General Forum

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

elephant — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:14:50 GMT

Hi, posted some suggestions in the other thread that you also used.

http://forum.beoworld.org/forums/p/30864/254201.aspx#254201

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

scanorama99 — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:32:16 GMT

Ok I connected my beoport (maybe Its not beoport, it says beolink pc-2 on the manual?) with an ir-eye

Anyway, I got connection and I can make things happen and control it with my beo4 remote both in bm-link and linkplayer.

The bm-link is flowing ok and I can start both itunes, radio and frontrow.

However the linkplayer crashes around 9 times out of 10. I have played with various settings for hours now. Very strange. I cannot mail any feedback since I dont use mac embedded mail-client. But for example, if I set the button dtv on beo4 to start web or front row or whatever, I might be able to start it once, but if I then quit the linkplayer and start it again and press dtv either on the virtual remote or real beo4 the program crashes, next time crashes... over and over... exactly when I press the source button. I have tried every source and none work fully. Tried all options-codes 0-6 also.

Too bad since I like the program very much the few times it worked.

I have snow leopard and running a intel mac mini 2,ghz 4gb ram

Any ideas?

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

elephant — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:04:25 GMT

PhilLondon:
This should have been fixed in 0.8.

Thanks Phillipe - I will check.

PhilLondon:
HD sources

I forgot to mention that one advantage that I got from using the Elgato EyeTV to tune into my Digital Aerial and pick up HD signals which are then downscaled for display to my MacBook and then output onto my BV8-32.

So now I am able to enjoy the content (but not quality) of some 5 Freeview HD channels.

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

PhilLondon — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:59:04 GMT

elephant:
Correct, I use the "Active Antenna" that comes with the DVB-T system module: you get a fourth AV with SCART, the DVB-T input aerial, the RF output, and a Master Link port.

Caveat: any analogue signal, so something coming via HDMI (& therefore in digital form) can not be.

Surprise: I thought the caveat would mean my DVB-T would not be transferred but I have found it is!

The caveat is the following: B&O TVs can only distribute standard definition sources, but cannot distribute HD sources. You can however connect some sources like HD set top boxes to the HDMI and to the SCART at the same time, so you can distribute them.

elephant:
The only glitch I have experienced is when I go "SPEAKER" + "2" which correctly causes the BeoVision to switch to using the outboard speakers, but also causes LinkPlayer to swap to the playlist that is number two in my iTunes setup.

This should have been fixed in 0.8. There are probably some similar issues that I haven't fixed with the Picture, Format or Stand keys.

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

elephant — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:16:55 GMT

Pestria:
1. By looping the RF out from the BV8 back into the Mac via Elgato TV you can record whichever video signal is fed into the BV8?

Correct, I use the "Active Antenna" that comes with the DVB-T system module: you get a fourth AV with SCART, the DVB-T input aerial, the RF output, and a Master Link port.

Caveat: any analogue signal, so something coming via HDMI (& therefore in digital form) can not be.

Surprise: I thought the caveat would mean my DVB-T would not be transferred but I have found it is!

However for better quality I also connected my Foxtel via a SCART to composite (red, white, yellow cable) to the composite video input of the Elgato EyeTV Hybrid.

I am also able to distribute content from my DVD player since it is attached via a SCART.

Pestria:
2. By connecting the Mac via HDMI you can 'see it' in link room TVs via the RF out from the BV8?

Sadly no.

Because of the caveat above the MacBook's output is not transferred, same limitation exists for the current MacMini.

There maybe second hand, older versions, of the MacBook or the MacMini that have analogue outputs (e.g. VGA on an older MacBook that may work).

On the other hand the Apple TV supports component output, and so you could use that especially as ATV Flash (mentioned elsewhere in these forums) unlocks the Apple TV for supporting a wider variety of video formats.

Pestria:
3. Audio from the Mac is distributed via the Beoport and Master Link?

Correct.

I split the audio output form the MacBook to both the BeoPort and the BeoVision.

