I've had my MB for about 2 years and I am thinking of using it now primarily as a media center. I’d like to run by my idea for a set-up with you guys and see what you think (second opinions and the like).
I already have the following things:
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For video: I’ll buy a 3 HDMI switch and wire to it 1) the digital cable 2) the PS3 and 3) the MB via a Mini-DVI to DVI adaptor to DVI to HDMI cord.
For audio: I’ll continue to run the digital cable, PS3, and MB through the amp via their standard wired inputs.
For games: The PS3. 'nuff said.
For DVDs and BluRays: Only the PS3 can handle BluRay and the MB is too damn loud and hot when playing DVDs.
For internet media: The MB can handle all varieties of streaming internet media (e.g. Youtube & Hulu) via the Airport Extreme. The PS3 still cannot support most flash and in general its internet browser is a slow, messy headache. I suspect I’ll need a gyroscopic or standard bluetooth mouse to control the MB when on the internet. If I want to do serious internet surfing, I guess I should buy a bluetooth keyboard down the road.
For music: All of my iTunes library is on the MB. I’ll control it with my Apple Remote on Front Row.
For downloaded/ripped movies: I’ll connect the MB directly to the hard drive via FW. I can torrent/rip content to it in the background via the AE.
Can I play the content located on my external drive through Front Row or must it be located either in my iTunes library or my “My Video” folder? If the items must be in iTunes, I think I can add AVI files (which seem to be of nicer quality for less size than H.264, MP4/MPV files) by installing Perian and then holding the “option” key and dragging the media into iTunes. If not, I fear I will need to convert my movies to MP4/MPV files (thus halving the number of movies I can have on my external drive) and then option/drag my new files into iTunes
I already have the following things:
- MB Core Duo (alas, pre-N)
- External 1 TB HD with FW400 and USB
- AEBS - N
- Crummy old Dell plugged directly to the internet via ethernet cables
- 32’’ 720P/1080i flatscreen w/HDMI and VGA (!?!?) inputs
- Amp + 2.1 Speakers (soon to be upgraded to 5.1 speakers)
- 60 GB PS3
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For video: I’ll buy a 3 HDMI switch and wire to it 1) the digital cable 2) the PS3 and 3) the MB via a Mini-DVI to DVI adaptor to DVI to HDMI cord.
For audio: I’ll continue to run the digital cable, PS3, and MB through the amp via their standard wired inputs.
For games: The PS3. 'nuff said.
For DVDs and BluRays: Only the PS3 can handle BluRay and the MB is too damn loud and hot when playing DVDs.
For internet media: The MB can handle all varieties of streaming internet media (e.g. Youtube & Hulu) via the Airport Extreme. The PS3 still cannot support most flash and in general its internet browser is a slow, messy headache. I suspect I’ll need a gyroscopic or standard bluetooth mouse to control the MB when on the internet. If I want to do serious internet surfing, I guess I should buy a bluetooth keyboard down the road.
For music: All of my iTunes library is on the MB. I’ll control it with my Apple Remote on Front Row.
For downloaded/ripped movies: I’ll connect the MB directly to the hard drive via FW. I can torrent/rip content to it in the background via the AE.
Can I play the content located on my external drive through Front Row or must it be located either in my iTunes library or my “My Video” folder? If the items must be in iTunes, I think I can add AVI files (which seem to be of nicer quality for less size than H.264, MP4/MPV files) by installing Perian and then holding the “option” key and dragging the media into iTunes. If not, I fear I will need to convert my movies to MP4/MPV files (thus halving the number of movies I can have on my external drive) and then option/drag my new files into iTunes
joking man
