If you want them at full quality, 'Handbrake' is certainly not the right choice. Unlike music, video quality is important to everyone. Now if we are talking about a device that is meant for the mass consumer, then why even bring Handbrake up.
The mere fact that you say that tells me you haven't read this thread enough.
well if you leave handbrake on the default setting of an average bit rate of 1000kbps then yeah its not great,(but you CAN adjust it!) grand for an iPod screen and likely iPhone too but then you didnt really hit at what you have used it with? I've found the higher rate settings to be acceptable for my needs, but as with all compression of video there comes a trade off between size and what is acceptable visually, even on DVD itself (smoke and water scenes are usually first to show compression artifacts) so I would imagine if ANYTHING Steve would want to include the FUTURE ie BD or (seeming less likely all the time) HD-DVD.
Apple/Steve don't want to release the Apple TV then adress its short commings with abigger HD option and THEN release a new model with an optical drive, all in such short a time, it just looks directionless, and believe me they have a direction.
the only POSSIBLE way i see this working is if you could rip the DVD right in the box, but I somehw doubt that Apple have the clout to change LAWS that exist to protect the movie studios, do you? However leaveing this in the realm of fantasy fr a moment, that IS about the only way for it to make sense from an APPLE perspective, it then REALLY DOES become a one box solution, just as you perceive an Apple Television set to be.
The drawback is that the studios just wouldnt want it to happen.
As mentioned above and FROM APPLE THEMSELVES the Mac and iTunes (or the PC and iTunes, i think its avalible on PC too! ) is the central hub, you cant rip CDs with an iPod on its own.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ireland
I'm confident it's going to happen, you'll see. It makes a lot of sense. Since I never gave a time frame, I'm still technically not wrong, so I don't see why you are laughing. Don't worry, I wont gloat too much when it happens.
I'm confidant that one day the Earth will have no humans living on it, we will have left and live on other planets, I won't give a time frame, but I can never technically be wrong no matter how farfetched that statment may be!
I too will not gloat when I turn out to be right.
Does that seem as idiotic to you as your statment seems to me?
I think your idea is wishful thinking but "cool" however it wont happen for the reasons that everyone has given.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ireland
Being right is hardly testy. You said I was wrong, when you were wrong. I accept your apology.
I think the problem some people have with your insistance is that you have set up your argument with no criteria for failure, you insist that "it will happen in the future" therfore you can never be "wrong"
Please tell us, what has to occur in order for you to be able to say "Ok guys its clear to me from XYZ that this idea of mine (great though it is) will now never happen" ?
if you could tell us this we would have a position from which to judge, ie. If Apple release what YOU want, we all know YOU were right, while if for example Steve says something to the effect "Apple will never EVER EVER release an Apple TV with a slot loading drive because wax cylinders are the future!" then WE will all know you were WRONG.
At the moment you can "never" be wrong because you have given no criteria for failure where as most people in opposition to you HAVE.
Please also consider NOT giveing a glib one word or one line reply to this thanks.
well if you leave handbrake on the default setting of an average bit rate of 1000kbps then yeah its not great,(but you CAN adjust it!) grand for an iPod screen and likely iPhone too but then you didnt really hit at what you have used it with? I've found the higher rate settings to be acceptable for my needs, but as with all compression of video there comes a trade off between size and what is acceptable visually, even on DVD itself (smoke and water scenes are usually first to show compression artifacts) so I would imagine if ANYTHING Steve would want to include the FUTURE ie BD or (seeming less likely all the time) HD-DVD.
Three questions:
Does your mother know what Handbrake is?
Do you know roughly how much data the average DVD collection contains?
You mentioned iPod and iPhone, are you aware what device this thread is about?
What's the margins on content sold on iTunes? What's Apple's margins on hardware? You sure you don't want to rethink that line of reasoning?
Current margins on music is low but positive. I haven't heard or don't remember them commenting on the margins on TV shows and movies.
What are Apple margins on DVD's sales and rentals? Zero.
Given that everyone already has a DVD player and its old technology and it's not in the current aTV (which would have been trivial to add had SJ been inclined to) and Apple gets ZERO revenue stream from DVDs there is no compelling reason to think that Apple will be inclined to add a DVD drive to the next rev of the aTV.
A case could be made for a version with a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive but even there my impression is that aTV is built for 720p/24 content from iTunes.
Do you know roughly how much data the average DVD collection contains?
You mentioned iPod and iPhone, are you aware what device this thread is about?
