http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/ Engadget Comments for HOW-TO: Turn your Mac mini into a media center http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Unless they have already bought theirs and hope to turn it into a HTPC.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
Also good is ATI's Remote Wonder, which also works with both PC and Mac.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
Why would you use the Mini Mac as a *back* end? If it's on the back end, why not just use some huge, ugly rig?

The ONLY advantage to a mini mac is it is small and stylish. Frankly, I feel sorry for anyone who buys a Mini Mac and thinks they are getting something "new".
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
My little blog (I never tire of telling people I was first with the how-to, albeit sans photos since it was posted 6 hrs. after the keynote) covers some other minor points as well... Just click my name. I ain't spammin' here.

BUT I would like to work with anyone using their mini, or other mac, to do various tasks around the house. Home automation, robotics, entertainment, security, and education. I'm putting together a little e-book for the vast, unwashed masses of PC users who'll be getting their very first Apple-- probably a mini.

Again, check my blog for info... Barb, you listening? And Phillip, have you duct-taped the mini to the head of an Aibo yet? Inquiring minds want to know.

Last point, regarding DVD to HD. You'll have to wait for BluRay or HD-DVD. Pixels are what they are, and won't "scale" unless there's data there to begin with. That's the point of H.264. Watch Steve's keynote and see what I mean. But it's coming... This is the year of HD after all!]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
On PC they have an app called FFDSHOW that will upscale the image to HD res (or higher) and it gives a noticeable boost to image quality above 480p (also inlcudes a staggering amount of filters to further improve image quality).

It's really something to see and makes a huge qualitative difference in IQ. Since I need an excuse to get a mini, I need an app like that on Mac.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
Go to the Sharing Preference pane and enable "Apple Remote Desktop." Go into the ARD options and check the box for "Enable VNC Viewers with the password:"

If you don't see it search Apple's site for "Apple Remote Desktop Client Update"]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
First off, the two elgato solutions mentiond would work perfectly fine with just that old g4 and some added storage.

Secondly, This setup will cost more than an HP media center or equivalent, and is much more of a pain to use.

While the ideas are good the implementation is just poor. It was a good shot though. Your best bet if you want to go Mac for doing this is to wait or get the eyeTv and eyeHome and old computer and continue to lust after the mini. You can still VNC into an old G4.

Me, I figure I've waited this long there's no sense in rushing it.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
This is wrong; please correct the article. The mini cannot (smoothly) play HD content, period.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
Does this mean that with a TV w/ a DVI connector, the Mac mini will be able to drive HDTV content over DVI, but not component?]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
Yes, the Mac mini is perfect for PVR/DVR use. But I think this "How to..." is a tad much for some. And when you add up the cost, you might as well just buy a set-top DVD-Recorder with hard drive. Heck, if anything I think that using the Powermac G4 400 as the main machine--no front/end or back/end just one machine--would do nicely. Add in as many hard drives as you can and that's fine.

I think for most casual users who just want to watch TV shows and record them, they simply need to get a Mac mini, and EyeTV 200 and that's about it. Perhaps a remote control device like ATI's Remote Wonder.

Definitely a decent effort, but I would really like to see a "How To.." that is a bit simpler and not focused on getting EVERY media source playable/recordable on the Mac mini.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
Isn't the current MacMini just a trojan horse, and the truly cool version will be coming in year with all the features we really want?]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
I record and download Video with my desktop since that does not need to happen in my living room. XBox media center is a great program too. I can use the remote, or even a webbrowser to control it.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
As a side question anyone tried to hook a mac mini up to a Toshiba 26HL83 26" LCD HDTV via DVI? No matter what res I set it at some of the screen is cut off (I found the proper res for my PC using a GF 6800 but its also cut off when used with the mini). 1240x768 gets me the least hacked up screen where I can KINDA see the menu bar.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
I don't work at El Gato, I'm just a happy user.

http://www.elgato.com

You can find the eyeHome for $189 to $239, depending on where you shop for it. It does AVI, MPEG (1,2,4) and more. And, let's face it, between Bittorrent TV shows and ripped movies (MPEG-2), there's little reason to have much more than an eyeHome for your movies and media. It's one of my favorite media-center devices in a long time.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Thanks
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
http://www.salling.com]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
Below is a link with some good information on the different cables, converter and switches.

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/DVI_monitor_cables.html#vid-card]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
OSXVnc has a FAQ that says it doesn't work with headleass systems without a hardware upgrade(!)... so *are* there any remote desktops that actually work properly for OSX?
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
Also, will the VNC work with WIRELESS networks?]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
One problem though - part of the screen is drawn in the overscan area of the TV. That's not a problem for playing video, of course, but you can't see the Mac menu at the top of the screen. I'm using the zoom feature in the accessibility options as a workaround, and OSXVnc.

