So, I ordered a DVI to HDMI cable a while ago and have used my macbook a couple of times to watch some downloaded movies off of iTunes on my 51" CRT HDTV. Overall, I think the picture looks very good.

Now I have a couple of questions. I just ordered a mini-toslink to toslink cable to plug into the digital port on this pc and to the back of my receiver. I know (or atleast I think I know) how to get a 5.1 stream out of it from the DVD player, but how do I get a 5.1 stream out from iTunes? Actually, do most videos from iTunes have 5.1 playback right now? or would I just have my receiver convert the 2.0 signal to 5.1 (via dolby pro logic or something like that).

I was also wondering if it is possible to get Front Row to play on my second display. I can do this now but I have to use the dual display where I get the same thing on both screens (macbook and HDTV) but I would like to either be able to shut my macbook and just have front row on the HDTV.

Sorry for the relentless questions, but just a couple more. Is there any way to get the Apple DVD player to be totally region free? It would be nice to have a Region 2 and 3 dvd player (I have an HD DVD player and a regular DVD player already).

I'm also buying this switch here (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011001&p_id=2786&seq=1&format=2&style=) . Do you think I will notice any degradation in quality from the macbook or HD DVD player when hooking this both up to it?

Sorry for the long posts, but i'm enjoying using this thing so much and integrating it into my home theater!

Sam

Just going to give the answers I know off the top of my head:

iTunes content does not come in 5.1, and don't think much of it has any surround encoding at all.

Try moving your menubar to the second display to move FrontRow there.

Is there any way to get the Apple DVD player to be totally region free?

No, not if what you're talking about is using the internal drive of your Macbook and repeatedly popping discs from various regions in and out of it. Apple dvd player isn't solely the problem w/r/t region, it's Apple itself, the OS X and that particularly crappy internal drive--so hardware, software and firmware checks--all working in combination to defeat you. Discussed in depth previously, so read back, but there's nothing you can do with your current drive.

It would be nice to have a Region 2 and 3 dvd player

Sure, it's one of the best things about computers and home theater.

This can be a very complicated issue, but the easiest solution for you with a Macbook is this: plug in an external firewire dvd drive, then use it to import your dvds with MactheRipper, in the process this removes the region coding and creates a video_ts folder, then Apple dvd player will be able to play these files back wherever they are, on an internal hard drive or external storage. Much discussed elsewhere.

how do I get a 5.1 stream out from iTunes?

iTunes only allows this in one case--you can get 5.1 from a DTS-encoded audio cd passed through to your AVR. It's been discussed on previous threads, import as Apple lossless, make sure your volume is set to 100%, and go digital out to your AVR. This works streamed through an Airport Express unit as well, and your AVR will recognize it as DTS surround.

What you're probably talking about is audio from dvd video, though, and from within iTunes (say you ripped and then converted a dvd to one of the acceptable video formats for iTunes) the answer is no, you won't get 5.1--iTunes doesn't know what to do with that kind of audio information and whatever video you download from iTunes itself comes with a different kind of surround audio--in either case your AVR will perceive it as two channel stereo and will kick in to pretend surround, Dolby Pro Logic.

I keep a Macbook in closed lid mode, waking it with a BT mouse, in my HT. Works great.

Lots of people like that monoprice switch, now whether your Macbook and your particular 51" HDTV will retain sync when left connected through it is another issue.

Thank you for the replies. I kind of figured that about iTunes not really allowing 5.1 (unless a DVD Audio CD) but it won't be too much of an issue (atleast I think).

Is it possible to make the mac dvd drive just region 2? (I mean set it permanently or semi-permanent)

I've also tried to put my menu bar over there but it didn't pop up right when I hit front row. That might be an overscan issue, i'm not sure, but I will try some tweeks. I get some heavy "judder" when I have the macbook set the second display at 1080i (which my TV is set to natively). When I set to 720p on the macbook it looks pretty good.

Will be able to test some more when my mini toslink cord comes in. Otherwise, this macbook has been one of the best purchases i've ever made. I love being able to watch the HD trailers on my TV. Also once I get to a more permanent residence I can have everything set up properly and not really have to move anything (right now I move the macbook to the tv).

Still beats spending 300 for the appleTV, which would be nice, but i'm perfectly content with what I have!

Thanks again guys!

I'm not near a Mac right this instant, so I can't give you a screenshot, but you can change the region x number of times and the last time you use, it's permanent. I think its 5 or 6 changes allowed. Not sure what effect re-installing the OS has.

Not sure what effect re-installing the OS has.

On the number of allowable region changes? None.

Yes you can change the region to R2 and leave it, if that's what you'd like it to play--and then you won't be able to play or rip non-R2 discs.

And just an fyi, I'm not sure what you mean by a "dvd audio CD" but what I was talking about was a DTS audio cd, it's a special (confusing) surround audio format that you'll sometimes find mixed in with regular music cds. There is also a different format called DVD-A, that's high res like SACD and iTunes doesn't know what to do with either SACD or DVD-A, they won't mount and they'll spit those discs out. (Sometimes SACD's are really hybrids, and also have regular redbook cd information which can be read and imported into iTunes.)

On the number of allowable region changes? None.

Yes you can change the region to R2 and leave it, if that's what you'd like it to play--and then you won't be able to play or rip non-R2 discs.

And just an fyi, I'm not sure what you mean by a "dvd audio CD" but what I was talking about was a DTS audio cd, it's a special (confusing) surround audio format that you'll sometimes find mixed in with regular music cds. There is also a different format called DVD-A, that's high res like SACD and iTunes doesn't know what to do with either SACD or DVD-A, they won't mount and they'll spit those discs out. (Sometimes SACD's are really hybrids, and also have regular redbook cd information which can be read and imported into iTunes.)


Sorry, I meant DVD Audio, as in DVD-A, didn't mean to put the CD on there. I'll definitely try and find a DTS audio cd (i've actually never heard of it but i'm going to try and find some online).

Thanks again!

Sam