1. Copying DVDs into an iTunes library could have been made as easily as copying CDs into iTunes had it been legal. Alas it is not. Although Handbrake and MTR can do the job. Does your mother know what aTV is? I really doubt it.
2. 188GB to 376GB or so (single vs dual layer x 40). The Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB HD is $130-$150 and its not a bottom of the barrel drive.
Current margins on music is low but positive. I haven't heard or don't remember them commenting on the margins on TV shows and movies.
What are Apple margins on DVD's sales and rentals? Zero.
.......
A case could be made for a version with a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive but even there my impression is that aTV is built for 720p/24 content from iTunes.
I agree. The other poster was implying that ATV was being made to drive sales of video content at the Itunes store. I disagree with this as margins of hardware are generally accepted to be much higher than that of content sold on iTunes. In fact I think it's the other way around. iTunes helps to drive sales of hardware(think iPods).
Do you know roughly how much data the average DVD collection contains?
You mentioned iPod and iPhone, are you aware what device this thread is about?
One question, why is it that you don't answer questions directed at you that might make you answer in a way that would prove you are on shakey ground with this idea of yours?
Oh yeah, and just so I dont ignore YOUR questions
1. My mother doesnt know that pressing the numberd buttons on the remote ALSO takes you to the assosiated channel! (yes shes that thick )
2. Apple TV uses compression to playback iTunes movie downloads, and I believe also CANT playback Mpeg2 (the compression format used on DVDs) so any DVD collection will NEED to be compressed ANYWAY so dependant on the acceptable level of compression to the individual end user (I have several sitcoms and TV episodes ripped at the basic Handbreak setting because for what they are, it doesnt bother me) storage may or may not be an issue or concern.
Have you read any of the "controversy" about Apple NOT includeing EVERY possible cable with ATV? same differance, some users will use it in the bedroom, some primarily for the kids favorite DVD collection to avoid the inevitable disc scratching, while others will ONLY download content from iTunes, and others still, like myself will sort out a home NAS system of some sort and put EVERYTHING on it (Mine still hasnt arrived was hoping it would turn up today)
3. iPod and iPhone, how can you dismiss them? I mean HOW? the ATV is along VERY similar lines. Only a complete fool would believe otherwise, they are VERY relevant.
PS what are your criteria for failure in this discussion? I'd be very interested to know
1. Copying DVDs into an iTunes library could have been made as easily as copying CDs into iTunes had it been legal. Alas it is not. Although Handbrake and MTR can do the job. Does your mother know what aTV is? I really doubt it.
2. 188GB to 376GB or so (single vs dual layer x 40). The Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB HD is $130-$150 and its not a bottom of the barrel drive.
His mother doesnt know what ATV is because he hasnt bought one yet (if he ever will)
400GB for the average collection of 40 discs, and then double it for future proofing Ive come to the sad realisation that I need about 8TB of storage if I am to store EVERYTHING I have but then I have a lot of stuff I think I could dump once I get round to watching it, so many things to do, not enough time sadly!
What's the margins on content sold on iTunes? What's Apple's margins on hardware? You sure you don't want to rethink that line of reasoning?
Vinea, already gave a good answer for what you are saying.
I don't think I need to rethink my line of reasoning at all. If what you are saying ie correct we then would have DVR and DVD player on the AppleTV by now. We don't. Apple trying to push online sales. Period! They want to bring more studios and and networks into iTunes. They are fighting sales position with Walmart, Amazon, Target, etc (places that sell physical media, DVD, Cds, Blu-ray, etc.)
Like it or not they will not try to make easier for us to have a competitor media on the AppleTV device. Yes we will see it on a Mac, but not AppleTV.
The great thing about inserting a disk (rather than downloading content) is that it is nearly INSTANTANEOUS. Downloading a whole movie in 720p is slow on the internet connections that the masses have. Then it has to be sent from the computer to the appleTV. My mac is estimating it takes 3 hours to send a 720p movie over my wireless network.
People don't want to wait for hours for their content, they want it now. That's the main feature the disk has to offer over downloading.
I agree but it will happen on a Mac and not on AppleTV
Dude, don't get me wrong. I would love Apple to have a media center device that does everything and simplify our life. But clearly AppleTV shows what the strategy Apple have now. Sell content on iTunes and increase Mac sales. So blu-ray, dvd, etc all will happen on the Mac as well as sell iTunes content.
Vinea, already gave a good answer for what you are saying.
