Using Mac Mini with Front Row on my TV

OK, this is probably answered a million times already, but I couldn't find a simple explanation anywhere.
I want to use my Mac Mini on my TV, so basically I can use Front Row with the remote on my regular television. I see there's a $20 video adapter to make the video appear on my TV, but what about the audio?

For audio, you will need to route the mini's audio output jack (stereo mini-jack) to the same input on the TV as the mini's video is connected. If the TV is not of the HDTV type, you'll typically be limited to s-video or composite input. I is normal for either of these to also have audio jacks to which the mini's audio can be connected with an appropriate lead (often stereo mini-jack to left/right RCA). The audio will then play with the video when that input on the TV is selected.
Alternatively, you could route the mini's audio to an external amplifier, and play it that way.

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AppleTV or Mac Mini with Front Row?

I'm trying to decide whether to get an Apple TV, or a Mac Mini running Front Row. Cost is not the main issue. I live in The Netherlands where Apple has no movie rental service. I have a large DVD collection that I am slowly ripping to an external hard disk for use in iTunes. Any thoughts on which is the better approach?

Yes - I had actually stumbled across Plex since posting my original question and have been playing with it on my iMac. It is very nice indeed and a whole load more functional than Front Row yet with a very nice user interface. The information and graphics it automatically downloads on movies in your library is especially impressive. Apple would do well to consider taking over this project and incorporating it into the next release of Front Row and Apple TV! Incidentally, I see that it is a port of the popular XBMC application, that started life as the open source home theatre application for the X-Box, but has since gone on to be the main home theatre applications for Linux. Indeed, Plex has swung it for me - it is a class above what the Apple TV can provide and justifies the extra expense of the Mac Mini. In terms of user interface, it is no more difficult to use than Front Row, but because of the power of system it is more complex to set up (but not by any means impossible). Integration with the iLife apps is automatic.

Editing a document done in Word 2004. I can't remove lines done in Word. Using Mac Mini with 10.9.4

I am unable to a remove lines from a document originally done in 2004 using Mac Word 2004 while running it on Pages. Using Mac Mini with OSX 10.9.4.
Tried to delete lines. Delete is not highlighted in Pages.
Message was edited by: francinefromkent, 08/8/2014, 5p.m. EST. Edited to give more information.

The version of Pages is the most useful extra information, it hardly matters what Mac you are using.
Menu > Pages > About Pages
The line could possibly be an underline or a paragraph border or a line which is a separate object underneath the rest of the text.
Probably it is a paragraph border.
Peter

Using Mac mini with LCD TV

I intend to use the mac mini with a 26" HD LCD TV with a resolition of 1366 * 768. Can anyone tell me if this will give a good quality display?

I intend to use the mac mini with a 26" HD LCD TV
with a resolition of 1366 * 768. Can anyone tell me
if this will give a good quality display?
That would depend on the quality of the TV. I am using my mac mini with a Samsung 26 inch HD tv. It works fine at that resolution using the VGA connector on the TV but If I use a DVI to HDMI connection to samsung wont let me use the native resolution which is annoying. So until there is a fix for this I have to use the VGA connection.

Can I use Mac Mini with an S-video input?

I'm considering a Mac Mini because I have a young child who is mostly blind, but is at the age where he needs to start learning to use a computer. I want to go with Apple (I have been PC my whole life) because of the excellent VoiceOver features baked into the OS--- Windows doesn't have anything comparable.
I'd like to wire this thing up to my HDTV, because my child does have some vision and the 52" screen will actually provide useful images to him; but it's a nearly 15 year old HDTV that does not have an HDMI input, just S-Video and RCA plugs.
Is there an acceptable adapter out there that will allow me to use the Mac Mini with S-video or RCA plugs without having to buy a new 50+" TV just for the Mac Mini?

I found this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-PC-MAC-VGA-to-TV-Composite-S-Video-Adapter-NTSC-PAL- /260775797195
You may be able to find others by more Googling
You will also need a mini-display port to VGA adopter for the Mini. It plugs into the Thunderbolt port on the Mini

Using Smart folders with front row

I have several video files on my Hard Disk, and would like to see them without having to move them to the MOVIE folder.
Creating aliases doesn't work because I always have new files and can't synchronize all of them manually!
Best way would be to create a Smart folder INSIDE movies that will be automatically populated with all the videos on my computer.
Any ideas on how to do it?
thanks,
P.

