Mini Mac, Maximum Entertainment. If you opt to use a Mac mini as your media-center hub, you’ll have a much wider range of content to choose from. The biggest difference, of course, is that unlike the Apple TV’s closed approach, the mini is a full-fledged Mac. You can add any software and access any websites you want. Without having to get into hacks, you can stream all kinds of free content from Hulu, Netflix, Joost, and network television sites. Plus, you can still access all of the iTunes Store content and even try competitors, such as Amazon’s streaming video service.
A Mac mini is more expensive and slightly more complicated to set up than an Apple TV, but we hardly need remind you that you’ll get more out of your investment, since you’ll essentially be adding another Mac to your home network. You can surf weather on websites, play games, check email, and more—from the couch.
A Mac mini makes a compact but powerful media hub.
We recommend using a late-model Mac mini with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. The 120GB hard drive on the mini’s starting configuration (www.apple.com, $599) will store a good-sized entertainment library, though it’s probably smart to upgrade to 2GB of RAM from the standard 1GB. Skip the overpriced RAM Apple sells and upgrade the RAM on your own—check out dealram (dealnews.com/memory) or Ramseeker (ramseeker.com) for aggregate deals on Mac RAM.
You could even use a full-size Mac, but we prefer the small shape and quiet operation of the Mac mini. Here’s how to get started.
Set Up and Connect. The Mac mini has equally diminutive video ports. You have a choice between mini-DVI and Mini DisplayPort. However, the mini also includes an adapter for full DVI. Go with that connection, adapting it to HDMI, if needed, for your TV.
For audio, you’ll need a mini-TOSLINK adapter to connect to a TOSLINK stereo. (Get it for less than a dollar on Monoprice.com). The results are worth it, pumping out 5.1-channel surround sound. If you’re connecting to an older stereo, use a mini-jack cable that adapts into stereo RCA plugs. For either kind of cable, plug into the Mac mini’s headphone port.
(click to enlarge)
Your TV (or computer monitor) serves as the Mac mini’s screen, but you’ll still want to use a keyboard and mouse. Any USB device could work, but we like something that was designed for the living room, such as the Logitech diNovo Edge ($179.99, www.logitech.com). It’s a single, wireless slate that combines keyboard and mouse functionality via a built-in track pad. It even recharges in its storage base, so you have a reason not to let it slip it between the couch cushions.
Adjust the OS. After you first plug in and set up the Mac mini, you’ll want to run through a few system settings and updates to get it optimized to serve as your media hub. These adjustments will make the difference between using the Mac on a desk or from your couch.
Set the screen resolution to match your TV’s native resolution, or at least match its aspect ratio. The Mac mini should recognize the display’s native resolution, but if not, you can set the resolution manually in System Preferences > Displays. For example, a 1080p TV would typically have a native resolution of 1920x1080 pixels (check your TV’s user manual to be sure).
If you don’t see the display’s native resolution, you can substitute a different size with the correct aspect ratio. This means that for an HDTV, you should try that same 1920x1080 resolution or 1280x720 (720p).
If none of these options exists, you can manually add your display’s native resolution. Download and launch just the SwitchResX control panel from www.madrau.com/html/SRX/DL.shtml (you don’t need the full package). Click the Custom tab, then click the plus icon.
Check the box to Use Simplified Settings, and enter the native aspect ratio for your TV. In our case, we’re using an HDTV with native resolution of 1360x768 pixels. Click OK. Click Apply, and restart your Mac. The new resolution should now appear in the regular Displays System Preference. Set it there. (If this process doesn’t work, or you need more details, read the SwitchResX FAQ at www.madrau.com/html/SRX/FAQ.html.)
While 1360x768 resolution is commonon many HDTV, our Mac mini needed SwitchResX to work with this oddball resolution.
You won’t need to adjust the Sound System Preference if using a digital audio connection. Instead, you’ll change the volume within specific applications or directly on your audio receiver. If you’re making an analog connection, you can change the volume there or in the menubar.
Turn off the screen saver, since the Mac might think the computer is idle while you watch certain streaming content. Visit the Energy Saver System Preference, and set the option to put the display asleep to Never.
NEXT: Stream Free Shows
Pearl Kayreen
August 09, 2010 at 8:26am
This article about Mac is really good. I believe I will be saving a lot of bucks on this tips. Tongkat Ali
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benpasley
October 29, 2009 at 5:16pm
check this link for how to do it:
http://www.timtoon.com/2009/06/21/getting-51-audio-out-of-a-mac-mini/
hope it helps
tankusaf
October 06, 2009 at 7:00am
I have done exhaustive searches on the internet and Apple support and they all tell me the same thing. iTunes does NOT support 5.1 sound on regular Macs. ONLY on the Apple TV. In your article you say that 5.1 is possible with the Mac Mini, did you actually prove that? I am using a 2Ghz Macbook, with Snow leopard and iTunes 9, and a toslink adapter to fiber optic going into my Sony receiver. I have several tv shows and movies in iTunes that refuse to work in surround sound, even when I change the sound output from stereo to surround. Playing DVD's works just fine with surround sound, however none of my iTunes content works. Have you found a way to make this work on your MacMini, since you said it would in the article? If so, lots of people on the internet are looking for that solution.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the desire to go beyond it.
tankusaf
October 06, 2009 at 7:00am
I have done exhaustive searches on the internet and Apple support and they all tell me the same thing. iTunes does NOT support 5.1 sound on regular Macs. ONLY on the Apple TV. In your article you say that 5.1 is possible with the Mac Mini, did you actually prove that? I am using a 2Ghz Macbook, with Snow leopard and iTunes 9, and a toslink adapter to fiber optic going into my Sony receiver. I have several tv shows and movies in iTunes that refuse to work in surround sound, even when I change the sound output from stereo to surround. Playing DVD's works just fine with surround sound, however none of my iTunes content works. Have you found a way to make this work on your MacMini, since you said it would in the article? If so, lots of people on the internet are looking for that solution.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the desire to go beyond it.
DrOct
August 14, 2009 at 11:40am
Wait, the new Mini's don't have an IR port? They how do they work with the apple remote that you cay buy with them for $19?
goswim
August 14, 2009 at 5:37am
While I didn't follow this article to the letter, I must say, it did inspire me to pull out an older 13" Intel MacBook, connect it to my 42" LCD and do some testing. Between Hulu subscriptions, iTunes, NetFlix, and a great program called Remote Buddy by iospirit.com, I'm giving it through this weekend, then calling the cable company on Monday to come pick up my cable box. I'm estimating since I'm using existing hardware, I'll save about $1000 this year. Thanks for a great article.
