Media Centres

[MaDDoG]

I wish to go down the media centre path. I have a nice large plasma tv and theatre setup. I wish to be able to play files and music from my mac book pro over the tv and stereo wirelessly if possible. Have any of that have done this got advice from lessons learned and how do you go about it? Is the Apple TV worthwhile?
I also now have a Windows based laptop that I can leave plugged in that I don't use and my daughter no longer uses. It should be capable of doing what I need but may need a hard drive size upgrade as it is only 80 gig I think.

[MacHeadCase]

Funny you should ask, my friend! :biggrin:

Take a look at this (http://macapper.com/2007/02/05/showdown-mac-media-center-applications/). In our very own backyard!

[MaDDoG]

You are full of surprises aren't you.
Time to do some reading and research. I guess with this I just plug poor old MBP laptop straight into the plasma and bingo.

[bobtomay]

MD, doing a lot of research on this myself. Am only into about my 2nd week of research of what looks like may take my typical 2-3 months or so before I settle on which direction to go for all the integration thru the house I want.

For now, I just have DVI to HDMI and optical cables that I leave plugged in and tucked away at 2 of my entertainment setups. Then just just pull them out of hiding to attach to my MBP when I want to watch something on the system.

Which version of Windows do you have on that laptop? MCE and Vista will do what you're wanting. Kash uses Vista on his HTPC with pretty good success. While I have a spare PC that I haven't touched in 6 months, I really don't want to go down the Win path again at this time, so have been exploring all the Mac options.

Here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=115) is a good place to start your research for a HTPC setup with a Mac.

[MaDDoG]

I would like to stick with Mac if possible. The spare laptop is only XP so I don't think that will work without and upgrade. I have a ipod connecter to the tv hich also has composite connector. I am going to have a play with that tomorrow. Unfortunately the plasma is now about 4 years old (great picture Pioneer) but only anologue connections and no HDMI.

[MacHeadCase]

Great idea there bob, that link to AVS Forum, that's where we got our reviews to make the final choice on our DVD player. A great place. :coolthumbup:


Edited to add:

Ooh! They even have a thread on JMLab/Focal (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=709291) speakers! That's the ones we have on our hifi system!

[MaDDoG]

I just have Jamo speakers and an Onkyo receiver....oh and a couple of b&w speakers too.

[MacHeadCase]

We set off really wanting to buy a B&W set of speakers. We then sat down and handed over CDs of music we listen to the most at home and the guy set up this listening/living room for us and we compared.

We came out of there with the JMLab/Focal Chorus 727s with Atoll CD, Atoll Preamp and a Music Hall MP5 (I think it is) as a turntable.

[MaDDoG]

nice

[MacHeadCase]

Equinux's MediaCentral (http://www.equinux.com/us/products/mediacentral/index.html) has just been updated to version 2.8, MDDG. :)

You can download it for a free trial, it says on the website.

[bobtomay]

Ok MD, check out this audio (http://www.electronichouse.com/article/diyer_spends_1_million_on_audio/) set up.

[dtravis7]

Ok MD, check out this audio (http://www.electronichouse.com/article/diyer_spends_1_million_on_audio/) set up.

WOW. Jaw hits the floor! I love McIntosh equipment. Have since I was a little kid. Used to attend their Clinics and became friends with Dave O'brian who ran the clinics. That person must have a lot of spare $$$!! :-)

[MacHeadCase]

OMG. Look at all that! :blink:

[MaDDoG]

This man is sick and must be stopped at all costs....

[bobtomay]

MediaCentral is starting to look pretty nice.

Went ahead and paid for the upgrade to DL2. Also, downloaded DVDpedia.
It auto imported my DL library into it on installation, so no set up was involved. Must say it is a very nice looking app. Much more evolved than DL2 in some areas. Integrates coverflow and full screen views. It is looking like the way to go for a media center mac.

I really want to go get a mac mini. Have been putting it off for 2 months now. Hoping I can continue waiting for WWDC and they'll have some nice upgrade for it.

[MaDDoG]

I'm sitting back and watching what happens. I usually just throw myself into these things (early adopter) but not this time. I want to do it right!

[bobtomay]

I'm sitting back and watching what happens. I usually just throw myself into these things (early adopter) but not this time. I want to do it right!

Yep, I've actually been looking at doing this for over a year now and just have not found a way that everything will work together the way I want.

And most of the Media Center reviews on the web are well over a year to 2 and 3 years old. For both the Mac and Win platforms.

[MaDDoG]

I have media central. Came with my TV tuner but have not really looked inti as yet. I think I will need Time Capsule or at the very least, a hard drive enlargement for my MBP.

[MacHeadCase]

Isn't Time Capsule for the MacBook Air only? :confused:

[MaDDoG]

Not that I know. I believe it works on all Macs. You do need Leo to get the best out of it though.

[MacHeadCase]

Not that I know. I believe it works on all Macs. You do need Leo to get the best out of it though.

Jeepers! I gotta get with the times, I guess. :bored:

[MaDDoG]

Jeepers! I gotta get with the times, I guess. :bored:

Wow... I knew something MHC didn't :lol: