“With the Mac mini’s hardware and the Apple TV’s software, Apple has the best of both worlds. And that’s just what I think the next Apple media center will look like,” Jim Dalrymple writes for The Loop.

“With an optional Blu-ray drive, users will be able to purchase a Mac mini complete with Apple TV software included,” Dalrymple writes. “That means you can have a full media center, with the ability to burn DVD or Blu-ray disks.”

“Of course, with the Blu-ray and DVD support, you will also be able to watch movies just like you would from your home theater setup. The Apple TV software will allow you to do all the things you do now, like purchase shows and movies, but the hardware configuration takes it to the next level,” Dalrymple writes. “This would also explain the news over the weekend that iTunes 9 will support Blu-ray.”

Dalrymple writes, “It would be nice to have built-in DVR functionality with the Apple TV, but that’s not crucial. Because you are using a Mac mini, it’s easy to install Elgato’s EyeTV and a TV tuner, which would turn your Mac mini/Apple TV hybrid into everything you wanted in a Mac media center.”

Full article here.