ATV or Mac Mini for home theatre?

[xmlninja]

I've had a Macmini for 7 years connected with my TV. Ive already deattached it and replaced it with Atv. It might not support all the formats etc and feel kind of like the first iPhone. But controlling with remote is just much easier. I believe strongly in the future of Atv. I will almost certainly get a new macmini so soon as it comes out but it will be used as nas and icloud photo library backup.

 

[ActionableMango]

My TV won't allow me to watch iTunes purchased movies via the mini; HDCP nonsense. ATV has no problems.

There's something wrong then. HDCP should be fine on the Mini.

 

[Santabean2000]

There's something wrong then. HDCP should be fine on the Mini.

I'm open to any ideas; 'should be' ain't working...

The fact that HDCP exists in the first place does my head in.

 

[ActionableMango]

The fact that HDCP exists in the first place does my head in.

Yes, HDCP is a bane on humanity. I used to run an HTPC (home theater PC) and there were constantly people having trouble with it in the forums. Common problems and fixes were:

• Analog cables don't work for HDCP (VGA for example, or DVI operating in analog mode).
• Some HDMI cables worked fine except for HDCP content, try a different brand/length of cable.
• Remove anything on the HDMI path in between the display and the computer. For example, HDMI switch boxes, A/V receivers, sound bars with HDMI passthrough, etc.
• HDMI cables that were too short (3 ft) or too long (over 15 ft) caused problems.
• The PC (in this case Mac), might have any number of erroneous settings or conflicting software--try a fresh OS install on a spare drive to see what happens. A different operating system altogether might help with troubleshooting (OS X instead of Windows, or Windows instead of OS X).

 

[robotica]

I cut cable almost 4 years ago and have used a 2012 mini since.

I don't have Netflix, certainly not Amazon or use iTunes, yet I stream everything and could watch anything I want.

Kodi + projectfreetv + letmewatchthis + navi-X.

Just get the Apple remote, set those up, and you're good to go.

I've gone the ATV/roku/Boxee route years ago - and the mini with that set up is unbeatable.

Kodi masterace checking in.
Although I run mine on a fire tv

 

[Santabean2000]

Yes, HDCP is a bane on humanity. I used to run an HTPC (home theater PC) and there were constantly people having trouble with it in the forums. Common problems and fixes were:

• Analog cables don't work for HDCP (VGA for example, or DVI operating in analog mode).
• Some HDMI cables worked fine except for HDCP content, try a different brand/length of cable.
• Remove anything on the HDMI path in between the display and the computer. For example, HDMI switch boxes, A/V receivers, sound bars with HDMI passthrough, etc.
• HDMI cables that were too short (3 ft) or too long (over 15 ft) caused problems.
• The PC (in this case Mac), might have any number of erroneous settings or conflicting software--try a fresh OS install on a spare drive to see what happens. A different operating system altogether might help with troubleshooting (OS X instead of Windows, or Windows instead of OS X).

Thanks for the advice. I just connected a TV (in addition to the mini) and was done with it. I got fed up trying to troubleshoot.