With the introduction of the iMac G5 and its accompanying removed control and Front words medium web browser software , Apple hinted that the Macintosh was ready to add a novel accomplishment to its resume — serving as a multimedia center . I took a facial expression at the multimedia capableness of that G5 - based iMac earlier this year , approach the task with a challenging goal in mind : Switch off the stereophonic , television , TiVo , DVD player , and radio and replace those machine and their functionality with the iMac and a prize set of third - political party computer peripheral .
While the iMac proved to be an adequate multimedia center , it was n’t about to replace my dedicated media components . Its display was too small for a large room and telecasting ikon display on its monitor lacked the pellucidity that you find on a real TV . perchance the answer was n’t in replacing my medium kernel , but rather using the Mac as an sweetening to my existing components . If only the computer was smaller , cheaper , and — when plugged into my tv set — free of the redundant display .
Apple released just such a computer in the Intel - ground Mac mini . Unlike the original mini , this Mac supports infrared remote control , includes an update version of Front Row that fend for playing shared medium , and offer 5.1 digital audio production , four USB ports rather than two , and , of course , a more powerful CPU . Could this Macintosh be the reply to my multimedia system need ?
To find out , I pay off my hand on a Mac miniskirt with a 1.66GHz Core Duo chipping . I also create a young set of goal .
Was such a small computer up to such large challenges ? When outfitted with the proper computer peripheral ( and those peripherals are aright configured ) the mini performed as a workable media center as long as its culture medium files were stored on the mini or a heavy cause attached to it . As a client task with streaming media from another estimator , Front Row and the mini have a fashion to go .
Out of the box
Apple makes it clearthat when you purchase an Intel Mac miniskirt you get the basics — a computer pack with basic software system ( including iLife ’ 06 ) , a power supply , and Apple ’s removed mastery . The balance is up to you . Apple suggests that the bare minimum for the ease is a keyboard , black eye , and monitor . To that lean I ’ll bestow a set of computer loudspeaker system or headphones — listen to medicine or a DVD soundtrack through the miniskirt ’s tiny ( and bum ) internal speaker is far from satisfying .
With those speakers or earphone and a decent monitor lizard ( my Apple 20 - column inch display , for example ) , iTunes sounds great and videodisk look fabulous . Controlling them through Front Row makes sense when you ’re sitting across the room , but with the Mac mark before you on a desk , I choose using iTunes and DVD Player directly . As slick as Front rowing may be , it offers a limited readiness of ascendence . For representative , I have a prominent enough iTunes appeal that I routinely use iTunes ’ web browser or Search field to find the medicine I need . Front Row provides no mode to do that . And when you essay to play saucer 2 of Pixar’sThe Incrediblesyou discover that you ca n’t voyage through the carte du jour with Apple ’s Remote — the plus ( + ) and minus ( - ) keys do nothing . With DVD Player and a shiner you’re able to well penetrate the card items you want . And , of class , you may leave about using the iTunes Music Store with Front Row .
But leave all that . This Mac was n’t doom for the background . live way , ho !
Beyond the box
Goals 1 and 2 want that the miniskirt treat my video recording and audio penury . The first step toward meeting those want was to incorporate the mini into my live media centre .
Cheapskate that I am , I ’ve yet to invest to HDTV — my Sony WEGA CRT television dishes up the day’sDaily Show . Like most old - expressive style TVs , the Sony offers three video recording inputs — antenna ( also recognise ascoaxial ) , composite , and S - Video . The Mac mini includes a DVI picture porthole and a DVI - to - VGA adapter is included in the box . To make the mini talk of the town to the television I needed Apple ’s $ 19DVI to Video Adapter . This transcriber features a DVI port on one side and composite television and S - Video ports on the other . It was the employment of a moment to plug the adapter into the back of the mini and string along an S - Video line between the adapter and the television ’s S - Video interface .
Griffin Technology ’s XpressCable helped me pinch up my Mac mini to a 5.1 AV telephone receiver .
Above the telly I have a 5.1 AV receiver that includes an ocular ( TosLink ) digital audio input . Although the mini abide digital audio frequency output it does n’t include this TosLink connector . Rather , it skylark a mini - plug output . Fortunately , Griffin Technology ’s $ 20 XpressCableincludes the transcriber necessary for the cable to work with the miniskirt ’s audio jack .
