Post your Mac'd Entertainment Center!!!!

[MBM007]

Just Curious how you guys are incorporating your Macs into your setups???
Mine is currently being powered by my 12in PowerBook G4(last revision)....I'm looking for a good way to stream video from my MacBook Pro in my office, any suggestions???

[MBM007]

!!!!

[StealthRider]

Just Curious how you guys are incorporating your Macs into your setups???
Mine is currently being powered by my 12in PowerBook G4(last revision)....I'm looking for a good way to stream video from my MacBook Pro in my office, any suggestions???

Just standard Quicktime video, or something special?

[ill0gical0ne]

Haven't really done much with it yet, as I'm moving in two weeks...

But here it goes.

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v75/170/62/1490790082/n1490790082_30051074_5163.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v98/170/62/1490790082/n1490790082_30052189_5860.jpg

Right now, my tv is being powered by my MacBook, but I'm planning on buying a Mac Mini sometime soon.

[MBM007]

Just standard Quicktime video, or something special?

I'd like to be able to stream .avi, .mkv, and .mp4.....any ideas???

[xaphan]

I'd like to be able to stream .avi, .mkv, and .mp4.....any ideas???

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Should do it.

[mac2thefuture]

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q280/cstridy/DSCF0005.jpg

This was my old system - if i get a MBP i may hook it up but now I've got :apple:TV which does pretty much what i ask of it - bar no UK iTunes:mad:

Very poor photo quality but playing CSS on 42" was wicked, i had the sound going through an amp on virtual 5.1 - t'was good times.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q280/cstridy/DSCF0009.jpg

[jlanuez]

Before & After photos of our (http://www.jeffreylanuez.com) Client Viewing Room :cool:

NEW:
Custom cabinet by metal artist: Ezequil Leoni (http://www.pictage.com/event.jsp?event_id=344014)
52" Sony XBR (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7997297&st=sony+52%22+XBR&type=product&id=1158317794104) LCD
Sony blu-ray BDP-S300 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8403514&st=blu-ray&type=product&id=1180743330749)
Denon AVR 3808CI (http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3510.asp)
Panamax M5100PM (http://www.panamax.com/products.cfm?group=1&sec=detail&id=292&ly=h)
Panamax in-wall power kit (http://www.panamax.com/products.cfm?group=1&sec=detail&id=288&ly=h)
Misc.; wall plates, wire, HDMI cable, etc...
5 Speakercraft (http://www.speakercraft.com/) in-walls
1 Definitive Technology (http://www.definitivetech.com/loudspeakers/subwoofers/subwoofers.html) sub
Phillips Pronto TSU7500 (http://www.pronto.philips.com/index.cfm?id=1206)remote

And, or course, an :apple:TV

[Killyp]

Very poor photo quality but playing CSS on 42" was wicked, i had the sound going through an amp on virtual 5.1 - t'was good times.

When you say 'an amp', you don't mean a guitar or bass amp? If so, this would completely wipe out any possibility of virtual 5.1 working, as it relies on two speakers being available.

Either way, proper stereo > virtual 5.1.

[fr4c]

When you say 'an amp', you don't mean a guitar or bass amp? If so, this would completely wipe out any possibility of virtual 5.1 working, as it relies on two speakers being available.

Either way, proper stereo > virtual 5.1.
Amp = AV Receiver.

[vicious7]

Wow, these are some very interesting set-ups.

[contoursvt]

I guess this would be my entertainment center. Still dont have a proper TV...waiting to afford a 50" HD plasma but I have to wait.... For now my music does me fine :)

http://powerthings.com/pics/celestions.jpg

[Killyp]

Dude that's a sweet setup, but you really aught to get a really good source. That Yamaha isn't going to be producing a particularly great sound, while the rest of your kit isn't that bad at all. In fact, those speakers are really pretty fantastic, and you've matched the power amp well. The Rotel is also a great piece of kit...

[contoursvt]

Thanks dude :) The speakers are really nice sounding and I do love all the stuff I have. The CD player I have not touched in ages :) All my music comes streamed from my server to my Squeezebox device. I ripped all my CD's and converted them to FLAC lossless which the Squeezebox supports.

Anyone want a really really cheap Yamaha CD player ? :)

Dude that's a sweet setup, but you really aught to get a really good source. That Yamaha isn't going to be producing a particularly great sound, while the rest of your kit isn't that bad at all. In fact, those speakers are really pretty fantastic, and you've matched the power amp well. The Rotel is also a great piece of kit...

[Killyp]

All my music comes streamed from my server to my Squeezebox device. I ripped all my CD's and converted them to FLAC lossless which the Squeezebox supports.

