It may be analog, but it's what my TV takes for input. I don't have any HDMI-capable displays, other than computer displays. And that ain't gonna change anytime soon.

"component is analog, which is going to give you crap picture."

Oh, I definitely wouldnt say its crap. Sometimes, component looks better than DVI/HDMI. All depends on the source & the display.

Besides, component is capable of 1080p just fine. My LCD TV has both, but if my Wii wasnt already using my component inputs, I wouldnt have a problem using them for AppleTV at all.

And I too thought of doing the Mac mini thing hooked directly up to my LCD TV. I was gonna use the mini as a slave & control it via Apple Remote Desktop through my MacBook, have the mini's iPhoto & iTunes content (and every other video with different codecs) living on a massive external hard drive thats hooked into my Airport Extreme's usb slot & just control it that way.

I still might, but speed concerns me, especially since my 802.11n network will be brought down speed wise because the mini will be thrown into the mix. Plus, Remote Desktop will take some speed away from the network too im sure.

I have a question -- maybe someone can answer it. I don't have a widescreen TV. In fact, I don't have a TV. I have a projector, and it seems to be a standard aspect ratio, like a VGA screen. I often hook it up to my computer using a VGA cable to watch movies.

If I understand the Apple TV specs, I can't use it. My projector is a "Widescreen" model. But, what would happen if I connected it? The projector has component video inputs, so the plugs are compatible. What will happen? Will it work?

Alternatively, does the mac mini have any way to get a VGA signal out of it? Or component video? If Apple TV won't work for me, I might just buy a mini and use that instead. My movies are already in mp4 format and they already play on my mac. So, mirroring them on a mac mini would be no problem for me.

Thoughts anyone? Thanks for your input.