[This is a post from an old blog of mine that I’m reposting as the information in it is still quite useful – obviously specs and pricing have changed somewhat since November 2006]

I picked up an ex demo Mac mini Core Duo 1.66 GHz with 1.25GB RAM and 80GB HDD for $850, I then added an Elgato EyeTV DTT USB tuner for $200 and plugged the whole lot into my LCD TV.

For just over $1k, I’ve now got an 80GB High-def HDD recorder, High-def tuner with DVI outputs (not dodgy HDMI with it’s integrated copy protection) a media centre via Front Row and the EyeTV software, 1-click program recording, even remote scheduling of recordings via the IceTV website, all the MP3s I can deal with on tap via the optical digital output to my stereo and all in a funky little package that the wife can easily deal with having in the loungeroom. Oh, and I was able to program my Yamaha stereo’s remote to learn the supplied Apple Remote codes so I can control the thing from the other side of the room.

I’ve added a FireWire 250GB Hard drive for storage of media, so can leave the thing on for as long as I need to to catch up on a few TV shows via Demonoid and it’s just generally a funky little thing to have…

Now, Equinux’s MediaCentral doesn’t support my tuner yet, so I don’t have an all-in-one Media Centre and TV application, but other than that it’s all good – it’s just a matter of time before it’s all supported.

Add in a bit of Delicious Library action to catalogue my CDs, DVDs and Books, and there’s not much more I could want it to do…