Fair enough, but Apple Lossless would be better. Takes up less space, sounds just the same.

As for the actual playing side of things, getting a decent DAC connected to that Squeezebox would really, really improve the sound...

[contoursvt]

Really it does make that much difference? I know I read that the squeezebox uses a Burr brown DAC and from what I read its pretty decent but I dont know if there are different grades. I think most DACs are pretty pricey too. I'm just a poor IT guy :)


Fair enough, but Apple Lossless would be better. Takes up less space, sounds just the same.

As for the actual playing side of things, getting a decent DAC connected to that Squeezebox would really, really improve the sound...

[Killyp]

Really it does make that much difference? I know I read that the squeezebox uses a Burr brown DAC and from what I read its pretty decent but I dont know if there are different grades. I think most DACs are pretty pricey too. I'm just a poor IT guy :)

Yes, it would make a difference. It would sound less 'wooden' and more musical. If you're happy with it atm though, there's no need to change it.

I would convert your music to Apple Lossless though. It's as it says, lossless. Just uses some clever algorithms to combine similar bits of the data into one etc. Like the difference between a BMP and a PNG.

[contoursvt]

Thing is that my main computer is a windows based machine and my server is a win2k server box. I dont use itunes on my PC and I believe if I want to use Apple lossless I have to install itunes on my server and have it handle the library. Slimserver will be reading the content from itunes then. Dont wanna really go through that. Plus my server has a pair of 250GB mirrored SATA drives just for music so I have tons of free space still. Dont think I'm filling it in this lifetime.

Yes, it would make a difference. It would sound less 'wooden' and more musical. If you're happy with it atm though, there's no need to change it.

I would convert your music to Apple Lossless though. It's as it says, lossless. Just uses some clever algorithms to combine similar bits of the data into one etc. Like the difference between a BMP and a PNG.

[sycho]

I would convert your music to Apple Lossless though. It's as it says, lossless. Just uses some clever algorithms to combine similar bits of the data into one etc. Like the difference between a BMP and a PNG.

Did you even read his post???

He said that his library is in FLAC right now, you know, Free Lossless Audio Codec?

[Shotglass]

Did you even read his post???

He said that his library is in FLAC right now, you know, Free Lossless Audio Codec?Relax, he read it. Otherwise he wouldn't be telling him why to use Apple Lossless instead of FLAC, you know, Free Lossless Audio Codec.:rolleyes:;)

[jordygreen]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1054/1081149463_3827ba72f0_o.jpg

I have recently added an Xbox 360 Elite and planning on adding Mac Mini pretty soon.

[sycho]

Relax, he read it. Otherwise he wouldn't be telling him why to use Apple Lossless instead of FLAC, you know, Free Lossless Audio Codec.:rolleyes:;)

Go re-read his last post, he is comparing it to PNG & BMP, which is like comparing FLAC or ALAC to WAV. If it is already in one lossless format, there is no benefit at all to move to a different lossless format.

[XheartcoreboyX]

i dont know how you guys can put a 30" screen right infront of your face and connect it to a computer!? i would lose my eyes..
if i ever get a 30" screen it would be just a TV :rolleyes:

[spencers]

My dorm setup.

I cleaned up the wires after the picture was taken. The movies belong to my roommate.
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3396/tvhz9.jpg

[David Aames]

Just moved in to our new place (hence the lack of art). The important things are all set up though.

View from kitchen:

http://e.photos.cx/100_0713-777.JPG

Hallway View:

http://e.photos.cx/100_0714-bb6.JPG

From coffee table:

http://e.photos.cx/100_0715-e59.JPG

Devices:

TV: Sharp 37" Aquos (very small - getting a 46" hopefully soon)
Sound - Bose Acoustamas (Yeah yeah Bose sucks, is too expenseive, blah blah)
Top Left - Bell HD PVR
Bottom Left - Harmon Kardon Amp
Top Right - Sony Blu-Ray Player
Bottom Right - Apple TV + XBox360+HD DVD Player
DVI to HDMI for hooking up my Macbook Pro behind the unit

http://e.photos.cx/100_0716-1c6.JPG

[zioxide]

My dorm setup.

I cleaned up the wires after the picture was taken. The movies belong to my roommate.
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3396/tvhz9.jpg

I hope you lock your door :eek:

[steviem]

This is mine, I bought the 22" monitor on Friday from ebuyer for £150 and spent about 5 hours setting up my mac mini G4.

