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an application called Front Row provides some similar functionality to Apple TV.

Thanks for the exact name, couldn't remember it. I watch more live TV than recorded TV, and therefore get most of my input from cable TV signals. Is there an input option for this on iMac or Mac Mini, other than a WinTV type external device? Does Apple TV support it at all? Thanks, this along with the external display issues are exactly what have stalled any transition I might have otherwise had to Apple the last few years. I've also been somewhat disapointed in my iPhone's ability to stream live signals of any kind as well, if you have any advice for that.

So far, Macs require an external device like the El Gato products, which can be connected to an OTA antenna, or component inputs, or S-Video input, depending on the model. They should be able to record signals from cable and satellite TV.

Some cable TV settop boxes now have IEEE 1394 Firewire connections that can send a signal to Macs for recording and playback.

Robert X. Cringely has been peddling a rumor that future Macs will include an H.264 hardware encoder. His rumors haven't been so accurate lately, but it's a good idea.

The exclusion of direct video input on Macs may be a concession by Apple to the Hollywood studios. But Apple is conspicuious in not offering Blu-Ray drives too, apparently in order to promote iTunes movie sales over physical media.