I don't think a "smart folder" is going to work. A "smart folder" is not really a folder itself, it's a text file that remembers the criteria you selected for a search. It's a little Mac OS X magic that makes the Finder think it's a folder. Front Row thinks it's a text file. You won't be able to browse the contents of a "smart folder" with Front Row. Now, why Apple couldn't add smart folder technology into the Front Row interface, I have no idea. I would think they could implement this. I would send them some feedback and request this option:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html
-Doug

Mac mini: eyetv & front row

Hi,
This is my first mac in over a decade, which I bought to use a s a media center, with my elgato eyetv 200.
Can Front Row see the eyetv recordings? My goal is to configure eyetv to save to the right format in the right location, so that front row automatically finds our tv shows.
If someone could please help me answer these questions:
1) Are Front Row and eyetv compatible? (please say yes this is why I bought the mini)
2) What file formats do FrontRow and eyetv have in common?
3) Do files have to be in a specific location for Front Row to find them?
4) How do you manage Front Row? Is it a service, or an application? It's not in the Applications directory.
I welcome any corrections to my jargon, as most of my experience is with Win32.
Many thanks.
mac mini dual core Mac OS X (10.4.5)
mac mini dual core Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Thanks for the suggestion, popsicle. I'll try your recommendation before giving up FrontRow, since it's time for an external HD anyway.
For future reference, this is a suggestion from from elgato tech support, may be interesting to others: they suggest using MediaCentral as an alternative to FrontRow...
EyeTV records MPEG Transport Streams - the worldwide standard for digital TV, including HDTV.
QuickTime has poor MPEG support, and doesn't support Transport Streams at all.
So, FrontRow is very limited when it comes to MPEG video.
Record in EyeTV, then export using "MPEG-4". If your EyeTV recordings are set for MPEG-4 in the Devices > Encoding preferences, then try "MPEG-4 AV" as the export.
There is no EyeTV integration with FrontRow. Apple doesn't want that at this time, since they don't offer any plugins or ways to play more MPEG content.
MediaCentral is a free alternative that supports EyeTV.
mac mini dual core Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Mac mini and Front Row - entertainment center

I plan to use a mac mini as a replacement for my CD jukebox and DVD player in my entertainment center. I have everything, including the HD cable box through the Yamaha receiver - what am I going to need to make this work? Router, etc??? Does Front Row just play media or do I use it to rip CD's - or is that Itunes?
Thanks, Just getting in to the mac and really like the operating system much more than Windows DME.

I did the same thing about a month ago, but we loved the Mac Mini so much more than our PC that I moved it to my desk and it's now my main PC. I plan on checking out the iTV like the previous post stated when it comes out too.
But, back to your question . . . Depending on what kind of TV you have, you may need an adaptor. For an HD widescreen TV, you can connect direct DVI if your TV has the connector, or you can get a DVI to HDMI cable (about $110) to go to an HDMI connection. I'm not aware that there are converters for composite video. For digital audio, you should get the mini to optical toslink converter. They sell it on the Apple store. I couldn't find one at Circuit City, Best Buy, CompUSA, or my local Apple store, but got one at a Re-Mac store. I recommend just buying it online. If you have music already imported to iTunes on a PC or another Mac, you can stream it to the Mac Mini on a wireless network. If you don't have one, you'll need a wireless router. Wireless G is the standard and works great. N is the new standard coming out, but unless you'll be streaming video over the network, it's overkill. The mini will easily hook right up to it once your network router is turned on and you've named your network. You can play iTunes songs and playlists from the other computer through Front Row as long as you have the music sharing option turned on in iTunes (PC or Mac) on the computer that holds the music. If you're just going to have the music on the Mac mini, none of the wireless shareing is necessary.
On your last question, Front Row doesn't rip CDs, but you just rip the CDs into iTunes and then Front Row will automatically see any music or playlists from iTunes. Front Row is basically just putting window dressing on iTunes for music. In fact, you can see after closing Front Row, that the little black arrow is under the iTunes icon on your dock meaning that it is open (even if you didn't open it before).
One last note, the mini won't work as a PVR unless you buy an external device to work as a TV tuner. You can search the discussions on Mac Mini to find a lot of posts for recommendations on how to do that.
I've been combing these discussion boards for the last month learning everything I need to know about the Mac. They're great for any other questions you have. Good luck!
Mac Mini 1.83 Intel Core Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Mac Mini w/ Front Row vs. AppleTV

I've been comparing the AppleTV to the Mac Mini for media server capabilities, and while I've nearly settled on the Mini, there are a couple questions I want to clear up before I start spending. Obviously most people opting for a Mac Mini over an AppleTV would be using FrontRow for their media consumption. But there are a couple feature on the AppleTV that don't appear on FrontRow, such as the ability to browse and watch YouTube videos, and the ability to buy and rent movies and shows within FrontRow. I was wondering if anyone knew of plans to add this functionality to FrontRow OR some way of adding it yourself.

I doubt they'll add it. The Front Row on the AppleTV and regular macs are now two different animals. Apple will probably want to keep it this way, to keep people buying it because of its unique version of Front Row, not found on a mac that Apple customers may already own.
But there are various ways of downloading YouTube videos ahead of time and then watching them on Front Row. See this MacRumors forum on the topic:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=251390
I was actually at one point also choosing between the two, however, I wasn't as interested in the YouTube functionality. The decider for me was how it fit into my current computer line-up. I also have a laptop, and it has a small hard drive, so its not suitable to hold my media for the AppleTV to access. I'm going to buy the Mac mini because it can function as an AppleTV (spare a few extra functions like YouTube in Front Row) and as a host for all my media (AppleTVs aren't built to be true stand-alone devices).
If your going to buy the Mac mini, try and hold out for a while; its due for an hardware update soon.

Using Mac Mini with 16:9 CRT Standard Def TV by RCA connection!

Hello all,
I realise that there are others who have experienced similar problems but after spending quite a bit of time searching this forum, I wasn't able to find an answer for my particular circumstance. In summary, I can't get my new Mac mini to work with my TV at all. I need to figure out where the problem might lie. Please find the specifics of my setup below.
I have a 1.42GHz Mac Mini G4 with all the possible add-ons . It actually did not come out of the box for the first three months I owned it. I finally got it out this weekend and went to purchase a DVI-Video connector. I connected it to the TV by means of an RCA to Scart cable (which I know for a fact works fine with my Powerbook and iBook) and the TV just showed a blank screen (though there was a second or two of static each time I started up, as if settings were being re-adjusted). The TV only has Scart inputs so there RCA is going to have to be the connection method. The TV is a standard def Sanyo 16:9 CRT.
To make sure the mini was working, and enable VNC access (brand new mini so hadn't been set up at all), I took it to my office (I have no other monitors here) and connected it to a normal Dell LCD monitor. It worked fine, and I set up VNC access so now I can use my powerbook to control it headless.
I brought it back home and connected it to the TV again and VNCed to it expecting to find options to re-adjust resolution, refresh rate etc. All I found was 800x600 or 640x480 and I could not change the refresh rate at all. The TV is PAL but there was no mention of PAL or NTSC options. I took the opportunity to run software update and apply all the necessary updates as well.
After some initial research, I downloaded displayconfigx. It crashes every time I try to open it... so no luck there. Then I tried another application recommended on these fora whose name escapes me now (but it started with an s and also ended with an x) and to keep a long story short, I found it very confusing and wasn't able to find a setting that made things work.
The TV works fine as a secondary display for both my powerbook G4 and iBook G3. In fact, I'm using it with my powerbook now and my powerbook switches to the right settings as soon as I plug it in! However, my powerbook's place is in my lap and this Mac mini is sitting there unused when I really want to be using it as my media center and EyeTV box!
Please help me. Is this a problem with the DVI-Video adapter. Is this a problem with the mini? Should I call Apple Support (I don't have Applecare but it was purchased three months ago)? Please help me solve this problem!
Thanks,
Phaedon

