I have some questions regarding my first ever Mac desktop (Mac mini)

[colonel179]

I have always had MacBooks, but I am looking into buying a Mac mini. But I have some questions I would like to get some help. I'd appreciate it.

I'm planning to use the Mac mini as a secondary computer, so I was thinking about plugging it into my LG G3 TV.

1) I know the best way is to have it scaled at 1080p, but what does that mean for 4K content? Is the scaled part only affects the text and menus or all the content is as if I had an 1080p TV/monitor?

2) I have a 5.1.4 soundbar. Is there a way to get surround sound from the Mac mini when watching Videos/Netflix/Music/Web? What about Dolby atmos?

3) I would like to use the Mac mini via my MacBook Air screen or iPad screen. What the best way to do it? The intention is to be able to access the Mac mini when I'm unable to turn on the TV (at night for example). But...

4) Is there a difference between screen sharing and remote management? Also, is there any difference when using the screen sharing toggle in settings vs the app. What's the point of the app, though?

Thanks you so much for your help! I've been trying to find concrete answers about this, but I haven't been able to do it.

 

[joevt]

1)
The 1920x1080 mode is a HiDPI or Retina mode that is actually 3840x2160. Text and objects are drawn using twice as many pixels horizontally and vertically (4x more pixels total) than would be used on a real 1920x1080 mode so text is smoother.

With a 1920x1080 low resolution mode, you have some part of some text drawn like this:

*
**

If you just scale that up, then you get this for the same part:

**
**
****
****

But macOS uses vector graphics for drawing text, so you'll get this:

*
**
***
****

For bitmap objects, an app may have a low resolution image and a high resolution image so it has the best appearance for each case.

4K video will appear as 4K video when using the default 1080p HiDPI mode so you don't have to worry about loosing resolution in this mode.

2)
Audio can be output to HDMI displays and probably HDMI sound bars. I don't have experience with surround sound over HDMI.

3)
Enable Screen Sharing in the Sharing settings of the Mac mini. Then you can log into the Mac mini to view its screen.
I'm not sure how to do that from an iPad. I've used third party apps for that.

4)
Remote management is controlling aspects of a computer from another computer - performing software updates, modifying settings, etc. Screen Sharing is viewing and controlling the computer from another computer.

I'm not sure what you mean by "screen sharing toggle in settings vs the app"

 

[joevt]

Regarding Remote management, there's this:
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/remote-desktop/welcome/mac
I've never used it or any other kind of remote management. I just use Screen Sharing.

 

[Fishrrman]

LG tv is 4k, right?
Then... get a HIGH QUALITY HDMI cable and use that.

Now you should have the tv connected at 4k.
But... you don't have to VIEW IT in 4k.
You can run in "HiDPI mode" -- "looks like 1080p".

Or... you could try a scaled image "in between".

In any case...
I suggest that you also download and try "BetterDisplay".
(comes in "free mode", but can be upgraded to "paid mode" for a small fee for more featues).

Get the display working as you wish, and THEN start worrying about sound, etc.

 

[Mrbobb]

To play ATMOS. if you are watching a movie via a service such as Netflix, most likely you would be using Dolby Digital Plus and ur soundbar must support it.

 

[Hajj.david]

I have always had MacBooks, but I am looking into buying a Mac mini. But I have some questions I would like to get some help. I'd appreciate it.

I'm planning to use the Mac mini as a secondary computer, so I was thinking about plugging it into my LG G3 TV.

1) I know the best way is to have it scaled at 1080p, but what does that mean for 4K content? Is the scaled part only affects the text and menus or all the content is as if I had an 1080p TV/monitor?

2) I have a 5.1.4 soundbar. Is there a way to get surround sound from the Mac mini when watching Videos/Netflix/Music/Web? What about Dolby atmos?

3) I would like to use the Mac mini via my MacBook Air screen or iPad screen. What the best way to do it? The intention is to be able to access the Mac mini when I'm unable to turn on the TV (at night for example). But...

4) Is there a difference between screen sharing and remote management? Also, is there any difference when using the screen sharing toggle in settings vs the app. What's the point of the app, though?

Thanks you so much for your help! I've been trying to find concrete answers about this, but I haven't been able to do it.

1. Thats not true to an extent. If native resolution is acceptable for you (I personally prefer it because you get a lot more space) always choose native resolution (which would be 4k). Just make sure you have ideally a DP cable or a high quality HDMI cable (A 2.0+ cable) that can run the full resolution and refresh rate.

2. I am not a big sound guy so I cant tell you beyond just connecting it via bluetooth or hdmi and it should "just work"

3. Screen sharing is an option, Apple Remote Desktop is an option (what I use personally)

4. Yes remote management allows you to fully control your computer remotely like restarting your computer etc, running SSH commands. I like Apple Remote Desktop because I have multiple mac servers and its a single button push to remote into them, send SSH commands, restart, log out, update, etc. It is a bit expensive and apple is very lazy about updating it, but it is a one time purchase and if you have a bunch of macs in your house (like kids etc) its a Godsend.

Regarding Remote management, there's this:
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/remote-desktop/welcome/mac
I've never used it or any other kind of remote management. I just use Screen Sharing.

Heres the specific app store link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-remote-desktop/id409907375?mt=12

 

[joevt]

With Screen Sharing, the remote computer needs to be setup to allow your credentials or the user of the remote computer needs to give you permission.
With Remote Management, I guess you're the manager of the other computers so they can't stop you from managing them? Like a teacher versus a class of students.