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'08 MB: can I hack on HDMI output & run Plex media center?
- Thread starter misterwhy
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You could just get a Mini DVI to HDMI adapter, though you need a separate audio cable:
PS: You can't hack some hardware onto a MacBook's logic board.
And if you only have 2 GB RAM, stay with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.
fromMini DVI
Mini DVI is a digital common interface on the later G4 12" PowerBook, on Intel iMacs till 2009 and on the white and black pre-Unibody MacBooks and on Intel Mac minis before they changed the design to Unibody.
Mini DVI adapters can be bought online from:
Mini DVI to VGA adapter from Apple
Mini DVI to Video (Composite and S-Video) adapter from Apple
Mini DVI to DVI adapter from Apple
Mini DVI to VGA adapter from Monoprice
Mini DVI to HDMI adapter from Monoprice
Mini DVI to DVI adapter from Monoprice
Also of interest: "Mini DVI, what it is and how to capture it"
PS: You can't hack some hardware onto a MacBook's logic board.
And if you only have 2 GB RAM, stay with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.
Last edited by a moderator:
Making a Media Center MacBook: Can I Do All This?
I'm planning on converting an older MacBook into a media center PC in the next few weeks, running Plex. I have a few things I'd like to do with it, and I'd really appreciate some thoughts/advice.
The device has 2GB of RAM and is running Snow Leopard. I'm planning on wiping the hard drive and doing a clean install. I also have a 1TB external USB/FireWire drive I plan to connect permanently.
I've got a bunch of questions about what I can do with it, etc. Here are the things I'd like to do:
1. Should be easy with Plex, there's a Hulu Plus plugin
2. I'm going to migrate my torrent library to the external and use the WebUI for uTorrent to control it; the idea is to have an always-on torrent box. I want to automate downloading some shows, and apparently Plex makes this easy-- just need an always-on device.
3. Should I partition my external and make one a network storage device? I read somewhere about setting up an SMB share. New to me, but I'm sure I can figure it out.
4. I want to create an enclosure of some sort for the laptop and external so I can place it near my TV without looking like, well, a laptop and external drive. I want to connect the laptop to the TV in clamshell mode, but will the laptop stay on even if the TV is off? I know this might sound stupid, but it wouldn't surprise me if clamshell mode requires a display connection to stay active. I'm planning on using a Bluetooth keyboard and my iPhone as a wireless mouse. The keyboard can stay on all the time but my phone will obviously not be there at all times.
What am I overlooking? Tips, advice, etc from people who've done this? Thanks!
I'm planning on converting an older MacBook into a media center PC in the next few weeks, running Plex. I have a few things I'd like to do with it, and I'd really appreciate some thoughts/advice.
The device has 2GB of RAM and is running Snow Leopard. I'm planning on wiping the hard drive and doing a clean install. I also have a 1TB external USB/FireWire drive I plan to connect permanently.
I've got a bunch of questions about what I can do with it, etc. Here are the things I'd like to do:
- Stream Netflix and Hulu Plus content
- Act as a torrent server to get music, TV shows, etc (using uTorrent and remote access to control)
- Act as a NAS/network share for file storage/wireless backup
- Stay always on, even if my TV is off
1. Should be easy with Plex, there's a Hulu Plus plugin
2. I'm going to migrate my torrent library to the external and use the WebUI for uTorrent to control it; the idea is to have an always-on torrent box. I want to automate downloading some shows, and apparently Plex makes this easy-- just need an always-on device.
3. Should I partition my external and make one a network storage device? I read somewhere about setting up an SMB share. New to me, but I'm sure I can figure it out.
4. I want to create an enclosure of some sort for the laptop and external so I can place it near my TV without looking like, well, a laptop and external drive. I want to connect the laptop to the TV in clamshell mode, but will the laptop stay on even if the TV is off? I know this might sound stupid, but it wouldn't surprise me if clamshell mode requires a display connection to stay active. I'm planning on using a Bluetooth keyboard and my iPhone as a wireless mouse. The keyboard can stay on all the time but my phone will obviously not be there at all times.
What am I overlooking? Tips, advice, etc from people who've done this? Thanks!