Mac Mini as Apple TV [Archive]

nando2323

Mar 21, 2008, 10:15 AM

I already own an :apple:TV and I like it very much. I was thinking of purchasing another for the bedroom. But I was also thinking about just purchasing a Mac Mini and keep that in the Living room and move the ATV in the bedroom. So the question is. Can I hook up the Mini to my iTunes Library that is on my iMac? Is it a simple just share the iTunes Folder and connect to it in iTunes or is it more involved then that?

northy124

Mar 21, 2008, 10:57 AM

If You Mean Network It Then Yes It Can Be Done Not Sure How Though. BTW Theres A Hack/Mod That Lets You Run ATV On Mac (Mini, MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac And Mac Pro), But I Also Don't Know Where To Find It:( Google Might Know Though

iLifer

Mar 21, 2008, 11:58 AM

In answer to the OP's question, yes this can be done - I have my mini doing just that. On your iMac, launch iTunes and go to:

Preferences>Sharing>Share my library on my local network[tick]

There's also an option of what you want to share and whether or not to password protect it.

On your mini, launch iTunes and go to:

Preferences>Sharing>Look for shared libraries[tick]

Everything is now set up. This works like a charm for me. My mini is hooked up to a 5.1 surround system which now doubles as a hi-fi when accessing my music via Front Row. All my music resides on an external HD connected to my iMac.

The one and only downside to this is that iTunes needs to be launched on both computers when you want to access your music via your mini. It's no hassle though.

Enjoy !

ebony

Mar 21, 2008, 01:46 PM

the problem with using a mac mini as an iTunes streamer is that thumbnails for movies music etc are not displayed on shared libraries.

So on an apple tv looking at your iMac iTunes library you get a good looking interface( version 1.1 anyway ) with preview thumbnails of all your media, on the mac mini their will be no thumbnails.

It reduces the impact of the interface a lot. I have this setup and manage a second iTunes library on the mini, just so I get thumbnails.

Advantages of the Mac mini is, its a full computer, it can be usefull having a second independent iTunes library, the frontrow interface is still aimed at being a media center unlike the apple tv which has turned into an iTunes store portal.

Fonzijr1964

Mar 25, 2008, 02:30 PM

you can do it yes. it would be cool but i would rather do it with a Mac Pro

Josh396

Mar 25, 2008, 03:00 PM

you can do it yes. it would be cool but i would rather do it with a Mac Pro
Just out of curiosity, why would you rather do it with a Mac Pro?

Fonzijr1964

Mar 25, 2008, 03:06 PM

more storage space and you can have more bigger screens. I would use it as the main computer for the library though

saltyzoo

Mar 25, 2008, 03:20 PM

I'm doing exactly that. mini in the living room with external storage drives, ATV in bedroom.

I'm seriously considering replacing the mini with an ATV though and moving the mini into my office just as a file server. The ATV just does a better job of displaying 1080 than the mini does. I've tried every resolution and DVI-> HDMI on the mini just isn't as good.

dongmin

Mar 25, 2008, 03:45 PM

If you're using the Mini purely for streaming media, then you should go with an ATV instead.

The Mini, obviously, is a fully-functioning computer so you could do a lot more. I like to surf the web, among other things, on my living with my wireless keyboard and mouse.

It's a better integrated solution, in my opinion, since it can play DVDs as well as manage all your iTunes and iPhoto content.

brad.c

Mar 25, 2008, 03:57 PM

I'm using a Mini as a media server, instead of an :apple:tv. It works great with an external hard drive for expanded storage, and works double-time as a adult-supervised computer for the kids. Sure there's no YouTube capability in Front Row, but you can actually do full-blown surfing, and go full screen when desired.

I should say, though, that the Front Row interface has become flaky with Leopard. Long pauses when flipping though music, multiple pauses for buffering when watching on-line trailers. Hopefully the next update fixes this.

Unless it's just me.

