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Dont know what to do with an mac mini.

crazycat

crazycat

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Dec 5, 2005
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0
One of my best friends gave me his mac mini. He bough the mac mini then decided he wants to join the mac comuinity fully so he ordred the new intel imac. He was kind enought to give me his mac mini which i am in love wth. I lready have an ibook which i will sell and get the macbook pro, the thing is i dont know what to do with the mac mini. I have it setup beside my PC desktop, i use a switch between them to display them on the same monior. Apart from typing this and watching dvd (i have the mac mini set up tp play region 2 and my pc to play region 1) i have no idea what to use it for and i kinda feel bad not using it.
 
crazycat

crazycat

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Dec 5, 2005
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grapes911 said:
I have one hooked to my TV. I use it for Videos and stuff. I also use it as a file server so I can access my files from out side my home.
Click to expand...

That sounds really intresting, i have an external HD which i can put lost of files and use it as you said. How do i go about doing so?
 
Sdashiki

Sdashiki

macrumors 68040
Aug 11, 2005
3,529
11
Behind the lens
crazycat said:
That sounds really intresting, i have an external HD which i can put lost of files and use it as you said. How do i go about doing so?
Click to expand...


you are better off with a modded XBOX as a media center, very simple to do and it can play many codecs even VLC has problems with.

A Mac Mini is STILL a G4 computer, pretty powerful and you should use it for more than a simple media storage/playback device.

A Carputer would at least grant it some sort of life.
 
grapes911

grapes911

Moderator emeritus
Jul 28, 2003
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Citizens Bank Park
crazycat said:
That sounds really intresting, i have an external HD which i can put lost of files and use it as you said. How do i go about doing so?
Click to expand...

You either need to have a TV that can accept DVI, or you need to get a DVI to S-Video/RCA adapter ($20 from Apple). I hooks right up. I then have an external hard drive with all my DVDs Ripped and my music. I play everything right on the TV. I got a headphone jack (not sure what they are called)-to-RCA adapter that allows me to get sound to my TV. I have a wireless mouse and keyboard that I keep under the TV cabinet for when I need it.
 
grapes911

grapes911

Moderator emeritus
Jul 28, 2003
6,995
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Citizens Bank Park
Sdashiki said:
you are better off with a modded XBOX as a media center, very simple to do and it can play many codecs even VLC has problems with.
Click to expand...

That's terrible advice. Ok, not terrible. It actually isn't bad advice if it weren't for the fact the the OP just got a Mini. Why let the mini collect dust and go out and get a modded xbox? Sounds like a waste of money to me.
 
crazycat

crazycat

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Dec 5, 2005
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I dont want to sell my mini, i like it. I dont feel good about selling something a friend gave to me, i rather use it a little then sell it. I am intrested in making it my DVD watching desktop and a server to get files i need when i am somewere else.
 
crazycat

crazycat

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Dec 5, 2005
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How can i transfer my mac mini into a remote server where i can access files from elsewhere saftly?
 
Nickygoat

Nickygoat

macrumors 6502a
Dec 11, 2004
992
0
London
crazycat said:
One of my best friends gave me his mac mini. He bough the mac mini then decided he wants to join the mac comuinity fully so he ordred the new intel imac. He was kind enought to give me his mac mini which i am in love wth. I lready have an ibook which i will sell and get the macbook pro, the thing is i dont know what to do with the mac mini. I have it setup beside my PC desktop, i use a switch between them to display them on the same monior. Apart from typing this and watching dvd (i have the mac mini set up tp play region 2 and my pc to play region 1) i have no idea what to use it for and i kinda feel bad not using it.
Click to expand...
You could add the little eyeTV unit and turn it into a Freeview/ DTT hard disc machine.
 
mdavey

mdavey

macrumors 6502a
Nov 1, 2005
506
1
Nickygoat said:
You could add the little eyeTV unit and turn it into a Freeview/ DTT hard disc machine.
Click to expand...

That's good advice. For information on all-in-one interfaces (some of which can directly controll eyeTV), see here.

For information on the various TV and PVR hardware available, see here.
 
K

kjr39

macrumors 6502
Nov 26, 2004
374
3
Why not donate it to a school or someone that cannot afford to buy one for themselves...
 
grapes911

grapes911

Moderator emeritus
Jul 28, 2003
6,995
10
Citizens Bank Park
crazycat said:
How can i transfer my mac mini into a remote server where i can access files from elsewhere saftly?
Click to expand...
You'll need to enable FTP and/or SSH in Sharing. Then go to no-ip and get a free DNS. If you have a static ip (which many people do) they have a program that will always update their servers with your new ip.
 
Sdashiki

Sdashiki

macrumors 68040
Aug 11, 2005
3,529
11
Behind the lens
wow no one ever understands anyone elses posts in this thread.

i said a mac mini as a media center was a dumb idea, and that if you wanted a media center, a modded xbox was better.

no one said SELL the mini, I merely stated that using it for media only is a waste of its power.

a carputer is a slightly better life for a mini than a media center.

now thats some good advice.
 
Nickygoat

Nickygoat

macrumors 6502a
Dec 11, 2004
992
0
London
Sdashiki said:
wow no one ever understands anyone elses posts in this thread.

i said a mac mini as a media center was a dumb idea, and that if you wanted a media center, a modded xbox was better.

no one said SELL the mini, I merely stated that using it for media only is a waste of its power.

a carputer is a slightly better life for a mini than a media center.

now thats some good advice.
Click to expand...
Why is it a stupid idea? He already has the mini, not an XBox. Why spend the money on an XBox as well?
Maybe he doesn't have a car.
 
U

unixfool

macrumors 6502a
Jan 21, 2006
653
29
East Coast
Sdashiki said:
wow no one ever understands anyone elses posts in this thread.

i said a mac mini as a media center was a dumb idea, and that if you wanted a media center, a modded xbox was better.

no one said SELL the mini, I merely stated that using it for media only is a waste of its power.

a carputer is a slightly better life for a mini than a media center.

now thats some good advice.
Click to expand...

Your previous and current answer to his problem is beyond the scope of his issue. He has no Xbox and why would he go out and spend the extra money do to this? Dunno how an Xbox is gonna help him make a decision on how to best deploy his mini to his network...
 
grapes911

grapes911

Moderator emeritus
Jul 28, 2003
6,995
10
Citizens Bank Park
Sdashiki said:
a carputer is a slightly better life for a mini than a media center.
Click to expand...

But it costs a lot to get a mini in a car. Maybe the OP doesn't have the cash? I don't. Add that to the cost of an xbox and we are talking way too much money for me. How in the hell and you consider this good advice?
 
Yvan256

Yvan256

macrumors 603
Jul 5, 2004
5,119
1,079
Canada
crazycat said:
I dont want to sell my mini, i like it. I dont feel good about selling something a friend gave to me, i rather use it a little then sell it. I am intrested in making it my DVD watching desktop and a server to get files i need when i am somewere else.
Click to expand...

Rip your DVDs to H.264 using HandBrake, connect it to your television. Instant DVD library! (just like what iTunes does for music) You then should be able to control it all with a simple "mouse remote" (cursor, enter, esc, space, arrows should be enough).

If you already have an external (bigger) drive to store movies, it'll only cost you about 40-50$US total for such a setup (DVI->S-Video adapter, wireless remote).
 
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