1.83 Mac mini as media center?

Does the 1.83 Ghz Mac mini have enough juice as a media center? My iMac works great at this, but I want to move it to another room and replace it with a Mac mini. I tried my Powerbook, but it was not nearly powerful enough to push the content, particularly the HD content.
Thanks,
Ed.

You can't really equate the performance of your PB and the mini, because despite the PB's dedicated video card and VRAM, it is limited by the processor. The mini on the other hand can amply handle HD resolutions, and the processor is significantly more capable - not just because of the added speed, but also the dual core architecture.
I'd be surprised if you didn't find comments here regarding the current mini's capabilities in this regard if you search back through prior threads on the subject.
Do you think that Apple will come out with a mini after Macworld that has the video upgrade in the new Macbooks?
No-one really knows - and speculative thoughts on what may or may not happen are not permitted. However, it would seem to me that if you were in a position of deciding whether to buy a mini or wait, with this particular function in mind, it would make sense to wait the few remaining days to see if a new model was forthcoming and if so, whether it's capabilities for HD work were more clearly defined.

Similar Messages

Mac Mini G4 - Media Center (Again)

Hello,
I'd like to thank first of all the people that have helped me with finding the right TV/LCD TV to use with my mac mini G4. I haven't made my move yet but it has not stopped me from enjoying our mac mini G4 as a media center with my old tube TV (watching DVD, internet, family photos, etc ... all from the couch).
I've now been looking for a while for a way to record various video feeds (from TV, DVD player, or cable set top box (Comcast)) to my mac mini G4. What I want to do is use also my mac mini G4 as a DVD recorder for TV shows and stuff like that.
I know there is Elgato, Plextor, and others like that but they often seem expensive and I don't need all that fancy scheduling program guides (can't you even just do scheduling with automator ???). Heck, I've even looked into the neuros products MPEG4 recorders.
Basically, can someone point me to a basic "something" that will take a video feed from cable, TV or DVD player, and enable me to record it to my mac mini where I can later on burn it to a dvd or leave it on the hard drive. I want something cheap, easy to use, proven and not with alot of extras... Something basic.
Thank you very much for all you help
Eric McCann

Hey Eric, Here's what I did. I tried to make it complicated first, but then I realized that the easiest (and cheapest) thing to do was to buy a dvd recorder. What I mean is one that would normally replace a vcr. If you record on dvd rw's, you can then move it to the computer and re-record on the disc when you're through. I use mac the ripper, and handbrake to rip and code my video. Here's the basic process: record to dvd rw; put the disc in the mac; rip it with mac the ripper. If I just want to keep it on the computer, that's it, I'm done. I can open the video ts folder from dvd player on the mac. If I want to burn it on a dvd, I open the folder with handbrake, and code it into mpeg4. Import that into iMovie and then burn the dvd with iDvd. Or, you could put it together with Toast if you wanted to buy that program. The other two are free, and everything else came with your mac. All total, I'm out 98 bucks for a basic Magnavox dvd recorder at Wal-Mart, and I get all the program functions of a vcr. Not elegant by any means, but it works for me. I looked at all the hardware encoders you mentioned, but decided to put the extra money toward a 23" lcd tv to use as a monitor. Good luck, there is always about 867 ways to do this stuff, just decide which way you want to go, then don't look back.
Keith

Mac Mini G4 - Media Center

Hello,
I've just bought a mac mini G4 refurbished and I love it. I've plugged it right now with an old tube TV (about 23" sears TV). The image is not great and have tried twicking the resolution, the settings in the display control panel, font aliasing, etc. Anyways, the only thing that I don't like is the writing is hard to see.
What I want to know :
- Is there a place where you can increase your font size in general and everywhere (finder menu, icons, etc). already did it with viewing options for icons
- Knowing of course that I'm running with an old tube TV, can anyone suggest which LCD TV to get has my plan in the near future is to get one and connect it to my mac mini. I'm looking in the 30 to 40" range. What should I look for, things to avoid ???
My goal, is to have my mac mini as a media center in my living room for watching DVD, surfing the web, TV (with EyeTV later on), etc...
Thank you very much

Hello,
Thank you for the feedback. I had tried going at a high resolution like that, but the fonts got even harder to see. What seems to work best for now is 600x800 or 640x480 (actually this one is the best).
As for a new TV, thank you for the tips. Went this afternoon at Best Buy and Circuit City. The later seems to have good deals and we are looking at maybe a Panasonic or Sony. I think I will stick like you said with one of the well known brands.
As for the font sizeing, I will look and try to find something.
Thank you

Mac Mini as Media Center?

