Remote Question

I have a Mac Mini dedicated to my HDTV for playing DVDs, downloading media, playing streaming media, etc. It's on my home WiFi network through my Airport Extreme. How can I use my iMac desktop to control it? I would like to see the Mini Desktop and be able to run applications on the Mini from my iMac. I would like to sit at my iMac to browse online media, schedule downloads, etc. but have the actual downloads take place on the Mini. I'm guessing that I could use remote in software through the internet, but it seems to me that I should be able to do the same thing on my local network.

Thanks for the help!

Local network you should use VNC. I use Chicken of the VNC to connect to my other macs (and other linux boxes too)
Chicken of the VNC | Get Chicken of the VNC at SourceForge.net

Setup sharing on the Mini - System Preferences -> Sharing -> Screen Sharing
Then you should be able to connect to the Mini with vnc.

Since this is a switcher forum I should also mention that you can control your PC on your local network using remote desktop connection.
Connect Across Platforms with Remote Desktop Connection | Mactopia

Thanks Ivan, Chicken of the VNC looks like just what I need. But unfortunately, I can't get it to work for me. It seems to connect to my Mac Mini momentarily, but only produces a black window with the following error message at the top. I've tried changing settings, and I've Googled the problem. I'm stuck. Do you have any suggestions? Anyone?

Thanks.

Why did you start another thread?

Anyway I am a liar - I had to have Remote Management Checked in sharing not Screen Sharing. Try that and let me know if that works.

Also as suggested in your other thread - you could try mac screen sharing. Go to finder -> select the computer you want to control - along the top of the finder window you should see share screen.

I added Remote Management to the Mini's Sharing Preferences. I still only get a black screen. The black screen looks like a remote management window and has a title bar that says "George Roberts, Aos MacMini." And I get the same error message.

I started another thread to focus the question on Chicken of the VNC setup. The subject of this thread seemed too "remote."

Ivan, thanks for your help! In the other thread I was told to change the color bit depth in the VNC profile to "Let the server decide." As soon as I did that, everything worked! I'm all set now. Love this forum!!!