Since some of you may be new to the Mac OS and Apple hardware, here is a brief FAQ about the Mac as an HTPC.

1. OK, I bought a Mac Mini. Now what?

A. To start you will need four things (many of which you may already have):
a. electricity
b. a monitor (VGA or DVI connector)
c. keyboard (USB, bluetooth or RF)
d. mouse (USB, bluetooth or RF)


B. If you are planning to connect the audio to an optical or toslink digital audio input on your audio amplifier or receiver, you will need an adapter. The adapter is a digital optical female to a 3.5mm male. If you go here (http://www.national-tech.com/catalog/toslinkadapter.htm), for example and click on the "Digital Optical (Toslink) Female / 3.5mm Male" link (second one down) you will see a large picture of the part you need. Once you install the adapter and the optical cable to your amplifier (if necessary), you should be able to enjoy surround sound on your DVDs.

C. Depending on what sort of display device you connect to, you may need adapters and/or software. The Mac Mini, for example, has a DVI connector with a DVI to VGA adapter included in the package. If your monitor has only HDMI, you will need to buy a DVI-HDMI adapter. If you need to connect via S-Video or composite video (for example to an older TV set or amplifier), you will need to buy this (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/StoreReentry.wo?productLearnMore=M9267G%2FA) adapter from Apple. Connecting to a large-screen plasma or LCD via DVI may be quite difficult. If you are unable to make it work correctly, come back here and do a search for your model display. If you cannot find anything, post a question, including the make and model of your display. If you connect via VGA, OTOH, there should be no problems, but in some cases the display may not be as sharp as the DVI.

2. OK, I've got the machine connected to my audio and video systems, now what?

A. You might start out by going to this (http://www.pure-mac.com/mediacenter.html) web page, which has a complete and up-to-date list of software that should meet all your HTPC needs. Please note that at the top of that page there are links for additional pages specialising in video, audio, iTunes & mp3 and graphics.

B. If you are looking for something very specific and/or unique, you might try going here (http://www.versiontracker.com/macosx/index.shtml) and searching.

C. If you like Front Row, but wish it would also play films you have ripped to a hard drive, one of our users (Squished Squirre) has written a script that will do that for you. You can download the script here (http://mysite.verizon.net/resohjb1/Projects.html).

3. I've done everything you said, but I still have problems. How do I solve them?

A. The short answer is come back here, do a search and see if you can find a solution to your problem.

B. If you are the first person to have this problem (you can't find anything in a search), then post it here. Be sure to include the model computer you have, the version of the OS you are running and, if relevant, any connector or external devices you are using.

C. You might also try going here (http://www.videohelp.com/guides) and in the "how to category" pull-down menu, select "Mac OS guides."

D. You're trying to connect your Mac to an LCD or Plasma display and you have problems. Help is here! Fedward has written an excellent tutorial on using SwitchRes X to make your display happer. Read it here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9000286&&#post9000286).




This document is open for additions, comments, deletions and revision. If you'd like to suggest something, please post below.

Just one caveat: To set up a brand new mac mini, you will need a USB mouse and keyboard. Once it's set up, then you can then use just a BT mouse and keyboard.

I have my mac mini connected to a Samsung 67" DLP HDTV. I use a DVI-HDMI cable. (I tried the VGA route, but like the picture better this way.) I also have it connected to my 5.1 channel receiver via a toslink cable. I use my mac mini and Front Row to watch DVDs, listen to CDs, listen to music via iTunes, display photos via iPhoto and watch video files, and, most importantly, videoconference with my kids using iChat.

Just one caveat: To set up a brand new mac mini, you will need a USB mouse and keyboard. Once it's set up, then you can then use just a BT mouse and keyboard.

This was not my experience. My brand new Mac Mini was ordered with only Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and the initial setup detected, paired, and used them.

I have my mac mini connected to a Samsung 67" DLP HDTV. I use a DVI-HDMI cable. (I tried the VGA route, but like the picture better this way.) I also have it connected to my 5.1 channel receiver via a toslink cable. I use my mac mini and Front Row to watch DVDs, listen to CDs, listen to music via iTunes, display photos via iPhoto and watch video files, and, most importantly, videoconference with my kids using iChat.

