Mac Mini Purchase Question HDTV

Hello,
I want to buy a mac mini for an entertainment computer. I think the hdmi out will be great.
All I want to do is watch movies through my samsung 55" HDTV.
I am wondering if the basic model will be enough or should I get a suped up model.
If I need a suped up model, what do I need. More RAM, Processor Power, or what? I use a shared network drive at home so storage is not an issue.
Thanks,
James

"Watch movies" could mean a lot of things. If you are talking about purchased iTMS content then a minimum configuration will be fine. If you are talking about movies from other sources, then it becomes harder to answer the question without knowing more about the sources.
Certain very high bit rate content, like 1080p at high frame rates and encoded in such a way that hardware decoding can't be used...movies like that could give trouble without some thought and care put into the configuration. But most likely, you will be fine with a minimum configuration.

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HT201897 Does a Mac Mini purchased in the USA require a power converter for operation in Europe or should I only purchase a different power cord for it?

Does a Mac Mini purchased in the USA require a power converter to operate outside of the USA or can I simply purchase a different power cord for it?

Depending on which European country (should their mains access plug/port shape vary) the
cord set with correct ends on it has to match. You can buy a cord that plugs into the Mini
where the factory cord goes, and the other end has one for the wall source shape. The wire
for the application should be able to support 110~240VAC.
With the cord or an accurate image in hand, you could either get a new cable to match both
realities (mini + wall supply mains local) or an adapter (US/Standard to EU/Local) for just
the head or input part of the original Apple cable. One plugs into the other, then into wall.
If you have a new Mini with a small modular plug/port on the computer end of the power wire,
it would have only two holes and no ground; the other end would have two prongs of equal
shape and size. Not a polarized plug and not a grounded three-prong. To get a replacement
power wire for the MINI to go from power source to the Mini is recommended, if you are going
to be staying in one location for awhile. A Travel Kit that offers no electrical conversion but only
the physical shape adapter kit, should a available in travel stores, airports; big box discount
stores, computer and electronic stores. This page shows the cord end of the appliance shapes.
The other end would be the mains shape for whichever country you are going to....
http://www.signalandpower.com/European-Power-Cords/
So to match the country or regional power mains type is a primary concern for obtaining the
correct replacement cord to supply the Mini with local mains power. The end which plugs into
the Mini is of a certain type (numbers for EU and elsewhere are published, see link + images)
& the end that gets plugged into the mains or utility side, needs to match the local specification.
The link to Apple, to contact for Support and Service information in prior post, should be able
to help find a source for the local replacement type cord they'd sell local people with a Mini.
Apple local sources offer replacements for this purpose; and for travelers, a second cord for
a direct use (not adapter plugs) is a better bet. For those who only need a cord in two places.
If you are traveling to Denmark, UK, Swiss or other EU countries require different adapters.
Even places where the power itself may be somewhat similar. However your MINI has an
automatic power supply that will conform to that energy standard, you only need to supply a
correct non-transforming adapter. Simply a connection to adapt one shape to another.
The general purpose travel kit that is not specialized to Apple power adapters, would have a
plastic plug/adapter with the local pins on one side, and the US/standard two slots on the other.
So, no circuitry nor any other change of electrical power inside this device would be required.
http://www.signalandpower.com/2-Prong-Plug-Adapters/
http://www.signalandpower.com/Convert-to-Europe-CEE-716-plug/
http://www.signalandpower.com/Swiss-AC-Power-Cords/
In other words, I believe my other post already covered this. On the ground on either end of the
path, adapters are common and the Mini does not use proprietary electrical components IF you
have one of the more recent shape aluminum models with the power supply built in. The older
Mini has the power brick and two wires. A US/Standard plug adapter to EU/Local would work in
either case, since all you'd do is plug the adapter plug into the local mains and the US plug into
that one... I see these kinds of discards for as little as 25¢ in thrift stores in Alaska. Or you can
buy a new one. Or you could get a complete cord with correct ends on it, for Mini + local mains.
Hopefully this helps somewhat. The only info missing is which EU country or region is involved.
Their shapes of plug are different, so the adapter end for local supply has to match their standard.
Swiss, Denmark, UK, and others offer different shapes and so on.
The Apple store in the location you are traveling should be able to supply you with a replacement
cable for a modern MINI, that has the correct local mains end, and the correct Apple mini end on
the opposite. Since the unit is automatically switching, the magic is done.
Since I supplied a means to locate any number of Apple stores, authorized service providers &
other Apple related vendors in my earlier reply: https://locate.apple.com/country you could contact
any of them along your route in the City in whichever EU country, to find a local MINI power cable.
In any event, I'm done...
Good luck and happy trails...

