using 2009 mini as media player, any advice?

[madeirabhoy]

if i buy a new mini 2012, im left with an old 2009 mini 2ghz. i could sell it i guess but the dvd drive is broke.

it doesnt have hdmi but the bedroom tv has a vga slot. could /should i use it as a media player?

using a mouse would be a pain, do i have other options eg is there any software i could run on it that would stream media from my new mini and play it on the tv, but which could be controlled by my iphone?

is this a daft idea and should i just sell it?

 

[alm99]

We have a 2009 mini that we use for a HTPC, works great! We run eye tv, iTunes for music, random video files, stream from Netflix, Hulu and amazon all without issue. We have wireless mouse and BT keyboard attached, but on the iPhone I use Airmouse. That works flawlessly and you can use it as a mouse and keyboard, which we do when we are sitting 10-15ft away from the tv.

Oh, also our SuperDrive bit the dust a long time ago and haven't missed it at all.

Also, we use mini display to hdmi adapter and run a line out from the headphone port to the audio in on the tv.

 

[Treq]

Remember, the 2009 mini's headphone jack is also an optical audio out. I bought an adapter a while back that combines the mdp and the optical audio into a hdmi out to go to the tv. Makes for better audio and fewer cables running up to the tv.

 

[alm99]

Remember, the 2009 mini's headphone jack is also an optical audio out. I bought an adapter a while back that combines the mdp and the optical audio into a hdmi out to go to the tv. Makes for better audio and fewer cables running up to the tv.

Nice, where did you get that adapter?

 

[Treq]

Nice, where did you get that adapter?

Can't remember... But here's a link to one that looks just like it.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=675020&Q=&is=REG&A=details

 

[mdgm]

if i buy a new mini 2012, im left with an old 2009 mini 2ghz. i could sell it i guess but the dvd drive is broke.

You could replace the optical drive if you really want it (I had an optical drive in the same model Mini replaced earlier this year under AppleCare). Alternatively an option would be to replace the optical drive with a low capacity SATA II 2.5" SSD. You could use the SSD as a boot/apps disk and store your files/media on the stock hard drive.

While you're at it you could also upgrade the RAM to 8GB (2x4GB). Note if you do this you need to make sure the EFI is up to date first or it won't boot.

With an SSD installed an old Mac can feel like a much newer machine.