And I'd like to know the answer as well. But I have to consider that if it is an easy step, it would have been taken already. I HAVE to believe that Apple is working the deals that will be necessary to ultimately make this product as turnkey as the iPod-iTunes integration.
Apple succeeded where others failed by actually approaching the content providers as a ''friend'' and convincing them of the soundness of the business model that might actually curtail illegal downloads. Just provide good product at an affordable rate and maybe people will actually pay for it.
You can't just turn the Mini into a Tivo without the service being there. Otherwise, your computer is just a manual recording device. Not a true DVR. Is the service the iTunes store? If so, you can bet Hollywood is afraid of having a DVR so closely integrated with a computer - the device they seem to fear as the evil tool that steals all their stuff. Apple has to convince them.
But really... you can see all the ducks lining up (to use the phrase again) with the IR remote on the mini, the audio support, a DVI port, a crap load of USB ports... I see where it's headed. Just try and remember what Apple does: INTEGRATE software and hardware. They don't just throw technology at people like Microsoft or Dell. They expect them to be able to use it all well together.
-Kevin S.