It has:
-1.25GHz G4, 512MB RAM, 60GB hd mac mini(could do with 1GB RAM)
-320GB MyBook External HD
-Slim PS2 (that I cant use yet :()
-Labtec Speakers :(
-Front Row 1.3
-EyeTV
-Salling Clicker (so I can use my old mobile as a remote control)
-Vine Server (so I will be able to login from work and setup recordings)
-50 movies, 200 tv show episodes, 32GB music.


It will have:
-Amplifier, Good bookshelf speakers
-Component to VGA box to connect PS2
-XBox 360 connected via VGA for HD gaming

http://lh6.google.com/stevie.mulcahy/Rtu8HWl1X3I/AAAAAAAAAN8/2rsqJ23Hoy8/s288/DSCF1405.JPG

[stormyuklondon1]

mine..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v16/stormyuklondon1/091207171151.jpg

everythings stored lossless on the imac upstairs, streamed to the 'phones via airport express, controlled through front row via the macbook. works very well:) next purchase will be a dac though, hopefully a chord electronics dac 64, but that's some way off yet!

[cornerdealy]

mine..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v16/stormyuklondon1/091207171151.jpg

everythings stored lossless on the imac upstairs, streamed to the 'phones via airport express, controlled through front row via the macbook. works very well:) next purchase will be a dac though, hopefully a chord electronics dac 64, but that's some way off yet!

please give us the specs of that stereo system you got there...

[stormyuklondon1]

please give us the specs of that stereo system you got there...

no problem, at the top, a michell gyrodec with michell tecnoarm and dynavector 10x5 cartridge, next shelf down, dynavector p-75 phono pre-amp, next stax sr3050 classic electrostactic earphones and amp, then at the bottom, isotek mains conditioner withan airport express plugged in the back.
I really enjoy it, keeps me from spending all night gawping at the idiot box.
missus thinks i'm a bit of a audio nerd tho..:D

[kusanagi]

1.5ghz mac mini oc'd to 1.67 connected to 4 500gb wd external drives (have one down atm doing a backup so there's only 3 up in the pic)

Connected to a Yamaha GX-707 Mini home theatre setup (5.1) gives nice clear sound.. not the loudest but nice and clean.

TV is a 42" LG Plasma, mini is connected to it via DVI beautiful clear image :D

Other things around that I thought you guys might be interested in is the steel astroboy statue, Lego AT-AT walker (1400 pieces irc) and a present from my ex that always gives any geek a good laugh when they come in. (it says for those who cant read it.. sorry bad camera day.. "In case of emergency, break glass")

[spencers]

I hope you lock your door :eek:

i do. even though theft is actually a non-issue here.

[macEfan]

No pic at the moment, but my system is as follows:

-Sony 27" CRT tv
-Kenwood Kr-7600-vintage reciever that puts out a ton of power
-Pioneer bookshelf speakers
-Powermac g4 digital audio 466mhz/768mb/120gb/tiger as the media server

[stagecustom]

1.5ghz mac mini oc'd to 1.67 connected to 4 500gb wd external drives (have one down atm doing a backup so there's only 3 up in the pic)

Connected to a Yamaha GX-707 Mini home theatre setup (5.1) gives nice clear sound.. not the loudest but nice and clean.

TV is a 42" LG Plasma, mini is connected to it via DVI beautiful clear image :D

Other things around that I thought you guys might be interested in is the steel astroboy statue, Lego AT-AT walker (1400 pieces irc) and a present from my ex that always gives any geek a good laugh when they come in. (it says for those who cant read it.. sorry bad camera day.. "In case of emergency, break glass")

how did you go about over clocking your mini? is that a core solo? cause thats what i have, and i would love to OC it.

[kusanagi]

how did you go about over clocking your mini? is that a core solo? cause thats what i have, and i would love to OC it.

Sorry, its an old G4 mac mini. One of the "silent" 1.5ghz releases... so silent when i bought it off ebay I thought i was getting a 1.42ghz!

[Amstrman]

my old setup

[MacBoobsPro]

my old setup

It looks like a giant iPhone above a giant Zune :D

[RevToTheRedline]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2260/1545898100_ea276c73fc_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/1545862156_46185b5e52_b.jpg

Hopefully soon there will be a Rega Planar 3 turntable sitting where those glade candles are.

[Killyp]

The Planar 3 is a great record deck. I've got an original one with a motor upgrade - fantastic deck...

[RevToTheRedline]

The Planar 3 is a great record deck. I've got an original one with a motor upgrade - fantastic deck...

I was actually debating between the new P3 and the new P2, is the P3 really worth the money? Or should I go with the P2 and spend more on the cart?

[Shotglass]

cornerdealy - how are those electrostatics treating you? I read a raving review just today. Oh and also, audio nerds are the coolest of them all.

RevToTheRedline - nice pictures. Just one thing though: MOAR!!!;)

[RevToTheRedline]

cornerdealy - how are those electrostatics treating you? I read a raving review just today. Oh and also, audio nerds are the coolest of them all.

RevToTheRedline - nice pictures. Just one thing though: MOAR!!!;)

You mean MOPAR right? :D

[Killyp]

I was actually debating between the new P3 and the new P2, is the P3 really worth the money? Or should I go with the P2 and spend more on the cart?

Get the P3, it's honestly worth the cash. I've had a listen to one, running through £50k worth of Naim + B&W, and it sounded very good, punches way above it's price.

cornerdealy - how are those electrostatics treating you? I read a raving review just today. Oh and also, audio nerds are the coolest of them all.

A lot of audio nerds are very cool, but there are also some incredibly un-cool ones out there. Still, when you've got good kit set up, it can impress anyone.

[RevToTheRedline]

Get the P3, it's honestly worth the cash. I've had a listen to one, running through £50k worth of Naim + B&W, and it sounded very good, punches way above it's price.



I'm slowly working my way to a pair of B&W 800 series or Monitor Audio Gold series speakers, I have a thing for British sound. Hence the NAD components, and the Rega table.

Been thinking about the B&W 805S book's but I dunno if I can downgrade to that much less bass. Although the mids and highs will spank my Klipsch. Plus anything is warmer than Klipsch. I can't really afford any of B&W or MA's good floorstanding options, they are well in the $4000+ USD range.

When I was at the place I bought my NAD componets, I had a listen to the 805S's and they have stuck with me ever since, and also it didn't help listening to Pink Floyd - Time SACD pumped though Marantez seperates and B&W 800D's. Not to self never listen to audio equipement that expensive.

[Killyp]

Been thinking about the B&W 805S book's but I dunno if I can downgrade to that much less bass. Although the mids and highs will spank my Klipsch. Plus anything is warmer than Klipsch. I can't really afford any of B&W or MA's good floorstanding options, they are well in the $4000+ USD range.

When I was at the place I bought my NAD componets, I had a listen to the 805S's and they have stuck with me ever since, and also it didn't help listening to Pink Floyd - Time SACD pumped though Marantez seperates and B&W 800D's. Not to self never listen to audio equipement that expensive.

B&W make some lovely speakers sub $4000, the new 680 series are absolutely incredible for their price, and the 700 series is also fantastic. The XTs are stunning speakers as well, not as 'home theatre' as you'd think.

The ones to avoid are the CM floorstanders. There's nothing 'wrong' with them, it's just that they're more home theatre than hifi, OTT bass and overly crisp highs.

RE Marantez, I guess you mean Marantz? Marantz make some okay stuff, but you want to have a listen to 800Ds with top of the range Naim. Incredible.

Other incredible speakers include the Wilson Alexandria (although you'd expect it to be for the price), the B&W Nautilus Prestige, Rhedeko's speakers (don't know any model names), Rockport Altairs, and IMO, the most stunning speakers around, the B&O BeoLab 5s. You'll never hear anything with the same timing, evenness, bass extension, imaging, subtlety and yet incredible power at the same time. Some really amazing speakers they've managed to create there (shame they're so slagged off by the hifi industry, but it's understandable considering they've also done a small amount of really poor stuff).

[RevToTheRedline]

B&W make some lovely speakers sub $4000, the new 680 series are absolutely incredible for their price, and the 700 series is also fantastic. The XTs are stunning speakers as well, not as 'home theatre' as you'd think.

The ones to avoid are the CM floorstanders. There's nothing 'wrong' with them, it's just that they're more home theatre than hifi, OTT bass and overly crisp highs.

RE Marantez, I guess you mean Marantz? Marantz make some okay stuff, but you want to have a listen to 800Ds with top of the range Naim. Incredible.

Other incredible speakers include the Wilson Alexandria (although you'd expect it to be for the price), the B&W Nautilus Prestige, Rhedeko's speakers (don't know any model names), Rockport Altairs, and IMO, the most stunning speakers around, the B&O BeoLab 5s. You'll never hear anything with the same timing, evenness, bass extension, imaging, subtlety and yet incredible power at the same time. Some really amazing speakers they've managed to create there (shame they're so slagged off by the hifi industry, but it's understandable considering they've also done a small amount of really poor stuff).

Marantz is what I meant, I figured I spelled it wrong but didn't really care to check cause I'm not a huge fan.