Thank you very much for these helpful suggestions and questions!
I'm at work at the moment but I do remember the answers to most of these questions off the top of my head and will get the rest when I get home.
When everything is working fine for the PowerBook, the resolution list shows a variety of interlaced resolutions ranging from 680 x 480 to 1024 x 768. There are about five or six options. The refresh rate options are PAL 50Hz or NTSC 60Hz.
As for how it identifies the TV when connected, I have to admit I don't remember, but I believe it just identifies it as a generic TV.
The Mac mini doesn't identify it at all. I can confirm this because I tried booting it without the monitor attached and then attaching it and I also booted it with the monitor attached. In all cases, the same options for resolution were shown (1024 x 768 and 800 x 600) and refresh rate is geyed out. To me, this indicates that it is not communicating with the display at all.
I think that adapter may well be broken as it's never been tested with another display so this is the argument I'm going to make when I go back to the Apple Store this evening!
I'll keep you posted on whether the new one works or not.
Please do let me know if you think there are any other tests I should run or not.
Cheers,
Phaedon

Using Mac Mini with Photoshop CS6 and Lightroom

Hi
I use Photoshop CS6 and Lightroom 4 mainly as I am a photographer. It involves both programmes live and some huge PSD files kicking around. I would be interested in hearing from any one who does similar on a high end mac mini. I am thinking of getting the high end new i7 with 16g and an SSD.
Any good ?

While it will not deliver 'blazing fast' performance, it has tested OK with Photoshop CS6 MGE recently and it has faired decently well in some benchmark reports. Since the OP insisted Mac Mini, I think he can go for it. Also, since his work demands more 'Photo-specific' editing, I guess he should be good. Not much 3D I assume!
Here are some references:
http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Adobe-Photoshop-CS6-GPU-Acceleration-161 - Look at benchmark reports (images) for Z77 chipset
http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/photoshop-cs6-gpu-faq.html - HD4000 has been tested with CS6 by Adobe
And I haven't heard of a 'reported failure' per se yet.
-ST

Using your plasma with front row

I am currently using front row with a second display (plasma Tv). While viewing videos or photos, is it possible to turn of the Imac's display ?

select arrangement, you will see two dispalys, theone on the left has a white line across the top of it. this is the minu bar. drag it across to the other and there you have it. all videos/music/ photos etc from front row will be on the plasma and the imac display will be off.

Using Mac Mini With a sound board.

My classes use a Mac mini to do all of the editing for our schools video announcements. We also have a nice big sound board donated to us by a church to use for our sound applications. We would like to be able to use the sound board and the Mac mini together to record (garage band) our audio to then later add it to the announcements. The problem I am having is the sound from the sound board into garage band is extremely quiet to no existent. I am coming out of the sound board with 1/4" and adapting down to the 1/8" audio input on the back of the MAC. What do i need to do to make this work? I have already fried the sound card once.

The audio entering the Mac needs to be Line Level audio, it must be amplified. Those skinny little PC mics do not work either by themselves. You might get a USB external soundcard. One very popular device is the iMic.
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic
Dah•veed

Using Mac Mini with Macbook on Leopard?

I'm thinking about getting the new Mac Mini. I noticed on the website that it comes with Snow Leopard pre-installed. However, I have a 2008 Macbook that is running on Leopard. Will I have to upgrade to Snow Leopard in order to use the Mac Mini?

The Mac Mini comes with Snow Leopard preinstalled.
Leopard and Snow Leopard can communicate with each other just fine.
The only thing to note, is you can't install Leopard on the Mac Mini to run applications that won't run on Snow Leopard. You can make a screen sharing in iChat between the two machines, or a VNC connection to be able to peer in on the MacBook's Leopard, but the processing will still be done on the MacBook.
You don't need to upgrade the MacBook to Leopard, unless there is some hardware that is required by an application that is found on the MacBook, but not on the Mac Mini, and the software in question requires Snow Leopard to run. In that event upgrade the MacBook to Snow Leopard with these precautions in mind*:
http://www.macmaps.com/upgradefaq.html
Also you can't use the Mac Mini's prebundled Snow Leopard discs on the MacBook to install Snow Leopard. You must buy Snow Leopard retail separately.
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

Problems using Mac Mini with a Sharp 60" led 1080p

My Mac Mini is connected to a Sharp LED 60 "and I use the VGA input but when I use 1080p resolution, then the text becomes blurred and chopped up. Why does this happen?

I don't know if this will help but doing a search I found that you have to turn sharpness off or down to 0 on the TV for the best display. I have a 40" display and it did the trick for me.

Using Mac Mini with Front Row on my TV

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