Result may vary, I suppose. I used to have a Mac Mini intel core2duo as an HTPC connected to the Panasonic plasma, however I preferred the built in apps to using the Mini and don't find speed or response an issue. The most used apps are Netflix, Amazon, Pandora and YouTube. The downside to the HTPC was the 1) initial configuration with the screen size and ratio, which was solved with software (SwitchResX) and 2) reliance on keyboard/mouse interface, which was also solved with software (Air Mouse) and finally, the added cabling and switching. A hobbyist is willing to do the tuning and patching, and willing to overlook some of the aesthetic shortcomings of HTPC, however the average consumer may not be as willing.

What software are you running for the HTPC? Anything like XBMC or Plex?

If you've not tried out XBMC, I highly recommend it. They have it for OS X. I would also recommend getting a cheap IR remote. The XBMC interface is very smooth and fluid.

I run XBMC on the 60" that everyone uses. My 50" I just use it as a large monitor.

I'm currently running the Neon skin and it looks something like this:

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82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
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91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

OLED's are not on the the market yet. LG and Samsung said they would be here for the Fall rush but I would not hold my breath. As for 'thinner the better' I think there are a few issues with that as well. Samsung had some major banding issues with their 7 and 8 series flat screens. On dark scenes you would see the band of LED's behind the screen. Also, with edge lit you cannot have an efficient dimable screen so the black levels and contrast will suck.

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- With out god, life is everything.
- God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson
- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

I was using Plex. I'll give the Mini another try with newer versions.

Right, as if threats of property damage is the only criteria for being a mafia.

How about price fixing and other racketeering acts against entire communities? Does that count as mafia-like behaviors? If so the SC is about to weigh in. Current class action suit about to go before the SC for alleged over charging and monopolistic billing practices

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/25/us-usa-court-comcast-idUSBRE85O11A20120625

Attempting to manipulate the law to strong-arm individuals in an attempt to circumvent class action status:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/22/us-comcast-arbitration-idUSBRE87L01O20120822

Refusing to honor a penalty contract, something they impose daily upon their customers, circumstances permitting:

http://abbottlawfirm.com/blog/2012/08/15/comcast-loses-1-7-million-in-case-luckily/

Attempting to impose use restrictions on broadband to try to restrict the use of Netflix, Hulu and other on-demand services by attempting to re-define what “the internet” is:

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-06-21/comcast-invents-its-own-private-internet

I looked through some cases in California. There were more than I cared to read. A few included patent violations, intellectual property rights violations, a wide variety of employment standards violations, and on and on. I suspect that if one were to go state by state, there would be perhaps thousands of cases against Comcast for as many reasons.

http://dockets.justia.com/search?query=Comcast+Corporation&state=california&page=2


Edit: I came across these 2 gems after my post.

Comcast (and Time Warner) didn’t destroy the records of former customers including ssn, credit card information, etc., and didn’t send out annual privacy notices,
Time Warner Cable & Comcast Sued for Violating Ex-Customers’ Privacy | Stop the Cap!

Comcast settles Oregon late fee class-action suit for $23 million
Comcast improperly charged late fees to its Oregon cable TV customers.
Comcast settles Oregon late fee class-action suit for $23 million | OregonLive.com



Comcast appears to have learned from Al Capone and other professional thugs and has employed attorneys more effectively than the best organized criminals of the past.

I guess this amounts to good business practice in the 21st century?