I don't think I need to rethink my line of reasoning at all. If what you are saying ie correct we then would have DVR and DVD player on the AppleTV by now. We don't. Apple trying to push online sales. Period! They want to bring more studios and and networks into iTunes. They are fighting sales position with Walmart, Amazon, Target, etc (places that sell physical media, DVD, Cds, Blu-ray, etc.)
Like it or not they will not try to make easier for us to have a competitor media on the AppleTV device. Yes we will see it on a Mac, but not AppleTV.
Is that so unreasonable?
It's not unreasonable but I still see Apple as primarily a hardware company and not a media distribution company. We'll just have to agree that we disagree on this one. No hard feelings?
It's not unreasonable but I still see Apple as primarily a hardware company and not a media distribution company. We'll just have to agree that we disagree on this one. No hard feelings?
No hard feelings at all.
I undesrtand your point. But IMHO Apple is focused in selling iTunes content, bring more studios and networks, be more peowerful on the media arena.
Mac is the hub, there you will have the center where players(DVD, Blu-ray, etc.) are locate. AppleTV is the bridge between Mac and the entertainment center on your den.
Possibly in few years you might be able to buy iTunes content direct from AppleTV without the need of the Mac.
Apple will provide solutions on the Mac for playing content from physical media and also they allow Elgato to have a DVR and iTunes integration.
I agree. The other poster was implying that ATV was being made to drive sales of video content at the Itunes store. I disagree with this as margins of hardware are generally accepted to be much higher than that of content sold on iTunes. In fact I think it's the other way around. iTunes helps to drive sales of hardware(think iPods).
I would say that its synergistic although yes, I agree that Apple is very much a hardware oriented company from the profit standpoint.
aTV seems more neutral though...I would guess that video and TV sales has been higher than aTV sales (revenue and profit wise). It could have been a full fledged media center and/or replaced the Mini in that role. As is, it seems be an adjunct to iTunes more than the other way around which is much more mobile oriented (iPod, iPhone).
720p/24 is somewhat useless on both the iPod and iPhone and I doubt there would be many iTunes buyers of that product. Without 720p/24 on iTunes the aTV is rather crippled (IMHO anyway). So the aTV is more or less stimulating more iTunes sales than vice versa...again IMHO and applies to summer 2007 only.
Yes, you heard it correctly. Apple makes just such a product already!
I have a 1.67 Core Duo Mac mini. It has a builtin DVD player/recorder, 1Gig of RAM, and 80GB HD. I have increased this disk storage with an external 300GB 7200rpm HD. This is connected to my High Def TV via a VGA connection but I also have the option of connecting with an HDMI connection. It has an optical digital output to my 5.1 receiver for great surround sound. Although DVD playback is not the same as HD or Blu-Ray or even an up conversion DVD, the playback is a better display than my older Sony Player. I use Front Row to manage playback of all my movies and music. I also use a wireless keyboard and mouse to run my Mac on a huge HD screen. I love it!
Yes, you heard it correctly. Apple makes just such a product already!
I have a 1.67 Core Duo Mac mini. It has a builtin DVD player/recorder, 1Gig of RAM, and 80GB HD. I have increased this disk storage with an external 300GB 7200rpm HD. This is connected to my High Def TV via a VGA connection but I also have the option of connecting with an HDMI connection. It has an optical digital output to my 5.1 receiver for great surround sound. Although DVD playback is not the same as HD or Blu-Ray or even an up conversion DVD, the playback is a better display than my older Sony Player. I use Front Row to manage playback of all my movies and music. I also use a wireless keyboard and mouse to run my Mac on a huge HD screen. I love it!
Yes, you heard it correctly. Apple makes just such a product already!
I have a 1.67 Core Duo Mac mini. It has a builtin DVD player/recorder, 1Gig of RAM, and 80GB HD. I have increased this disk storage with an external 300GB 7200rpm HD. This is connected to my High Def TV via a VGA connection but I also have the option of connecting with an HDMI connection. It has an optical digital output to my 5.1 receiver for great surround sound. Although DVD playback is not the same as HD or Blu-Ray or even an up conversion DVD, the playback is a better display than my older Sony Player. I use Front Row to manage playback of all my movies and music. I also use a wireless keyboard and mouse to run my Mac on a huge HD screen. I love it!