[Bigtree]

no problem, at the top, a michell gyrodec with michell tecnoarm and dynavector 10x5 cartridge, next shelf down, dynavector p-75 phono pre-amp, next stax sr3050 classic electrostactic earphones and amp, then at the bottom, isotek mains conditioner withan airport express plugged in the back.
I really enjoy it, keeps me from spending all night gawping at the idiot box.
missus thinks i'm a bit of a audio nerd tho..:D

I have the same turntable, arm and cartridge!! :D

[tennismanclay]

Heres mine, i don't have all of the fancy stuff you guys have, but it's decent for an 8th grader. =] Haha and those speakers are all for looks to hide up the cords behind them, my macbook's speaker is louder than they are.

btw anyone know of any good screen cleaning stuff for my macbook?

[taylorwilsdon]

Heres mine, i don't have all of the fancy stuff you guys have, but it's decent for an 8th grader. =] Haha and those speakers are all for looks to hide up the cords behind them, my macbook's speaker is louder than they are.

btw anyone know of any good screen cleaning stuff for my macbook?

I don't think that counts as an entertainment center.

[jarenado]

It was a bit overkill to put a 37 in LCD in my bedroom, but now I dont want anything less. I could only get a couple of them on there. Hopefully it works.

That brings up a question, how do you make the file size of an image smaller?

[zioxide]

I don't think that counts as an entertainment center.

Seems like it's a center where he's entertained..

[tennismanclay]

I don't think that counts as an entertainment center.

Entertainment

noun
the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment.

I get enjoyment from listening to music on my computer, i get enjoyment from watching movies on my computer, i get amused watching youtube videos. I get amused on the internet how people like you think i did something wrong and waste your time telling me.

Center

noun
the point on which an activity or process is focused

I focus on more important things i do on the computer, like writing papers for school, or editing a small movie for a friend.

To me an entertainment center is somewhere where you can listen to music, watch a movie, relax, and be entertained with whatever it is in your entertainment center, with my macbook i can do all of these, so that's my entertainment center. My entertainment center is not something every person is going to ooh and aah at but i don't really give a crap if you don't like it, i do.

Sorry if this is overkill, i'm sick with fever and not in the mood.


-Clay

[tennismanclay]

Seems like it's a center where he's entertained..

would you be so kind to explain to me what the difference is between an entertainment center and a center where you get entertained?


-Clay

[zioxide]

would you be so kind to explain to me what the difference is between an entertainment center and a center where you get entertained?


-Clay

it's the same thing. i was essentially agreeing with what you just posted.

it doesn't have to have a big screen tv and surround sound to be an entertainment center.

[taylorwilsdon]

Chill out. The point I was making is that there is a thread for your computer setups, this one is for your "entertainment center", yes, the words literally mean somewhere where you are entertained but in practice it is generally used as something centered around a TV.

[ravenvii]

Before & After photos of our (http://www.jeffreylanuez.com) Client Viewing Room :cool:

NEW:
Custom cabinet by metal artist: Ezequil Leoni (http://www.pictage.com/event.jsp?event_id=344014)
52" Sony XBR (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7997297&st=sony+52%22+XBR&type=product&id=1158317794104) LCD
Sony blu-ray BDP-S300 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8403514&st=blu-ray&type=product&id=1180743330749)
Denon AVR 3808CI (http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3510.asp)
Panamax M5100PM (http://www.panamax.com/products.cfm?group=1&sec=detail&id=292&ly=h)
Panamax in-wall power kit (http://www.panamax.com/products.cfm?group=1&sec=detail&id=288&ly=h)
Misc.; wall plates, wire, HDMI cable, etc...
5 Speakercraft (http://www.speakercraft.com/) in-walls
1 Definitive Technology (http://www.definitivetech.com/loudspeakers/subwoofers/subwoofers.html) sub
Phillips Pronto TSU7500 (http://www.pronto.philips.com/index.cfm?id=1206)remote

And, or course, an :apple:TV

Wow, what an improvement!

[jessica.]

Heres mine, i don't have all of the fancy stuff you guys have, but it's decent for an 8th grader. =] Haha and those speakers are all for looks to hide up the cords behind them, my macbook's speaker is louder than they are.

btw anyone know of any good screen cleaning stuff for my macbook?

Those speakers scare the **** out of me. :)

[jordygreen]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2026/1947237962_fb6ca7c8eb_b.jpg

[cardude280]

mine..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v16/stormyuklondon1/091207171151.jpg

everythings stored lossless on the imac upstairs, streamed to the 'phones via airport express, controlled through front row via the macbook. works very well:) next purchase will be a dac though, hopefully a chord electronics dac 64, but that's some way off yet!

that looks dangerous :eek:
:p:p:p jk jk