Mac mini + 30" display + Homechoice - possible solution?

[pod0]

Old setup:

Panasonic 28" CRT TV
Panasonic DVD
Marantz CD
Sky
Sony 5.1 Receiver
Bose speakers

I've just got Homechoice (absolutely great btw), and have been looking at a Mac Mini + 23" or 30" monitor to now act as my DVD, CD, MP3 and, through something like Elgato's EyeTV, iDTV. I've already seen Homechoice playing through a Mac, so I know that bit works.

My question is, what difference in quality will I notice for TV, audio and DVD? How do the new Mac cinema displays compare with my old Panasonic - and is this even relevant if I'm using a Mac to relay picture / sound?

I'm expecting howls of derision at even suggesting this - a few years ago 'the perfect sound' in my living room was my only priority - funny how things change...!

[yoskiwoski]

mac cinema displays are really good, not sure about comparing to your panasonic, but just wanted to point out that the 30" cinema display wont work with mini mac, only G5 with an extra gfx card

[Bravia]

Dell use the same lcd panels as Apple, in their widescreen monitors (this is doesn't necessarily mean the image quality is the same) and are generally regarded as very good lower cost alternatives to the Apple Cinema displays. Also, you would be OK with a Mac Mini and the Dell 3007WFP.

I've just thought. As Apple are American, shouldn't their monitors be called Apple Movie Theater displays?

:-)

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&category_id=6198&~ck=bt

[Sonic67]

I built a Shuttle PC and I have it connected to my LCD TV via the TV’s PC socket. Good for games, Broadband MP3’s etc. DVD playback doesn’t look quite as sharp as from my DVD player though.