Who's interested in a Mac Home Theater forum?

[contrakid]

Update

Managed to get me an 10.5 update to Leopard and this weekend have installed and played around with Plex.

All i can say is forget anything else PLEX is the way to go.

All the Mkv files i could not play in VLC or QT now play perfectly on my 1.66GHz ICD. Nearly no frames dropped when VLC was dropping about 8 frames a second. Playing at 15mbps and the Audi is perfect also.

When checking in Activity monitor while 1080p film is playing i still have loads of free memory available (ram) hard disk activity is around 1 or 2 % load. But the CPU is running at around 140% - 160% usage so that about 70% - 80% in each core.

Think i may get some problems with higher bit rate films so i may upgrade my processor to a 2GHz C2D and then i think it will handle anything.

Also i am running all films from a PC Raid 5 2TB server over gigabit so think this helps take load off internal drive so it can concentrate on the VM work, around 500mb during playback.

Anyone thinking of getting a mac mini i would say go for it with Plex its great. Buy a mac mini core solo off ebay for around £180 and then upgrade it to a 2GHz core 2 duo for £150.

 

[yrsonicdeath]

Buy a mac mini core solo off ebay for around £180 and then upgrade it to a 2GHz core 2 duo for £150.

I'm planning on doing exactly this.

Any word on whether a HT forum could come to fruition?

 

[Jak3]

yes to home theater!

I mean, come on, it's one of the coolest things you can set up in your house, why don't we already have a forum on it

 

[ravenvii]

How about a home theater forum in general - not specifically Mac? Seems much more useful... *shrug*

 

[danny_w]

How about a home theater forum in general - not specifically Mac? Seems much more useful... *shrug*

Aren't there plenty of other dedicated forums directed toward home theater in general though? I don't think we want to try to cover the same ground.

 

[yrsonicdeath]

Aren't there plenty of other dedicated forums directed toward home theater in general though? I don't think we want to try to cover the same ground.

Couldn't you say that about some of the other forums on Macrumors? There are people out there who use their macs for home theater purposes and I think it would be a great resource for us to be able to collaborate. In order to find stuff about mac-specific home theater you have to do countless searches and piece together items from all sort of different sources. To have a source on Mac-based home theater community on Macrumors would provide an excellent, searchable source for all of this information. Not to mention we use this forum anyway as mac users.

 

[danny_w]

Couldn't you say that about some of the other forums on Macrumors? There are people out there who use their macs for home theater purposes and I think it would be a great resource for us to be able to collaborate. In order to find stuff about mac-specific home theater you have to do countless searches and piece together items from all sort of different sources. To have a source on Mac-based home theater community on Macrumors would provide an excellent, searchable source for all of this information. Not to mention we use this forum anyway as mac users.

I think I must not have been clear. I think a Mac-centric home theater forum on Macrumors would be great, all that I was saying is that I don't think we want to try to cover the entire home theater scene as other general forums do.

 

[funkyc]

i'm definitely interested!
currently have a macbook connected to the TV and use it to watch channel torrent - works well!
however, would like to learn how to use it as a proper media centre, to record stuff, link stuff, watch stuff over the network etc
oh and of course waiting for the new mac mini to come out so i can have a prettier thing sitting next to my tv rather than a laptop, which looks kinda silly!

 

[geerlingguy]

I vote YES! I'm a student, and all I've got is my MacBook Pro and a 22" screen. I have an HD-DVD drive that I've used to convert all my HD-DVDs to 1080p video files, and I have a HDTV tuner... all connected to a wonderful 5.1 surround system.

There are questions I ask here and there, but I never know where to put them—not in the Apple TV forum, since I don't have one, and not in the Digital Video Forum, because I might need to ask about audio...

 

[yrsonicdeath]

I think I must not have been clear. I think a Mac-centric home theater forum on Macrumors would be great, all that I was saying is that I don't think we want to try to cover the entire home theater scene as other general forums do.

My mistake danny_w. We are in total agreement it seems.

 

[donga]

voted yes! mac specific home theater forum!

 

[Oneness]

My Mac Mini Home Theater setup

I thought I would chime in on my Mac Mini setup. I just got it up and running (last night) so I don't have any real insight yet - actually more questions than answers. Anyway.....

I have a 2.16ghz/2g RAM Mini hooked up to a 46" Sony z4100 via DVI-VGA cable (I also have a DVI-HDMI cable which I will try out tonight to see if any difference in picture quality). Audio output from Mini is to an Onkyo SR606 receiver. I have EyeTV Hybrid for my TV signal input.

The Mini was basically plug and play with the Sony. I didn't have to adjust any settings or deal with overscan. It is a beautiful picture.

My wife and I don't watch much TV (really only Lost and PBS miniseries), but we do like to watch movies. I have all our movies on an external HD as uncompressed rips. I haven't quite decided the setup for the HD yet (direct hookup to the mini or upgrade to Airport N and stream the HD wirelessly), but I do know I'll be upgrading to a 1tb HD in the next 6 months or so.

