There's more to it than this. What software do you use? What's your audio setup? What are your media encoded formats? Are you on a TV or a projector system?
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Who's interested in a Mac Home Theater forum?
- Thread starter Cave Man
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There's more to it than this. What software do you use? What's your audio setup? What are your media encoded formats? Are you on a TV or a projector system?
I'm all for it.
I tried and tried to find a way to plan my setup using a mac, but it just wasn't realistic. Maybe if there was a dedicated forum, things would have been different (I doubt it though - at least in my case).
I already had a D-Link DSM-320RD (.avi format only) getting its stream from an old PC project that was in the closet;
TV just wasn't realistic when I bought it because of the price point and lack of DVD player which, in retrospect, I don't really need (now that I have HD storage space)... I also have a Wii that accepts streaming Flash video that's good enough quality for kid's shows, but it's now out of my daughter's room and back in the living room right next to the HTPC... Plus I wanted the ability to share files via iTunes on my MBP and iMac, so everything is stored in the PC's iTunes folder in iTunes-friendly formats. Right now, TVersity is the only program out there that converts on-the-fly from one format to another, and it's only for Windows.
In addition to being a HTPC, I wanted the machine to also be a reliable streaming media server. There's no way I could have built a Mac with HDMI out, 7.1 surround sound, gb ethernet, Core2 Quad (45nm), 2GB RAM, DVD burner, VFD with remote, and four 500GB hard drives in RAID5 for anywhere near what I paid for my DIY setup (about $650). And it still wouldn't stream to all my existing devices. And while the Thermaltake Mozart case may not be Apple sleek, it's far from a beige box.
In the future, I plan on just going with iPod Touches for each member of the family and a video out cable (or dock) attached to each TV for convenient streaming (or playing whatever is on board), no real-time video conversion needed. But the HTPC/media server would still be Windows (or Linux) based until used Mac Pro prices come way, way down (so I can gut one and stick it in the Mozart)...
Another option I started to consider was a Drobo as NAS andTv's on each TV set. But the setup would have come in at well over $1,200 for the Drobo, hard drives and 3 TV's. Simple, effective, but more than I wanted to spend.
I tried and tried to find a way to plan my setup using a mac, but it just wasn't realistic. Maybe if there was a dedicated forum, things would have been different (I doubt it though - at least in my case).
I already had a D-Link DSM-320RD (.avi format only) getting its stream from an old PC project that was in the closet;
TV just wasn't realistic when I bought it because of the price point and lack of DVD player which, in retrospect, I don't really need (now that I have HD storage space)... I also have a Wii that accepts streaming Flash video that's good enough quality for kid's shows, but it's now out of my daughter's room and back in the living room right next to the HTPC... Plus I wanted the ability to share files via iTunes on my MBP and iMac, so everything is stored in the PC's iTunes folder in iTunes-friendly formats. Right now, TVersity is the only program out there that converts on-the-fly from one format to another, and it's only for Windows.In addition to being a HTPC, I wanted the machine to also be a reliable streaming media server. There's no way I could have built a Mac with HDMI out, 7.1 surround sound, gb ethernet, Core2 Quad (45nm), 2GB RAM, DVD burner, VFD with remote, and four 500GB hard drives in RAID5 for anywhere near what I paid for my DIY setup (about $650). And it still wouldn't stream to all my existing devices. And while the Thermaltake Mozart case may not be Apple sleek, it's far from a beige box.
In the future, I plan on just going with iPod Touches for each member of the family and a video out cable (or dock) attached to each TV for convenient streaming (or playing whatever is on board), no real-time video conversion needed. But the HTPC/media server would still be Windows (or Linux) based until used Mac Pro prices come way, way down (so I can gut one and stick it in the Mozart)...
Another option I started to consider was a Drobo as NAS and
Tv's on each TV set. But the setup would have come in at well over $1,200 for the Drobo, hard drives and 3 TV's. Simple, effective, but more than I wanted to spend.
I too am with the group that think we should have a sub-forum of the sort dedicated to Macs being integrated into home theaters. It can be difficult designing and setting up a home-theater system, and I am sure that many here have a lot of insight as to how Macs could be better integrated into the setup.
I've been using a Mini for this for a good 18mths now.
DVI-HDMI cable to my Pioneer plasma screen.
Optical digital cable to my Sony surround amp.
Mini is connected via gigabit ethernet switch to a NAS (ReadyNAS NV).
I use Media Central for the menu software. It's very configurable and will play most (pretty much all) formats, including raw VOBs from TS folders ripped from DVDs (all stored on the NAS).
Simple menu interface and simple to configure.
