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I plan on getting the following in a couple months after I receive my tax returns. I will be using it as an iTunes media server and main iTunes management device.

I have my iTunes data/media on an external network drive hooked up via Ethernet to my Airport Extreme. I am managing the iTunes data/media quite nicely with my MBP with no issues at this time. I have both my iPhone and iPad syncing wirelessly to the MBP.

I have a Samsung 32" HD720 Flat Screen TV with HDMI and DVI inputs. Right now, I have the Apple TV2 hooked up to the TV via HDMI and that is it.

I am also planning on connecting to this machine and controlling it remotely from either my MBP or iPad.

  • 2.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7
  • 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
  • 750GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
  • Apple MacBook Air SuperDrive
  • Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter
The only really lengthy process here will be getting all 400+ movies ripped from DVD to the library.


Since there will be no data on the Mini itself, I have a nice 1TB drive sitting back for Time Machine for it alone.


Is there anyone else doing this, or something like it, that could give me a few things to consider with using the computer like this. My only experience with media servers was an old Windows Media Server which never really worked quite well. Also, how hot do they run? Will it be fine sitting in the cabinet?
 

pigoo3

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Deckyon
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Oh, I know. These are things I have copyrighted from videos of shows and music and other aspects of my hobbies. they are all sitting in a binder as backups because I didnt want to fill my current NAS drive with them, but it sucks trying to go back through and pull out the exact batch I want to show or run off for the group/troupe who wants copies.
 

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I am not a Home Theater expert by any stretch of the imagination. But two relatively inexpensive APPs that I have found to really be worth it are

FileBrowser (an IOS APP): This lets you open up what amounts to a Finder Window on your NAS or Mac Mini and browse through it. If you have video files on your NAS (which I do) double clicking on the file opens an AirPlay compatible media player.

AirServer (Mac APP): This lets your Mac Mini act as a streaming Hub using AirPlay. A very handy APP
 
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Deckyon
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I have AirServer, but what I wonder is, if I uninstall some of the apps I have gotten from the App Store from my MBP, will I be able to install them on the Mini?
 

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I have AirServer, but what I wonder is, if I uninstall some of the apps I have gotten from the App Store from my MBP, will I be able to install them on the Mini?

Why would you need to uninstall them from your MBP?

I routinely install (as permitted by the license from the APP Store) all of my APP purchases on all of my Macs.
 
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Deckyon
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Used to the 1 License per Machine.

That mean Final Cut Pro and Aperture can be installed on both machines?
 

RavingMac

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Used to the 1 License per Machine.

That mean Final Cut Pro and Aperture can be installed on both machines?

If you bought them from the Mac APP Store you are free to install them on (I will double check on this) all of your Macs. At first there was a number tossed around (3 or 5) but I think that it is now that if it is in your house and on your account you are good to go.

EDIT: I was looking for LEGALESE, but look at the bottom right hand corner of the page on this link
http://www.apple.com/mac/app-store/

Here is a quote from it
"You can install apps on every Mac you use and even download them again. This is especially convenient when you buy a new Mac and want to load it with apps you already own."
 
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Pulled the trigger last night. I should have the machine next Friday (Feb 17).

  • 2.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7
  • 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
  • 500GB Serial ATA Drive
  • Apple MacBook Air SuperDrive
I opted for the smaller drive because I have a much larger one already in use with all my media on it already. Also, since it comes to HDMI to DVI, I do not have to get an adapter since the TV supports DVI.

Now, to figure out the best way of connecting remotely. Since I have LogMeIn Ignition already on my iPad, that is covered. Gonna have to figure out RDP for the Mac. I am assuming it is under "Sharing" in System Preferences.

It is going to be so nice having iTunes always up and sharing. Wont ever have to plug my iPhone or iPad in again.
 
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Maybe I missed something, but where did the 2.7 i7 come from? I thought that only the 2.0 was available in the mini?
mathews_hmmm.gif


As for using it as an HTPC, I have a mini connected to my Samsung Plasma. I run EyeTV on it and subscribe to Netflix/Hulu. I do watch a fair amount of video podcasts and streaming vid, so for navigating I have a bluetooth keyboard with an attached track pad. The mini runs optical into my Onkyo system and sounds great.
mathews_thumbsup.gif
 
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only the MacMini with Lion Server comes on the 2.0. Go back and look at the product offering starting with the $999 model. I was going to get the Lion version until I realized that a) I didnt need Lion Server and b) since I was planing on using a lot of HD content, I did not want a video card that was Shared Memory.

As this isnt going to be on my main TV, but my secondery, I am not worried. I have AirPlay enabled on my main stereo through an AirPort Express, I can rock the tunes. Now, once the main TV is replaced with one that supports HDMI (hard to get rid of a 65" 1080i TV that is working flawlessly) I will move the PC up front.
 
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only the MacMini with Lion Server comes on the 2.0. Go back and look at the product offering starting with the $999 model. I was going to get the Lion version until I realized that a) I didnt need Lion Server and b) since I was planing on using a lot of HD content, I did not want a video card that was Shared Memory.

As this isnt going to be on my main TV, but my secondery, I am not worried. I have AirPlay enabled on my main stereo through an AirPort Express, I can rock the tunes. Now, once the main TV is replaced with one that supports HDMI (hard to get rid of a 65" 1080i TV that is working flawlessly) I will move the PC up front.

Yep, I missed it. I didn't realize that the 2.7 is available on the higher end non-server model mini. Interesting that it's NOT available as an upgrade on the server model. Seems like a natural option to offer those who are paying the higher price anyway.
mathews_hmmm.gif
 
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Deckyon
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The server model is a Quad Core, rather than Dual Core on the standard.
 
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Guess I haven't been paying attention very well!
mathews_doh.gif


Thanks for the clarification.
mathews_thumbsup.gif
 
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Deckyon
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yeah - fine print sucks. I didnt notice right off either, but when I compared side by side, I saw the differences.
 

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