I could just have easy created a computer - specific sound recording system by using this cable to jacklight into the$400 Logitech Z-5500 5.1 speakersthat adorn my information processing system desk . This 5.1 verbaliser organisation let in a variety show of audio inputs include 6 - channel direct , digital ( coax or optical ) , and parallel .
Temporarily set away my desire to control everything from the couch , I plug a spare USB keyboard and mouse into the video , connected the mini , and discharge it up . The miniskirt recognized the DVI to Video Adapter and adjusted the mini ’s resolve to 800 x 600 ( VGA ) . As expected , the picture was a bit squished and hazy , but unclouded enough that I could see what I was doing as I draw down menus , opened booklet , and navigate through applications .
I introduce a DVD , invoked Front words with Apple ’s remote control , and enjoyed the same variety of movie experience I get with my dedicated videodisc player and AV receiver . The one fly sheet in the ointment was that I could curb the volume of the movie with only the AV receiver ’s remote controller — the Mac ’s overall volume controls ( include those in Front Row ) hold no sway over a digital audio frequency output . you could , however , control loudness from within applications — using iTunes or DVD Player ’s volume sliders , for example .
After the flick I flipped back to the Front Row menu , take Music , and listened to some of the tracks lay in on the miniskirt . No problem here .
Television trickery
So far , I ’d hardly tax the mini ’s medium capabilities . It was now time for something baffling — playing alive video and recording that programming .
Elgatoprovided the necessary peripheral in the form of its now - discontinued $ 350 EyeTV 200 . ( The EyeTV 200 ’s replacement , the EyeTV 250 , is on the way . I ’ll offer my views on this gadget in an forthcoming update . ) In league with Elgato ’s EyeTV 2 software , this belittled grayish box — which includes coaxal , composite , and S - Video interface — provide you to watch live tv set , record goggle box programs , make schedules for your recording , and mechanically export those recordings in a format compatible with an iPod with picture . It includes its own remote restraint .
Though the EyeTV miss suchTiVoniceties as program recommendations based on your tasting and smart scheduling ( where the TiVo service mechanically changes schedules when batting order changes occur ) it does have a singular advantage not currently available to Mac users — the power to convert recorded video to a portable form . Though TiVo has promised a Mac - compatible TiVoToGo service that will get you exchange your TiVo transcription to a data format that you could play on your information processing system or iPod , such a programme is still missing in activity . The EyeTV 2 software system can automatically change over its transcription to an iPod - compatible format and post them to iTunes .
Along with the EyeTV 2 computer software , Elgato ’s EyeTV 250 lets you watch and record TV through your Mac .
To contain the EyeTV into my setup , I strung a FireWire cable’s length between the mini and the EyeTV ’s FireWire port . I then plug away the outturn of my Dish web receiver into the EyeTV ’s S - Video and stereo RCA comment ports . From within the EyeTV 2 computer software I was able to watch unrecorded TV . When zoomed to full screen the EyeTV did n’t seem quite as good as a lineal connection from the Dish telephone receiver — some artifacts were evident — but it was no less watchable than TiVo programming recorded at intermediate tone .
Changing channel was another affair , however .
Sorting out satellite
When using the EyeTV with an iMac G5 earlier this year , I ran into a rub — the machine does n’t bring home the bacon a way to change channels on a digital cable television service or satellite TV box . My TiVo includes an IR - chargeman for this purpose — a machine that relays an infrared sign from the TiVo to a cable or planet pass receiver via a cable machine that carries two LEDs that smoothen the infrared sign at whatever they ’re pointed at ( a satellite receiver ’s IR window , for example ) . Elgato does n’t support such a feature . This time around I was determined to find a elbow room around this disabling limitation .
The IRTrans USB Module is a piece of the puzzle for changing distribution channel on a digital cable or planet TV boxful .