I'm playing around with DisplayConfigX ($12 shareware), which works - but I'm having trouble finding the video timings that might get rid of the overscan issue - the TV definitely does not act like a regular monitor. Also, when I turn the TV off and on, the Mac will often come back in a different resolution. So there's still lots of tweaking I've got to do...
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/You don't need to buy ARD. OS X comes with the Remote Desktop server built-in. Open the Sharing preference pane and check the box next to Apple Remote Desktop, then click Access Privileges. Click the box next to "VNC viewers may control screen with password:" and set a password. You can now connect with a VNC client (over the default port 5900, I believe).

Re: "OSXVnc has a FAQ that says it doesn't work with headleass systems without a hardware upgrade(!)... so *are* there any remote desktops that actually work properly for OSX?"

Most older Macs had a quirk where if you booted the system without a monitor attached the video circuitry was disabled. If you plugged in a monitor after booting without one attached you wouldn't get any video. A side effect was that remote control software (VNC, Timbuktu) wouldn't work either. You could get around this by using Dr. Bott's gHead (http://www.drbott.com/prod/db.lasso?QuickSearch=ghead) or an old adapter that goes from VGA to old-style Mac video (or vice versa). I don't think newer systems have this problem, so it's a moot point.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/They provide drivers for the main digital tv cards out there. and this software is free!]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
This HOWTO is interesting in seeing what it would take to make it work, but the bigger question is "is it worth it" and for now, the answer is NO.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
I've built quite a few HTPCs. They're all cheaper, and do more. THe list of unsupported features is too long to even get into.

And the whole Mpeg-2 -> DVI -> HD thing is bullpuckies as far as I can figure yout. If I'm wrong someone please explain it to me. Unless somehow the raw TS is getting streamed back to an HD TUNER in a TV (if anyone even uses their OTA tuner in their TV).]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
2. Speaking of DVI, there's some confusion here. DVI-D is digital only. DVI-I carries BOTH digital and analog signals. The Mac Mini -- all Macs with DVI output, in fact -- (pretty sure, anyway!) have DVI-I, so you should be covered. For more info and an intro to DVI, see: http://www2.dvigear.com/introtodvi.html

3. I *love* my EyeTV 200. It's currently connected to an iMac G5. It rocks and does everything I want it to. Plus titantv.com integration is FREE instead of a stupid one-time 'life of device', or a monthly $14+ fee for T*vo. I can record shows by scheduling them from the EyeTV software, from the titanTV site by clicking a 'record' button, or even from WORK (remotely) by clicking "remote schedule" an hour in advance (the EyeTV software 'phones home' to the titanTV site to see if there is new content to record.) I can edit shows to remove commercials with a pretty easy to use interface (I'd give it a B+), then use a one-step process to burn them easily to DVD with Roxio Toast Titanium. The setup is seriously polished and I'm really happy with it.

4. I really *DO NOT LIKE* my EyeHome. Did the reviewer actually buy one and use it? I found many things wrong with it, including: Cannot have more than one 100-baseT hub between computer and EyeHome (network latency makes program playback die); EyeHome does not do 7-second reply or 30 second commercial skip (like EyeTV does; both come with remotes); playback sometimes randomly 'falls off' and you cannot recover where it was - you have to start over; ffwd/rwd are VERY SLOW to respond and that makes it easy to miss where you're trying to shuttle to - or again it could kill the video; the interface for 'other' tasks (iTunes music, iPhoto albums, web browsing) is WEAK and not even 10% as good as the programs themselves; the eyeHome technology was licensed from Syabas which makes me wonder how often we'll see new models or even software updates; the mac client for eyeHome runs tomcat - which is cool - but does not let you make any changes to the way things worked... compare this to the SliMP3 and Squeezebox 'open server' model, where everything is able to be modified -- the user community is welcome to complain about SliMP3 Server -- but they can jump right in and change things. For example, both eyeHome and SliMP3 have an IR receiver which sends the signal to its server running on your computer, which decides what to do with it. Well, you can customize SliMP3 server to do new actions (like send an x10 'dim lights' command) for new IR signals it receives - not so for the EyeHome. That's understandable since obviously they want an idiot-proof box and they're worried that if people mess with it they'll break it and that'll increase the amt. of support needed - just say 'buyer beware! this is advanced mojo!' or something. Grr.

Therefore, for someone who has the EyeTV already AND the eyeHome, consider that I'm thinking about Mac Mini as a *replacement* for my eyeHome, and attaching my EyeTV 200 and an external HD to it rather than stream the content from my iMac G5 in the other room. Then it doubles as a *computer* instead of a crappy networked front-end to my media. Now iTunes playback doesn't suck. iPhoto slide shows on my TV. etc, etc. I'm still worried about how well the content will play back, given only 32 MB of VRAM, and a slower processor than my G5, so keep that in mind before thinking my solution is the best one; I HAVE NOT TRIED IT YET.

I may also get a second EyeTV 200 so I can tape one show on each computer and watch TV on the iMac in the other room, I like it that much, it's a great product.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/25/how-to-turn-your-mac-mini-into-a-media-center/
This just doesn't look elegant at all. Although its pretty, I am thinking the comcast hd pvr (which is no tivo) might be the better bet at this point for me. At least that's a rental, so if Jobs delivers a mini-based grand unification device I can always "switch".]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM