I want to do output and input Surround Sound from my 2007 Mac Mini

I thought I could output my Mac Mini audio with a Toslink OUT connection, but it turns out my Mini only has a Toslink IN connection- God knows why. I wanted to use the Toslink out to connect to a receiver, which I'd hoped would process my stereo mp3's into Surround using Pro Logic IIx or other codec. But it seems I have to use a regular Y-cable from my Mini's audio out to my receiver's analog RCA in, and hope it does the decoding. Could I then plug it back into the audio in and have the mp3s in surround that I could record? Also, instead of a simple Y-cable, I could use my USB iMic line-out/in (and mic IN by flipping a switch) to go out of the computer into the receiver, which should provide higher quality sound, and eventually plan on using an Apogee Duet audio interface/controller to output the sound to the receiver with even higher quality- BUT STILL, can I then plug the receiver into the Mini's toslink audio in and then have surround versions of my mp3s and other audio being entered back into the Mini. I used to have a M-Audio Sonica theater which I lost which had surround formats including DTS up to 7.1 Surround (but not PL IIx I don't think) and still have the software disc that came with it, but think it is useless without the Sonica Theater hardware and speakers with a hardware amp/decoder such as 5.1 hardware/speaker systems previously sold by Klipsch and Alesis. And I assume my receiver can do a better job implementing surround on stereo sources anyway, I just need to be sure it can be fed back into the Mini audio input for recording. Finally, if and when I get the Apogee Duet (2-in, 2-out line and mic interface/DAW controllerpreset to control GarageBand/Logic, but capable of controlling most all other music software with included software called Maestro), I only have one Firewire input, but also want a Firewire HD- is it true I can daisy-link devices together to control many Firewire devices from one input?) Thank you so much for any info that could assist me.

If your mini is an Intel Core Duo 1.83 ghz model, it has optical audio out via a Toslink connector plugged into the audio output jack. You have to enable the optical output, and have a Toslink (optical audio) cable plugged in. Plug it all in then try setting your output with Audio MIDI Setup (in the Applications > Utilities folder).

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Can I connect imac to HDMI and also Surround sound also through HDMI using the thunderbolt sockets via an adaptor into a HDMI?

I want to be able to connect my imac to my TV and Surround Sound, from what I have read the best want of doing this is both via HDMI. Before I go out and buy another adaptor for a second thunderbolt to HDMI I was wondering if this would work? I basically I want to be able to stream videos from Imac to TV with sound coming through surround sound and also when I am on itunes have the music come through the surround sound. At the moment I have an adaptor (thunderbolt to HDMI) which goes into the TV and a optical cable from TV into the surround sound, then I also have a 3.5mm from the imac to the Surround sound, but I find this lacks in quailty. Would upgrading to a HDMI work and be better ? Should I also look into an optical cable though I dont see how to connect this to the imac?

OK. From what I can tell here, the Sony HT-SF2000 has 3 HDMI inputs & one HDMI output, so the simplest hookup would be to connect the iMac to one of the the Sony's HDMI inputs via the Thunderbolt-HDMI adaptor, & connect the Sony's HDMI output to the TV's HDMI input.
Use the Sony like an HDMI input selector for the TV (plugging in your other HDMI devices, if any, to it). Use the HDMI input on it from the iMac for both movie & iTunes sound output, & for TV output for video. (You can even use the TV as a second screen for the iMac.)
If for some reason you want a separate input for the iMac's sound output, you can use the optical input on the Sony for that, with a TOSLINK cable connection to the iMac. You will need either a Mini-TOSLINK adaptor or a TOSLINK to mini-TOSLINK cable to connect to the audio output of the iMac.

Optical audio and surround sound speakers for my Mac Pro

In the back of my Mac Pro there's an in and out for Optical Audio. What is this and are there any surround sound speaker systems out there that will plug into it? Most surround sound speakers seem to require a PC-style triple-input, with three jacks (Green to front, Orange to centre and Black to rear channels). Very few surround sound systems have the additional option for a single headphone socket-style jack, and I'm not sure if they will work terribly well with this single connection.
Can anyone recommend some speaker choices, particularly in the UK, that will give me good surround sound from the optical audio or single headphone jacks? Many thanks.

You might want to look at a device called the Griffin FireWave: [http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/firewave]
It connects to your MacPro via firewire, and has the green/orange/black jacks out to a standard 5.1 speaker system.
It comes with a software application that lets you customize the sound, and also synthesize surround from mono, stereo, etc., sources.
It would definitely open up your choices for speaker systems. I'm using one with a Klipsch 5.1 Promedia set of speakers. Works and sounds great.

Outputting 5.1 Channel Surround Sound from your Mac

How to output 5.1 Channel Surround Sound from you Mac...

I have been using my MacBook Pro via HDMI into my pioneer av amp which is set up for 5.1.
I have been able to output 5.1 audio with Logic Pro and FCPX no issues at all after you setup the audio midi utility for 5.1. This setup is via PCM 5.1 audio not to be confused with Dolby 5.1.
It works great. If you want to play your edited exported movies from Final Cut Pro x in surround then it gets a bit tricky. I export the movie with FCPX as master video with the 5.1 audio then use HandBreak set to atv3 to encode / compress the video. This is great because handbreak folds the 5.1 into a stereo AAC track and also encodes the 5.1 mix into Dolby 5.1 AC3 track so both stereo and surround tracks are embedded in the movie file. So if you have an Apple TV it will play the movie with its surround track. If you play the same HandBreak compressed movie out of your Mac via hdmi to your surround amp it will only play the stereo track if you are using iTunes or QuickTime and I believe this is because of copy protect and Dolby license issues. iTunes will play a purchased movie from the itunes store in surround via your Macs hdmi to receiver setup but will only play the stereo track of the movie you exported from HandBreak even though it is set up just like an iTunes movie. To get your HandBreak movie to play in Dolby surround from your Mac all you need is VLC player, then you have to go in and select the Dolby track and the output in VLCs audio settings and bingo your HandBreaked movie then plays out of your Mac in Dolby surround. Once you set your Mac up for 5.1 mixing your amp will show your outputting 5.1 via the mac but again this is PCM audio 5.1 and apps like FCPX, Soundtrack Pro, Logic Pro will work.

HT6067 How can I connect 5.1 surround sound speakers to my Mac Pro?

How to connect 5.1 surround sound speakers without a receiver to my Mac Pro, so I can test and hear surround sound files I am creating?

As far as I know, the only way to do that is with the digital out, toslink I believe(1). . Currently there are very few external usb soundcards that are known to work with Mac and produce 5.1 sound, perhaps Diamond Multimedia or Zalman?. Analog surround really doesn't work (green, yellow, black cords)*. So, maybe, Garage band/VLC? or the dvd player might be the only things I know that could produce 5.1 sound, but I could be wrong.......
(1) You will need a speaker set with an optical input...
* maybe try this--i think it's called an " HD audio rush " box and it converts digital to analog audio 5.1 supposedly-, you can look on ebay for similar things
sorry I couldn't be of more help
John B

Screen Sharing and SSH sessions freeze occasionally on multiple mac minis

I have 28 Mac Minis at work. With such a large number of minis, I obviously can't have a monitor attached to each of them so I've got them plugged into a network switch and access them via Screen Sharing (both via regular Screen Sharing and ARD) and SSH sessions.
A few of them seem to suffer from intermittent problems however. I'll be using Screen Sharing when the session freezes. It may unfreeze eventually, but I can also usually just quit out and re-connect and it will be unfrozen. The same thing happens when I'm connected via SSH, it will freeze and I won't be able to type in any more commands.
I need help troubleshooting (or if anyone knows what could be causing this, that'd be cool too).
I've tried connecting from both a Mac Pro on the wired network and a MacBook Pro on the wireless network. The freezing seems to only happen on certain Mac Minis as well.
I've tried switching network cables from a Mac Mini that doesn't suffer from this problem with one that does and nothing changed.
I also thought it might be a bandwidth issue at first, despite being a gigabit switch connected via cat6 to the rest of our gigabit network, but even when no significant bandwidth is being used, the freezing still occurs.
One more thing I want to test is the connection between the switch all these Mac Minis is plugged into and one of the other switches that all our other network traffic goes through. I didn't set it up myself so I fear that it might be an old, damaged cable or something. Failing that, I have no idea what the problem could be, which is why I'm posting here.
So, does anyone have any idea what the problem could be? Or any other ideas for troubleshooting the problem? Thanks.
(They're all running 10.6.8, and range from Mid-2007 to 2009 models).

It would be in the system log. However, the next step would be to safe-boot in order to eliminate third-party system modifications. That goes for both client and server. If you can reproduce the problem in safe mode, then you probably have a network issue. Take everything offline except one client and one server, and test.

Mid-2007 Mac mini and HDMI issues

I have a Mid-2007 Mac Mini with OS X 10.7.3, that, most of the time, will work fine with a DVI->HDMI cable and either of 2 HDMI ports on the TV. The Mini recognizes the display correctly (a Vizio E371VL). The display's native res. is 1080p at 60hz, and the Mini is set to that and looks great. I can switch to lower resolutions and even restart the mini and have the Vizio look and behave correctly.
However, I have an Apple TV (current generation - black brick) hooked up to the other HDMI port on the Vizio. It also looks and acts great.
The problem is when I switch between the inputs on the TV. If I go to the Apple TV (which will be working fine) and then back to the other HDMI input, the Mac mini shows black. The TV does not say "no signal" or indicate any problem. No amount of zapping PRAM, ressetting the SMC or basic restarting helps. In fact, the TV still registers a signal at 1080p. Using Apple Remote Desktop from another Mac (a 2006 Macbook Pro with DVI) shows the Mini is still functioning and still correctly displays the Vizio model and 1080p @ 60hz resolution.
The kicker here is that I can physically disconnect the DVI/HDMI cable from the Mac mini and connect it to the Macbook Pro. The video from the Macbook will pop up immediately. I can switch between the Macbook and Apple TV all day long, switch resolutions, etc. No problem.
Even more bizarre is that this has the effect of "resetting" the Mac mini. If I plug the DVI connector back into the Mini, its video will pop back up. It will work fine as above until the HDMI input is changed again.
Vizio tech support acted as if they'd never heard of Apple, Inc. Useless.
Super frustrating problem.

Opperman,
I went with my gut and got an LG 47LM4600 TV with VGA input in addition to HDMI (seems there are not many--if any--TVs sold with DVI inputs anymore). The 2007 Mac mini is plugged in using my old DVI cable with VGA adaptor. I tested it using the DVI cable with HDMI adaptor, and there was no sound.
I can confirm the same condition that you originally described when I try to switch to the Mac mini on the PC input. The screen is black except for a color bar that flashes on briefly every 2-3 seconds at the bottom of the screen. No amount of switching from one input to the other will make the display come back. The only way I've found to fix it is to unplug the cable from either the TV or the computer and plug it back in.
The annoyance with this is ameliorated by the fact that we'll be using a new Apple TV to watch Netflix from now on, instead of using a Web browser on the mini. Will only have to worry about it when watching DVDs.
Cheers.
Message was edited by: Numenorean

How do I set up my Mac mini to read iTunes and iPhoto files from my new Mac mini server?

Want my old Mac mini to read iPhoto and iTunes files from my new Mac mini server. Old Mac has no more room to store files. How do I do this?

Hello,
Have you tried enabling iTunes Sharing & iPhoto Sharing on the Server?
Or maybe...
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
http://www.apple.com/itunes/inside-itunes/2011/02/how-to-move-your-itunes-librar y-to-another-hard-drive.html
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2506
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1229

I did a backup from all my files saved in old external hd to time capsule. After that double checked and recover one file from TC to mac air and it worked just perfect. Today went through TC to recover another file and none of them were there?

I did a backup from all my files saved in old external hd to time capsule. After that double checked and recover one file from TC to mac air and it worked just perfect. Today went through TC to recover another file and none of them were there?Anybody has a clue what happened?

renatocremonese wrote:
I want to use it for backing up my Mac.
It's good for that . . .
But also I don't keep all my stuff in my Mac.
But not for that.
This older and not day-by-day usage files I want to store in the time machine.
You can do that (see below), but how are you going to back them up? If your only copies are on the TC, when (not if) it fails, you risk losing your only copy of the data.
Is it possible to split TC in two partitions.
No, but there are some workarounds, including making a fixed-size disk image on it to "reserve" some space. See #Q3 in Using Time Machine with a Time Capsule.
But you still won't have backups of the stuff you put there.
You don't say what kind of Mac you have. If it's a desktop model, just keep the external HD connected to it, and let Time Machine back it up along with your internal HD.
However, it sounds like you may have a laptop, where that's not going to be convenient. In that case, your best bet might be to copy the external HD to a disk image on the TC as above, then keep the HD in a safe place.
To finish, when i enter the TC and go through the Time line how can I get a file from there and move it back to Mac hd.
Via the "Star Wars" display, per #15 in Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions.
You might also want to review the Time Machine Tutorial, and perhaps browse the rest of the FAQ.

Where are sound and sharing settings stored in plist on mac mini?

Hi,
Does anyone know where are sound and sharing preferences stored in plist on mac mini on OS 10.8?
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Anyone has any advice?
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App (pinned) tabs and Tab Groups (Panorama) are stored as part of the session data in the file sessionstore.js in the Firefox profile folder.
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Session_Restore
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Hello, I just wanted to know when an update would be available for my mac mini server os x lion to resolve the issues regarding my m-audio fastrack pro usb audio interface (no midi messages recognized)

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Have you reported your problems to Apple?
BugReporter
<http://bugreporter.apple.com>
Free ADC (Apple Developer Connection) account needed for BugReporter.
Anyone can get a free account at:
<http://developer.apple.com/programs/register/>
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Mac OS X Feedback<http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html>

Downloaded tv show episodes. Bought the entire season and after watching one and downloaded first 4-5 they disappeared. This was during the time I was trying to migrate stuff from an older mac mini. Help?

I downloaded several episodes of the tv show "touch." I purchased the entire season and had watched one show. It took quite some time for each show to download, but I had downloaded 4-5.
About this time (within the last two weeks) I was trying to use migration assistant to migrate information from my older mac mini and my macbook. while I was able to move things from my older mac mini I noticed that the tv show went missing.
Also I purchased a program called 'Touched" in a season pass. After I downloaded a couple of episodes I watched one and continued to download the episodes as they were available.
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This may help
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519
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Mac mini 2014 won't do 5.1 surround sound from HDMI port

I can't seem to get my Mac mini 2014 to do 5.1 surround sound from the built-in HDMI port to my home theatre system. When I run the Audio MIDI Setup program the only option is 2ch-24bit (stereo). Now I didn't have this issue when I tested it with a Mac mini 2012 running 10.9.5. It allow me to select 6ch-24bit (5.1) and Encoded Digital Audio. I also don't have an issue with the Mac mini 2014 if I use a Belkin Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter connected to one of the Thunderbolt 2 ports. It does 5.1 surround sound just fine. So is there something wrong with the built-in HDMI port on the Mac mini 2014 or OS X 10.10?

Hello mrbraindead,
Welcome to the HP Forums, I hope you enjoy your experience! To help you get the most out of the HP Forums I would like to direct your attention to the HP Forums Guide First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More.
I understand you are having problems with your VLC audio since updating to Windows 8.1. I am providing you with a link to a thread I found on en.Kioskea.net titled VLC video player suddenly has no sound. There are numerous solutions provided here which is why I am providing you with the link. I would review the posters solutions and ensure that you have checked all the suggestions they make.
Please re-post if you require additional support. Thank you for posting on the HP Forums. Have a great day!
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I get no 5.1 surround sound from apple tv2 for any media

I have apple tv2 and think its great. However I have it connected to my ken wood surround sound system and only get sound from 2 speakers for all media including movies, netflix, my iTunes library and airplay from my iPhone or ipad.
There is no problem with connections and the same fibre optic cable supports 5.1 in the same port of my ken wood when it it connected to my DVD player.
My Dolby in settings is set to on.
Any suggestions

You really need to specify exactly what imac you have. Current ones I believe have an optical (out) and in and I think that can be combined with usb to produce multi-channel sound. But it's just an academic exercise if you don't have the optical.
Also, google "5.1 audio on imac" for lots of hits on this topic.

My wife and i both have an itunes library installed on to our separate pc's, we are now de-commissioning the pc's and are moving over to a single mac mini, can we install both libraries on to the mac mini and run them as separate libraries?

my wife and i both have an itunes library installed on to our separate pc's, we are now de-commissioning the pc's and are moving over to a single mac mini, can we install both libraries on to the mac mini and run them as separate libraries?

graham218 wrote:
are moving over to a single mac mini, can we install both libraries on to the mac mini and run them as separate libraries?
Generally YES.
It's possible to hold separate iTunes library's on a single machine.
Generate two new folders inside the Music folder of the Mini and name them differently; e.g. man and woman.
Copy your whole library into "man" and your wifes into "woman"
Go to sharing in the system settings of the Mini and share the Music folder in your network.
After copying the whole library's to the Mini you may point iTunes to the new location at startup by holding the option key (alt) at the keyboard.
iTunes will then ask you where the library is located.
Point it to the matching library on the Mini.
That's all.
Lupunus
PS ... If you both use only the Mini you have to setup a user account for each and just copy the whole library to the Music folder in particular.
Message was edited by: lupunus

I want to do output and input Surround Sound from my 2007 Mac Mini

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