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View Full Version : Hooking mac mini up


rwltrz
February 15th, 2009, 01:35 PM
Just wandering what limitations a 1.83 ghz cd2 mini has with boxee if any?

I was going to pick up an apple tv but rather considering hooking my mini up to 60 inch sony tv and running a 50 foot monitor cable to another room where it will hook up to a wall mounted 24 inch display for computing which bring me to another question .

What is the best way to do this, dvi cable, is 50 feet to long?

I figured it would be better to run long cable to monitor versus to the tv plus i need the mini to be located with tv for the remote and i tested bluetooth mouse and keyboard and they work fine all the way in the display/desk room.

it will be a hassle of switching cables each time I want to switch between tv and computing but better than dishing out 200 for a limited aptv i think, so my tv and display 50 feet away will share this mini, any advice for best way to hook this plan up?
Xanteen
February 15th, 2009, 02:46 PM
I'd just get the APTV. 50 feet of monitor cable is going cost you $50-80 and switching cables is going to annoy the snot out of you. I'd go with a used mac mini or atpv and run a $5 ethernet cable to it.
itsbonczek
February 15th, 2009, 05:53 PM
Be careful... 50 feet for DVI is awfully long and the signal may drop out or at least become noisy at that distance. I agree with Xanteen, get another unit... it's going to save you a world of trouble.
CorneliousJD
February 16th, 2009, 01:33 PM
I'm running 50 feet of VGA cable, without any quality dropoff that I can notice.

Just make sure you get high-quality cable.

I suggest monoprice.com - very good pricing, and I've always been pleased with their quality.

Is a KVM an option for you instead of switching cables? Belkin makes a decent cheap one for around 40 dollars.
rwltrz
February 16th, 2009, 05:34 PM
My monito is a lcd 22" with vga and dvi, is there a difference between these 2 for a monitor, theres a good difference in price for cables just wandering which to get? Also going to see if maybe there is some kind of affordable switch unit for my needs
Ellerbestyle
February 19th, 2009, 03:56 PM
APTV is under powered. I have one with boxee and it is annoying to try to use boxee with it.
rwltrz
February 19th, 2009, 04:49 PM
APTV is under powered. I have one with boxee and it is annoying to try to use boxee with it.

Think I am going to hold out for the new ions coming or maybe even an asus b204, appe tv just doesnt have the balls for hd 1080p which is what i need