The key item with all these systems is how you control them.
iRed and IRTrans are crucial here. You plug the latter into your Mini's USB port. It then acts as an IR receiver AND transmitter. iRed (the software for it) then lets you learn other remotes and do all sorts of stuff on receiving remote commands (run Mac scripts, send keyboard commands, send IR signals from other remotes etc). It's very powerful.
I have mine set up so that I simply use the remote that came with my TV and it not only controls the TV, but also the surround amp and the Mac Mini's Media Central menu system.
End result? I can turn all components on and off using the one remote. The surround amp controls all sound. I watch TV as normal for the TV but if I want to watch movies, listen to music, listen to internet radio, look at photos etc I flick the TV to the Mini's input and away I go. All from my armchair.
Even my folks and other half can use it it's so easy.
It's also very reliable, which is important. Occasionally I get a slight menu bar line at the top of the screen when the Mini gets confused with mouse focus, but it's easily addressed (bluetooth keyboard or VNC to the machine). And the equipment cupboard I have can get quite hot and trip the Mini out (cooling fix due to the cupboard soon
). Other than that, the only errors are user ones.
There are only really a couple of things I wish could be done better:
1) iRed doesn't handle repeat IR codes very well. So scrolling through long lists of DVDs etc can be a pain as it doesn't exactly emulate a keyboard (which accelerates through a list).
Partially overcome by splitting films into genre lists, but would be nice to have better repeat codes.
2) The menu system doesn't look as slick as Front Row. Sooooo much better in every other respect. Front Row look and Media Central functionality would be perfect.
DVI-HDMI cable to my Pioneer plasma screen.
Optical digital cable to my Sony surround amp.
Mini is connected via gigabit ethernet switch to a NAS (ReadyNAS NV).
I use Media Central for the menu software. It's very configurable and will play most (pretty much all) formats, including raw VOBs from TS folders ripped from DVDs (all stored on the NAS).
Simple menu interface and simple to configure.
The key item with all these systems is how you control them.
iRed and IRTrans are crucial here. You plug the latter into your Mini's USB port. It then acts as an IR receiver AND transmitter. iRed (the software for it) then lets you learn other remotes and do all sorts of stuff on receiving remote commands (run Mac scripts, send keyboard commands, send IR signals from other remotes etc). It's very powerful.
I have mine set up so that I simply use the remote that came with my TV and it not only controls the TV, but also the surround amp and the Mac Mini's Media Central menu system.
End result? I can turn all components on and off using the one remote. The surround amp controls all sound. I watch TV as normal for the TV but if I want to watch movies, listen to music, listen to internet radio, look at photos etc I flick the TV to the Mini's input and away I go. All from my armchair.
Even my folks and other half can use it it's so easy.
It's also very reliable, which is important. Occasionally I get a slight menu bar line at the top of the screen when the Mini gets confused with mouse focus, but it's easily addressed (bluetooth keyboard or VNC to the machine). And the equipment cupboard I have can get quite hot and trip the Mini out (cooling fix due to the cupboard soon
). Other than that, the only errors are user ones.There are only really a couple of things I wish could be done better:
1) iRed doesn't handle repeat IR codes very well. So scrolling through long lists of DVDs etc can be a pain as it doesn't exactly emulate a keyboard (which accelerates through a list).
Partially overcome by splitting films into genre lists, but would be nice to have better repeat codes.
2) The menu system doesn't look as slick as Front Row. Sooooo much better in every other respect. Front Row look and Media Central functionality would be perfect.
this is something I'd like to do in another year or so. Technology is advancing as always and my needs are getting there.
if i had an hdtv, i'd be doing it right now.
i think a seperate forum is good b/c i think HT encompasses more than the ATV, as great as it is.
personally, i'm waiting to see if new mac minis come out soon and then maybe hop on a refurb one (if they ever appear in the refurb section that is
if i had an hdtv, i'd be doing it right now.
i think a seperate forum is good b/c i think HT encompasses more than the ATV, as great as it is.
personally, i'm waiting to see if new mac minis come out soon and then maybe hop on a refurb one (if they ever appear in the refurb section that is
So... Has anybody heard from a mod about this possible forum? Anyone know how many votes it would take to make it happen or what the process is? Just curious.
My understanding is that the mods will evaluate interest and then decide. Not sure how they announce it, other than perhaps just starting it. I suspect the poll would need (1) a few hundred respondents and (2) a great majority in favor.
If you build it, they will come.
I'm just going to assume that we have a home theatre forum right here. 2 questions for anyone with some techy knowhow?