The BeoPort path is used for Net-radio and Net-Music (even to the BeoVision) and to the "link" rooms which includes the BeoSound 4 room.

Even if the BeoSound 4 room is not active, the BeoSound still displays (silently) the details of the Net-Radio broadcast and Net-Music tracks.

This functionality is supported by either of BM-Link from Anders, or LinkPlayer (still in beta) by Phillipe.

The BeoVision path is used when I run the system in Beo4 "PC" mode so that I have the Mac video (via HDMI) and Mac audio (via headphone jack cable splitter).

LinkPlayer as a media centre enables me to use my Beo4 to control the MacBook and the BeoVision to run iTunes, iTunes CD, FrontRow iTunes, FrontRow DVD, EyeTV aerial (analogue, DVB-T, Foxtel), EyeTV recordings, iPhoto slideshows (accompanied by iTunes music), PLEX (iTunes audio tracks and videos (TV Shows and Podcasts), DVDs captured via Handbrake or MakeMKV), and Boxee (I don't use it since I do not like its interface).

I have even used LinkPlayer to browse (but not post to) BeoWorld.

I can also use the BeoVision simply as a computer monitor with audio, but in that mode I do not use LinkPlayer, and so I have a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse (just upgraded that to the magic mouse).

Pestria:
4. The Mac is fronted by Plex and Plex recognises Beo4 commands via the STBC?

Not quite, I do have my second IR blaster available for using on the MacBook which I have tested.

But (for the moment) I prefer the configuration where the Beo4 interacts with the BeoVision and with the BeoPort's IR eye.

The operation is quite seamless and even though the Beo4 commands are intercepted by both units Phillipe has managed to create an environment where the LINK- prefix is not needed.

The only glitch I have experienced is when I go "SPEAKER" + "2" which correctly causes the BeoVision to switch to using the outboard speakers, but also causes LinkPlayer to swap to the playlist that is number two in my iTunes setup.

Pestria:
If so then it's a genius set up - one which I'd certainly like to replicate.

It is a "genius" set-up because of Phillipe's perseverance and skills in making LinkPlayer far more than what BM-Link (or Beoplayer, or Beomdeia 1) ever were.

However a lot of praise is also due to the genius of the BV8-32 even though it does not have a Beosystem 3 platform inside.

I have been astounded by the BV8's flexibility and how far I have been able to push its capabilities.

Note however that I do not have any ability to do surround sound processing with this set-up.

Hope that helps clarify options available to you -- Ed~2

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

PhilLondon — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:20:57 GMT

scanorama99:
Sounds very nice to have it as audio master, that I recall was not possible when I got it back in the early days (like 8 years ago)

BM-Link only works in option 4,5 or 6, which means you must own an audiomaster for it to work.

Beoport can work in option 2, using BepPlayer (the PC version of the software made by B&O) or LinkPlayer. This allow you to listen to N.MUSIC and N.RADIO through the TV speakers, or in any link room. The Mac CD can also be used.

scanorama99:
And again, do anyone know if it is possible / practical to have the beo4 as mouse pointer? I imagine I could use in on lets say a projector/beamer when in my livingroom and really control everything I want with lets say the arrow buttons in the middle ?

LinkPlayer allows you to use the Beo 4 as a mouse. I would not call it practical ;-) but it is possible.

More info here: http://web.me.com/philrobin/LinkPlayer/Mac_Control.html

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

Pestria — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:53:09 GMT

Elephant

Thanks very much for this - some really good ideas there.

Am I right in the following?.....

1. By looping the RF out from the BV8 back into the Mac via Elgato TV you can record whichever video signal is fed into the BV8?

2. By connecting the Mac via HDMI you can 'see it' in link room TVs via the RF out from the BV8?

3. Audio from the Mac is distributed via the Beoport and Master Link?

4. The Mac is fronted by Plex and Plex recognises Beo4 commands via the STBC?

If so then it's a genius set up - one which I'd certainly like to replicate.