I wanted to get some suggestions as to how to do this...
At the moment I have a network hard drive on which resides all my music, some videos and TV shows, pictures, etc. What I would like to do now is get a Mac Mini and hook it up to the TV (with wireless keyboard and mouse) and connect to my network (would it need to be wired for the bandwidth that I'll need?).
Then:
1) I use the mini as a standard computer and surf the net from the family room.
2) I would access my iTunes library and play music, videos, etc.
3) I would be able to see my family photos, etc.
4) Use the mini to play DVD's (our DVD player just died).
5) Even rip the DVD's into a library so that we don't have to go get them out of the cabinet to watch the more frequently viewed shows (Kids in the Hall, Monty Python, etc.)
There is little doubt that I could do all of these things, and if anyone has suggestions regarding tips and tricks in hooking this up to my TV, I'm all ears (eyes?), but there's something else...
We have a Tivo. Is there some way that the mini could also take the place of the Tivo? And can you guys think of any other way I can use the mini's functionality to maximize my bang for the buck?
Thanks. I'm looking forward to all ideas. Bear in mind that I don't have surround sound and I don't plan on ever doing that... I seem to recall that having a bearing on a similar topic.
Rick

For point 5)
Handbrake is a good (shareware) application to rip backup copies of your DVD's to store / playback on your harddrive. Also check out Visual Hub.
You'll also need to get a copy of Flip4Mac (which provides WMA compatibility for Quick Time) and Perian (which provides additional support for other video formats missing from QT). These two apps will ensure you can pretty much watch any video format.
You could also get a copy of VLC media player, which plays virtually every video format there is.
I use all of the above in my Macmini media set up - the Mini as a media solution is simply superb. Good luck!

Mac Mini as Info Center....

Good morning.
I have a 1st gen Mac Mini. I'm interested in setting it up in our kitchen as a "info center". What I'd like to do is use it stream select music to play, videos to watch, TV (using Elgato?) and have weather updates available, etc. I do have Front Row on the mini. Couple of questions:
1. Is there any other "Media" type software available (tried Media Central... too slow on gen 1 mini)?
2. Is there a remote available for the mini that will allow control of functionality (don't think the 1st gen has IR capability, does it?). Rather have that then keyboard and mouse on kitchen counter.
I have many ideas and can see this working, just wanted to be able to get the most "bang for the buck".
Thanks.

I have a G4 mini (the first generation) in use as a 'media center', using Front Row, and it works very well. TV is handled by an Elgato EyeTV device, and it streams music and video, including my movie library, from the iTunes library on my G5 - that content can be accessed either via iTunes sharing or Front Row (Front Row is more elegant as a control interface).
Since the first generation mini does not have an IR interface for remote control, I have a Keyspan remote (http://www.amazon.com/Remote-Front-Row-Mac-Only/dp/B000FBK3RE/ref=sr11?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1226494866&sr=8-1) which works very well, though range is not as great as typically suggested. The remote uses a USB 'dongle', so it takes up one of the two USB ports on the back of the G4 mini.
Overall performance is more than adequate for my needs, including internet access for browsing and even direct access to online content.

How can I set up a wireless network between two Mac Mini's (media centres)?

I've just received my second mac mini (core duo, 1.83, 1 Gb ram)and want to set up a wireless network to link this with my original mac mini (PPC 1.42, 512MB) and my Belkin wireless router (g std).
I'm using both as media centres in different rooms and want to keep all my media (films, photo's, music etc.) on one mini (connected to a 640GB external drive) and access it over the wireless network. Sort of a more felxible Apple TV setup??
I've got the wireless network working no problems with both mini's connected to the internet over the network but I'm stuck at how I get the two mini's to see each other. I've tried "the Missing Manual" and these forums but no success so far.
I know it can be done but would really appreciate any suggestions/directions on what to do?
Thanks in advance<<br>
MacMini PPC and MacMini Core Duo Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Jona11-
Greetings and welcome to the Apple boards.
This document should be very helpful.
Luck-
-DaddyPaycheck

Front Row - Mac Mini - and PowerBook G4, Mac-Mini Multi Media centre.

I will be purchasing a HDTV is the near future and would like to buy a Mac Mini to complement it. ( then sell my DVD player )
The big question are:
-Can I ( using Front Row ) stream AVI data (film) from my PB G4 to my Mac-Mini and watch the content on my new HDTV. ( over AirPort )
-Do I need to buy a new PB that also has Front Row ? ( I hope not )
-What type of video data can I stream ? (iTunes and iPhoto I already know about)
-What about HD DVD's when they come out. Is the drive in the Mac-Mini HD DVD compatible ?( I don't think so )
Please - If you have any other relevant points or question's about the Mac-Mini usage as a multi media centre, Post them here.
15" PB G4 SD 1.5 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.5)

