So 4 months after I converted my Mac Mini G4 into a media center that primarily record TV shows, stream music and shows I recorded. So did it work out well?
Recording and streaming TV shows: NO GO
I found myself to rely on my HDR (hard disk recorder) connected to my TV to record and watch TVs. Seems like I still retain the habit of watching TV. So in the end, didn't really find myself recording and streaming TV to my other computers.
Maybe if I had an Apple TV, the setup would work better.
Streaming music
Streaming music actually worked quite well with the AirPort Express. Add a iPod touch or iPhone as a remote, it works like wonder.
The biggest problem: not able to sync with my primary iTunes library
Because the Mini wasn't powerful enough to serve as a primary iTunes library, I ended up with a primary iTunes library on my iMac and another one on the Mini. And having two libraries to manage has some serious usability issues.
First: Syncing the TV shows you recorded is troublesome. I have to copy and import the files from my Mini to iMac's library.
Second: New music is always added to my primary iTunes library, which makes my Mini library out of sync. I'd have to update the library from time to time. And I can't listen to the new music I just bought or added right away from my Mini.
So the lesson here: one library is better than two libraries.
What's next: From media center to a wireless access point / file server
I'm now planning to bring this Mini to my office now. I'll hook it up with an ethernet cable and share the connection wirelessly. It'll also serve as a file server where I'll primarily use it with Apple's Backup application to backup files.
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