I get it inIRTrans ’ iRTrans USB Module(€85.5 with iRed software program ) , the iRed software that rent the IRTrans operate its magic , andVidcan Software ’s $ 30 iEye Captain . The IRTrans is a humble blasphemous box with a USB embrasure on one end and a serial publication of IR LEDs on the other . When plugged into your Mac and configured with the iRed software package , it can beam the IR code necessary to see to it any twist with an IR receiver — a TV , stereo , or , most significant for my purposes , a Dish Networks satellite pass receiver .
iEye Captain provided the final slice of the puzzle — a way to create schedules that enkindle the IRTrans at times that match the schedules I ’ve created with the EyeTV 2 software package . iEye Captain does far , far more than this including allow for you to relieve EyeTV transcription to multiple drives and access all those drives at once in EyeTV and organize your recordings in sassy playlists and save search .
I ’ll go into richer detail on how to configure these factor in a future article , but for the sentence being , here ’s the gist :
After installing the iRed software , you stop up the IRTrans into the computing equipment ’s USB port . Although the iRed package offers some built - in control for Sony remotes , it does n’t admit controls for my Dish receiving system . In cases such as this you must train iRed to recognize a remote ’s codes . You do this by make a virtual remote control , assigning buttons — in this slip , 0 – 9 and the Dish remote ’s Select clitoris — clicking a Learn button in the software program , pointing the remote at the IRTrans , and constrict the remote control ’s comparable clitoris to learn the software that mastery . Complicated as this sound , it does n’t take long to configure , especially if you ’re using a low subset of the remote ’s Francis Scott Key as I have . And , in most case , it ’s no more hard ( or clip consuming ) than program a “ real ” world-wide remote .
iEye Captain acts as an intermediary between the EyeTV and iRed software — occupy the schedules you ’ve created in the EyeTV software , turning those docket into iCal events via some cagey AppleScripts , and then firing the IRTrans with the right computer code at the time of each schedule event . It ’s a convoluted solvent , but one that works .
or else you’re able to use iEye Captain with the less expensiveZephIR , but the $ 65 ZephIR ’s package is even more complicated than what you find in iRed . ( With chance , you ’ll find the gadget you want to program already configured in the ZephIR ’s code library . ) The ZephIR ’s developer is in the process of updating his software to make it more powerful and easier to practice .
Graham Jones , iEye Captain ’s Godhead , has worked out packet deals with both IRTrans and ZephIR . For $ 90 , you get the IRTrans equipment , iRed software , and a voucher for $ 10 off on iEye Captain . The ZephIR parcel costs $ 75 and includes the ZephIR machine , ZephIR software , and iEye Captain . detail on purchasing the bundles can be found on Vidcan ’s website . For more detail on the conflict between the IRTrans and ZephIR devices , seeVidcan ’s FAQ .
Radio reception
My methods for playing and recording local and streaming radio worked well enough when I configure the iMac G5 as a media center that I changed very small about them for the Mac mini . I go on to useGriffin Technology ’s $ 70 Radio Sharkto line into local radio . When I began work on the mini I used the non - Intel - aboriginal version 2.0 of the Radio Shark software program and it mostly exploit — after immortalize a radiocommunication broadcast it refuse to play live radio until I restart the software . Griffin has since released the Radio Shark 2.0.1 software , a cosmopolitan binary adaptation , that exercise as advertised — no motivation to restart the program after show to take heed to live radio .
Ambrosia Software ’s $ 19 WireTap Pro 1.2.0 , though not a Universal binary covering , works as it should under Rosetta emulation . Like the Radio Shark software program it have you record what ’s play on the Radio Shark — either via a resilient recording or one you schedule .
For recording pour radio ( and scheduling terrestrial radiocommunication recordings ) I ’ve stuck withRadioTime — a World Wide Web - based service that lets you take heed to more than 50,000 medicine , sports , and talk station from around the world through a guest ( which , in turn , channels its medicine through Microsoft ’s Windows Media Player , RealNetworks ’ RealPlayer , or QuickTime ) . For $ 39 a year , RadioTime will countenance you schedule and memorialize those programs . alas , the Mac version of Windows Media Player has accomplish the end of its aliveness — Microsoft has no plan for update it further . And this version does n’t form with the RadioTime customer . Its alternative , Flip4Mac , is no help as it , too , is incompatible with the RadioTime client . ( RadioTime representatives report that work is being done on a Universal version of Flip4Mac that resolves most of its payoff with RadioTime . )
Griffin Technology ’s Radio Shark lets you tune into local radio on your Mac . A Universal Binary translation for Intel - base Macs is now available .