I just tried a AVI film and it work's with QT,
although a mpg film did not.
Now that I think about it, I tried a mpg plug-in for
QT and was disappointed.
Has anyone had any success with such a plug-in ?
Another Question:
Must then this AVI data reside in iTunes for
Front-Row to "see" it ? How does this work ?
I guess that when a Blue-Ray drive is added to Apple
products that a HD DVD will not play, or will it play
it but only burn Blue-Ray ?
When shopping for a HDTV I asked about the difference
in Blue-Ray and HD and he told me that the TV will
play both versions.
I hope that the drive will also play both, although
the way I know Apple it will be Blue-Ray only. (
at-least in the beginning ) Remember DVD-R
i would not worry about the blu-ray - HD-DVD thing right now. too much still in the air. once they realize consumers are too un-techie to figure it out and just continue to buy DVD's their will be a standard plus their is already other formats being developed. then if you talking about movies and such my guess is downloaded content is the way apple will go with an itunes movie store but thats my guess.
but yes, HDTV's will play either, its the player. I have a 61" samsung 720p DLP and my new mac mini looks good on it at 1280x720. front row is great. I also watched a ton of HD trailers from quicktime's website and they were amazing.
and from what i have seen from front row it only shows content that is in itunes or iphoto not random folders but i could be wrong, still palying around with it.

Help Me Please...Using Mac Mini as Entertainment Center

Ok, so I am needing help with this mini:
Mac Mini
Model Identifier: PowerMac 10.1
Processor: PowerPC G4(1.2)
Processor Speed : 1.42 ghz
HardDrive: 80gb
Memory: 512mb
OK so...let me begin with some background....I know this is an older based mini, it was collecting dust in a closet, when I decided to put it to use. So I completely whiped the hard drive, installed leopard, and pulled all my media off my time capsule to the mini itself. I wrote a script that boots the mini up, as if it were an AppleTV..all is well...BUT....When the mini boots up, it boots up into front row, and in order to select the category/media I want..I need to either use a Bluetooth/wireless keyboard/mouse...or use screen sharing from my Macbook pro and control it that way...I would really like to be able to use a remote control. However the PowerPC based minis do not support the use of the apple remote...I have looked into other 3rd party remotes such as keyspan and others, however, that would be another remote to keep up with..I would really like to have only one single remote that controls everything....SOOO...I was looking into the Logitech harmony remote..which is **** expensive, but I thought it might work....But..again, the mini doesn't have an ir receiver....So im kinda stumped on what I should do...anyone have any ideas?

I think the Keyspan is your best choice as it comes with a receiver. I have previously used one on a PowerMac with Front Row. They are cheaper than the Logitech Harmony range as well.

Home Sharing from two different Macs to a Media Center

I am using an old G5 iMac as a Media Center in my basement. I have Home Sharing setup on my daughter's Macbook so that when she buys new music, movies or TV shows they automatically transfer to the Media Center iTunes Library. Is it possible to get my iMac iTunes to do the same thing at the same time? It seems like the Media Center will only Home Share with my daughter's Library and will not let me Home Share my Library. Can anyone tell if it it's possible to have two different accounts / libraries Home Sharing to a central iTunes Library?

The simplest way is for you to select the entire listing in iTunes and drag all the songs out to a folder. This will copy them, not remove them from iTunes. Do the same on the other iTunes.
Transfer the folder over to the new Mac, over a network, or burn them to a DVD.
Now duplicate one of the folders (for safety reasons before proceeding).
Open this duplicate folder. Open the other folder. Select all the tracks in this other folder and drag them to the new folder: When asked if you want to overwrite files of the same name choose 'Skip' and check 'Apply to all'.
This will then move all files over except where there is already a file with that song title. If you have recordings of the same song by more than one artist you will have to sort that out manually.
This done, open iTunes on the new computer, select all the files in the merged folder and drag them to the Music list.

Use Mac Mini as media server

I am looking to switch out my old HTPC for a Mac Mini, but I would like to save as much money as possible and keep the options I have with my HTPC. Right now I have a 250GB system HDD and a 1TB data storage HDD. How does it work to use an external HDD as media storage that is served to another device (like a PS3) for viewing?

Charles:
You can have your iPhote or Aperture libraries on the Mac Mini, and you can sync them with ypur iPhone. Notice that pictures taken from the iPhone are not added to your iPhoto or Aperture libraries unless you import them inside iPhoto or Aperture (the iPhone appears as a camera).
In iTunes you can choose wich iPhoto or Apertures events you want to copy (not sync, it is just a copy) to your iPhone. When you do that, a new Album will be added to your iPhone.

