Mac Mini

nabisco · 2007-08-21, 15:01

Hey,
I got a mac mini 1.66ghz core 2 duo running XP Pro with Media Portal. Media portal is great but it crashes every time I try and scan for channels using the wizard so I have to use the media portal setup program instead.

My next problem is that I've combined all of the remotes into one LogiTech Harmony remote, so that there are options like "Watch TV" and "Watch Satellite TV".

"Watch TV" changes the projector input to HDMI for the Mac mini running media portal, and then changes the amplifier over too, and then it sends the "Sleep" command to the Mac which wakes up. Unfortunately, this takes a few moments to wake up and my other family members may get a little confused. Perhaps I need to make it close media portal before going to sleep, and then open it again afterwards so that MP doesn't freeze or anything like that.

Leaving the mac on all the time alleviates the problem, but I dont think its a good solution! Also, if the mac has been completely turned off, there is no way to turn it on using the MCE USB receiver, is there? (Well, I tried and it would work!)

I really like media portal, it seems to be much nicer than media centre edition of windows. I wonder if it is possible to have it turn the lights on in the theatre room when it begins the last chapter of the DVD (the credits)?

Also, MP seems a bit sluggish when loading the digital TV sometimes - is that because of the TV tuner or not enough ram (Only got 512mb ram)

Thanks guys!

chenks · 2007-08-21, 18:40

bear in mind that all the extra hardware and software you are using is designed to run on Windows insalled on a windows PC (ie not a mac running boot camp).

with the remote you will only ever be able to turn on or "wake up" the PC if it is in standby or hibernate not.... ie NOT if it is turned off. and this is only possible if you have allowed that usb device to wake up the PC. this is done in the device manager, but as you are using a mac this may or may not work.

strontium · 2007-08-22, 12:50

I have a mac mini and it comes in and out of standby without any trouble, it takes about 5 seconds. I found that not all the usb ports support wake up. From memory my receiver is plugged into the usb port nearest the edge (if that makes sense).
Will check when I get home.

chenks · 2007-08-22, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by strontium

I have a mac mini and it comes in and out of standby without any trouble, it takes about 5 seconds. I found that not all the usb ports support wake up. From memory my receiver is plugged into the usb port nearest the edge (if that makes sense).
Will check when I get home.

the OP meant that when the mac is completely off it won't come back on with the remote - you won't be able to turn on the mac with a USB remote.

nabisco · 2007-08-23, 11:54

I have now installed Vista Premium on the Mac and I installed media portal but it wont recognise the cards anymore (Meanwhile windows media centre uses them fine!) They are Compro Videomate U500 and there's two of them.

At this stage I will wipe vista and put XP back on just so that I can use my cards in apps other than media centre, but do you know a fix for this?

Paranoid Delusion · 2007-08-23, 15:32

Have you got the latest drivers from here

Although both Vista and XP drivers have the same file no. they may actually install different versions between the 2 operating systems.

ps try TVE3 and see how it gets on with the 2 cards.

2007-08-21, 15:01	#1 (permalink)
nabisco Portal User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mac Mini Hey, I got a mac mini 1.66ghz core 2 duo running XP Pro with Media Portal. Media portal is great but it crashes every time I try and scan for channels using the wizard so I have to use the media portal setup program instead. My next problem is that I've combined all of the remotes into one LogiTech Harmony remote, so that there are options like "Watch TV" and "Watch Satellite TV". "Watch TV" changes the projector input to HDMI for the Mac mini running media portal, and then changes the amplifier over too, and then it sends the "Sleep" command to the Mac which wakes up. Unfortunately, this takes a few moments to wake up and my other family members may get a little confused. Perhaps I need to make it close media portal before going to sleep, and then open it again afterwards so that MP doesn't freeze or anything like that. Leaving the mac on all the time alleviates the problem, but I dont think its a good solution! Also, if the mac has been completely turned off, there is no way to turn it on using the MCE USB receiver, is there? (Well, I tried and it would work!) I really like media portal, it seems to be much nicer than media centre edition of windows. I wonder if it is possible to have it turn the lights on in the theatre room when it begins the last chapter of the DVD (the credits)? Also, MP seems a bit sluggish when loading the digital TV sometimes - is that because of the TV tuner or not enough ram (Only got 512mb ram) Thanks guys!

2007-08-23, 15:32	#6 (permalink)
Paranoid Delusion Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cheshire UK Posts: 5,435 Thanks: 75 Thanked 153 Times in 139 Posts Country: My System	Have you got the latest drivers from here Although both Vista and XP drivers have the same file no. they may actually install different versions between the 2 operating systems. ps try TVE3 and see how it gets on with the 2 cards. __________________ Ray\PD Check your codecs are fine with Filmerit. XP\Vista known issues FOR FULL SUPPORT PLEASE GIVE USER SPECIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT LOG's as per HERE

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mac Mini remote?	milhouse	General	18	2008-04-22 05:57
Mac Mini as MP Client?	TommySharp	Hardware Selection Help	7	2007-08-14 08:13
Planning my Mac Mini HTPC	revs	HTPC Projects	6	2007-03-13 12:25
MediaPortal on a mac-mini	tom1502	HTPC Projects	1	2006-04-07 08:07
Mac Mini as a Media Center	samedney	OffTopic	0	2005-01-29 11:48

2007-08-21, 18:40	#2 (permalink)
chenks Portal Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Scotland Age: 32 Posts: 726 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Country: My System	bear in mind that all the extra hardware and software you are using is designed to run on Windows insalled on a windows PC (ie not a mac running boot camp). with the remote you will only ever be able to turn on or "wake up" the PC if it is in standby or hibernate not.... ie NOT if it is turned off. and this is only possible if you have allowed that usb device to wake up the PC. this is done in the device manager, but as you are using a mac this may or may not work.

2007-08-22, 12:50	#3 (permalink)
strontium Portal Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 50 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have a mac mini and it comes in and out of standby without any trouble, it takes about 5 seconds. I found that not all the usb ports support wake up. From memory my receiver is plugged into the usb port nearest the edge (if that makes sense). Will check when I get home.

2007-08-23, 11:54	#5 (permalink)
nabisco Portal User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have now installed Vista Premium on the Mac and I installed media portal but it wont recognise the cards anymore (Meanwhile windows media centre uses them fine!) They are Compro Videomate U500 and there's two of them. At this stage I will wipe vista and put XP back on just so that I can use my cards in apps other than media centre, but do you know a fix for this?