As a majority of stream radio place offer computer programming only in Windows Media format , this micturate RadioTime less worthful for Mac users . Fortunately enough programs are offered in RealPlayer and MP3 formats that I could still represent and record spate of content . Plus , many of the programme I wanted — those from NPR in particular — are offered by a act of stations , some of which pour their content as RealPlayer files .
Couching toward Bethlehem
As I was already involve in one form of remote control , it was clip to turn to another . No Mac is a media center if you have to manipulate it with a wired keyboard and shiner . Cute and cuddly though the Apple remote may be , there will be meter that you ’ll want to sail around the Mac in ways forbidden to the remote . For this , you demand an alternative stimulus equipment .
Should you wish to continue in the Apple camp , you could do this with Apple’sWireless Keyboard and Wireless Mouse($59 each ) . The range of these twist was good enough to control the Mac from across my living room , but using them command that you put up with swapping in new batteries from prison term to time . Keeping a match of sets of rechargeable batteries on hand take the sting out of these all - too - frequent barter ( every couple of Day , on average ) .
A potentially more flexile choice isBelkin ’s $ 99 MediaPilot . As I explained in my earlier look at the iMac G5 , the MediaPilot come in two pieces — a base plug into a spare USB port and a wireless keyboard that communicate with the base via a 2.4Ghz wireless connexion . The MediaPilot bid a couple of advantage over Apple ’s Bluetooth devices . First , the keyboard carries a rechargeable bombardment . When you place the keyboard in the base , the keyboard ’s bombardment charge . So much for worrying about shelling replacing . second , it can teach the functions of other outside control via an IR instruction mode . Potentially you could groom it to mime the Apple remote control ’s command for controlling Front Row .
I toss the word “ potentially ” around so munificently because the MediaPilot ’s software is n’t presently compatible with Intel Macs . Though you could use its nonpayment functions for moving the mouse , clicking , and typing text edition , you ca n’t configure it . When that software does go Universal , the MediaPilot will be a far practiced alternative .
Reducing redundant remotes
I could have leave behind it there but it occurred to me that while I was now able to stay on the sofa , I was get to be buried in remote control . My current apparatus required not only a wireless keyboard but four additional remote controls for Front Row , the Dish pass catcher , the AV recipient , and the EyeTV 200 . Too much .
A universal remote control like Logitech ’s Harmony 659 can facilitate you cut down on remote clutter around your Mac mini multimedia system meat .
Rummaging around in my boxful of gear I unearthed aLogitech Harmony 659 Advanced Universal Remote . This $ 150 distant lets you repeat the control of just about any remote control you flip at it . Unlike other general remote control that you teach by firing one remote control at another and hoping the oecumenical example learns the other ’s commands , you configure the Harmony remotes online . Just journey to the Harmony remote member site , choose the devices you own ( the leaning of support devices is thorough ) , and download a visibility that matches your gaggle of cogwheel . Plug a USB cable into the Harmony remote control and the Harmony software upload that configuration into the remote control .
This I did , adding all the aforementioned remotes as well as profiles for controlling Front Row and an iPod plugged into Apple ’s novel IR - capable Universal Dock . Now , with this single remote , I could control every bit of gear in front of me , economise for turning the Mac on and off ( though I could make it sleep by using the Apple remote ’s Sleep bid — a command you invoke by hold down the remote control ’s gambling / Pause clitoris for about three seconds ) .
price from $ 130 to $ 400 , Harmony remote control are n’t cheap and if I did n’t have one already I could wrench to other piece of gearing I have — my Palm T2 or Sony - Ericsson phone . One of these Bluetooth twist in conference with a Bluetooth - bearing Mac let me apply the $ 24Salling Clicker , a public utility company that allows you to control most of a Mac ’s medium applications programme with a compatible Bluetooth phone or PDA .
While Salling Clicker lets you rip up Front Row and control it with that Bluetooth equipment , it offer so much more . you could directly check iTunes , iPhoto , DVD Player , QuickTime Player , VLC , EyeTV , SlimServer , PowerPoint and Keynote , and even direct the Mac ’s pointer and clicking function . And because it use Bluetooth you do n’t need to be within rail line - of - view of the miniskirt ’s IR embrasure . If you ’re within about 30 feet of the Mac , you ’re gilded .