For speakers I am looking at Hsu speakers (), but I am not decided as of yet.

I haven't had the time to play around with FrontRow. I have Distant DVD on my 15" Powerbook, but that is a bare bones media organizer (if you can even call it that). I am waiting for Snow Leopard so Plex will have to wait also.

Lastly, I am coming from a 23 year old Mitsubishi 19" TV so at this point I am easily impressed.

Caveman, I have read tons of your posts - thanks for all the info.

 

[SubZer0]

Count me in

I think it's a great idea. It would be very helpful to see differernt setups and new ways of doing things.

 

[Cave Man]

I have all our movies on an external HD as uncompressed rips. I haven't quite decided the setup for the HD yet (direct hookup to the mini or upgrade to Airport N and stream the HD wirelessly), but I do know I'll be upgrading to a 1tb HD in the next 6 months or so.

If by "HD" you mean "hard drive", then 802.11n will be fine for playback of standard def video. FF and rew will be sluggish, but workable by streaming. If you mean "high-def" then you will experience dropped frames and audio issues if you go wireless. Even 802.11n has streaming issues at those file sizes and bit rates.

I haven't had the time to play around with FrontRow. I have Distant DVD on my 15" Powerbook, but that is a bare bones media organizer (if you can even call it that). I am waiting for Snow Leopard so Plex will have to wait also.

You should download XBMC Atlantis. Still in beta, but it is better at playback than Plex (but not as Mac-friendly), but it will play on 10.4 as well as 10.5, unlike Plex (10.5 only). Are you skipping Leopard and waiting for Snow Leo?

Caveman, I have read tons of your posts - thanks for all the info.

Glad to be helpful. I'm still learning things, too, especially the obstacles...

 

[Oneness]

If by "HD" you mean "hard drive", then 802.11n will be fine for playback of standard def video. FF and rew will be sluggish, but workable by streaming. If you mean "high-def" then you will experience dropped frames and audio issues if you go wireless. Even 802.11n has streaming issues at those file sizes and bit rates.

I do mean 'hard drive'. I guess i'll go with the direct connection instead of wireless. I don't want streaming issues!

You should download XBMC Atlantis. Still in beta, but it is better at playback than Plex (but not as Mac-friendly), but it will play on 10.4 as well as 10.5, unlike Plex (10.5 only). Are you skipping Leopard and waiting for Snow Leo?

I'll try out Atlantis. Yes I'm waiting for Snow. I have a PPC Powerbook and didn't see the need to upgrade to Leopard. When I got my Intel Mini this summer it came with Tiger and I was going to upgrade to Leopard, but I don't want to pay $129 now and then 9 months later maybe pay $129 for Snow (I know we don't know pricing yet, but until I hear otherwise I will assume the worst)Glad to be helpful. I'm still learning things, too, especially the obstacles...

Oh yeah, tried out the DVI-HDMI cable last nite. I don't see any difference between it and the DVI-VGA cable.

 

[Partitioned]

I am currently trying to use my mac with my new 52" Samsung LCD. I used a mini DVI to DVI from the mac to HDMI into the TV. This results in the TV becoming a second monitor as far as the mac is concerned. So far so good, in fact everything on the TV looks better than it does on the mac, imcluding applications and video.

I have one vexing problem: when playing video using either QT or DVD player on the TV, if I go full screen then the resize occurs on the mac screen, not the TV. I can use the command "fit to screen", which mostly fills the screen but I still see the QT border and the unfilled desktop remaining on the TV.

Any ideas how to toggle the primary display between mac and TV?

 

[funkyc]

I am currently trying to use my mac with my new 52" Samsung LCD. I used a mini DVI to DVI from the mac to HDMI into the TV. This results in the TV becoming a second monitor as far as the mac is concerned. So far so good, in fact everything on the TV looks better than it does on the mac, imcluding applications and video.

I have one vexing problem: when playing video using either QT or DVD player on the TV, if I go full screen then the resize occurs on the mac screen, not the TV. I can use the command "fit to screen", which mostly fills the screen but I still see the QT border and the unfilled desktop remaining on the TV.

Any ideas how to toggle the primary display between mac and TV?

i have this problem too....i tried pressing f7 (on my macbook) to duplicate the screen but then the resolution goes really crappy on my laptop (my tv is not full hd but just 720p so the resolution is not as good as the laptop)

i prefer having the secondary screen option as then i can still use my laptop on the side to download torrents or whatever else i'm doing in the background

any ideas would be appreciated

 

[AceOfSpades]

I am currently trying to use my mac with my new 52" Samsung LCD. I used a mini DVI to DVI from the mac to HDMI into the TV. This results in the TV becoming a second monitor as far as the mac is concerned. So far so good, in fact everything on the TV looks better than it does on the mac, imcluding applications and video.

I have one vexing problem: when playing video using either QT or DVD player on the TV, if I go full screen then the resize occurs on the mac screen, not the TV. I can use the command "fit to screen", which mostly fills the screen but I still see the QT border and the unfilled desktop remaining on the TV.

