Advice about Mac Mini home set up

I'd really appreicate a bit of advice with regard to a good home set up...
I have been using an iMac fomr 2007 for the last few years, primarily for photo editing on Aperture and Photoshop, as well as hosting a pretty big itunes library. The computer is now crushingly slow - I put this down to a combination of age (although 6 years isn't too bad!) and the amount of data being stored on the computer. I have 10,000+ photos and an itunes library of 200GB+. I am now thinking about the best way to go with regard to replacing the machine.
One option I have looked at would be to purchase a Mac Mini with a server OS. I would then use this to host all of the files - itunes library, photo library, etc. I would then buy a laptop (not sure which one!) to do any importing of photos, editing etc. My understanding is that it would then be pretty straightforward to merge the library with the main library hosted on the Mac Mini.
I am struggling to see if this is the best way to do things, to be honest. I have fairly limited knowledge of home set ups, but I am OK to learn as I go. The issues for me with buying another iMac are: in my house there is limited space to physically put the computer (2 children and a small house!) and I am worried that, even thought the iMac will be powerful enough to meet my storage needs now, it won't be so good in a few years time. I know an obvious solution it to buy exterbal hardrives, but I have fund these to be pretty unreliable, especially when they host photo libraries.
Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated. Thanks

sjmcampbell wrote:
...... I know an obvious solution it to buy exterbal hardrives, but I have fund these to be pretty unreliable, especially when they host photo libraries.
The only external hard drives I have had any reliability
issues with are Western Digital external drives. To often
they have caused all manor of issues over the years and
I now avoid them like the plague.
Personally, I have a few Iomega portables for clone backups.
For my media server, I have a pair or 500gig Gdrive portables
for iTunes (one main, one as backup) and a pair of 3 Terabyte
Seagate GoFlex drives (one main, one backup) to serve up
all my video content connected to my Airport Extreme Base
Station. This setup is active 24/7 and has been flawless
serving up their media content to my workstation Mini, my
Macbook Pro, and my HTPC Mini for almost two years now.
For file sharing that you desire to do, there is absolutely no need
for the Server app. Simply enabling file sharing and selecting
folders to be shared is all you need to do. And for iTunes, you
will simply need to enable the Home Sharing feature in it.
As far as a Mini, unless you want to do your Aperture and Photoshop
on it, you can get away with the base model. If you also intend to
use it as a photo workstation, then I would suggest the next model
up the food chain, with the optional 2.6 GHz, quad core i7. Also, if
this is a scenario, max out the RAM to 16 gig, but get it from OWC,
Newegg, etc.

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Mac Mini Home Theatre PC + Lion = Big Bag of Hurt

I have a mac mini (2010) connected via HDMI to a switcher and on to either a TV or projector. The TV happens to be on a wall 90° to the projector screen. The audio is also wired via toslink/optical cable to the AV amplifier. The main speakers are aligned with the projection setup so its nice to have the TV sound come from the TV directly sometimes, even though the quality is dreadful compared to the main speakers (as opposed to rich sound coming from only the left side).
Running under Snow Leopard was fine - just switch the audio out from the HDMI to the Optical out at will (as one would expect through the sound output control panel).
Unfortunately I thought it would be cool to update to Lion to have a trackpad rather than the mouse on the coffee table. Bad idea!
Under 10.7.1 it all seemed to be working OK. Sound from main speakers, picture over HDMI on TV or projector. Sweet. Then I tried to change to the TV's speakers via the control panel. Nothing works. Click on either "optical out" or "Panasonic HDMI" and nothing changes, the audio keeps coming through the amplifier to the main speakers. Oh, well, the TV's sound was crap anyway, I could live with this at a push.
Update to 10.7.3. Whoops. Now the sound only comes out through the HDMI cable to the television. Permanently. Again, choosing either option in the control panel has no effect. Apple seems to have hardwired it this way and those options are an illusion. Now, I want to watch a movie - ZERO sound! The projector has no speaker, but apple is sending the audio there along the hdmi and I have no way of routing it to the Toslink cable anymore. Total train smash!! Silent movies - whoo hoo. Fail.
Annoyingly, this isn't a limitation of the hardware at all (it worked perfectly as expected in Snow Leopard) - its obviously a conscious decision. Or no one at apple bothers to test their stuff properly any more. All suggestions summarised - get new hardware - either new AV amplifier which accepts hdmi or extra cables to feed audio back from the TV to the amp!!?? Jeez. It used to work perfectly already without that.
Oh well, restoring to Snow Leopard as I type. Will have to find another use for that magic trackpad I stupidly bought on Monday. So if you have a Mac Mini Home Theatre PC and you need the options on routing video and audio separately, stay away from Lion!

You didn't need Lion in the first place for the track pad:
System Requirements
Bluetooth-enabled Mac computer
Two AA batteries (included)
OS X Snow Leopard v10.6.4 or later
I was using one with my 2010 Mini before Lion in my
HTPC setup.

Few questions about Mac Mini as a home theatre

I want to get a Mac Mini to install Plex on and use as a home theatre. I have a few questions:
1) Can I connect it via HDMI to my amp (my amp accepts HDMI in and then connects by HDMI to the TV). Will it pass audio by HDMI also?
2) What's the earliest Mac Mini I could by 2nd hand to fit my needs? Or would I need the new, latest one?
Cheers

1) Can I connect it via HDMI to my amp (my amp accepts HDMI in and then connects by HDMI to the TV). Will it pass audio by HDMI also?
No. You'd need DVI to HDMI, and DVI doesn't pass audio. You'll need to run the audio separately. Note that some TVs will not accept a separate audio signal when they're set to an HDMI input, so if you plan to run the audio through your TV, check your set to find out. If you're planning to run the audio through a separate audio system, then you don't have to worry.
2) What's the earliest Mac Mini I could by 2nd hand to fit my needs? Or would I need the new, latest one?
I'm using one of the original G4 Mac minis and it works just fine (using a DVI to HDMI cable), though I'm not using it for any HD content from the iTunes Store. The only hitch is that the G4 mini doesn't have an infrared port for a remote, so I have to control the mini via a keyboard or remote from another computer. Plex of course would require an Intel Mac mini.
Depending on what you want to do, you might also consider an Apple TV. If all you want to do is media playback and don't need other functions (web surfing, etc.) the Apple TV might meet your needs and be less expensive (plus it has an HDMI output which will pass audio).
Regards.
Message was edited by: Dave Sawyer

Question about Mac mini

I have a powerbook, but I want to get a Mac Mini for the windows use instead of upgrading and buying a new desktop (by Windows ie Dell). The question is can I have a mac mini and use my powerbook screen for the monitor?
Thanks.

Hello,
Not directly. The PowerBook cannot act as a monitor for the other computer.
And, the devices to connect the other computer to the PowerBook's USB or FireWire port (to pipe video in that way) would introduce such a lag that you would find games unplayable (and even controlling your mouse would be very difficult).
You could try a remote control program such as:
http://www.netopia.com/software/products/tb2/mac/index.html
You would then sit at the PowerBook, and remotely control the Mac Mini through a home network. Everything would appear on your screen as if you were sitting in-front of the Mac Mini.
Now, the program mentioned would only work for Mac OS to Mac OS remote control. But, there are Mac to Windows remote control options out there as well. But, they are a little trickier to set-up. But, one solution uses VNC networking and programs (of which there is a version for just about every platform / operating system).
But, the trick there is that you need to be able to see what you're doing on the Mac Mini computer long enough to setup the remote control program.
I'd suggest just finding another monitor for the other computer. They can be had for free and often only $5 if you buy them used. But, check around.
I hope this helps.
Let us know if you have other questions.

Can a mac mini be set up to run two separate users at the same time?

I work for a middle school and we need to purchase 20 computers that will just be used to run internet apps. Though we have all Macs, we don't have a big budget and for this one use only, we are condsidering purchasing inexpensive HP all-in-ones for about $450 each. However, I was wondering if a Mac Mini can be first set up with 2 partitions, install the OS on both partitions, then run two different users, with two separate monitors and keyboards, at the same time? This way, instead of purchasing 20 Windows computers, we could purchase 10 Mac Mini's (and displays) and save money, and still be supporting just one OS throughout the campus.

If you setup a server, as in the Mac OS X Server Installation, pages 23ff show configurations, you can have multiple users, but they must all have computers. Some installations can be done with dumb terminals but that is not what you seem to want. Unix machines do have a multiple simultaneous user capability but you still have to have a computer for each user, again, not what you seem to want to do. Right now there are two other users logged in on my Sun workstation on the desk behind me...they are logged in because I permit them to do so.
And last night for an experiment I connected my iMac and MBP by ethernet wire, logged in on the iMac, then logged in on the MBP and from there on the iMac...but I set up the network to permit that and then disabled it again. You can create security holes doing things like this.
As dwb points out switching from Apple to PC equipment is a false economy that lures in administrators. In our county school system we had a superintendent who hired a good friend...who had PC-industry ties. Decided to remove all Apple equipment from the elementary schools and switch to PCs. It wasn't long before they ended up going on a 4-year cycle of "refreshing" the equipment, i.e., completely replacing all hardware in every school on a four year cycle. Since my wife was a Media Specialist, aka librarian, and responsible for technology in her school, every four years she had to develop a complete school map of where each teacher wanted the computers in their classrooms, complicated by where the technicians predetermined the locations of the network wire drops, of course. then teachers get shuffled over the summer and all the plans are for naught.
Anyway, there really isn't a solution to your problem except to buy a large number of computers and let each student use one and have them networked to a server, print server, printers, etc. This is not inexpensive and cutting corners will only cause headaches for you.

Questions about mac mini iTunes server, streaming to macbook pro, ipads, etc.

I'm thinking about getting a mac mini to work with my NAS as a iTunes server. I have a bunch of questions about this. I will have two iPhones, a few iPads, and a laptop that will be accessing the files. I have iTunes match. This is basically to keep an always on computer for hosting the music/movies. My questions are as follows . . .
#1 Are there any good, comprehensive guides to show you how to do this?
#2 Can the movies be accessed when not at home on the shared network?
#3 Can the iPads or the macbook pro download the shared movies to be stored locally?
#4 Back to #3, how will it work on my macbook pro with listening to music (I have iTunes match)? Say i go to library and I break out my macbook pro and I don't have internet. What happens if I download music while at home onto my macbook pro to listen to it when I go to the library? Will i start a new library on my macbook pro? How will that mesh with the home server when I come back.
#5 Is there a way to mirror files or folders? So something that I have on my macbook pro will also mirror on the home server.
Thanks for your help on this. I'll post any follow up questions.

seanfenton wrote:
1. I want to replace the Optical drive with a 2TB SATA. can I use this 2.5 inch?
I do not know if it is the same model number, but this one will work in your MBP:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/SEAGATE%20OWC/ST2000LM003M/
2. I want to replace the HD with a 128GB SSD 840. When I replace these drives, will my OS still be in tact? I have never done this job before.
No. You will have to format the drives in Disk Utility>Erase to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and then install the OSX by using the original install disks.
3.) I want to replace the ram sticks to max capacity. This is 2 2GB sticks, Correct?
No. An early 17" 2008 MBP will accept 6GB RAM with the following specifications: 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM. The best sources of Mac compatible RAM are OWC and Crucial.
4.) Most difficult...
I want to extend the monitor wirelessly to a projector. I thought about using Apple TV and Airplay. However, support for airplay is for MacBooks 2011 and newer. I thought of using a PS3 and the media server, but I think this brings on a format compatibility issue. (my library is so large I could not afford to convert all my movies to MP4.) So, how would you recommend I put my extended monitor with VLC player onto a projector?
Could I possibly connect the MBP to a Mac Mini as an extension? would this work natively? I would rather use a VGA cord than F with 3rd party app BS.
Cannot help you there.
5..) I want to Bypass iTunes this time around. I would prefer to use Finder and VLC to manage all of my music. I mostly play all my music on shuffle, so, could I create a playlist on VLC with all of my music and play it randomly? (im sure this is possible but i'd like to organize all my plans with confirmation.)
You are not obligated to use iTunes.
6.) Can i upgrade the keyboard to backlit? i've read that this is possible.
All MBPs have back lighted keyboards. Your either needs a NVRAM reset or a repair.
Ciao.

2010 mac mini Home cinema sound and Home cinema headphones

Hello
im waiting for my 2010 mac mini to arrive,
ive experience with home cinema setups in the past.
Im looking to use my mac mini as a home cinema set up.
Im fine with the visual side ( projectors and hdtv).
The audio.
How on earth do i get home cinema sound into headphones.
due to where i live, headphones are the only option i have ( neighbours dont like noise.)
ive tried :-
sony mdr-drs7100
Pioneer SE-DRS3000c
pioneer dir-8000c.
the three above are ok as they have home cinema audio processing built in and worked with the optical digital output fine.
bass on the above 3 is weak.
i aso will prefer a wired set of headphones ( had enough of wireless)
im now looking at another route.
1) a decent headphone amplifier capable of playing DTS and Dolby digital 5.1
2) decent set of headphones to handle the above.
anyone any setups they can share that work
many thanks

Hey David,
My issue was resolved by ensuring that I was using a PAL resolution and frequency (720p @ 50 Hz or 1080p @ 50 Hz) for my PAL TV. Anything else causes audio stuttering through my HDMI cable.
Don't ask me why. Try this on your setup by using only the one of your TV's native resolutions and frequencies (Should say NTSC Television on every native TV resolution if you are in the US, PAL Television in Europe). If you do have an NTSC TV, then you might be able to use all of the 60 Hz frequency resolutions without HDMI audio out problems, but I wouldn't count on it.
From what I've researched on the issue, it is only TV's that have this problem, and it is a strange one, as it is actually a display setting problem with an audio error symptom.

Mac mini home theater resource and OS survey

AVS Forum (AV Science Forum) is a free, discussion group Web site that offers a wealth of member-contributed information about home theater technology. Since June of 2005, it has offered a Mac subforum and the discussions in that group have increased with recent, Intel-based Mac mini sales.
Currently a poll in the main "Home Theater Computers" forum asks "What OS drives your HTPC?"
If you're a Mac user who's connected your Intel- or PowerPC-based Mac to a high-definition TV, you might consider taking part in this poll before it expires, though you do have to join the forum to do this. However, you just may find it to be a worthwhile experience, and your knowledge will undoubtedly benefit the Mac community using that site. I'm not formally affiliated with AVS Forum, just a member who has learned a lot there. The survey results have fluctuated between about 5% and 12% during the past few days, but as of today (4/19/06), the current "What OS drives your HTPC?" results are:
Windows: 83.40%
Mac OS X: 12.45%
Linux :6.64%
Other: 0.83%

Oops! I forgot the links:
http://www.avsforum.com
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/register.php? - (Registration)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=666858 - (OS Survey)

I need to connect my mac air with my mac mini home computer?

I cannot find out what is needed to connect my mac air with my home computer, a mac mint

If you have a WiFi network at home, the MBA should easily connect to the Mac mini or vice-versa for anything from file sharing, oprical disc sharing, or even screen sharing. Start in System Preferences > Sharing and turn on the desired services. In that same panel you can choose whether that access is for all users or for specific user accounts on the particular system.
Then go to the other computer and open Finder then look under "shared" and select the computer you want to share. If you have activated screen sharing as well as file sharing you will actually have logon to both shares using the user account and password for the user you specified on the other machine.

Question about Mac Mini RAM Slots?

My dad is thinking about buying the 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo Mac Mini (MA607LL/A), and I was going to upgrade the RAM for him with a stick of 512 RAM from Crucial.
1. I can't find out online if the factory default Mac Mini ships with 2 sticks of 256 already in each slot, or if it ships with 1 stick of 512. Can someone please confirm this for me? I'm guessing it ships with two sticks of 256, one in each slot, but I'm looking for a confirmation on this.
2. Also, if I replace a stick of 256 with a new 512 stick, how much of a performance hit will he get if the ram isn't identical in pairs? We could just replace each stick with 512 if it's really worth it, but if the performance gain is minimal, then it may not be worth it.
Any help is appreciated, thanks.

hello mike,
Your best bet is to go the whole way, and put 2X 1G ram sticks in the machine. This will future-proof the machine, and also give the bset performance per buck. OsX really likes a lot of RAM.
As far as taking a performance hit by having mis-matched ram, i dont think its going to make a whole lot of difference. The performance decrease is very minimal. the same is true for macbook's FYI.
Cheers, hope it helps
Bryza

Mac Mini - Home Automation

'just wondered if anyone is using the 'Mini for Home Automation - it would seem ideal (and even more so, perhaps, if a lower-cost cut-down version were also available, then 'could distribute them also task-specifically around the house)
Power Mac G4 Mac OS 8.6 or Earlier Mac OS10.4 sometimes

I did briefly.. but it's pretty expensive to get everything running.
Indigo and Ovolab Phlink. Every item keeps stacking up in price.
I went back to using Misterhouse for Linux and Activehome Pro for Windows. Cheap CM11A $20 on ebay and Misterhouse for free. USB X10 Camera Dongle $30. Asterisk for Telephony free. Then a cheap linux box. You've got your Automation system for under $399. Far less than the cheapest Mini.
Sorry for being a sourpuss
Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Question about mac mini applecare

i'm getting a new mac mini soon, and hesitating if i need to buy applecare with it. got several questions about the applecare for mac mini:
1.if i upgrade the hard drive of mac mini, which will void the warranty of applecare, will the apple display & wireless keyboard & mouse that i purchase along with mac mini still be under applecare warranty?
2.if i sell the mac mini after one year, will the apple display,keyboard,mouse still under the protection of applecare?
3.i already have a wireless mighty mouse (within one year of purchase) before purchasing mac mini, may i add it to the applecare?
4.if i purchase iSight with mac mini, will be it under the protection of applecare as well?
appreciate any help!!

I'll try to help:
1. Are you a certified Apple Authorized Service Provider? If you are not and you damage anything, the repair will not be covered by the original warranty or the AppleCare Protection Plan. I would be up to the service technician doing a repair in the future to tell you if the entire warranty was voided by your actions or not. Since we're all users and none of us work for Apple, we cannot speak for Apple. I would suspect, however I can't be certain, Apple would still give you service for the peripherals since they were not involved in the original incident.
2. The warranty for the peripherals will travel with the computer. If you no longer own the computer, you will not be able to get service for those parts. If you sell your Mac mini, you have two options: Transfer the AppleCare Protection Plan to the new owner or get a refund for the amount of time you have not used. I would suggest you sell the peripherals with the Mac mini and the AppleCare Protection Plan. This would be a valuable add-on to your sale. Or you can keep the peripherals to use with your next Mac and they'll be covered by your new AppleCare Protection Plan.
3. You do not need to "enroll" all your peripherals. As long as you own the computer with the AppleCare Protection Plan, you will get support for the peripherals you're using. For example, Apple gave me support for the AirPort Express that I bought before my Mac mini with a plan. As long as it's a mouse, keyboard or AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme, they're covered no matter when you purchased them. However, for a display to be covered, you must purchase the display at the same time or purchase a separate AppleCare Protection Plan for the display.
4. The AppleCare Protection Plan FAQ (link is a PDF) does not specify that an iSight is a covered peripheral.
-Doug

Thinking about Mac Mini

I want to get a mac mini, but i definetely need to know if and how can i connect it to my tv to use that as a screen instead of my monitor. I do have one of those fansy tv's that have like 50 little plugs in the back. thanks

I have a 36 inch Sony TV... Nothing fancy and am using the DVI to Video adapter.
The screen looks great for Front Row and Photos etc., but not good enough text to browse the Internet and really read anything.
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/MacMini/OSX.jpg
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/MacMini/FrontRow.jpg
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/MacMini/NowPlaying.jpg
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/MacMini/MacMini.jpg
There is a lot of glare in the photos but the TV screen actually looks much better in person than the photos show.
I don't plan on using the TV to surf the Internet or create documents so for my intended use of expanding the Home Entertainment Center, it works just fine.