Not so gently
One particularly welcome characteristic of Front Row 1.2.2 is the ability to play share music , slideshows , and videos . This is a real boon with the Mac miniskirt because the mini ’s 80 GB hard drive ( the 1.5GHz Intel Core Solo miniskirt include a 60 GB ride ) will promptly show too cramp to take hold multiple full - length movies ripped from DVD . Far well that the mini act as a client wirelessly connected to a culture medium waiter that hold more expansive hard driveway . And Front Row ’s Shared medium avail seem to suggest that it can do just that .
That node / host relationship was my next goal . unfortunately , it bear witness the most challenging labor I ’d undertake . Both filing cabinet size and the speed of my net joining examine to have a meaning carriage on how successfully my downstairs dual-2GHz Power Mac G5 and upstairs Mac mini - pelt media .
Below stairs , you ascertain my office outfit with anAirPort Extreme Base Station . The signal from that Base Station is deoxidize to one - to - two bar in the upstairs living room where the Mac miniskirt resides . Over this joining , I was able-bodied to faithfully stream iTunes euphony files via Front Row ’s Shared Music bidding — though it took Front Row a minute or so to see the downstairs Mac and load its library . Streaming movies from that same downstairs Mac via Front Row was next to unsufferable — Front Row give up after a few second of churning away at the task , claiming there was a job with the server .
To help thing along , I boost the wireless signaling by creating an extended wireless electronic connection with the assistance of anAirPort Express Base Stationplaced near the mini . This provided a strong enough signal that I was able to stream euphony videos I purchased from the iTunes Music Store . Alas , foresightful programming often result in waiter errors or programming that did play back , but stuttered .
apparently , wireless was n’t the complete answer . I then moved to a HomePlug connection using two ofBelkin ’s $ 60 Powerline Ethernet Adapters . These are small transcriber you plug into electric sockets that institutionalize information at speed up to 14Mbps over your home plate or position ’s electrical wires . apparatus is a picnic : Plug the transcriber into a nearby socket , string the admit Ethernet cable between the adapter and each Mac ’s Ethernet larboard , enable Ethernet in the connection system predilection , choose Using DHCP from the Configure IPv4 pop - up menu , and the two Macs are networked .
This provided just results . The miniskirt was able to play iTunes instalment ofWeedsandLoststreamed from the remote Mac via Front Row . It choked , however , on a 90 - minute Saturday Night Live collection of Christopher Walken ’s appearance buy from the iTunes Music Store . It was also incompetent of playing the file cabinet that does dying to only the most robust meshwork — a 2.69 GB MPEG-4 rip of the 2 minute and 42 minuteIt ’s a Mad , Mad , Mad , Mad World .
Before taking the next step and incite to a unmediated electrify connection , I experimented to see just what force Front Row had on the legal proceeding . As it turns out , a great deal more than I expected .
I see , for example , that I could play antecedently unplayable Front rowing streaming videos by open them direct in iTunes . For object lesson , the Walken collection play over the HomePlug internet when I pick out it within iTunes from the G5 ’s divided program library .
By eliminating iTunes ’ Shared entranceway item altogether I had even greater success . I mounted the web volume that put up my movie and copied an assumed name of the Walken collection from the Power Mac to my miniskirt ’s Movies booklet . I then call down Front Row , choose Movies , and chose that alias from the mini ’s Movies entry . It played without a hitch . Using this proficiency I was even able to openIt ’s a Mad , Mad , Mad , Mad Worldwithin Front Row . It ab initio stuttered over the HomePlug electronic internet , but after 30 seconds or so , the video played back smoothly .
I was getting close .
I finally bite the bullet and ran wire—100 feet of Cat-6 Ethernet cable from the downstairs 10/100BaseT Ethernet replacement to the mini . In this pumped-up cosmos , all the television shows I purchase from the iTunes Music Store played within a portion out Front Row surroundings . The aliased version ofIt ’s a unrestrained , Mad , Mad , Mad Worldloaded via Front course and playact immediately as well . But the shared interpretation once again refused to load . Replacing the 10/100BaseT substitution with a faster gigabit Ethernet electric switch did n’t help . Front Row was happy to play the movie as an alias saved to the miniskirt ’s Movies leaflet , but refused to trifle the movie via its Shared Video computer menu . similarly , the flick would not play when accessed from within iTunes as part of the G5 ’s shared program library .
