Using MacMini like an AppleTV?

[147798]

Is there a way to use a MacMini like an Apple TV? Specifically, can you set up the Mac Mini to auto-sync and bring itunes (or other content) from my iMac down to the Mac Mini, so it's ready to show on my TV without manually dragging it down?

 

[WildPalms]

There are many ways to do that, but not automatically. Using the built-in rsync would do that job. Just create a cron job for it to run. Google for more info on rsync and cron in Leopard 😉

 

[Jimmdean]

You could just share out your iTunes library from your main machine to your Mac Mini. It's basically the same type of sharing/streaming the Apple TV does. Only downside would be your main machine would always have to be on when using the Mini.

 

[147798]

You could just share out your iTunes library from your main machine to your Mac Mini. It's basically the same type of sharing/streaming the Apple TV does. Only downside would be your main machine would always have to be on when using the Mini.

Thanks much. I did actually figure this one out, but sometimes I'm thinking I might bring it somewhere, and I need the content on the mini. Sounds like there's no "built in" way to do this (I guess that's what the AppleTV is supposed to be about, but there's no web browser and no DVD slot, so no AppleTV for me)

 

[bacaramac]

A no go with my 42" Hitachi Plasma HDTV via HDMI. Works perfect with VGA on my Samsung 40" LCD. I was reading a lot of stuff to modify the video settings to make it work with HDMI, but required some software to manually change the video settings. Not for me.

 

[Consultant]

A no go with my 42" Hitachi Plasma HDTV via HDMI. Works perfect with VGA on my Samsung 40" LCD. I was reading a lot of stuff to modify the video settings to make it work with HDMI, but required some software to manually change the video settings. Not for me.

Certain TVs don't play well with computers without additional settings...

That's the case with any computer. Typically researching to find the proper sync rate and other setting is necessary for some TVs. Other Tvs will work fine though.

 

[PNW]

Random thoughts:

There are many ways to do that, but not automatically. Using the built-in rsync would do that job. Just create a cron job for it to run. Google for more info on rsync and cron in Leopard 😉

What he said, although I'd call using cron automatic; just not real time (think automated nightly data dump).

Put the content on the mini and share it with the iMac.

Put the content on an external drive and hook it up to which ever computer you want, though that could get to be a real pain.

 

[kermit4161]

I've got mine hooked up to a Samsung 37" LCD HDTV through the HDMI port and it's working great. I've just loaded my iTunes stuff onto the Mini, then copy what I want over to my G4 if I want it there. So my main library is on the Mini.

I plan on getting a NAS drive to hold all of my media files though. It is my next purchase.

But, the Mini does a much better job as a media center than the Apple TV. Much more versatile.

Cheers