Purchase Advice. Mac Mini or Mac Pro?

All but one of the machines in my house are Macs. I am about to change that PC number to zero, but first I want to see if you guys and girls think the extra money for a Mac Pro is worth it.
The Windows PC that I will be replacing is used strictly for entertainment. It is hooked up to my LG LCD in the video game room. We use it to browse the internet and watch movies that I store on the hard drive. Here is what is important to me, in order:
#1: Video clarity. My TV is an LG Scarlet so I really want to get the most out of it. As of now there is a huge difference between DVD's I watch from my computer (so-so) and ones I watch from the PS3's Blueray (I know that's mostly because one is a DVD and one is a Blueray, but even if I watch a regular DVD from the PS3 it looks better than it does from the computer). I want to make this a small difference, if any. Also, are the video cards upgradable?
#2 Hard drive size. How big can I go in a Mac Mini (internal) and how hard is it to put in? If I said the words Terabyte and Mac Mini would everyone laugh at me, or is it doable?
That's basically it, but if you can think of aspects I left out that may sway my decision, feel free add your feedback. Obviously I am looking to hear "Mac Mini is fine for your needs" due to the price difference, but I also don't want to be in this same situation in a few months. If you had this same choice to make, or you already have one of my two options and use it for what I do, which way would you go (or did you go)?
Thank you very much in advance for any insight.
I hope the relative ambiguity of this post's placement doesn't ruffle any feathers, it just seems like the best place and might help to highlight the pros and cons of Mac Mini for other potential buyers.

To deal with the specific questions first:
The video card in the Mac Pro is of course upgradable, but the one in the mini is not. The mini's is an Intel integrated graphics sub-system and is physically integrated into the logic board, so you have no options in terms of swapping it out. How much that impacts your needs is somewhat less clear however.
Hard drive size is limited in the mini - the system uses 2.5" (laptop) drives, and at present those are restricted to 320Gb in terms of commonly available components. 500Gb drives are starting to appear and will undoubtedly be in wide circulation before long. As it stands however, the mini is sold with a maximum drive capacity of 160Gb, and even that is a 'build to order' option, because 80 and 120Gb are the standard. Thus to get a larger capacity you would have to buy and fit a replacement drive yourself, or have an approved service provider do it for you, or use an external drive. In the latter case you are not, of course, limited to 500Gb since you can then use an enclosure of your choice, and storage capacities 1Tb and up are possible.
Ultimately, given you are already seeing a difference between the video quality from the blue ray player in the PS3 and the DVD player in the computer, I'm not sure that you'd find the mini any better. On the other hand, while the video card in the Mac Pro is far more powerful, I'm not at all sure that would greatly help in this sort of use. The Mac pro would certainly be capable of sustaining higher quality video playback in terms of resolution and frame rates, but it doesn't have a blue ray player of course.
If I were in your position, I think I would likely opt for the Mac Pro despite the significant extra cost, purely because it's a far more flexible system. With internal drive bays which take 3.5" SATA drives, you have the capability to fit considerable storage in the system, which is certainly an essential aspect of video playback from ripped files. Added to the extra power of the system and the greater quality of the video card available, it's more likely to meet your needs into the future, including the potential for full HD as and when blue ray players for MacOS become available.

About Mac min's startup sound

Hello everybody,
When you push the start button at your mac mini you hear a sound. My simple question is that sometimes you hear this sound, sometimes you don't. I haven't been able to notice when you do hear the sound or not. Does anybody knows why? Just wondering.
Mihalis

Hello Mihalis,
The startup chime sounds on startup on any Mac, since the very first Macintosh 128k in 1984, running "Mac OS 1" (System 1.0).
It means everything works fine.
Of course it should sound at every startup. It's only since Tiger, that sometimes you don't hear it.
This is just a bug in Tiger, will be fixed probably with the next Update...
Apple wrote a KB article about this, so that we don't need to wonder if there's something wrong:
- Mac OS X 10.4: Startup chime doesn't play on startup
Many Macs in the past had also a death chime. You can listen to all the different chimes with the excellent Mactracker. Some of them were really worth listening...
Axl

Advice about Mac Mini home set up

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