This is very nice. It doesn't belong in the FAQ per se, however, I appreciate you posting here because for the new Mac users this is good and useful information. Thanks!

This was not my experience. My brand new Mac Mini was ordered with only Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and the initial setup detected, paired, and used them.

Thanks, MiniMoe, this is good information -- and also shows how good a Mac computer is!

This was not my experience. My brand new Mac Mini was ordered with only Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and the initial setup detected, paired, and used them.

This was definitely not my experience. There was no detection of the Apple BT mouse and keyboard. I needed a wired keyboard and mouse to respond to the intial setup screens. I got my mac mini in March. There have been keyboard and bluetooth updates since then. Perhaps this is what Apple is referring to when they said the update contains new functionality.

Anyway, that's good news and certainly makes more sense.

This was not my experience. My brand new Mac Mini was ordered with only Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and the initial setup detected, paired, and used them.

Ditto for me. The OS can be configured to go into auto detect if no mouse is found within a short time frame. Perhaps this was added to the OS recently.

Mike

Is there any reason why the supplied instructions would not also work with an iMac?

I ask because if a Mini with monitor and 80 GB drive about as expensive as an iMac with 160 GB drive.

I realize that the monitor is not absolutely necessary, but I don't want to have to turn on, (and step back from) the TV when I am organizing and indexing the CDs in my multi-disk changers.

Currently, I am evaluating what I want for my first HTPC (more precisely, HTMac) and the main difference I see between the Mac Mini and the iMac options is that the iMac has a "Mini DVI" while the Mini has a full DVI.

Ditto for me. The OS can be configured to go into auto detect if no mouse is found within a short time frame. Perhaps this was added to the OS recently.

Mike
I've got the opposite problem -- every time I boot the Mini in headless mode (no monitor/keyboard/mouse -- I access it via VNC) it goes into bluetooth mouse autodetection mode. How do I disable it?

Ted

I've got the opposite problem -- every time I boot the Mini in headless mode (no monitor/keyboard/mouse -- I access it via VNC) it goes into bluetooth mouse autodetection mode. How do I disable it?

Ted

Its under bluetooth settings in the systems preferences.

Thanks for the write-up. Much appreciated. At this point all we have is a projector and HTIB system in living room with the projector shooting onto the white wall but when we get a Mini this will come in handy.

Resolution Adjustment Tools:

If the Displays adjustments in OS X preferences do not provide a particular custom resolution required by your monitor, one of the following two applications may help:

SwitchResX:
http://www.madrau.com/html/SRX/About.html

or

DisplayConfigX:
http://www.3dexpress.de/

Dear Mac User
I am thinking of a media centre around a duo mac mini. I read that DTS is not enabled?
How about DD EX, and DTS ES etc?
Finally apart from the simple remote supplied by Mac, does any other remote allow me to control the Mac from say a dozen feet away (where I will be sitting whilst enjoying music?)
So sorry for the numberous questions, but I was very excited to find this forum.

Finally how does the mac compare to a real AV processor in quality?

Thanks
P

Dear Mac User
I am thinking of a media centre around a duo mac mini. I read that DTS is not enabled?

I don't know where you read that, but that is not true.


Finally apart from the simple remote supplied by Mac, does any other remote allow me to control the Mac from say a dozen feet away (where I will be sitting whilst enjoying music?)


I believe you can use any remote able to "learn" commands from another remote. However, I have not tried this myself, so I cannot be sure. Instead of using another remote, however, you might consider a (free) program called iRed Lite. This allows you to extend the functions available from the Apple Remote. And it's free.

So sorry for the numberous questions, but I was very excited to find this forum.
Finally how does the mac compare to a real AV processor in quality?


I think it will depend on what you are outputting to. I use a projector and find it as good as my old Windows machine. However, using it with LCD or Plasma displays is a whole different story. Why not go to a store and just see for yourself?

I don't know where you read that, but that is not true....

Further, are you saying saying that he can get Multichannel DTS or DD while using Front Row, or another OS X front end? If you know of a way to do it, please post it in the FAQ. Otherwise, your statement is incorrect.

