New Mac mini Home Theater

[Compucore]

I am just wondering here. I recently got a Mac Mini (2005 Version with the G4 and 1 gig of ram) Would something like this still work. The hard drive is small. But I was thinking of maybe using an external hard drive that would connect to either firewire or USB and do it that way Eventually with a HDTV with it. Hard drives external hard drives can be bought for it. The current lines of external drives that can be bought won't work with OSX 10.4 since they mostly require 10.5 or higher.

[wildpianist]

Mr Matt is da bomb!

[Webcast01]

How abouts a 2012 tour?

[R3n3s0nyk1ll]

the only better different between dvi and hdmi is that dvi support analog and digital and dvi-i support sound too

[MrPlaystationboy]

does the mac mini suport 5.1 trough hdmi ?

[manwhowantsahemi]

XBMC Would be amazing on that

[remurdereht]

if you haven't already done so, you can use a program to set a custom resolution so things aren't stretched on that display. I'd recommend one called switchresx.

[johngotechs]

I hooked up my Mac Mini to my Panasonic Viera TV. (It can handle full 1080p) by HDMI but none of the Display options show the full desktop! Not only on this TV but all of them! Help!!

[xoxmimilovesu]

does a mac mini have a screen

[Mrawesomeball]

@xoxmimilovesu no. you need to buy your own

[Er0ck13]

Wow. I have almost this exact same set-up except 50' Panasonic Plasma instead of your projector. Same Mac Mini, same iPhone app, and i have an Elgato EyeTv 250 instead of the Hybrid.  Love my Set-up and you should try Plex instead of using Front Row.

[adrher1]

how does eyetv work?

[JackpeepotCP]

can u download like photoshop and sony vegas on it to edit videos ????

[SonicManEXE]

@JackpeepotCP Yes, you can download Photoshop. But no, Vegas is Windows only. Macs have iMovie and Final Cut (Pro and Express are 2 different versions), which are very good editing programs that are a lot better than some other Windows programs.

[iblisstube]

Your voice sounds like Zack Braff from "Scrubs!"  cool!

[ozzytonygeezerbill]

I occasionally hook my macbook up to my TV to watch movies or hulu, and I found a great piece of free software called plex. its kind of like a heavily upgraded version of front row with plugin support, they've got a hulu plugin, a netflix plugin and a youtube plugin. You should check it out, it would go great with this already incredible set up.

[marffy3]

@ozzytonygeezerbill I also use Plex and its probably the best software if u want everything in one place, nicely integrated!

[petiekas]

Sweet Set Up!



[enemylies]

Hey matt! How do you stream music and movies to your mac mini theater using airtunes (via iPhone iPad) ? Or did you buy an Apple Tv?

[MXR789]

You can change the cursor size so you can see it better from far away using CursorZoom.

[iamsteveanderson]

YOURE ONLY GONNA GET STEREO SOUND WITH THIS SETUP. NOT FULL 5.1 SURROUND.

[TheGeekCoolGuy]

Awesome vid!

[vantageIIx]

Just a tip..the mini-jack on most newer Macs doubles as an optical audio connection, so if you buy a 3.5 to Toslink cable you can get full 5.1 digital sound

[TheFowlyetti1]

you could do the same with a ps3 or xbox for a fraction of the price.. for a entertainment box you dont need to shell out such a high price for a mac mini..

[MrCr80man]

Do you think I could use a Mac Min G4 for this or should I go intel?

[000acr000]

@MrCr80man I think the Intel's are a bit faster.

[Raikkonus]

Have you tried PyeTV for front row ? It lets you watch elgato eye tv recordings within front row's UI. Can be found by searching Google Code for "pyetv".

[oscillationx25]

Thanks - just set my system up too. Great idea with the projector. I just used my TV.

[DeepBlueSkyy]

sub funny guy

[stewie100]

cool.

[Johnnytotal]

Thanks for posting, I got the same projector. But I need a new mac mini and some cables to make this happen. Über thanks :D

[grimy9]

that is awesome

[HangTenDesigns]

You should use Boxee, it's a really great option, and it will put all of your needs in one great application with a great interface. I have a very similar setup to yours and it works great! Nice video!

[jwd0808]

Unfortunately with your setup it is only stereo out - Sorry but I can't imagine a home theatre without at least 5.1 surround.

[JSBarranco926]

Will you be upgrading to the new Mac Mini?!?!