Fonzijr1964

Mar 25, 2008, 04:30 PM

i still think the mini is dumb. it doesn't work as well as the other macs for video out and defiantly not as well as a :apple:TV

Cave Man

Mar 25, 2008, 05:12 PM

i still think the mini is dumb. it doesn't work as well as the other macs for video out and defiantly not as well as a :apple:TV

Well, many of us don't think it's dumb. I own both an ATV and a Mini. The ATV won't drive my projector-based 10-foot wide screen home theater system, it cannot provide me with HDTV and DVR, nor does it permit anything more than 250 gigs of "storage" without major hardware hacking. Just because your imagination is too limited to see the virtues of a Mini doesn't mean it's dumb...

northy124

Mar 25, 2008, 05:38 PM

i still think the mini is dumb. it doesn't work as well as the other macs for video out and defiantly not as well as a :apple:TV

The Mini Is Better Than :apple:TV For Many Reason's That I'm Not Going Into, But Personally I Like The Fact I Can Have Full Internet Access On My TV It Handles 1080p HD Video Extremely Well (Considering It Has Integrated Graphics), It Looks Nice With My Set Up, So What If I Miss Out On HD Rentals Which I Don't Need As They Are 720p And I Have 1080p HD Videos From The Internet For Free Plus I Don't have Crappy Movie Size Restrictions.

Northy124

Fonzijr1964

Mar 25, 2008, 06:05 PM

Well, many of us don't think it's dumb. I own both an ATV and a Mini. The ATV won't drive my projector-based 10-foot wide screen home theater system, it cannot provide me with HDTV and DVR, nor does it permit anything more than 250 gigs of "storage" without major hardware hacking. Just because your imagination is too limited to see the virtues of a Mini doesn't mean it's dumb...

its 107in
The Mini Is Better Than :apple:TV For Many Reason's That I'm Not Going Into, But Personally I Like The Fact I Can Have Full Internet Access On My TV It Handles 1080p HD Video Extremely Well (Considering It Has Integrated Graphics), It Looks Nice With My Set Up, So What If I Miss Out On HD Rentals Which I Don't Need As They Are 720p And I Have 1080p HD Videos From The Internet For Free Plus I Don't have Crappy Movie Size Restrictions.

Northy124

I'm not saying its not good for that i just don't like them and i think they need to have some major work done

northy124

Mar 25, 2008, 06:09 PM

What Part Of The Mini Needs The Major Upgrade/Work Done? And Do You Own A :apple:TV?

Fonzijr1964

Mar 25, 2008, 06:16 PM

Cave Man

Mar 25, 2008, 07:45 PM

it needs more power (CPU) and to have better video out if its not gonna come with a screen.

Compared to the Apple TV? You're joking, right?

It also needs to have more (or just bigger) HDD options.

It already has this. It's called "Firewire".

and in my opinion it could be thiner if left with the same specs as now.

Are you an engineer? The only way to make it thinner would be to make it wider and deeper. If you've never opened a Mini you'd be rather impressed at how much is crammed in there.

timswim78

Mar 25, 2008, 07:58 PM

it needs more power (CPU) and to have better video out if its not gonna come with a screen. It also needs to have more (or just bigger) HDD options. and in my opinion it could be thiner if left with the same specs as now.

And no as I said in a privios post i am not going to get an :apple:TV until its functional as a DVR:)

I agree that the mini needs more power, but not necessarily in the CPU area. If Apple put a decent graphics chip in it, then the GPU would handle the video decoding using much less power, and producing much less heat than with a beefed up CPU.

As far as hard drive options, you can easily add a nice-looking firewire drive. However, I think that the mini would be nicer with a 3.5" drive.

pprior

Mar 25, 2008, 08:46 PM

Cave Man

Mar 25, 2008, 08:52 PM

Why won't the ATV drive your projector?

My projector is VGA, S-video and composite.

Boghog

Mar 27, 2008, 12:40 PM

northy124

Mar 27, 2008, 12:43 PM

PowerPC Would Be Enough So I Think Your Fine With Core Solo (Thought It Was Core Duo That Was First In Mac Mini).