I hate to break it to you but normal people don't want a computer in their living rooms, it's just the way it is. Although the Apple TV may technically be a computer inside, it's not designed to act like a computer, and that's a very important distinction. It's designed to be a simple, streaming media-player with no complications. This is exactly why the Microsoft media center never sold to the mass consumer. Mac mini was never that product, and never will be. Adding a DVD player slot in the Apple TV does not make it a Mac mini.
Comments
Don't try and bring your 'logic' into a fanciful discussion such as this.
oh I laughed at that
If you want them at full quality, 'Handbrake' is certainly not the right choice. Unlike music, video quality is important to everyone. Now if we are talking about a device that is meant for the mass consumer, then why even bring Handbrake up.
The mere fact that you say that tells me you haven't read this thread enough.
well if you leave handbrake on the default setting of an average bit rate of 1000kbps then yeah its not great,(but you CAN adjust it!) grand for an iPod screen and likely iPhone too but then you didnt really hit at what you have used it with? I've found the higher rate settings to be acceptable for my needs, but as with all compression of video there comes a trade off between size and what is acceptable visually, even on DVD itself (smoke and water scenes are usually first to show compression artifacts) so I would imagine if ANYTHING Steve would want to include the FUTURE ie BD or (seeming less likely all the time) HD-DVD.
Apple/Steve don't want to release the Apple TV then adress its short commings with abigger HD option and THEN release a new model with an optical drive, all in such short a time, it just looks directionless, and believe me they have a direction.
the only POSSIBLE way i see this working is if you could rip the DVD right in the box, but I somehw doubt that Apple have the clout to change LAWS that exist to protect the movie studios, do you? However leaveing this in the realm of fantasy fr a moment, that IS about the only way for it to make sense from an APPLE perspective, it then REALLY DOES become a one box solution, just as you perceive an Apple Television set to be.
The drawback is that the studios just wouldnt want it to happen.
As mentioned above and FROM APPLE THEMSELVES the Mac and iTunes (or the PC and iTunes, i think its avalible on PC too!
I'm confident it's going to happen, you'll see. It makes a lot of sense. Since I never gave a time frame, I'm still technically not wrong, so I don't see why you are laughing. Don't worry, I wont gloat too much when it happens.
I'm confidant that one day the Earth will have no humans living on it, we will have left and live on other planets, I won't give a time frame, but I can never technically be wrong no matter how farfetched that statment may be!
I too will not gloat when I turn out to be right.
Does that seem as idiotic to you as your statment seems to me?
I think your idea is wishful thinking but "cool" however it wont happen for the reasons that everyone has given.
Being right is hardly testy. You said I was wrong, when you were wrong. I accept your apology.
I think the problem some people have with your insistance is that you have set up your argument with no criteria for failure, you insist that "it will happen in the future" therfore you can never be "wrong"
Please tell us, what has to occur in order for you to be able to say "Ok guys its clear to me from XYZ that this idea of mine (great though it is) will now never happen" ?
if you could tell us this we would have a position from which to judge, ie. If Apple release what YOU want, we all know YOU were right, while if for example Steve says something to the effect "Apple will never EVER EVER release an Apple TV with a slot loading drive because wax cylinders are the future!" then WE will all know you were WRONG.
At the moment you can "never" be wrong because you have given no criteria for failure where as most people in opposition to you HAVE.
Please also consider NOT giveing a glib one word or one line reply to this
Apple is here to sell iTunes content..
What's the margins on content sold on iTunes? What's Apple's margins on hardware? You sure you don't want to rethink that line of reasoning?
What's the margins on content sold on iTunes? What's Apple's margins on hardware? You sure you don't want to rethink that line of reasoning?
He has trouble thinking, period.
well if you leave handbrake on the default setting of an average bit rate of 1000kbps then yeah its not great,(but you CAN adjust it!) grand for an iPod screen and likely iPhone too but then you didnt really hit at what you have used it with? I've found the higher rate settings to be acceptable for my needs, but as with all compression of video there comes a trade off between size and what is acceptable visually, even on DVD itself (smoke and water scenes are usually first to show compression artifacts) so I would imagine if ANYTHING Steve would want to include the FUTURE ie BD or (seeming less likely all the time) HD-DVD.
Three questions:
What's the margins on content sold on iTunes? What's Apple's margins on hardware? You sure you don't want to rethink that line of reasoning?
Current margins on music is low but positive. I haven't heard or don't remember them commenting on the margins on TV shows and movies.
What are Apple margins on DVD's sales and rentals? Zero.
