Resolved Mac mini, Plex and network access questions

1) If you don't already have vmware/fusion....I would suggest just getting the trial. I had it installed and never used it. You can usually find a way to do everything you need in OS X. I am just now using VMWare Fusion again so I can host some servers while I study for some certs. Other than that, I never use it to emulate a pc.

2) Plex media server is used to host/serve up your content.

Plex media center client (Laika) is just a client used to access your content.

You are going to need both in this case since one machine is doing everything. The cool thing is you can access it from just about any other pc/mobile device/GoogleTV/certain samsung TVs & blu-ray players on your home network if you wanted. You would just need to install the media center client on the machine and it will work. With the new myPlex feature, you can even access it remotely from an outside network while you are away.

One last thing, if you are going to use Plex for your media, don't bother converting anything. It will play just about anything you can throw at it.

3) Not sure on remote desktop options from your iPad. Check the app store and Internet. My guess is you may find something that let's your iPad control certain apps your Mini may run (i.e. Plex), but may have a harder time finding an app to let you control the entire system. They do sell remote controls that can act as a mouse so that may help. I bought a trackpad and keyboard as I mainly use my Mini for Plex. For Windows you must use VNC. It is painfully slow though and I never found a good solution. Not sure if this has changed in Lion, but don't get your hopes up.

4) Is the mouse bluetooth? I don't see why it wouldn't work if so. Wireless USB should work for most as well. Check Logitech's web site to make sure they included mac support for your model.

5) If you just need your Plex content then just use myPlex. Simple to set up. I haven't streamed a video over an outside network yet. I'm doing that later today.

6) Last thing, consider throwing some RAM at the Mini. It will help you run more than one app at a time.

Best of luck

For remote control, you may try logmein. There is a free version that will let you control your mac mini from any other PC that has an internet connection. If you want to control it with an iPhone or iPad then you will need to get the apps respectively, then you will be able to have the desktop shown on your remote device. It's a great interface.

cooa99 said:

cheers guys,

I have a Synology NAS, PS3 and Samsung LEDTV (with LAN)

I have flex installed now and it looks good.

I have 3 issues.

1) Plex media server is not showing up on my PS3 or TV. Do i need to make some additional setting changes on the mac mini?.

2) Plex Client display on Mac mini via Samsung TV Audio problem :- I set the mac mini to output sound via HDMI . it somehow seems to be intermitent, some time i get sound via hdmi sometimes it does not work. any clues?

3) Mac mini display via Samsung screen sluggish mouse cursor :-
Some how the cursor seems to be sluggish on the screen



cooa99

Click to expand...

Hey sorry it's been a while, but just getting back to reading replying to this.

1) I don't think it will work with PS3 from other threads I've read. It was built from the XBMC framework so don't plan on PS3 ever playing too nice at any point. It should work on Samsung D series TVs or Blu-ray players I think. If your TV is of an earlier model, the Plex client will install but will not work properly. The guy who wrote the Samsung app didn't code for older models and understandably so.

2) I don't remember setting my audio to HDMI. I thought I just did built in sytsem. I'll have to check when I go home tonight. I don't remember the audio being difficult to setup though. I am connected via HDMI to the TV which then has a speaker bar connected via digital link. What type of speakers/audio setup are you using?

3) Try the latest update. Maybe it was a small bug that got addressed. If that doesn't work, maybe it has something to do with the Refresh rate. Again, I don't recall any problems in this area during my setup.

New to the Mac Mini. I setup the Plex an now have trouble viewing the news from News list and IMove list will not play.. Could really use the help...

Thanks,
Newbie