---------------------------
I will remove this post in a couple of days, so we don't clutter the FAQ. The above two posters, please do the same. This is a FAQ, not a discussion thread.

Thanks you.

P.S. Oh, and Further, could you please extend us the courtesy of removing some of your less than relevant posts from the MCE FAQ (you account for 30% of the posts there, without really contributing much,) so that I can delete my diatribe above. Thanks.

Finally apart from the simple remote supplied by Mac, does any other remote allow me to control the Mac from say a dozen feet away (where I will be sitting whilst enjoying music?)
So sorry for the numberous questions, but I was very excited to find this forum.

Finally how does the mac compare to a real AV processor in quality?

Thanks
P
I use a Home Theater Master MX-700 remote. The supplied IR database has data for the Mini. Works like a champ.

I assume you can use Boot Camp or Parallels to use the Windows-based MX-700 programming application?
See this MX-700 FAQ:
http://www.universalremote.com/faq.php?faq=46

Since they say Virtual PC will work, it's likely that Parallels and/or Boot Camp will too, unless there's a specific hardware feature involved that's not (yet) supported. If one fails, try the other.

Doug

I assume you can use Boot Camp or Parallels to use the Windows-based MX-700 programming application?
See this MX-700 FAQ:
http://www.universalremote.com/faq.php?faq=46I don't know, my MX-700 application is on a Windows machine.

BootCamp works great with the MX850software, so it should with the MX700. I would guess Parallels would work fine as well.

I have and older single processor power mac g5. I was wondering what type of cable you all would suggest running to the projector? I have an output on the back that looks like a DVI or something.

Also, I'm planing to do a constant image height set up. Would a G5 be able to stretch a non 2.35/1 image so that I could leave my lens in place and use the G5 to scale? I'm planning to buy the Prisimasonic but I could get the manual version or a Panamorph UH-350 if I could leave it in place.

If I can do this please let me know if it would require any extra software or equipment to make it run smoothly. I plan on keeping my rack in the room behind the screen so my HDMI/DVI run will be ~30 feet. And I plan to controll everything with IR emitters.

Thanks,

Nathan

Hi Nathan,

I would recommend for the best reply to your questions, that you place it in the general discussion and not in this thread. While I can confirm that your G5 does have a DVI connector, I cannot answer your other questions.

If you have a correction or suggestion about the FAQ, please do feel free to post it here.

Thanks and good luck.

Can OSX access PC formatted hard drives on a Wndows network?

Can OSX access PC formatted hard drives on a Wndows network?

Yes. Just share a folder on Windows using normal Windows techniques. You then use the "Connect to Server..." menu item in the OS X Finder to get connected.

-JPEG

Power Mac G4 DVI->HDMI to JVC 61" LCoS 1920x1080i

I connected my Mac to my new TV using DVI to HDMI cable. I also have a Dell monitor connected to the other DVI port.

By default, the Mac identifies the TV as 1920x1080i. Works great but with overscan on all 4 sides. I have a ATI Radeo 9700 video card on a PowerMac G4 Dual 1.25 GHz G4. 1.25 GB of RAM.

I tried DisplayConfigX on the Mac but I must have messed up the timing info because the TV blanked out. First, I created a DisplayConfigX configuration cloned from the default working configuration.

Now, I cloned this configuration and started editing the front porch, back porch for vertical and horizontal settings making sure I edited the active pixels for horizontal and vertical configuration appropriately. However, when I tried this configuration the TV blanked out. After spending hours (much to my wife's chagrin) trying to figure out what was happening, I finally figured out. I created several resolution configurations using DisplayConfigX. I went from 1920x1080 to 1920x1078, 1920x1076, 1920x1074....1920x1044 and then 1896x1044, 1888x1044, .... 1856x1044. 1856x1044 is the final setting that resulted in zero overscan. I had adjusted the front porch / back porch settings accordingly within each of these resolution settings. Now, if I set the TV to 1920x1080 and then slowly change through the resolutions and then end up at 1856x1044, everything is great. However, if I turn off the computer and on or if I unplug the HDMI cable and put it back or if I turn off the TV and on, the TV goes blank. I have to go back to 1920x1080 and then progress my way to the ultimate resolution of 1856x1044.

Anybody here encounter anything like this. Very weird. Could this be a problem with my TV or could it be my video card or Mac OS X. I don't have another TV or a PC to try.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Macs, Genius74. I hope you will be happy with your new Mac.

I would like to suggest that you post your question not here in the FAQ, but to the general Mac forum, where you are much more likely to receive a reply.

Much appreciated. I can remove my previous post.

Thanks!

Work on Handbrake continues:
http://couchapple.tv/2007/02/23/macapper-handbrake-developer-joins-the-mediafork-team.aspx

ken

Hi

(I read the faq and still have issues, and I'm not sure if "post it here" meant this thread or a new thread in this sub-forum. Apologies if I have posted incorrectly.)

I did indeed get my Macbook Pro hooked up to the DVI input of the set, no problems there. Macbook did indeed instantly produce a nice screen sizing. However, there is that problem where it's hard to look at, is that the refresh rate? And more importantly, the picture is too dark to be enjoyable. It's important to add that I paid a home theater expert to come out and work in the service menus and get it looking great for DVD and Directv HD.

I read the FAQ and I see there are a couple of applications that will tweak the refresh rate, but there is still the picture quality problem and one of the drawbacks of this CRT is that you either need to hire a guy to come out and tune it for you for hundreds of bucks, or I'd have to spend many nights learning how to get in there and tweak it myself and I have no such time. I also can't go out spending a fortune on a new LCD so this has to be my home theater for another year probably.

There is a second problem where I have the audio out from the headphone jack to standard left/right (rca) audio in on my receiver, and the audio is generating a lot of extraneous noise. (edited to add, I do not get this audio problem when merely hooking up to external speakers, it only seems to occur when the dvi-out is activated)

I found a little application built-in to the mac, for manually tweaking the video, but it didnt work well. for one thing it starts by telling you to turn the contrast all the way up on the set! surely that isn't a good path to take, nevermind there isnt a contrast setting on my set.

Is there a reasonable solution to my picture quality and audio woes? Or am I stuck with a problem that only tons of money and time will cure?

Oh and thanks for all the time and effort you guys have put into this. I love being a Mac convert but would like to use it with my HDTV on weekends.

Hi

(I read the faq and still have issues, and I'm not sure if "post it here" meant this thread or a new thread in this sub-forum. Apologies if I have posted incorrectly.).

Welcome, GregF to the Mac world! If you've come from Windows, you can look forward to many, many peaceful days when your computer just works and leaves you in peace. If you've come from Linux, you'll find yourself right at home.

OK, now back to your questions. First, "post here" is meant for requests, additions, etc. to the FAQ, not to post quesstions about the Mac. And no need to apologise, you are not the first, and won't be the last!

I did indeed get my Macbook Pro hooked up to the DVI input of the set, no problems there. Macbook did indeed instantly produce a nice screen sizing. However, there is that problem where it's hard to look at, is that the refresh rate? And more importantly, the picture is too dark to be enjoyable. It's important to add that I paid a home theater expert to come out and work in the service menus and get it looking great for DVD and Directv HD.

I highly recommend you post in the general Mac forum, but try to be a bit more specific: "hard to look at" makes it difficult for the people who try to help you to understand exactly what the problem might be.


There is a second problem where I have the audio out from the headphone jack to standard left/right (rca) audio in on my receiver, and the audio is generating a lot of extraneous noise. (edited to add, I do not get this audio problem when merely hooking up to external speakers, it only seems to occur when the dvi-out is activated)


If the sound is a humming sound, you may have a grounding problem. However, here again, ask the in the general forum, but try to describe the noise a bit.

And so on for your other questions: try to include as much specific detail as possible -- this will make it easier to identify what the problem might be.

Once more, welcome to the world of Macs!

...
If you've come from Windows, you can look forward to many, many peaceful days when your computer just works and leaves you in peace. ..




Unfortunately, I can't agree with this. Althought I refuse to turn my Mac Mini into a Vista Mini, as of right now, I have a $400 Mac b1t t0rr3nt box. :mad:

Unfortunately, I can't agree with this. Althought I refuse to turn my Mac Mini into a Vista Mini, as of right now, I have a $400 Mac b1t t0rr3nt box. :mad:

Well, having had htpcs in both Mac and Windows, I find it an understatement ;) But, are you saying you've got problems with your Mini, you are not happy with it or it was your plan all along to turn it into a bttorent box?

Well, having had htpcs in both Mac and Windows, I find it an understatement ;) But, are you saying you've got problems with your Mini, you are not happy with it or it was your plan all along to turn it into a bttorent box?


Define this:

htpc on a Mac

What do you use? I think you were big on NOT using a FrontEnd (my apologies if that's not your views).


It was never my plan to make it a bttorrent box. I unhappy on a few fronts:

1) There doesn't seem to be any software that can load an ISO file for a DVD. They all use VIDEO_TS files. That's a lot of work to mount and extract all of the movies I have.

2) TV is a big deal. I'm not talking recording to the Mac, but I can't seem to get MC tv show to play (the drm ones). Maybe they shouldn't work, but again this is my attempt to "work" a Mac into my setup without a complete overhaul.

3) Maybe it's 'cause I'm from the windows environment, but I use/rely on a front end heavily when it comes to a htpc, to the point that the mouse/keyboard are put up in a closet.

4) The one time I wanted to use my mini to connect to a different PC in the house, I used Logmein. I don't know of any other (free) equivalent to RA into a different box from another.

I couldn't go the other way (PC RA into Mac), it didn't seem to load the software (may be Windows only for the client). Anyway, it was VERY slow when just rendering the desktop, and I couldn't get any work done. My rez was set to 1280x720.


Having now owned both, I don't see the big deal between the two. I don't expect anyone here to agree with that. I'm not going to defend/praise one over the other either. The Mini is great as a bt box, but I'm in need of a little more. The problem is I don't have $2500 to spend on a Mac Pro.


I'm sure I have a lot more research to do, but I just figured it would be easier to accomplish my needs.

Define this:

htpc on a Mac

What do you use? I think you were big on NOT using a FrontEnd (my apologies if that's not your views).

You are correct. For me a front end gets in the way. If I want to watch a film or listen to music, I just go directly to the application. I am quite happy with it, btw.



It was never my plan to make it a bttorrent box. I unhappy on a few fronts:

1) There doesn't seem to be any software that can load an ISO file for a DVD. They all use VIDEO_TS files. That's a lot of work to mount and extract all of the movies I have.


I don't have an ISO handy right now, but I believe VLC can play it directly. There may be others, but I don't use them so I haven't researched it.


2) TV is a big deal. I'm not talking recording to the Mac, but I can't seem to get MC tv show to play (the drm ones). Maybe they shouldn't work, but again this is my attempt to "work" a Mac into my setup without a complete overhaul.


I'm not sure what you mean by "MC tv show". I don't have any problem with TV. I'm using EyeTV currently (I can record or watch live), but hope to switch eventually. I assume if you are buying TV shows, using iTunes it should also be no problem.


3) Maybe it's 'cause I'm from the windows environment, but I use/rely on a front end heavily when it comes to a htpc, to the point that the mouse/keyboard are put up in a closet.


The Mini (and other Macs) come with a very nifty little remote control. If it doesn't do everything you want, download a free or shareware program and make it do what you want. Front Row, Apple's own front end works with the remote and I suspect most of the others do as well. This should be the least of your problems!


4) The one time I wanted to use my mini to connect to a different PC in the house, I used Logmein. I don't know of any other (free) equivalent to RA into a different box from another.


Huh? Just connect? You just need to make an account on one or both of the machines and just connect. Take a look here: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=54704 and see if that helps.



Having now owned both, I don't see the big deal between the two. I don't expect anyone here to agree with that. I'm not going to defend/praise one over the other either. The Mini is great as a bt box, but I'm in need of a little more. The problem is I don't have $2500 to spend on a Mac Pro.


You really don't need a Mac Pro unless you will be doing fancy video editing or something like that. For just a home theater, your Mini should be fine.