1. If I connected a small imac to a 60" hd panasonic plasma, would I get a similar quality as say from my samsung DVD player?
2. if i was building a new home and wanted to throw away all my old component Hi-fi and just have a mac + time capsule + ATV, for movies, dvds, recording tv, music etc... would I still get surround sound?
Basically if I had a fair bit of cash to throw at it, can i make a high quality home theatre / entertainment system from mac?
Thanks if anyone either knows or can bothered I really appreciate it!
I'm just going to assume that we have a home theatre forum right here. 2 questions for anyone with some techy knowhow?
1. If I connected a small imac to a 60" hd panasonic plasma, would I get a similar quality as say from my samsung DVD player?
2. if i was building a new home and wanted to throw away all my old component Hi-fi and just have a mac + time capsule + ATV, for movies, dvds, recording tv, music etc... would I still get surround sound?
Basically if I had a fair bit of cash to throw at it, can i make a high quality home theatre / entertainment system from mac?
Thanks if anyone either knows or can bothered I really appreciate it!
Leopard's upscaling is about the best you can get. If your Samsung player does upscaling it would probably be similar to Leopard's DVD Player app.
Yes, it will do all of that right now. I use Plex as my front (Mac Mini) and it delivers Dolby Digital, True-HD, DTS and DTS-HD audio through the Mini's optical port. You can get 5.1, 7.1 or whatever is encoded in your media file. Plex even decodes, but does not decrypt, m2ts (the native format of Blu-Ray).
Yes, you can. But most people don't realize it (thus my proposition with this thread).
I don't have any PAL content - sorry. I have 1080p Blu-Ray rips of 4 discs that I bought and the Mini plays them fine so long as the only app that's running is XBMC or Plex. Plex will drop a bit after pause or start, or after a ff or rew, but then is smooth sailing. I really, really like the fact that Plex can pass True-HD and DTS-HD audio as AC3 or DTS to my receiver.
How can you not have any if your in Germany?
Donar it would play the same as Region A/NTSC Blu-Ray's.
Lately I've been playing around with Handbrake, Fairmount, VLC, MediaLink, MediaTomb and my PS3 to convert all my DVDs to MP4 and setup a media center at home. There is a lot of good information on this topic here, but it is currently spread across several different forums. A Mac Home Theater forum could bring this information together in one place.
I voted YES because I have an TV but can't realistically use it for video because it does not support 4:3 aspect ratio tv's. Although I have it all connected just fine, the video is squished; I knew this before I bought it, but wanted it for music. Now that I would also like to rip my movies and watch them, I need an alternative. I'm currently trying out XBMC on an old original Xbox, but the intrface leave something to be desired. I like the Frontrow and TV interfaces, but would also need a search function to make them really useful.
TV but can't realistically use it for video because it does not support 4:3 aspect ratio tv's. Although I have it all connected just fine, the video is squished; I knew this before I bought it, but wanted it for music. Now that I would also like to rip my movies and watch them, I need an alternative. I'm currently trying out XBMC on an old original Xbox, but the intrface leave something to be desired. I like the Frontrow and TV interfaces, but would also need a search function to make them really useful.I voted YES because I have an
Just curious, how are you using the XBOX? Are you storing the videos on there? I'm running XBMC too and just wondering how someone else was doing things.
So far I have only been playing around with XBMC. I only have the original hdd in my xbox so there is really no room to store anything. I have tried ripping to VIDEO_TS folders and streaming from my MB hdd (works well after the streaming starts), and also ripping to mp4a and streaming again from my MB hdd (starts faster but skipping forward/back is very jittery, and of course no DVD extras). I need to get a proper NAS disk; the guy that modded the xbox for me had a ReadyNAS and streaming was both fast to start and flawless (I don't know if he had VIDEO_TS folders or what). I have a disk attached to my AEBS but haven't tried that yet. I have tried the xbox both hardwired to the AEBS, hardwired to a Linksys WRT54G that I use for b/g devices, and wirelessly to the same Linksys; the hardwired connections obviously gave better results, but not by much.
Thanks. I have my XBOX hardwired to an Express and I just use Transmit to FTP videos onto the hard drive. I upgraded mine to 250gb, but am already wanting more space. I may try the NAS route, for some reason that never occurred to me.
Hi all
I think a section just for this would be a great idea.
I have been running a Mac Media Center for last 2 years. I have all my DVD's in media central and playback all my HD material in VLC the best format is MKV (Matroska Multimedia Container) H.264 AC3 & DTS.
My mini can only play back 720p without probs. I would like to upgrade processor to a Core 2 Duo 2GHz and see if that would help me playback 1080p but i only have 720p Plasma so not overly bothered.