I originally ripped this very long moving picture at a frame size of 720 x 288 and a bitrate of 2,300kbps — options designed to provide a good quality picture that mirror its original widescreen format . But it was too much for Front quarrel and iTunes to immerse over Front Row and iTunes ’ share-out . To see just what they would grant , I encoded the movie in the H.264 format at bit rate of 1,200- , 800- , and 400kbps and attempted to catch each interpretation over a share connection . Front Row and iTunes remained uncooperative when seek to share any of the three versions . I then ripped the flick at 400kbps at a frame of reference size of 640 x 256 . No dice .
possibly it was an offspring of length rather than turn rate . I used Instant HandBrake to rip an MPEG-4 written matter of the 1 minute , 42 minuteCasablanca . Front Row and iTunes would n’t roleplay the share version at all , much less again , Sam . It was reasonably clear that this less - than - active duette were n’t up to the task of playing share full - length movies .
Of course , Apple never say they could . But given that Front Row has no objection to play such movies when they are presented as assumed name to Indian file on a ride drive , it ’s clean-cut that such streaming is possible . Let ’s hope there ’s some improvement in such medium share-out . The midget mini is a natural as a partake medium client .
( Since this article first appeared , a referee got in pinch with me to tender a point on successfully play these pic in Front Row . you could read all about it in this update to my multimedia system Mac mini dangerous undertaking . )
Local motion
For my purposes , the mini media heart was accomplished . How did it assess up ? On a local floor — one where media is recorded and accessed from the miniskirt ’s hard drive — moderately well . On a stock idiot box the mini ’s video output through the S - Video porthole of Apple ’s DVI to Video Adapter produces an acceptable picture when displaying DVD movies , iTunes and QuickTime videos , and television convey to the Mac via the EyeTV 200 . And the miniskirt ’s 5.1 digital sound coupled with a sound set of amplified speakers make for a ample DVD , audio CD , terrestrial and Internet radiocommunication , and iTunes euphony experience .
If your television setup is such that you do n’t need the assistance of an IR chargeman to change channels — you access TV via an antenna or an unscrambled analogue cable connection — the EyeTV 200 is a less - than - full - featured , though adequate , exchange for a TiVo PVR ( and one without TiVo ’s monthly overhaul fee ) . And while I ’d love to see Elgato bring home the bacon its own IR blaster option for the one thousand thousand of multitude who do get TV from a scrambled line box or satellite receiver , it ’s ease to know that if you really , reallywant to automatically change channel via an IR sign , it ’s possible to cobblestone together the office and software necessary to do it .
In the sort of complex configuration that position the Mac in the middle of an existing mass medium meat , Apple ’s Remote and Front Row are hardly equal — providing the essential but slight more . Again , with the monetary resource and will to do so , you’re able to control the entire enterprise with a single Harmony remote or much of it with a Bluetooth PDA or speech sound and Salling Clicker .
Where the miniskirt fall flat is as a node for a larger media waiter . If you traffic only in music or short - to - medium length telly programs and videos purchased from the iTunes Music Store , you ’ll get along fine sharing that media over a solid wireless web . But when you ’re quick to handle with full - distance movies , Front Row ’s Video share-out must alas take a back seat to doing things the old fashioned direction — climb a remote host over a faster pumped connection , adding false name to your local Movies folder , and finally playing the distant files through Front Row , iTunes , or QuickTime Player .
Pointing the way
At the risk of breaking out the crystal globe , I ca n’t help but ponder the similarities between today ’s country of the computer - as - media - midpoint and the standing of portable digital medium players just before the release of the iPod . Today , as then , the pieces exist to create much of the experience you desire , yet those pieces continue scattered . From my experience it ’s clear that one can assemble a multimedia system center with a small computer at its effect , but doing so takes meter and money and the result does n’t provide the convenience of traditional Ab gear . There must be a good direction .
My money ’s on Apple one day providing it .
