Hi all,
I've been starting to think about getting a Mac Mini to be dedicated to my AV System.
Here is the article that got me started thinking in this direction:
http://www.avguide.com/blog/building...1?src=Playback
I've been using Apple computers since my Apple //e in the mid 1980's & Macs since 1992, so I am familiar with Mac OS X ("I don't do Windoze", even though I have built 3 WinTel machines for my Dad over the years)
I would want to use the Mac Mini primarily as a Music Server, loading my collection of CD's into it (my 301 disc Pioneer Changer is full & I've got plenty more of CD's). I would also want put to the home movies that I've burned to DVD's on it.
As for my current system, here it is:
Pioneer Elite VSX36TX Receiver
Pioneer Elite PD-F27 Compact Disc Player
Sharp 37" LCD Flat Panel Monitor LC-37D90U
OPPO BDP-83 Blu-Ray Player
DirecTV HR20 Receiver/DVR
As the VSX36TX Receiver does not have HDMI Switching, I am running HDMI cables directly from the BDP-83 and the HR20 to the Sharp Monitor. I still have a DVI input available on the Monitor, so I guess that I could run DVI from the Mac Mini to the Monitor. However, I believe that an adapter is required to hook up a standard DVI cable to the Mini, correct?
I still have an Optical input available on the Pioneer Elite VSX36TX Receiver, so I believe that I can hook up the Mac Mini to that, but once again, the optical output on the Mini is not a standard AV connection & I would need an adapter to hook up a standard Toslink Optical cable, right?
One thing about my set up, I am running analog Left & Right channel audio out cables from the VSX36TX to a second receiver located in the Living Room & also to my bedroom, playing over my computer's speakers up there. I have found out the hard way (don't ask!) that the VSX36TX will not send a digital signal in (either via Coax or Optical) to the analog Left & Right channel outputs, so I believe that I would also need an analog Left & Right signal in addition to the Digital Optical signal going to the VSX36TX from the Mac Mini.
I've heard of the need for a DAC. Would that be required in my case?
I've been starting to think about getting a Mac Mini to be dedicated to my AV System.
Here is the article that got me started thinking in this direction:
http://www.avguide.com/blog/building...1?src=Playback
I've been using Apple computers since my Apple //e in the mid 1980's & Macs since 1992, so I am familiar with Mac OS X ("I don't do Windoze", even though I have built 3 WinTel machines for my Dad over the years)
I would want to use the Mac Mini primarily as a Music Server, loading my collection of CD's into it (my 301 disc Pioneer Changer is full & I've got plenty more of CD's). I would also want put to the home movies that I've burned to DVD's on it.
As for my current system, here it is:
Pioneer Elite VSX36TX Receiver
Pioneer Elite PD-F27 Compact Disc Player
Sharp 37" LCD Flat Panel Monitor LC-37D90U
OPPO BDP-83 Blu-Ray Player
DirecTV HR20 Receiver/DVR
As the VSX36TX Receiver does not have HDMI Switching, I am running HDMI cables directly from the BDP-83 and the HR20 to the Sharp Monitor. I still have a DVI input available on the Monitor, so I guess that I could run DVI from the Mac Mini to the Monitor. However, I believe that an adapter is required to hook up a standard DVI cable to the Mini, correct?
I still have an Optical input available on the Pioneer Elite VSX36TX Receiver, so I believe that I can hook up the Mac Mini to that, but once again, the optical output on the Mini is not a standard AV connection & I would need an adapter to hook up a standard Toslink Optical cable, right?
One thing about my set up, I am running analog Left & Right channel audio out cables from the VSX36TX to a second receiver located in the Living Room & also to my bedroom, playing over my computer's speakers up there. I have found out the hard way (don't ask!) that the VSX36TX will not send a digital signal in (either via Coax or Optical) to the analog Left & Right channel outputs, so I believe that I would also need an analog Left & Right signal in addition to the Digital Optical signal going to the VSX36TX from the Mac Mini.
I've heard of the need for a DAC. Would that be required in my case?