MacMini as centre of Home Cinema System

I am looking to use a MacMini as the centre of my Home Cinema system.
The intention is to connect the MacMini to my existing Sony Projector (VLP CX85). I know this is not the best projector for this kind of things, but it is one I have had for some time and I am happy with the image quality for now. I recognise I will need to use a Mini to RGB adapter to do this - I already do that using a Macbook Air. I assume then that I will be able to store all my films on the MacMini HD and use FrontRow to access them and my iTunes library as well as viewing photos/video created with Aperture or iPhoto. Yes?
Woud this be preferable to buying the MacMini Server and using that to do the same thing? Or even the MacTV?
Any pointers to Home Cinema systems which are Mac based would be gratefully received or any other information related to this kind of issue would be helpful.
I already run an iTunes system with three Airport Express points and speakers throughout my house.
Thanks,
Chris

I assume then that I will be able to store all my films on the MacMini HD and use FrontRow to access them and my iTunes library as well as viewing photos/video created with Aperture or iPhoto. Yes?
Yes. You may run into issues with movies purchased from the iTunes Store and HDCP, though, if you use a VGA connection to the projector.
Woud this be preferable to buying the MacMini Server and using that to do the same thing?
A Mac mini server would do the same thing, but the only advantage would be having the dual 500-GB drives. I'd suggest the standard mini and an external drive if you need more storage space.
Or even the MacTV?
Presuming you mean the Apple TV, other than price I'm not sure the Apple TV offers a lot of advantage over a Mac mini other than the ability to stream content from iTunes on another computer. Note as well that the Apple TV does not have a VGA output; HDMI and component video only.
Hope this helps.

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http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4562
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Jesper Buch wrote:
BUT
When I connect via the same cable (HDMI) into the Home Cinema system (SAMSUNG HT-TXQ120) it is also fine everything APART from a very very irrirtating thing... every 1-2 min. theres a cut in the sound... its only a very very short cut in the sound but it is so anoying that you cannot use it right now - especially when you listen to loud music...
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The Apple Airport Express and a stereo connection cable are exactly what you need to do this. You also need powered speakers, or speakers that get their power through an AV Receiver and amp.
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Sounds like a kernel panic.
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This is the adapter...
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Will my MacBook play 5.1 surround sound to the home theater system?
Yes.
Whats the best way to connect this all up?
An AppleTV or any AirPlay-enabled AVR. AirPlay is wireless, though you could use wired Ethernet if you want to avoid all the potential problems associated with wireless. Make sure it specifically says AirPlay which is Apple's proprietary technology. There are quite a few of them to choose from today. Denon is one, I believe Pioneer, there may be others. Shop around. The AppleTV's price was recently reduced to $69 US and may actually be the most cost-effective solution, allowing you to research the best AVR for your needs. The AppleTV has both HDMI (audio and video) and optical audio outputs.
MacBook audio to the home theater system via Digital Optical from the headphone port with a 3.5mm to toslink adapter and then video to the TV via HDMI cable from the thunderbolt port with thunderbolt to HDMI adapter?
Way too complicated But if you really don't want to use AirPlay, you can purchase an inexpensive (< $10) Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter and an equally inexpensive (<$3) HDMI cable to any HDMI input on your AVR.
My thinking was to separate the video and audio to get the best picture and sound.
It makes absolutely no difference. HDMI and optical audio use completely identical digital audio signals.

Help on purchasing a Home Theater System...

Hi everyone,
I just bought a new HDTV and I am now looking into getting a good Home Theater System, since as I'm sure you all know, the speakers on my TV are pretty pathetic.
But in all honestly, I really don't know much at all about speakers and home theater systems, so that's why I'm here.
I hear that most home theater systems come with DVD and Bluray players, but I don't need either of those, since my ps3 and 360 give me 2 DVD players and a Bluray player already.
I am really looking to spend less than 400 bucks, or around that area if possible.
I also have one question: My HDTV only has 2 HDMI ports and one Component port and since I am using both of those (HDMI is being used for the cable and ps3 and component is used for my 360) I am wondering if there is some other way of connecting the Home Theater System?
Thanks in advance for all your help.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

paulmohr wrote:
Ok after looking at the manual for that reciever this is what I come up with.
One HDMI cable running from your PS3 to the reciever (BD in would be my choice)
One HDMI cable running from your Cable box to the receiver (dvd in would by my choice)
Now for you Xbox 360 you said you have the component cables for it, from what I can tell you can also get an HDMI connector as well. What you choose is up to you but this is how it would work.
Xbox with component cables:
Since the receiver doesn't have component swtiching you would have to hook the xbox up to your tv with the component cables ( the way it is now).
Then run an optical audio cable from the xbox to the receiver SAT optical in.
If you get the HDMI cable most likely you would just run the HDMI cable from the Xbox to the receiver like the other components. If you went this route I would hook the xbox to the dvd hdmi in and the cable box to the SAT hdmi in though. Honestly it doesn't matter but it just might be less confusing that way.
Then you would need on optical cable running from the TV out to the TV in on the reciever. If you never watch regular tv you don't need this since the sound will come from your cable box anyway. But if you also have the tv hooked up to an antenna or something this will send the sound to the receiver.
And one HDMI cable running from the Receiver out to on the HDMI inputs on the tv. This is what will carry all of the signals going into your receiver to your tv.
And then the speakers connections which should be described in the instructions for the receiver. Just make sure the polarity is right when you connect them.
This configuration will let you control most or all of the components through the receiver since it switches most of them. Just choose the correct input and the tv will display it.
Okay, so according to that, I would need 4 HDMI cables to my HDTV, which would be impossible.... Unfortunately, my new HDTV only has 2 HDMI porsts, so is there a way to get around that issue? If I use HDMI for the ps3 and HD cable box, then is there a way to hook everything else up (including the reciever) without HDMI?
Thanks in advance.

MacMini as centre of Home Cinema System

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