I have no audio from the mac mini to the hdtv via hdmi cable.

This started immediately after the latest "apple software update" I updated it automatically on 6/24/2011. I have an elgato eye tv connected to the mac mini that provides BOTH audio and video through the HDMI to the HDTV. The elgato eye tv works fine. I get both audio and video.
However, I only get picture and NO sound from the mac mini to the HDTV via the HDMI output. No streaming audio either - only picture. Ive tried pandora, netflix, hulu, etc. I even put in a DVD into the mac mini and again I receive a picture through THE HDMI but no audio.
I've shutdown and rebooted. I've disconnected power and reconnected power. I've gone into the system preferences, audo, and highlight the SONY HDTV as the output. But still nothing. I do notice when I toggle between the "internal speakers' and the HDMI option, the audio arrow on the lower right is bright blue during the internal speakers option but is grey when the HDMI option is connected.
I called apple care. Since I'm 98 days past my 90 days of coverage there is no help via human being. They offered me to set an appointment at the local apple store but they suggested I bring down my 60 inch HDTV with me to the store to be sure it is not a "Sony" issue. I hope someone can help me resolve this without having to put this mac mini on craigslist and taking a $ hit.
This was not an issue yesterday. It became an issue after the latest and greatest "update" to prepare our machines for the lovely lion.
Thanks.

I have the same issue. I also have the 2010 mac mine and use hdmi for audio to my receiver. I get audio from eye tv with no problems, but it seems to lock the path so that only it can use that path for audio. If I restart the computer and do not start eye tv everything else works with hdmi audio. I have tried using the system settings and changing the source there but it doesnt seem to matter.
David

Crazy story when purchasing Mac Mini and question

I got a mac mini 2 weeks ago and never opened the applecare protection plan.. I got rung up for the 599- version but the retail store ( not apple store) gave me a 799- version. I didnt know until I got it to my office. Well two weeks later the kid who rang me up called me ( i have an account there) and said I owed them the 200-.. I said no it was their problem not mine, the manager picks up and says its fine but my warranty is no good. How is this true? Will the applecare not be covered? I don't understand how me giving them $200 is gonna magically make my warranty work? I already registered the mac mini to my name so am I missing something?
Thanks for reading, need your opinion.

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
I'm not sure that getting the opinions of other Apple users is really going to help you much, because none of us know any more than you do. However, in your situation I would not leave the matter there.
My first reaction would be to talk to Apple's Customer Service and ask them for clarification. Bearing in mind that some legal jurisdictions have different laws, you could find, for example, that Apple have no latitude and not only must honor the error in providing the better system, but also the warranty because you paid for it.
Alternatively, you could suggest that in the circumstances, you're prepared to return the unit for a full refund, in which case then buy a new model mini with better specifications for the same amount.
One way or another, I would not have the store dictate an outcome which you are not happy to accept, unless and until it is clear from Customer Relations that they have gone as far as they reasonably can to meet your expectations.

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http://www.super-natural-films.com
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Nerox9

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After rebooting late 2012 Mac Mini a question mark appears on screen

Hi guys,
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Mac Mini Purchase Question HDTV

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