Much has been said on this website about the PCTV or HDPC. Despite Microsoft’s efforts in the 90’s to integrate the web and our television sets, we’re just now starting to see people actually hook up computers in their livingrooms.  This is possible because of the smaller form factors of today’s computers and the invention of the HDMI signal. Many laptops and some PC’s have an HDMI output already on board, with which you can connect to your HDTV with one simple cable running audio and video. Minimalist bliss.

But I use a Mac. There’s no HDMI output offered on any model of Macintosh right now. So, I’m screwed right? Not anymore.

Atlona, the maker of dozens of connectors, converters and whizz bang parts have come up with a solution for those wanting to integrate an Apple computer, in my case a MacMini, to their HDTV.  It’s called the AT-HDView.  We got to take a look at it at NAB. It may not look like much, but it will completely eliminate the hassle of running separate audio and video lines to your TV. It will take the computers DVI/VGA signal and 1/8th audio output and merge them together through the HDMI output.  It will also power itself via USB.  So, no external power needed either.  Very nifty.  You can get your AT-HDView for $119 on the Atlona site as well as their other popular miniDisplay port converters like the DP-200.

You might wonder why I would want to go this route instead of just buying a PC? Well besides being an unapologetic fanboy, I really like using the Apple only Plex software to watch streaming television, play my iTunes library, watch movies and more. Other people use XBox Media Center (XBMC) or Boxee, but I prefer Plex.  I can use my iPhone or iPod touch to launch Plex and control it like a remote.

With this Atlona device, Plex and my iPhone, I can have the entire world wide web on the big screen. Run a webcam to the computer and you can skype from your TV. Watch last week’s SNL episode on Hulu on your 55 inch screen.

In the future, we’re looking to get our hands on an HDAir from Atlona that will wirelessly transmit your laptop’s VGA/DVI signal to HDTV.  Stay tuned.