Boxee - Mac Media Center
Boxee is an open-source media center application for the Mac that allows you to network with friends and give recommendations on media that you enjoy. Your friends can also view your Boxee activity.
Installing Boxee
Installation is a snap, just go to boxee.tv and sign up as an alpha tester. Within a few days, you’ll get an email with a link to the download and then you will just install Boxee like any other Mac app.
The Boxee Experience
After installation, Boxee scans your computer for videos, music, and pictures. You can also access online sources, both for audio and video, including Hulu, Last.fm, & YouTube. My favorite part about Boxee is that you can navigate the entire interface with your Apple remote. The interface is much better looking than Front Row too.
Boxee allows you to add network media sources and I think that there is a way to add an FTP source, I just haven’t figured it out yet.
My Plans for Boxee
I went in to my local Apple store and was told buy an Apple genius that an Apple TV is not worth the money. However, this post on TUAW outlines a way to install Boxee on an Apple TV and voila! I now know what I want for Christmas!
Note: After writing this post, I remembered that I signed some sort of T&C’s with Boxee, if this post breaks those terms, just let me know. Please don’t take my Boxee away!
UPDATE: Here’s a step-by-step on installing Boxee on an Apple TV.
9 Responses to “Boxee - Mac Media Center”
By avner ronen on Nov 10, 2008 | Reply
good stuff!
let me know if you need any help when install on Apple TV
By Stewart Bryson on Jun 2, 2009 | Reply
Maybe a silly question: what good is Apple TV if you are just going to use Boxee instead? Wouldn’t a Mac Mini make more sense… as Boxee installs there without the hack?
I don’t understand enough about either to know which is the best solution.
Thanks.
Stewart
By Shep on Jun 2, 2009 | Reply
You’re right on Stewart. In hindsight, I should’ve gotten a Mac Mini. At the time, I wasn’t willing to fork over the additional $350.
The other thing is that my TV has HDMI inputs but not DVI so an Apple TV works better in that situation.
By Stewart Bryson on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Shep: are you saying the Mac Mini doesn’t have HDMI inputs? I’m not certain my TV has DVI either. Am I wrong in thinking that HDMI is the better connection when compared to DVI?
By Shep on Jun 3, 2009 | Reply
Mac Mini’s don’t have HDMI output (you can check here).
It’s tough to compare HDMI to DVI. HDMI supports both audio and video, while DVI is just video. HDMI cables are much more expensive than DVI cables as well.
By Stewart Bryson on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Shep: Thanks for taking the time. One more question…
From what you’ve said, I may be leaning back toward the Apple TV, because of price, HDMI connection, and the ability to sync with the iTunes from my computer. That way, I wouldn’t have to manage a separate iTunes catalog on the Mac Mini.
And since Boxee will install on either platform, that’s a plus as well. However, I’ve seen on this forum and others that the Apple TV processor is underpowered for some tasks. Any experience with that?
Thanks again.
By Shep on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Absolutely, Boxee runs much better on my MBP than it does on my ATV. However, Boxee’s performance on the ATV is just fine.
By Stewart Bryson on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
You’ve been a tremendous help. Thanks again.
Apple Store… here I come!