Given that everyone already has a DVD player and its old technology and it's not in the current aTV (which would have been trivial to add had SJ been inclined to) and Apple gets ZERO revenue stream from DVDs there is no compelling reason to think that Apple will be inclined to add a DVD drive to the next rev of the aTV.
A case could be made for a version with a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive but even there my impression is that aTV is built for 720p/24 content from iTunes.
Three questions:
1. Copying DVDs into an iTunes library could have been made as easily as copying CDs into iTunes had it been legal. Alas it is not. Although Handbrake and MTR can do the job. Does your mother know what aTV is? I really doubt it.
2. 188GB to 376GB or so (single vs dual layer x 40). The Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB HD is $130-$150 and its not a bottom of the barrel drive.
Current margins on music is low but positive. I haven't heard or don't remember them commenting on the margins on TV shows and movies.
What are Apple margins on DVD's sales and rentals? Zero.
.......
A case could be made for a version with a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive but even there my impression is that aTV is built for 720p/24 content from iTunes.
I agree. The other poster was implying that ATV was being made to drive sales of video content at the Itunes store. I disagree with this as margins of hardware are generally accepted to be much higher than that of content sold on iTunes. In fact I think it's the other way around. iTunes helps to drive sales of hardware(think iPods).
Three questions:
One question, why is it that you don't answer questions directed at you that might make you answer in a way that would prove you are on shakey ground with this idea of yours?
Oh yeah, and just so I dont ignore YOUR questions
1. My mother doesnt know that pressing the numberd buttons on the remote ALSO takes you to the assosiated channel! (yes shes that thick
2. Apple TV uses compression to playback iTunes movie downloads, and I believe also CANT playback Mpeg2 (the compression format used on DVDs) so any DVD collection will NEED to be compressed ANYWAY so dependant on the acceptable level of compression to the individual end user (I have several sitcoms and TV episodes ripped at the basic Handbreak setting because for what they are, it doesnt bother me) storage may or may not be an issue or concern.
Have you read any of the "controversy" about Apple NOT includeing EVERY possible cable with ATV? same differance, some users will use it in the bedroom, some primarily for the kids favorite DVD collection to avoid the inevitable disc scratching, while others will ONLY download content from iTunes, and others still, like myself will sort out a home NAS system of some sort and put EVERYTHING on it
3. iPod and iPhone, how can you dismiss them? I mean HOW? the ATV is along VERY similar lines. Only a complete fool would believe otherwise, they are VERY relevant.
PS what are your criteria for failure in this discussion? I'd be very interested to know
PPS seems the Poll is neck and neck
1. Copying DVDs into an iTunes library could have been made as easily as copying CDs into iTunes had it been legal. Alas it is not. Although Handbrake and MTR can do the job. Does your mother know what aTV is? I really doubt it.
2. 188GB to 376GB or so (single vs dual layer x 40). The Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB HD is $130-$150 and its not a bottom of the barrel drive.
His mother doesnt know what ATV is because he hasnt bought one yet (if he ever will)
400GB for the average collection of 40 discs, and then double it for future proofing
He has trouble thinking, period.
and you have trouble looking at the reality of things. I rather dream buddy!
What's the margins on content sold on iTunes? What's Apple's margins on hardware? You sure you don't want to rethink that line of reasoning?
Vinea, already gave a good answer for what you are saying.
I don't think I need to rethink my line of reasoning at all. If what you are saying ie correct we then would have DVR and DVD player on the AppleTV by now. We don't. Apple trying to push online sales. Period! They want to bring more studios and and networks into iTunes. They are fighting sales position with Walmart, Amazon, Target, etc (places that sell physical media, DVD, Cds, Blu-ray, etc.)
Like it or not they will not try to make easier for us to have a competitor media on the AppleTV device. Yes we will see it on a Mac, but not AppleTV.
Is that so unreasonable?
People don't want to wait for hours for their content, they want it now. That's the main feature the disk has to offer over downloading.
sorry man, you don't get it.
Apple is here to sell iTunes content.
Dude, don't get me wrong. I would love Apple to have a media center device that does everything and simplify our life. But clearly AppleTV shows what the strategy Apple have now. Sell content on iTunes and increase Mac sales. So blu-ray, dvd, etc all will happen on the Mac as well as sell iTunes content.
Vinea, already gave a good answer for what you are saying.
