New question - what if the idea was to not run the two displays simultaneously? Would a DVI to DVI/VGA do the job, considering the lengths I've described?



Seeking advice as to how I'd go about putting together this set up:

I'd like to be able to use a Mac Mini as both a HTPC and a PC, driving separate monitors. As a PC, the Mini would connect to my 23" HD Cinema Display in an upstairs office. The desk in that office is about 12 feet (through the wall) from where my plasma TV (w/ DVI) is in the living room downstairs. The Mini would be with the TV downstairs, so I can control it (for HTPC use) with the Apple Remote. For the PC, I'd need to run a longish USB cable to support the keyboard and mouse (use a USB hub at the PC). I'd also need to run a longish DVI cable to the Cinema Display. There are a variety of issues I'd have to figure out, but right off the bat, does anyone know of a DVI switcher that would fit in with this scenario? Or perhaps an HDMI switcher (meaning that I'd need to use DVI-HDMI connectors or something like that)? Ideally, I'd have a set up that would allow me to use the Mini as an HTPC when I'm downstairs and as a PC when I'm upstairs, without manual switching. When I'm downstairs, all I want to be able to do is use Front Row and hopefully, be able to wake the Mini (and switch it) with the Apple Remote or a Logitech remote - I don't want or need a keyboard/mouse there. When I'm upstairs, I'd want full PC use as if the Mini was sitting right there. Of course, if there are too many hoops to jump through requiring all manner of expensive switchers and cables, etc. making the cost of the setup too high, maybe it'd be better just to get 2 Minis! Any advice would be appreciated and thanks in advance for considering this noobish issue.

I'd like to be able to use a Mac Mini as both a HTPC and a PC, driving separate monitors.

Wouldn't that be nice.

maybe it'd be better just to get 2 Minis!

Go with two minis. Or at least a mini at your plasma and then any Mac in your office, whatever you can afford, perhaps a Macbook, which can handle extended desktop with your Cinema Display and give you a little flexibility.

The HDMI switches that you see mentioned around AVS are for routing several output sources into a single display. The mini, a low end, consumer, switcher PC, isn't meant to connect to two high def displays simultaneously, and the only display switch I'm aware of can't handle high res displays, and it doesn't work that well anyway. It can be difficult enough just properly connecting to one display, getting the overscan right, etc. You'd need a better Mac in the office to handle dual displays, an iMac or a Mac Pro could handle the plasma.

Personally, I wouldn't try to do without a real Mac, like a Mini or Macbook, right out there connected to your plasma and on your home network. Everywhere you have an HDTV, have a networked Mac. If Apple gets its act together with the aTV, that might be an option; today, no.

Thank you sir - wise advice.

I just realized I didn't link you to the device I was talking about, here it is so you can check it out:

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gxm/products/dh2go/digital/home.php

I think in certain circumstances it could work, not for most of us, though--note that with an Intel Mini the max res is two times 1024x768.

The TV is 852x1024. The Cinema Display is at a different resolution, but above 1024x768. Seems like it wouldn't fly.

monoprice has hdmi splitters. Might work.

what if the idea was to not run the two displays simultaneously?

it isn't so much using them simultaneously, it's the challenge maintaining a proper connection to both of them, how the DVI port senses a signal, exchanges EDID information, not loses sync and having to reboot or go through reconnection hoops everytime, etc. The mini can run headless, but when it is attached to a display/HDTV it wants to stay attached, so often succeeding at this relates to tricking the mini into thinking the display is still attached. Two devices that might help you keep a mini functionally connected to two displays at the same native res, from a company that has a great reputation around here at AVS, are:

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1403

(nice that this includes a built-in version of Gefen's "DVI Detective" for storage of EDID data, that's a "feature" a lot of Mac home theater folks have had to resort to just to retain a proper EDID sync with their Mac and single display.)

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3958

I think either could handle your 12' cable run easily, it's just your Cinema Display and plasma aren't the same native res--and I think that's gonna be a sticking point even if you don't want to use both displays simultaneously.

But, the real issue might be a larger one--think bigger picture, digital lifestyle, home network--the way you're approaching this might be flawed: your odds of just a single mini serving well in both the living room HTPC space, when you're in there AND the separate upstairs office space, when you're in there, are near zero. (If you lived in a loft, on one floor, that might be different.) I think functionally one, or the other, will suffer too much to make it worthwhile. If you're still attracted to the notion of a fixed, traditional office space upstairs, you'd have a better shot with an iMac in the office space, sell off the Cinema Display, it'd be a lot easier to connect the iMac to your plasma since the iMac supports connection to a second display, then it's just a matter of controlling it when you're in the HTPC space. And I think you're going to find those options lacking with the iMac upstairs. Now what if you sold the Cinema Display and went with a Macbook and iMac combo? Then, you could control the iMac over your network with the Macbook while you're in the HTPC space--and gain the portability of a laptop while you're at it.

Flip that around--put a mini in the HTPC space, KEEP the Cinema Display and STILL get the Macbook. When you want to work in the office space upstairs, plug in and drive the Cinema Display with the Macbook, pull anything you want from the HTPC over your gigabit network, watch a movie while you work, etc. The Macbook, like the iMac, can handle dual display/extended desktop. So, maybe re-think what kind of lifestyle you want, what your real priorities are, and perhaps consider the advantages of:

1) two Minis (keep Cinema Display)
2) Mini and Macbook (keep Cinema Display)
3) iMac and Macbook (sell Cinema Display)

If you can make the budget numbers work, I think you'd be happier. Maybe the least important of the two Macs--based on how you priortize things--can be a slightly older, used or refurb model to help make the budget work. So, I raise this just because sometimes the better question is not "can I do this" but "should I try to do this?"

Again, thanks.