Kind regards

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

scanorama99 — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:07:11 GMT

Sounds very nice to have it as audio master, that I recall was not possible when I got it back in the early days (like 8 years ago)

What options-settings is correct to have here if You read my setup some posts ago if I want to use the beoport as master and what is the difference if Its not master ? forgive me, it was some years ago I played around with these settings...

And again, do anyone know if it is possible / practical to have the beo4 as mouse pointer? I imagine I could use in on lets say a projector/beamer when in my livingroom and really control everything I want with lets say the arrow buttons in the middle ?

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

cooldude — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:23:28 GMT

PhilLondon:
cooldude:
Yes, but works only if you have IR receiver eye connected.
I did not follow the conversation but just would like to say that Beoport can be used as an audio master, without an IR receiver, using LinkPlayer.

If there are any issues while using it this way, please let me know.

Hi PhilLondon,

I remember that I could not get it to work a couple of years ago, but that could either related to the old BMlink or old beoport software.

Will try later and see how it works.

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

PhilLondon — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:11:41 GMT

cooldude:
Yes, but works only if you have IR receiver eye connected.

I did not follow the conversation but just would like to say that Beoport can be used as an audio master, without an IR receiver, using LinkPlayer.

If there are any issues while using it this way, please let me know.

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

cooldude — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:05:31 GMT

elephant:

hey that's real cool

I like how you have B&O-ed the PLEX Skin.

I had played around with skins under XBMC (from which PLEX was spawned) but found them a little flakey and so reverted to PLEX.

Where did you find the instructions to do the PLEX skin, and would you like to make your PLEX skin available to the rest of us?

Ed~2

Regarding stability : It's about as stable as the standard one so far, however it seems that both snow leopard and its apple remote problem play a role in this. (a time-out somewhere?) and funnily, in my systems it seems to work ever so slightly smoother in combo with the beoport.

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

cooldude — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:05:02 GMT

DrDimitris:

cooldude:

macmini with beoport with Ir eye as audio master

Hey cooldude, How do you assign Beoport as Audio Master???? Is that an option you give with Beo4???

Yes, but works only if you have IR receiver eye connected.

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

cooldude — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:02:54 GMT

elephant:

hey that's real cool

I like how you have B&O-ed the PLEX Skin.

I had played around with skins under XBMC (from which PLEX was spawned) but found them a little flakey and so reverted to PLEX.

Where did you find the instructions to do the PLEX skin, and would you like to make your PLEX skin available to the rest of us?

Ed~2

thanks for the interest.

As I am building my up system, I thought a more B&O styled interface would be a little more appropriate.
I first thought of writing one myself (maybe influenced playing with the Beosound5), which is not all that hard to do if you have some basic programming skills, but time not being on my side I opted for the easy way out and installed the Plex Skin Installer script.

The script will install several skins at the same time. IMO PlexAeon and PlexAlaska being the most polished looking and cusomizable ones. They all will be available through the Plex setup menu. You can always delete the ones you don't like.

You'll find all the info and how to on following link http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php?/topic/10107-plex-skin-installer-script/
Please note you'll have to run GIT first and run the script in the OSX terminal.

I did change the Icon pictures to B&O ones. You'll find them in (Yourmacname)/Library/Application Support/Plex/Skin/PlexAlaska/media/backdrops.

That folders holds the folders (movies, tvshows, music,....) that hold the pictures for the menu icons. Just put whatever you want.
I couldn't be bothered googling stuff, so I went to the B&O website and downloaded the images from the media section....plenty stuff there.

If you have any questions PM me, and I'll do my best to answer you asap.

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

elephant — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:16:05 GMT

hey that's real cool

I like how you have B&O-ed the PLEX Skin.

I had played around with skins under XBMC (from which PLEX was spawned) but found them a little flakey and so reverted to PLEX.

Where did you find the instructions to do the PLEX skin, and would you like to make your PLEX skin available to the rest of us?

Ed~2

Re: Mac to B&O system, how?

DrDimitris — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:59:56 GMT

cooldude:

macmini with beoport with Ir eye as audio master

Hey cooldude, How do you assign Beoport as Audio Master???? Is that an option you give with Beo4???