I'm sure I have a lot more research to do, but I just figured it would be easier to accomplish my needs.

This isn't that complicated. You need to consider exactly what it is you want to do, then find the tools you need to get that done. Sure, it's different from Windows, but, mostly, in a good way. Yes, WMC is much more elaborate than most programs available on a Mac right now, but, if you're really want something like that, take a look at MythTV, available for Mac and probably even better than WMC (I'm guessing on that, but I strongly suspect it's true).

Why don't you take a look at this page: http://www.pure-mac.com/mediacenter.html
It's in the FAQ above. Try clicking on the different topics, and read the descriptions of the programs. It will give you an idea of what's out there and it's quite current.

You're always welcome to post in the regular forum (not in the FAQ) and there are usually many people who will try to help you. And there are lots of us who are quite enjoying our Minis as htpcs, though we have the advantage of knowing the software and where to find it. Believe me, Macs are a LOT less annoying than Windows -- it's no accident that the major Windows help site is at annoyances.org

Hope to see you around.

My apologies for posting here. I'll take this conversation to the thread I started..

I'l post a reply shortly..

Hey guys, new to the forum and mac's in general. I am looking into htpc options and the mac mini is very attractive. ATI recently released a USB cable card TV tuner. It requires vista which I am told should dual boot with OS X. I am looking to use this as a dvr with a cable card from comcast and a general entertainment pc. The hard drive it comes with is quite small and I do have larger ones i can swap it with. My question is will all this work together with digital and hdtv, and is it possible to use a network drive for the dvr data storage so I do not have to swap the drive out?

I know that was alot of info.

Thanks for any insight.

Mike

Hi Mike,

If you are planning to run Vista on your Mac, I recommend posting your questions in the Windows on Mac thread in the general (Windows) forum. This forum is only for discussion of questions regarding Mac OS. Good luck.

I have a macbook and a hitachi 51f59 HD TV.

So, I bought a DVI to HDMI adapter for my macbook (which will use the mini dvi to- dvi adapter) to use my macbook with my HD TV. Just had a couple of questions and wanted to see what people thought:

Q1. I set up the macbook with 1280 x 720p. I can set it up with 1920 by 1080i but it is really jittery. Any fix for this? I have my HD DVD player outputting 1080i and I don't get the jitters like this (in certain text on HD DVDs, like on opening logos it jitters a tiny bit, but on macbook to HD TV the images stutters quite a bit when playing).

Q2. Why is everything so dark? I'm playing the HD Trailers through Front Row and I can barely see anything, even though my set looks fine with HD DVD and DVDs (no brightness problems).

Q3. I tried calibrating with the apple calibration tool on the computer and it put my brightness up to 78. It did not adjust the contrast. When I watched the 28 days later HD Trailer at 1080p, it seemed like it left a little bit of screen burn (I could see a hint of red on black scenes while watching other trailers). Also it still was not bright enough. Any suggestions?


It's really cool watching some of these trailers on the TV just wish I could see them!

Thanks,

Sam

Just a quick note on VGA vs. HDMI.

My 1.66 Mac Mini image looks lots better using VGA, than it did connecting via HDMI. My TV is the Sony 40" XBR1 720p set. VGA fills the screen, HDMI did not. image is much clearer via VGA. Must be dependent on the TV. Anyone else find VGA better?

My upgrade tv will be a Sony 1080p, hope HDMI will be better on it.

Hi folks, and thanks for all the help.

I've got my 24" iMac connected to a Philips LCD, and it works great.

My issue is that I can't get the iMac's display to turn completly off! I can use either mirroring or extended desktop, but in both instances, the iMac's display is always on. I tried using a widget that turns off the display, but it turns off BOTH displays.

This is really bugging to watch a movie when that huge screen is next to the TV, all lit up.

Any ideas would be welcomed.

Thanks!

Oded S.

I would like to know what the video quality is with the mac mini or Imac.

How does it compare to using an Oppo 971?
Dvd's will be straight iso rips not recompressed.


Thank you

Please post any questions or comments in the Mac forum. If you have any suggestions for the FAQ, please PM me.

Thanks,

Further