[MattsMacintosh]

@JSBarranco926 Probably not this generation

[KHcomics]

@MattsMacintosh will you upgrade to lion?(new osx for those who dont know)

[stpworld]

hey i just finished watching your video and maybe you can answer this for me? I do have one comptuer with a DVI output and it really carries the sound through the DVI port perhaps you would know why that is? I am a mac user ym self but the computer i use in my theater is a pc with DVI out cause it was given to me by a freind. @MattsMacintosh

[Snagrit]

hey mate please get back to me if u can. With movies u download from itunes store, arent they too small to play on wide screen tv of my home theatre? i mean, if they go on my tiny i-phone, wont it be pixelated on the big screen? thnks

[MattsMacintosh]

@Snagrit The movies from the iTunes store are either at a resolution of 480 (which is the same quality as a DVD) or 720 (which is HD quality), so they will look fine on your TV.

[hedgehogrock7]

@MattsMacintosh COOL! i have a spare mac pro 8 core, do you think i could do that with it. yours looks great i'm trying to make mine look similar to yours. but the room in my basement is to big so i'm getting stairs that go al the way across the room, so it will look like a theater. nice job with yours!

[MattsMacintosh]

@rednes800 I made alias to the site/app, then changed them to custom icons with Candybar. Shoot me a private message if you have any problems.

[hill2033]

You should use xbmc and setup a NAS :) That's what i'm running minus the NAS and projector but i plan to change that soon! do you record tv shows and movies with that tuner card?

[MattsMacintosh]

@hill2033 I was actually considering a NAS setup the other day (I was looking at the Drobo). I do record TV shows with the EyeTV tuner card... it works really well.

[ithacasz]

Great, I wondered if there is a way to hook up a sattelite tv signal (SKY) to the Mac. I assume you'd need a different remote for that.

[bradya]

Dude just use Plex !

[luis61961944]

i feel bad for all the companys that go out of busnies but damn i love the low prices of the final OUTLET SELL

omg im a bad person

[cactuskid007]

a lava lamp ...hahahahha gay

[talesrof]

nice tv :)

[IronDukeReviews]

I use the program called Remote Buddy to control applications on my Mac Mini connected to my TV.

I use the Logitech Universal remote to control my mini. I have Plex, Hulu App, Boxee, Front Row and any other app in the Remote Buddy menu.

[MilexProductions]

I swear in one of your videos you mentioned something about a mouse you can use from the iphone to your mac

[MattsMacintosh]

@MilexProductions Its in this one toward the end. I the Airmouse app. There are some others out there as well.

[MilexProductions]

I have a MacBook pro, is there a way I can attach a second monitor?

[MattsMacintosh]

@MilexProductions Two external monitors will require a separate graphic expansion box. A company called Matrox makes a popular one.

[MattsMacintosh]

@MilexProductions You can also use a USB to DVI adapter.

[robbieba]

how did you get the icons that simple on the homepage?

[HunterGregorySr]

thought about using toslink to connect to a Surround Sound receiver?

[TheRadOreo]

Do you recommend that projector?

[MattsMacintosh]

@TheRadOreo If you are looking for something cheap. Its pretty old, and isn't going to give you full HD.

[alwayson09]

Thanks for sharing. We are seriously considering the 2.53ghz mini for our home theater. Currently using an HP g60 laptop connected via HDMI and it will not play video smoothly no matter what I try.We tried out the mini at the Apple store and was VERY impressed by the video playback quality.Definetely puts this windows PC to shame!

[Lenno2821]

Awesome setup, wish I had one like that.

[Randomstuidios]

+1 subscriber, love your vids, very professional!

[MattsMacintosh]

Yes, that is actually how I have mine hooked up (although not shown in the video). You'll need to get an extra adapter (A mini-display to either VGA or DVI). Its capable of both true dual screen and mirror screening.

[MattsMacintosh]

You mean the larger sizes or just set up as aliases on the desktop? Either way, yes you can do that in Leopard. Drag the apps to the desktop while holding option and command. Then change the size by right clicking (or control click if you have a single button mouse) and go to "show view options"

[TechVerse]

nice home theater i just got mine today i'll be setting it up over the next week!

[MovieMakingFan99]

Very awesome setup, but can the Mac Mini play Blu-Ray?

[MattsMacintosh]

Nope. Even if you put the drive in there OS X will not support it. I doubt Apple will ever support Blue Ray as they are heading toward 100% digital HD media with iTunes. Thanks for watching.

[2MCHNV]

Bluray players have a totaly difference cd drive and laser

bluray discs consist of a double layer which normal cd drives cant pick up

[MovieMakingFan99]

Thanks for explaining that to me. :)

[twiztidsidfreak13]

your videos are getting better and better and your set up right nice. looks very clean and well worth what money you spent on it! if i wasnt saving up for an IMAC id be getting a macmini

[sn0le]

I run a Hackintosh today for desktopwork, but I am seriously thinking about getting a Mini for HTPC use.

It is the best value Mac you can get, and it is perfect for HTPC use.

However. I think you made one BIG mistake in your video.

You did not mention that the Mini have optical out for sound.

So you can get Dolby 5.1 to your sorround sound system.

You should definetly have mentioned that. It's a big plus for the Mini when you're considering buying/building a HTPC.