I don't think I need to rethink my line of reasoning at all. If what you are saying ie correct we then would have DVR and DVD player on the AppleTV by now. We don't. Apple trying to push online sales. Period! They want to bring more studios and and networks into iTunes. They are fighting sales position with Walmart, Amazon, Target, etc (places that sell physical media, DVD, Cds, Blu-ray, etc.)
Like it or not they will not try to make easier for us to have a competitor media on the AppleTV device. Yes we will see it on a Mac, but not AppleTV.
Is that so unreasonable?
It's not unreasonable but I still see Apple as primarily a hardware company and not a media distribution company. We'll just have to agree that we disagree on this one. No hard feelings?
It's not unreasonable but I still see Apple as primarily a hardware company and not a media distribution company. We'll just have to agree that we disagree on this one. No hard feelings?
No hard feelings at all.
I undesrtand your point. But IMHO Apple is focused in selling iTunes content, bring more studios and networks, be more peowerful on the media arena.
Mac is the hub, there you will have the center where players(DVD, Blu-ray, etc.) are locate. AppleTV is the bridge between Mac and the entertainment center on your den.
Possibly in few years you might be able to buy iTunes content direct from AppleTV without the need of the Mac.
Apple will provide solutions on the Mac for playing content from physical media and also they allow Elgato to have a DVR and iTunes integration.
I agree. The other poster was implying that ATV was being made to drive sales of video content at the Itunes store. I disagree with this as margins of hardware are generally accepted to be much higher than that of content sold on iTunes. In fact I think it's the other way around. iTunes helps to drive sales of hardware(think iPods).
I would say that its synergistic although yes, I agree that Apple is very much a hardware oriented company from the profit standpoint.
aTV seems more neutral though...I would guess that video and TV sales has been higher than aTV sales (revenue and profit wise). It could have been a full fledged media center and/or replaced the Mini in that role. As is, it seems be an adjunct to iTunes more than the other way around which is much more mobile oriented (iPod, iPhone).
720p/24 is somewhat useless on both the iPod and iPhone and I doubt there would be many iTunes buyers of that product. Without 720p/24 on iTunes the aTV is rather crippled (IMHO anyway). So the aTV is more or less stimulating more iTunes sales than vice versa...again IMHO and applies to summer 2007 only.
Vinea
I have a 1.67 Core Duo Mac mini. It has a builtin DVD player/recorder, 1Gig of RAM, and 80GB HD. I have increased this disk storage with an external 300GB 7200rpm HD. This is connected to my High Def TV via a VGA connection but I also have the option of connecting with an HDMI connection. It has an optical digital output to my 5.1 receiver for great surround sound. Although DVD playback is not the same as HD or Blu-Ray or even an up conversion DVD, the playback is a better display than my older Sony Player. I use Front Row to manage playback of all my movies and music. I also use a wireless keyboard and mouse to run my Mac on a huge HD screen. I love it!
I have a 1.67 Core Duo Mac mini. It has a builtin DVD player/recorder, 1Gig of RAM, and 80GB HD. I have increased this disk storage with an external 300GB 7200rpm HD. This is connected to my High Def TV via a VGA connection but I also have the option of connecting with an HDMI connection. It has an optical digital output to my 5.1 receiver for great surround sound. Although DVD playback is not the same as HD or Blu-Ray or even an up conversion DVD, the playback is a better display than my older Sony Player. I use Front Row to manage playback of all my movies and music. I also use a wireless keyboard and mouse to run my Mac on a huge HD screen. I love it!
Yes, you heard it correctly. Apple makes just such a product already!
I have a 1.67 Core Duo Mac mini. It has a builtin DVD player/recorder, 1Gig of RAM, and 80GB HD. I have increased this disk storage with an external 300GB 7200rpm HD. This is connected to my High Def TV via a VGA connection but I also have the option of connecting with an HDMI connection. It has an optical digital output to my 5.1 receiver for great surround sound. Although DVD playback is not the same as HD or Blu-Ray or even an up conversion DVD, the playback is a better display than my older Sony Player. I use Front Row to manage playback of all my movies and music. I also use a wireless keyboard and mouse to run my Mac on a huge HD screen. I love it!
I hate to break it to you but normal people don't want a computer in their living rooms, it's just the way it is. Although the Apple TV may technically be a computer inside, it's not designed to act like a computer, and that's a very important distinction. It's designed to be a simple, streaming media-player with no complications. This is exactly why the Microsoft media center never sold to the mass consumer. Mac mini was never that product, and never will be. Adding a DVD player slot in the Apple TV does not make it a Mac mini.