Any ideas how to toggle the primary display between mac and TV?

Partitioned, in QT at least, you will want to select Preferences under the Quicktime Player drop menu. You should be presented the option of switching to the external monitor for Full Screen viewing. As far as DVDs, I don't have much experience watching them on my MacBook. But I'd assume its a similar process.

AOS

I've used my MacBook to turn my living room into a "business lounge" as well as an enhanced entertainment center. Incorporating the Mac with Airport Extreme, Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse, Wirelessly connected printer and 500 GB "archive" hard drive, 42" Philips 1080p and Samsung surround-sound receiver.

I work from home on contracted marketing campaigns and visual communication design. When I'm not watching YTMND.com or reading political dribble, I'm composing strategic advertising and the visual presentations for client's companies. When I've finished crafting their message, I have them over for drinks and hookah smoking while I present a HD presentation to seal the deal.

Bunch of you won't care about doing business on your TV. But for me, it makes my business work. Windows Media Center blows.

Setup was effortless. Mini-DVI to DVI, then DVI to HDMI. For audio, I ran a direct Optical to aux LR audio for that HDMI port. I could have bought the Airport Express, and used third party software to carry all Mac audio wirelessly, but I determined a direct link would truly insure audio sync. The monitor on the MacBook is lowered and sitting on a TV Bench, with the Philips mounted on the wall above. It looks nice with the topside Apple illuminated across the room. On my coffee table I have my wireless keyboard and mouse, and I've crafted a removable "mouse platform" extension to the armrest on a chaise lounge.

Do yourself a favor. Burn your office building to the ground and do business from home. You'll save gas and get to change the channel on your TV. Good luck to all.

AOS.

 

[Tilpots]

I've used my MacBook to turn my living room into a "business lounge" as well as an enhanced entertainment center. Incorporating the Mac with Airport Extreme, Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse, Wirelessly connected printer and 500 GB "archive" hard drive, 42" Philips 1080p and Samsung surround-sound receiver.

I work from home on contracted marketing campaigns and visual communication design. When I'm not watching YTMND.com or reading political dribble, I'm composing strategic advertising and the visual presentations for client's companies. When I've finished crafting their message, I have them over for drinks and hookah smoking while I present a HD presentation to seal the deal.

Bunch of you won't care about doing business on your TV. But for me, it makes my business work. Windows Media Center blows.

Setup was effortless. Mini-DVI to DVI, then DVI to HDMI. For audio, I ran a direct Optical to aux LR audio for that HDMI port. I could have bought the Airport Express, and used third party software to carry all Mac audio wirelessly, but I determined a direct link would truly insure audio sync. The monitor on the MacBook is lowered and sitting on a TV Bench, with the Philips mounted on the wall above. It looks nice with the topside Apple illuminated across the room. On my coffee table I have my wireless keyboard and mouse, and I've crafted a removable "mouse platform" extension to the armrest on a chaise lounge.

Do yourself a favor. Burn your office building to the ground and do business from home. You'll save gas and get to change the channel on your TV. Good luck to all.

AOS.

Is your company hiring? I've got years of commercial, TV and film production experience plus I love watching TV at home! I'd be a perfect fit...

 

[VoR]

I voted yes

I've been using my mac mini with xbmc as my HT for a while now.
It's nice little hardware for many reasons, and xbmc is an utterly amazing app. Everyone that sees the setup wants one.

In response to the first post, I havn't lived with an atv, but I can't see why I would want one (xbmc does run on it though), it just seems frustratingly limited in it's current form - and if it wasn't, it'd just be a mac mini without an optical drive (I'd buy a few of those in a second though mr. apple). The hardware isn't enough to play the content I want and the service doesn't supply it anyway.

 

[cbrain]

I like the it, I wish we could have a mac in a home theatre set-up.

 

[SCStevens04]

Plex vs Front Row

I have an old-school TV for now, and average joe home stereo. Is there any benefit for using Plex over Front Row in this situation? I’m tempted to stay with Front Row for ease of use with wife & kids.

(I voted "yes")

 

[Cave Man]

I have an old-school TV for now, and average joe home stereo. Is there any benefit for using Plex over Front Row in this situation? I’m tempted to stay with Front Row for ease of use with wife & kids.

It depends on what your media content are. Are you using DVDs or files? If the latter, what kind of files? Do you plan to get into Blu-Ray? If you're just using DVDs (or even DVDs ripped to a hard disk or transcoded with Handbrake), then your current setup works, but you are missing out on 5.1 digital surround sound (unless your receiver has optical input).

(I voted "yes")

I need to do a little research on forum threads about this topic for one of the moderators. I plan to do that this weekend, provided there are sufficient gaps between football games...

 

[digitalpencil]

I need to do a little research on forum threads about this topic for one of the moderators. I plan to do that this weekend, provided there are sufficient gaps between football games...

wicked.. i'm eager to see if we'll get our forum now that there's 150 votes cast.
here's to hoping

 

[alphaod]

I would like a MHT forum too!