"learn remote" from apple TV - mac mini as media centre

I have bought a mini to use as a media centre. Both front row, and Plex, can be driven very well from my six button "apple remote". However I would really like to drive front row and Plex from the single remote that came with my Loewe TV, blue-ray player, and sound system.
Appletv can do this - there is a "learn remote" utility that allows you to configure IR commands from your TV remote to behave like the 6 (7) buttons on the apple remote. Since AppleTV is like a cut down Mac, I expected to be able to do the same on the Mini. But I cannot find the utility anywhere.
Anybody know if this appletv application is available on the mini? or if the same effect can be achieved another way. I dont want to buy a universal remote, since the single Loewe remote already drives everything else. Nor do I want to pay extra for the programable remote that Loewe sell. The "learn remote" utility would be absolutely perfect.

I know its been 17 months since anyone replied to your post, but I stumbled upon your request, because I had the same issue. However, I can faithfully say that I solved this same problem, because I inadvertendly programmed my MX-980 remote to control my Apple TV and Mac Mini at the same time and didn't realize until much later what was happening. I use my Mac Mini (for the purpose of using PLEX) and my Apple TV for other purposes. Here's a discussion I had over at remotecontrol.com about it.
The solution for you is have two Apple remotes. You can buy an extra apple remote at a good price over at Amazon.
Out of box, the apple remote is designed to pair with your Mac and Apple TV as long as pairing is enabled on those machines by default. However, it's the consumer's responsibility to physically pair that remote with the machine you want to control so it can't control any other machine. That's the trick you were missing...
So, if you have an Apple TV and Mac Mini next to each other -- a single Apple Remote will control BOTH machines at the same time out of box. This is not the intended result as you have indicated. Therefore you need two apple remotes.
Mac Mini: Once you have two apple remotes, go to your Mac Mini (OSX 10.9) and select under the Apple menu > Preferences > Security > General > Click unlock (bottom left corner) first > sign in > Then click Advanced... to see the Pairing process. If you click advanced *before* you click unlock icon, the pairing menu will be missing.
Note: You can also install free CandleAir preference for your Mac which is a slick interface for configuring apple remotes faster and easier IMHO. http://www.iospirit.com/labs/candelair/
Apple TV: Now take your second Apple Remote, go to Apple TV > Preferences > General > Remote and follow the on screen instructions to properly pair your remote control.
This should solve your problem.

Mac mini as media player for HD content ?

hi
i am looking for the best affordable solution for HD projection.
i will be shooting and editing a 18min video, probably on sony xdcam ex1 editing on my g5 fcp 6 system. i don't want to down-convert for projection and am considering to buy a mac mini and project a .mov file compressed with h264. any experience ? can quicktime project full resolution, full screen and in loop ? since i am not burning to dvd, can i use higher than the allowed bit-rate in order to get the best possible quality ? if i connect the mini to the projector using dvi to hdmi, will i be losing quality ?
any suggestions and comments will be much appreciated...
nir

A DVI to HDMI connector requires a dual link DVI end for some or a single link for others. I don't know what the mini uses.
One is 24 pins and the other is 18 pins.
If that is what you are using, then make certain you get the right one.
and if this is a DVI, remember you need separate audio outputs for sound.
A DVI cable won't carry sound

Mac Mini as Media server

Hi,
I recently replaced my Mac Mini G4 for an Intel duo 2 Core version. I also have a TimeCapsule (router) and a MacBook. Currently I have Itunes and iPhoto Libraries on both my MacBook and the Mac Mini (and share files with the Homesharing option). Is it possible to just have the libraries on the Mini and use that library on my MacBook? I use the library on my MacBook to sync my iPhone and Ipod and the Mini to play my music ans movies.
Any ideas what the best setup is? Or is there a link to a walkthrough or something like that?

This document describes how to do what you want with iTunes:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301748
This document describes how to do the same with iPhoto:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1229

Xbox 360 and Mac as the media center??

First I will say I am new to the world of Mac. I am wondering if instead of conecting the xbox 360 to our old pc, is there a way to connect it with the Mac? We want to be able to share media with the x box.

Not 100% sure if this would work, but I suspect that if the xBox can act as a media extender then this software would work.
EyeConnect
http://www.elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyeconnect

How do I use imac or mac mini as media server for Beoplay A*?

We are contemplating buying a Beoplay A* and and appropraite Mac configuration to support it. I'd like to load all our musc into Itunes from CD's, as well as stream from things like Pandora. I'm having trouble fnding any helpful documentation.
How does htis work? If the mac is in one room, and the beoplay in another how do we connect them, and what's the GUI / remote control?
s anyone actually using a Beoplay A8?

You can enable file sharing on the computer you want to use as a server in System Preferences.
On your other computers, you can connect to server in the Go menu of the finder and type in the server's name plus a .local extension. If you name your server computer "Server" then type in server.local and login with an account on the server.
Otherwise you can buy OS X Server from the App Store but that's more complicated if all you want to do is share files.
Hope this helps.
Taylor

1.83 Mac mini as media center?

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