Mac Mini = Video iPod???

Michael Cringely has up an interesting take on the Mac Mini. Can't say I was not having similar thoughts, to the point of wondering if an EyeTV + MacMini would be the ultimate Apple Tivo device.

Here's my thinking, and it is just thinking -- I have no insider knowledge of Apple's plans, I haven't been diving in any Cupertino dumpsters, and nobody who knows the truth has told me a darned thing. I think the Mac Mini is a fixed component in a system that will extend iTunes to selling and distributing movies...The Mac Mini would look fine on, under, near, or generally around your TV. It has a DVI connector and so do many HDTVs, including those from Sony. Sony in its HDTV manuals says the DVI connector is "not intended" for connecting a computer, but it seems to work. That brings us back to Mr. Ando and my guess about the next Year of HD announcement or two. When OS X 10.4 ships, the Mini will suddenly become Apple's version of a media PC. Like the iPod, it will be a simple device that serves proprietary content, in this case HD video. Just like Gateway, HP, and Dell before it, Apple will start selling in its stores HDTVs, only they'll carry the Sony brand. Do you want to buy a Gateway TV or a Sony TV?

With a friend of mine playing around with an EyeHome device, this is looking more and more attractive. Not sure it is worth the price to really get a 80 GB Mac Mini + EyeTV + Airport Extreme card yet, when I can buy a Tivo on eBay for about $300. But give it a little time...