Guys,
I spent maybe 15 minutes looking around and couldn't find a solid answer to this question

Does anyone here use a Mac Mini + 23" Cinema display + Elgato as their TV solution?
Does HDTV display well? does it make a sound replacement or is it too difficult to run

I want something my girlfriend would be comfortable turning on, and not have to click around to launch television..

Is my $2500 better spent on a proper HDTV with built in tuner?

I'd go with the Mac mini + EYETV + LCD/Plasma TV as opposed to a cinema display

I run a Mac Mini, Dell 24" display and Elgato tuner at home. I find it great for movies, etc, but for fast action (e.g. sports) it tends to lag and blur a little.

I don't know whether this is due to the refresh rate of the monitor or the Elgato Eye TV software.

I'd go for that too.

The TV will probably come with a digital tuner, letting you record one (or two) channels with the EyeTV, and watch a third live on the TV. Also, you'll most likely get some handy HDMI/VGA/Component/Svideo inputs on the TV...

I'm using a mini for what you're planning though. Works really well.

Would that be because of the model/speed of Mac Mini?

Probably more likely due to the display and EyeTV software. There's some interlacing settings in EyeTV... it might be worth checking those to see what they're set to.

I have an Intel Mac Mini, EyeTV, 2 * Tuners and an LCD panel TV (analogue). This setup works very well. However, its not perfect, the EyeTV Interface still has a bit of maturing to do and its not very family freindly and not very versatile.

A Topfield HDD based PVR is cheaper, far easier to use and more versatile in within its paradigm. That is of course once you figure out the remote control.

I am sure there are other PVRs which are just as good and possibly better, but I haven't tried them.

One of the TVs in my house is exactly this setup - 1.5Ghz Core Solo Mac Mini, 23" Cinema Display and EyeTV, and although I don't watch a lot of live TV using this setup, it does work very well for both live TV (including the HD channels) and items from my shared iTunes library on another server. There are no problems with jerky motion, audio stuttering or any other such issues.

We did also purchase the VESA mounting kit for the 23" display and have the monitor wall mounted with the Mini hidden out of sight, which makes the combination look quite nice.

Do be sure to use an Intel Mini - I was previously using a G4 version and it just doesn't handle the EyeTV at all on the 23" display (it won't even display the full screen menu correctly at 1920x1200).

The only downside is that I've found that the combination of the EyeTV full screen menu and Front Row don't play nicely when you try to put the Mini to sleep using the Apple remote, which is what you'd be doing to 'turn off' the TV. The work around for us is just to leave the Mini running (either in Front Row or in EyeTV with the image paused) and use the power button on the screen to 'turn off' the TV.

As I've said previously in other threads, the Mini / Monitor combination is not necessarily the easiest or cheapest solution if you're just after a Live TV / PVR solution, but if you're ever going to consider an iTunes based shared media solution for your house then buy the Mini as in my mind you won't find a better combination TV / DVD player / Mac (iTunes store) compatible network media player.

I completely agree. I hope some of these issues are addressed in EyeTV 3. Given how fast the software's been developing, it'll probably be a very nice update (I have no inside info... just really hoping Elgato nail it!).

Beyonwiz DP-S1!

There's advantages and disadvantages in both types of setup. I think the Mac Mini/EyeTV option is the most flexible and will be the one that's developed faster, so that's the one I've chosen. It's not g/f friendly just yet, but I have no doubt it will be some day soon.

Both are good though.

Here's a nice addition:

http://www.green-house.co.jp/english/macmini.html

Scroll-down to see speaker/hub and subwoofer units that stack nicely under your Mini.

These sell for around $60 as a combo, but only in Japan:
http://select.itmedia.co.jp/shop/goo...spx?goods=8040

hmm, thanks guys

I think i'll go for a name brand LCD TV, and just connect the mini to it and use it as an appletv (except more useful )
this way i can plug other HD stuff into the TV no worries
thanks for your help so far

internet, I've done just that.

You've probably seen it, but Front Row 2 (in Leopard) looks like it has everything AppleTV has:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/.../frontrow.html

So you're certainly not missing out on anything by getting a Mac Mini.

brilliant!

thanks!

mmm bravia + mac mini..

... just wish now macmini came with airport n-enabled for movie streaming!!!!