New Mini/Audio Questions

[xxMACxx]

I have an '09 mini that I think I'm looking at replacing with the new '10 mini server, but I have an audio question...

I currently use the digital output of my mini to feed my amp for my HTPC setup. I also have an Airport Express that I stream audio to for my zone 2 audio on my amp (it has to be analog on zone 2).

Well my airport express recent died and killed my zone 2 music.

My question is... can I stream the audio out of the mini in iTunes and control where it goes? I'm assuming that I can plug a stereo jack in the head phone jack on the mini, but will be live along with the HDMI port? I do most of this audio management via the iPhone remote.

Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

[Jawnathin]

Sorry, I cannot answer your question directly, but do you have AppleCare by any chance on your Mini? Or are you still within the warranty period to apply AppleCare?

From what I remember reading, AppleCare also covers accessories used with the devices, such as the Airport Express. You may be able to get your Airport Express covered through AppleCare, even if the Express itself is out of warranty.

http://www.apple.com/support/products/mac.html

What’s covered — Mac
* Your Mac computer
* Included accessories such as the power adapter
* Apple memory (RAM)
* AirPort Express Base Station, AirPort Extreme Base Station, or Time Capsule
* MacBook Air SuperDrive (for MacBook Air and Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server only)
* Apple display purchased with your Mac


The AirPort device or Time Capsule must be purchased up to two years before your Mac purchase or during the term of your AppleCare Protection Plan coverage.

 

[xxMACxx]

Thanks for the reply Jaws... I'll check that out.

I called the Apple store today for some clarification and it was a bit funny. It took me a while to convince the girl that the HDMI port carried audio now. She refused to believe me, but once I showed her where on the Apple web site it showed that she went along with me. Obviously she could not answer my question, so she went offline to get an answer on how the audio was controlled. She came back and said that audio would always be sent out both the analog/digital plug, and the HDMI port.

This sounds like it will solve my problem, so I'm closer to making a decision...

Michael

 

[xxMACxx]

Just to follow up on this... Audio will not go out both the analog/HDMI ports at the same time. In order to switch you have to go into the Audio MIDI Setup and switch the device you want. Not an elegant solution for utilizing both outputs. Looks like I'll have to keep utilizing the AirPort Express...

Bummer

 

[LeeTom]

There is an app called Airfoil that can "hijack" audio coming out of an app and play it to remote airports and the local computer. you can choose the audio output device that it uses for the local computer.

if you were to use it to hijack iTunes' audio, and choose Built-in Output as the destination, you may be able to achieve success...

Lee Tom