I'm ready to purchase a mac mini but not sure as to what amenities to include.
Current RPTV only does 1080i but the replacement will do 1080p.
I plan to rip all my CD's on the HDD and playback of DVD's.

I'm ready to purchase a mac mini but not sure as to what amenities to include.
Current RPTV only does 1080i but the replacement will do 1080p.
I plan to rip all my CD's on the HDD and playback of DVD's.

Get a DVI->HDMI cable, get a digital Apple Audio Connector->Toslink cable, get MacTheRipper software, enjoy while waiting for 10.5 :D

get a digital Apple Audio Connector->Toslink cable

It's just a mini-plug connector. It isn't some proprietary Apple connection. Any Toslink cable with a mini-plug adaptor will do.

get a digital Apple Audio Connector->Toslink cable
This would only be useful if the OP wants to run the audio to a receiver. Most TVs do not have optical/digital audio inputs.

This would only be useful if the OP wants to run the audio to a receiver. Most TVs do not have optical/digital audio inputs.

I will be running the DD/DTS from the mac mini to my HK surround rec. My audio DAC can go either toslink or SPDIF.

Any suggestions on where to purchase the mini?

Lastly, I don't want a KVM in my media room but wish to have a hand held device for navigation. A while back, a friend suggested a Nokia N800 via bluetooth for the task. That was about six months ago. Any suggestions here would be appreciated.

Lastly, I don't want a KVM in my media room but wish to have a hand held device for navigation. A while back, a friend suggested a Nokia N800 via bluetooth for the task. That was about six months ago. Any suggestions here would be appreciated.
I've been disappointed by the available peripherals for this purpose. I had written about a device that has a touchscreen that can be configured as a keyboard and a trackpad as well.

wildrock (prolific AVS member) suggested that the iPhone could be used as a super Universal Remote with the right software/widget. There has been some articles that have Apple patenting the use of the iPhone as a Universal Remote. Also, IOSoftware (makers of Remote Buddy) have added some features to their software for the iPhone.

Anyways, I wouldn't suggest using an iPhone as keyboard/trackpad input device for a HTMac, but the next-gen iPod with wi-fi/BT would be a perfect device to use.

ft

I will be running the DD/DTS from the mac mini to my HK surround rec. My audio DAC can go either toslink or SPDIF.

Any suggestions on where to purchase the mini?

Lastly, I don't want a KVM in my media room but wish to have a hand held device for navigation. A while back, a friend suggested a Nokia N800 via bluetooth for the task. That was about six months ago. Any suggestions here would be appreciated.

Sorry, didn't mean to imply it was an Apple-only connection... I just figured since you were new to the mini, it would be easier to say it that way... Apple store sells a wire, but I got mine at RatShack (Radio Shack). Though I have yet to use them, many folks on the forum use Monoprice.com for connectors.

I got my mini (and my MBP Core 2) at Amazon, free shipping and overnight because they ship from Nevada. Check THIS (http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac_mini) out.

Sorry, didn't mean to imply it was an Apple-only connection... I just figured since you were new to the mini, it would be easier to say it that way... Apple store sells a wire, but I got mine at RatShack (Radio Shack). Though I have yet to use them, many folks on the forum use Monoprice.com for connectors.

I got my mini (and my MBP Core 2) at Amazon, free shipping and overnight because they ship from Nevada. Check THIS (http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac_mini) out.
I thought the Toslink cables are a standard size?
Can you link me to the specific plug/cable I will need?

Thanks.

Toslink connectors are a standard size. The Mac mini doesn't have a Toslink connector. It has a mini-plug connector that supports both analog and digital audio. So, you need a standard mini-plug-to-Toslink adaptor to connect a standard Toslink cable.

I thought the Toslink cables are a standard size?
Can you link me to the specific plug/cable I will need?

Thanks.Monoprice has great deals on these cables (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=1557&seq=1&format=2&style=). They have longer and shorter ones, too. I've got a twelve footer that I use to hook my MacBook up to my yammy avr.

wildrock (prolific AVS member) suggested that the iPhone could be used as a super Universal Remote with the right software/widget. There has been some articles that have Apple patenting the use of the iPhone as a Universal Remote. Also, IOSoftware (makers of Remote Buddy) have added some features to their software for the iPhone.Well, if Apple would release an SDK kit, we'd hear about one in no time. We'll get some attempts at this via AJAX apps, but this is really one area that begs a real application. It'll happen sooner or later, though. It's inevitable.

Monoprice has great deals on these cables (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=1557&seq=1&format=2&style=). They have longer and shorter ones, too. I've got a twelve footer that I use to hook my MacBook up to my yammy avr.

Great source. How's the quality of the cables?

Great source. How's the quality of the cables?I've had no problems with the one I've had for about 9 months. It runs across my LR floor to my chair, where I often sit and work on my MB, and like to plug in for the odd audio experience (like when a new Wolfgang's Vault email drops in with some new concerts to listen to) while I work/play. It gets stepped on and pushed around, so for an optical cable, I can't complain. And for the price, you can afford to have a couple spares laying around.

Monoprice has great deals on these cables (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=1557&seq=1&format=2&style=). They have longer and shorter ones, too. I've got a twelve footer that I use to hook my MacBook up to my yammy avr.

My RPTV has a DVI-D connector; I'm not sure which flavor the mac mini has.
What cable/adapter(s) will I need to order?
When I get the new flat screen, I assume I'll use HDMI? (no point in spending big $ for a cable that will go in the cable bin)
Thanks again.

Mac minis have a DVI-I connector. It integrates DVI-A and DVI-D into a single connector for both analog and digital connections. A DVI-I or DVI-D cable will work. No need for an adaptor. When you switch to an HDMI TV, you can just get a DVI-HDMI adaptor and use the same cable.

Lastly, I don't want a KVM in my media room but wish to have a hand held device for navigation. A while back, a friend suggested a Nokia N800 via bluetooth for the task. That was about six months ago. Any suggestions here would be appreciated.

Obviously, there is the built-in IR receiver and 6 button remote. It's not the most flexible in the world, but it works surprisingly well for many functions (Front Row as well as other apps built with remote support).

Then, there are third party remotes + receivers, which are more flexible. I use the ATI Remote Wonder II. It is very flexible.. you can program the keys to do all kinds of things like launching apps, killing apps, and controlling them. It also provides basic mouse support via the directional pad -- kinda clunky, but allows you to do much more than other remotes. The down side: It's an RF remote, so you cannot replace it with a universal IR remote.


And, for full control without KVM, there is always remote desktop access. Enable it on the Mini, then use any VNC client to connect to it and control it as if you were at the console.


With a combination of those three methods, I never need to connect a keyboard or mouse to my Mini.

If you want to take advantage of the bluetooth, I'd recommend Remote Buddy and a Wiimote. For less than the price of a cheap wireless keyboard you dramatically expand the functionality of the apple remote. Remote Buddy also takes advantage of the IR sensor in the front of the Wiimote to turn it into a "gyroscopic" pointing device of sorts - i.e. wave the remote around and the mouse follows. Great for the big screen.

With the bluetooth range, I can control from the backyard the iTunes app piping music to my outdoor speakers...