Comment by reaperducer

Isn’t a Mac mini annoying to use as an HTPC? You have to deal with a remote, software, and a full OS, compared with an Apple TV, which has a good remote and is optimized for TV use.

I've been using one for about a decade as a media server.

It just sits in the cabinet happily running the macOS TV program with the video files on an external hard drive. Playback on the TV is handled by the AppleTV's built-in Computer app. Works beautifully.

I have more movies and TV shows on that box than I could watch in my lifetime — a combination of ripped DVDs (Netflix, public library, and purchased) and OTA recordings.

When the cable goes out in my neighborhood (frequently), or a big storm screws up satellite reception (seasonally), I just don't care because I'm all localhost. As long as the lights stay on, everything is fine.

No ads. No privacy violation. No fees. No bandwidth congestion. No buffering. No subscription rate increases. All I pay for is electricity.