jobs is betting so heavily on being a VOD provider that he won’t be willing to give up the revenue to the cable companies. It’s laughable to think that Front Row users will buy more VOD, in case they miss something, then if they don’t have a PVR at all. Without knowing more about how reliable this source is, it’s hard to even take this seriously.
Erm…I thought UES didn’t do rumors.
Wireless HDMI Prototype (High Definition Video)
Wednesday September 06, 2006 03:10 AM EST
Posted by arn
ExtremeTech reports that Tzero Technologies and Analog Devices have announced a prototype wireless HDMI interface. The standards-based system allows manufacturers to stream high definition signals between audio/video equipment (TVs, DVD players).
The standard calls for link reliability of at least 95 percent, packet error rate of less than 1 in one hundred million, interference resistances for microwaves and cordless phones, and the ability to process three or more HD streams at 10 meters.
According to the article, the system will be demonstrated to various manufacturers over the next few months and be available for purchase in November.
While this announcement is not related to Apple, recent rumors have indicated that Apple could introduce a wireless video device next week. Of course, if Apple’s device is intended to stream iTunes-downloadable movies, high definition video capabilities would likely not be required.
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/09/20060906031010.shtml
Oh I almost forgot, “WE” don’t care if you read this hours ago! I was sleeping!