Cave Man

Mar 27, 2008, 01:30 PM

A question for those of you who use a mini as their media center:
How up-to-date does that mini need to be if I just want to watch TV (with eyeTv sat receiver), share iTunes content with my iMac and surf the net? Is an old Intel Core Solo enough?
Thanks

Core Solo will choke on even moderate bit-rate H.264 decoding. Your Eye TV will be fine because broadcasts in the US are in low bit-rate MPEG-2, which the GMA950 gpu handles quite nicely.

GimmeSlack12

Mar 27, 2008, 01:33 PM

In answer to the OP's question, yes this can be done - I have my mini doing just that.

I have my Mac mini doing that too. And sharing media between computers is a cinch. Heck, its built-in! No hacks or any trickery required.
How up-to-date does that mini need to be if I just want to watch TV (with eyeTv sat receiver), share iTunes content with my iMac and surf the net? Is an old Intel Core Solo enough?
Thanks

I use a Mini G4 1.42 GHz. Works like a charm.

chas0001

Mar 27, 2008, 01:37 PM

The Mini Is Better Than :apple:TV For Many Reason's That I'm Not Going Into, But Personally I Like The Fact I Can Have Full Internet Access On My TV It Handles 1080p HD Video Extremely Well (Considering It Has Integrated Graphics), It Looks Nice With My Set Up, So What If I Miss Out On HD Rentals Which I Don't Need As They Are 720p And I Have 1080p HD Videos From The Internet For Free Plus I Don't have Crappy Movie Size Restrictions.

Northy124

Have you considered running the AppleTV Take 2 on the mini? http://www.macgeekblog.com/blog/archive/2008/03/13/atv4mac-1-2-available.html

NYCAVS

Mar 27, 2008, 01:46 PM

Have Apple TV in living room w/ 50 in 1080 p screen and 5:1 surround... working great. Have 720P 50 in plasma in bedroom... debating second Apple TV versus getting a Mini for the living room and moving Apple TV to bedroom.

Couple questions.

Has anyone figured out how to download HD rentals via Mac Mini?

Has anyone had experience with the separate DVI to screen and optical audio to Receiver/speakers as compared with current HDMI?

Obviously if new mini comes out with HDMI (please please please) then would be golden...

Thanks

Cave Man

Mar 27, 2008, 01:51 PM

Has anyone figured out how to download HD rentals via Mac Mini?

No, and it's unlikely to happen.

Has anyone had experience with the separate DVI to screen and optical audio to Receiver/speakers as compared with current HDMI?

There's really no difference. You just need a DVI->HDMI cable for your TV and a Toslink for your receiver/amp. Not as convenient, but I've not unplugged the Toslink cable from my Mini for a year and a half.

Obviously if new mini comes out with HDMI (please please please) then would be golden...

Unless you're connecting your Mini to a receiver (instead of to the TV), there's really no advantage.

northy124

Mar 27, 2008, 01:53 PM

@Chas0001 Tiger Only Which Is A Bummer I Have Leopard On All My Systems Unless I Partition And Use The Restore DVD To Get Tiger Back.

NYCAVS

Mar 27, 2008, 01:59 PM

No, and it's unlikely to happen.

There's really no difference. You just need a DVI->HDMI cable for your TV and a Toslink for your receiver/amp. Not as convenient, but I've not unplugged the Toslink cable from my Mini for a year and a half.

Unless you're connecting your Mini to a receiver (instead of to the TV), there's really no advantage.

But I thought some here were saying they could run ATV software on a mac via a hack... am I wrong??

Cave Man

Mar 27, 2008, 02:07 PM

But I thought some here were saying they could run ATV software on a mac via a hack... am I wrong??

The Take 2 Front Row app has been ported to run on any Mac, provided it has OS X 10.4.8 or higher. But it will no doubt be clunky and it does not report your Mac as an Apple TV so you cannot rent HD video from Apple.

northy124

Mar 27, 2008, 02:16 PM

The Take 2 Front Row app has been ported to run on any Mac, provided it has OS X 10.4.8 or higher. But it will no doubt be clunky and it does not report your Mac as an Apple TV so you cannot rent HD video from Apple.

OS X 10.4.8 Or Higher Does Not Include Leopard It Just 10.4.8 To 10.4.11 (Or 10 I Can't Remember Where It Stopped)