akaOtter
Jul 23rd, 2012, 11:36 AM
I'm trying to switch my home over from a rogers HDTV system to an OTA system using a Mac Mini as a HTPC.
Situation.
TV's in two rooms.
1. One is a new 55" LED LCD Samsung, and I have an antenna already connected for OTA HD viewing. BlueRay player is connected via HDMI, AppleTV3 (i think it's third generation - was just bought last week). This TV setup seems to be working flawlessly and the ATV3 can connect to the MacBook in the other room without issues, pulling up movies and music from iTunes. (there is currently a Rogers HDTV PVR attached via HDMI, but once everything is working the Rogers box will go.)
2. Second TV is an older Sony Wega 42" Rear Projection HDTV. It does not have HDMI inputs, but there is a DVI input. The plan for this one is to have a second OTA antenna, connected to a HD HomeRun box which is then connected to a Mac Mini. The MacMini will output video to the TV to the DVI connection, and audio through optical toslink to my home theatre system.
This setup, as i figure it, and hoping someone can confirm this for me, will allow me to watch one show and record another at the same time, or record two shows at the same time (dual tuner in the HD HomeRun). These would be recorded to the MacMini, where I could watch directly on the Sony TV, or the files could be converted to MP4 and put into a media library that is accessed by iTunes on the MacMini to be able to get the shows onto the Samsung through the apple TV in the other room.
Also connected to the Sony tv is a Sony PlayStation3 (Component connection), a Nintendo Wii (composite connection), and my hometheatre (currently connected to the DVI input.) The home theatre system is old, and does not have any HDMI ports.
Currently my modem/router is in another room, but it can be moved to be in the same physical location as the Sony TV. (this location is also more central, and will provide better wireless signal to all areas of the unit.
Eventually the Sony TV will be replaced by a TV with HDMI inputs, and I will update the connection from the MacMini at that time.
So, I guess what I'm asking is 1. does this system seem like it will work? Am I missing any major element?
and 2. Are there any software packages that would enhance the system (preferrably free).
Any alternate solutions would be great to hear as well... the main goal is being able to record and watch or record 2 shows on the tv in the living room (Sony), and then be able to watch the recordings on either TV at any time. (understanding that to get them to the AppleTV3 i will need to convert to a compatible format).
Also, will be nice to be able to use the macmini on the Sony TV as a full on computer when required, limiting the moving of my laptop from office to living room and back when working.
Thanks
Situation.
TV's in two rooms.
1. One is a new 55" LED LCD Samsung, and I have an antenna already connected for OTA HD viewing. BlueRay player is connected via HDMI, AppleTV3 (i think it's third generation - was just bought last week). This TV setup seems to be working flawlessly and the ATV3 can connect to the MacBook in the other room without issues, pulling up movies and music from iTunes. (there is currently a Rogers HDTV PVR attached via HDMI, but once everything is working the Rogers box will go.)
2. Second TV is an older Sony Wega 42" Rear Projection HDTV. It does not have HDMI inputs, but there is a DVI input. The plan for this one is to have a second OTA antenna, connected to a HD HomeRun box which is then connected to a Mac Mini. The MacMini will output video to the TV to the DVI connection, and audio through optical toslink to my home theatre system.
This setup, as i figure it, and hoping someone can confirm this for me, will allow me to watch one show and record another at the same time, or record two shows at the same time (dual tuner in the HD HomeRun). These would be recorded to the MacMini, where I could watch directly on the Sony TV, or the files could be converted to MP4 and put into a media library that is accessed by iTunes on the MacMini to be able to get the shows onto the Samsung through the apple TV in the other room.
Also connected to the Sony tv is a Sony PlayStation3 (Component connection), a Nintendo Wii (composite connection), and my hometheatre (currently connected to the DVI input.) The home theatre system is old, and does not have any HDMI ports.
Currently my modem/router is in another room, but it can be moved to be in the same physical location as the Sony TV. (this location is also more central, and will provide better wireless signal to all areas of the unit.
Eventually the Sony TV will be replaced by a TV with HDMI inputs, and I will update the connection from the MacMini at that time.
So, I guess what I'm asking is 1. does this system seem like it will work? Am I missing any major element?
and 2. Are there any software packages that would enhance the system (preferrably free).
Any alternate solutions would be great to hear as well... the main goal is being able to record and watch or record 2 shows on the tv in the living room (Sony), and then be able to watch the recordings on either TV at any time. (understanding that to get them to the AppleTV3 i will need to convert to a compatible format).
Also, will be nice to be able to use the macmini on the Sony TV as a full on computer when required, limiting the moving of my laptop from office to living room and back when working.
Thanks