[MattsMacintosh]

You are 100% right about the optical sound! My problem is I have an older receiver/amp that doesn't have a TOSlink input. I think I'll add an annotation pointing that out. I guess when I was making the video I was thinking "here is my setup" not "here is the how to set it up" and that's why I left it out. Thanks for watching.

[sn0le]

Hehe, no problem.

I liked your vids so much I just HAD to subscribe. :D

[muk546]

you know theres a hulu application for mac? you can use a remote with it...

[MattsMacintosh]

I know. I actually stole the icon from it for the shortcut to the website. I just honestly prefer browser navigation to desktop apps like hulu, plex and boxee. I know a lot of people love them, and they are great for people that only want to use a remote, but I just really like the flexibility of using the browser.

[hippievogelei]

naaah get a mac pro it wont run hd fine.

[SeanTheAppleDude]

You should try Hulu desktop when on your home theatre. It's compatible with the remote.

[grigsbyjw]

Love it Matt. Going to do something similar but bypass the projector and screen and just stay with a flat panel. I would do this but I don't really want to lose my regular tv programming

[tjsumpthun]

how do u get the giant icons on ur desktop?

[MattsMacintosh]

Right click on the desktop, select "show view options", change to the desired size.

[artyartyjak]

wow i think i just jizzed in my pants. Nice set up.

[MattsMacintosh]

haha. Thanks... now go get a tissue

[Xndingo11]

i've got the same remote at 2:25 bottomo right the white one for my dvd player.

[vioblaze11]

No joke, absolutly brilliant, I think I'm going to trade in my tv and get what u have, very nicely done, good job Matt

[Pachangs]

why not use plex?

[MattsMacintosh]

I do have Plex (and Boxee) installed, but for me I just prefer browser navigation.  If you want to just use a remote, though, Plex definitely rocks.

[longisland216]

really nice home theater setup. *two thumbs up*

[TechExplosion]

you should get a Logitech MX air to use the computers mouse needs like a wii remote.

I think it would make browsing around much easier!

and once again, A great 5* video. Keep up the good work!

[MattsMacintosh]

Dude, I was just looking at that!  I think I've already went over my tech budget for this month, though, so it'll have to wait. Thanks for the stars.

[TechExplosion]

lol, I guess great minds think alike man!

and that's no problem, meanwhile you've got a kick ass setup to entertain yourself before you get the Air! and no problem. you deserve the stars.

[CraigLive]

great video as usual!!

[affiguer27]

wow. really awesome setup, and great quality videos. the mac mini really is versatile.

[TheMacintosh1]

Informative video. Great setup too! Always tempted to look at the Apple TV, but the Mac Mini seems to be a better value.

[MattsMacintosh]

You can actually hack the Apple TV to use Boxee and play things like Netflix, but for me I rather just have a full featured browser

[randomtechdude]

yeah, i agree with jrdroper hulu desktop ftw and u can use the apple remote with it

[MattsSkateboard]

Not with snow leopard. Until they come out with an update, it's messed up with it.

[randomtechdude]

Really? I haven't had a problem with mine at all. The remote works and everything for me...

O and... OMG its MattsSkateboard, one of my subscriptions :) who also donated to the poor randomtechdude foundation with a 15 $ iTunes code :)

[MattsMacintosh]

I do have Hulu desktop installed (I even stole the icon for the webpage link) but I'm just not a fan of their layout. If you really want to use the Apple remote for everything, the Understudy add on for Frontrow lets connect to YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix, but I just like the browser versions better for now

[MattsMacintosh]

Oh, I forgot... I do have a new Apple remote on order, so maybe when it comes in I'll make another video with the interface completely setup for a remote. Thanks for watching!

[randomtechdude]

Thank you for the video! I have one quick question. What camera do you use for your green screen footage? I think you have a flip something, but I am not sure. Just wondering because the green screen footage always looks really good and professional.

[MattsMacintosh]

I use the FlipHD for filming. The key to greenscreen is the lighting. You need really flush, even lighting to get the best results.

[randomtechdude]

aight thanks dude

[illmiss]

Really nice

[jrdroper]

why don't you use hulu desktop?

[MattsMacintosh]

Check out the reply I left for randomtechdude. Basically, I just prefer the browser layout. Hulu desktop is great, though, if you only want to use a remote.

[M4CUSER]

wow, awesome setup! one of the best ive seen!

[PeakTotalAction]

that is very crazy dude i didnt know that was possible

im jelous LOL

[UltimatePhoneReviews]

Just posted this on twitter and now I know what to do for my home theater system, I got a Mac Mini just for a home media system so now I know how to set it up. Great job

[theapplefreakk]

WOW. That setup is insanely great! Like how theres the cords going through into the projector. Very clean and elegant setup In my opinion.