I want to stream netradio, play ISO movies, see pictures, hera music and more on my Beovison 4, to do that I think i want a Mac Mini. but i have a few questions if somebody have some experience with that setup.

But how much can i control on Mac mini with my Beo 4?
What about the usb, mini dvi to HDMI, what is the qualty of that converter?
What Media center software shall i use on Mac Mini?
Is the image/sound quality from Mac mini  as good as Twix "media center"

Thanks in advance :)

welcome :)

There are many threads, some of them even active at this month, that address most of your questions

In my current set-up I use a BeoPort with BM-Link to control my Apple.

And I am investigating the use of Front Row versus PLEX as a simple user interface

Hello There

I use a similar set up, i.e i have a mac mini connected to my BV8- 40, Beoport, BC 2 and beolab 9's.

I wasnt overly impressed with the quality of sound of mp3's so have connected all through a DAC (Cambridge Audio).

This has improved the sound enormously.

I can use the beo 4 remote to turn on net radio and net music. Dont stream videos so much, but the tv doubles as a monitor so can pull up any web sources. Ive connected a wireless keyboard and mouse for full functionality.

Of course with the recent updates to itunes, beoport software isnt fully compatible- ie you cant scroll through all the playlists using the beo 4 remote. Earlier than 8.0 you can.

Hope this helps

David

However one of our members is working on improving the current integration with the Beo4

It is anti-B&O but I sometimes use the Apple remote (I have a plastic one, not the new version) and/or the bluetooth keyboard

Others use iPod Touch and/or iPhone apps as their remotes

And then there is the Beo5

Hi,

at the moment I use my Mac Mini for audio only. It is connected throug an Airport Express and an DAC from Cambrige Audio to the aux in of my Beocenter 2500. The sound is excelent. I control iTunes via the Remote application for the iPod Touch. ( That's my two-way remote :-) )

I am experimenting to use the Mac Mini for video. I think Front Row has a nice user interface but has too many restrictions for my taste. I started experimenting wirth Plex and I think I'll go the Plex route.

msinn

The downside with PLEX is that while it plays video podcasts, it can not handle any downloaded iTunes videos/movies that have been DRM protection

elephant:

The downside with PLEX is that while it plays video podcasts, it can not handle any downloaded iTunes videos/movies that have been DRM protection

DRM protection has been lifted by apple store, or am I wrong ?

msinn:

Hi,

 

at the moment I use my Mac Mini for audio only. It is connected throug an Airport Express and an DAC from Cambrige Audio to the aux in of my Beocenter 2500. The sound is excelent. I control iTunes via the Remote application for the iPod Touch. ( That's my two-way remote :-) )

I am experimenting to use the Mac Mini for video. I think Front Row has a nice user interface but has too many restrictions for my taste. I started experimenting wirth Plex and I think I'll go the Plex route.

 

msinn

I like Plex as it is very flexible and can handle music playing linked to itunes.

There is an iphone app to control plex ...just found that out and will try that soon. 

cooldude:

elephant:

The downside with PLEX is that while it plays video podcasts, it can not handle any downloaded iTunes videos/movies that have been DRM protection

DRM protection has been lifted by apple store, or am I wrong ?

They've lifted DRM on music, not movies. And with music, it's still downloaded in a proprietary format that some programs don't read. I don't know about Plex specifically.

Hi,

are you talking about Snatch? I am playing around with it and it works fine for me. My planned setup will control PLEX with the Beo4 (thru the PUC of my BV9. When I have a need for specialities in PLEX I will grab my iPod Touch and control PLEX thru Snatch. I have the iPod Touch in reach, because I use it to control iTunes for my audio connection to my B&O system.

cooldude:

I like Plex as it is very flexible and can handle music playing linked to itunes.

There is an iphone app to control plex ...just found that out and will try that soon.

For videos I have no problem with DRM. I don't buy videos in the iTunes store. Allmost all my audio ist in Apple lossless format. So I stick to iTunes. PLEX integrates with iTunes for audio. It can read the iTunes library and play whats in it.

TripEnglish:

They've lifted DRM on music, not movies. And with music, it's still downloaded in a proprietary format that some programs don't read. I don't know about Plex specifically.