If you would like to know what you can expect with different mac mins read this link.
http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...c-mini-core-h264hd-playback-capabilities.html
Feel free to ask me any questions
I think a section just for this would be a great idea.
I have been running a Mac Media Center for last 2 years. I have all my DVD's in media central and playback all my HD material in VLC the best format is MKV (Matroska Multimedia Container) H.264 AC3 & DTS.
My mini can only play back 720p without probs. I would like to upgrade processor to a Core 2 Duo 2GHz and see if that would help me playback 1080p but i only have 720p Plasma so not overly bothered.
If you would like to know what you can expect with different mac mins read this link.
http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...c-mini-core-h264hd-playback-capabilities.html
Feel free to ask me any questions
The problem isn't your Mini, it's the software you're using. The clear winner is Plex (and its ancestor, XBMC). I play raw, decrypted Blu-Ray files (1080p, 30 mbps bit rates) perfectly on my 2 gHz Mini using Plex. It also transcodes True-HD and DTS-HD audio to DD or DTS on the fly. Quicktime sucks, and while VLC is better than QT at playback, it can't keep up with Plex.
I voted a resounding "YES"!
I'd be an active participant, my HT build thread is in my sig, and my DIY Infinite Baffle subwoofer project is done, just had Lowes install carpet/linoleum in the non HT portion of my basement. So, the next 2-3 months is finishing time for the HT itself; carpeting, riser/bass trap, wall acoustic treatments, and a Mac based HTPC solution.
Here are some YouTube videos I made of my just completed Infinite Baffle line array subwoofer 4 x 15" AE IB15's in action.
(still a few week before carpeting/other, excuse the messy look)
Kinda dorky play-by-play, I was watching/listening to the DD 5.1 demo DVD I got from CES 2006 and the LFE's in there are quite neat, good selection of clips and it was "free".
This video show my 4 speaker line array Infinitely Baffled Subwoofer speakers up close, you can see lots of subwoofer cone movement action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFpJL3oH1Z8&feature=related
This video show my 4 speaker line array Infinitely Baffled Subwoofer from back of Home Theatre for wide view
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtO9P8SP_JY&feature=related
This video show my 4 speaker line array Infinitely Baffled Subwoofer backchamber area (for the geeky/techno people who care this aspect)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE-V7s_Rex0&feature=related
I'd be an active participant, my HT build thread is in my sig, and my DIY Infinite Baffle subwoofer project is done, just had Lowes install carpet/linoleum in the non HT portion of my basement. So, the next 2-3 months is finishing time for the HT itself; carpeting, riser/bass trap, wall acoustic treatments, and a Mac based HTPC solution.
Here are some YouTube videos I made of my just completed Infinite Baffle line array subwoofer 4 x 15" AE IB15's in action.
(still a few week before carpeting/other, excuse the messy look)
Kinda dorky play-by-play
, I was watching/listening to the DD 5.1 demo DVD I got from CES 2006 and the LFE's in there are quite neat, good selection of clips and it was "free".This video show my 4 speaker line array Infinitely Baffled Subwoofer speakers up close, you can see lots of subwoofer cone movement action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFpJL3oH1Z8&feature=related
This video show my 4 speaker line array Infinitely Baffled Subwoofer from back of Home Theatre for wide view
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtO9P8SP_JY&feature=related
This video show my 4 speaker line array Infinitely Baffled Subwoofer backchamber area (for the geeky/techno people who care this aspect)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE-V7s_Rex0&feature=related
I could see expanding the Apple TV forum, but not adding a whole new forum. Maybe just call it "Apple TV/Home Theater"?
Definitely in favour of a mac-based HTPC forum, the AppleTV just doesn't cut it..
I've been personally thinking of setting up a mini-based media center running Plex (xbmc) pulling media off a Linux server over wireless N all through a large LCD (possibly projector). I've been really getting into this lately searching for remote control solutions compatible with iTouch/Phone similar to remote app. People are already working on an xbmc remote app and when coupled with blind control, projector screen app etc and a large archiving server you've got the ultimate of home theater setups on your mac!
PLEASE MODS can we get an MHT forum!
I've been personally thinking of setting up a mini-based media center running Plex (xbmc) pulling media off a Linux server over wireless N all through a large LCD (possibly projector). I've been really getting into this lately searching for remote control solutions compatible with iTouch/Phone similar to remote app. People are already working on an xbmc remote app and when coupled with blind control, projector screen app etc and a large archiving server you've got the ultimate of home theater setups on your mac!
PLEASE MODS can we get an MHT forum!