I currently have an Intel iMac connected via Ethernet to a NetComm NB5Plus4W. I will soon come into a few $’s and was hoping to purchase a Mac Mini to use in a home theatre set up.

What I want to do is create a network between the iMac and Mac Mini via the modem/router. I also want to attach an Ethernet disk (LaCie 500GB?) to the network and then move all my media files (music, photos, DVD files ripped from own DVDs) and then be able to access these files from either the mini or iMac.

I have done some research, but have a few questions.

• Will the LaCie, mini & iMac “just work” when plugged into the network (i.e. talk to each other)? Or do I need to do some more homework re networking and IP addressing? This is probably where I’m weakest.
• Since I will be mostly using Front Row on the mini, is there anything I need to be aware of with regards to accessing the shared media files on the LaCie? Again I'm weak here (do I have any strengths?)
• Front Row does not recognise video_TS files (although DVD Player does), hence I have to convert using handbrake (to MPEG4?) or alternatively use DVD Assist. Any advice as to which is better?
• For the TV I was thinking of purchasing a Uniden 32” widescreen LCD (TL32WRA-W) – anybody have any experience of this? It appears to be reasonably priced ($1.5k) and has good connectivity (2xHDMI, 2x video input, 1x S-Video input).

I have searched through the forums (and there is heaps of stuff on this) but hopefully I have not missed anything that specifically answers these questions – if I have I apologise in advance.

I realise there are a number of questions here (mostly re networking) so not necessarily looking for detailed answers, maybe just point me in the right direction to do some more research.

I have a Lacie 500gb network disk and I would be wary of buying another. It's just too slow. you would be better off buying a Lacie drive with firewire 400 or 800 depending on what plugs your imac has (probably 400). I could be wrong - no doubt someone here knows a bit more about it than me). Also I didn't think it was super easy to set up the network drive -go firewire. As for the rest of your questions I am a amateur bumbler and eventually work things out but have no specific expeert knowledge. Good luck sounds like a great set up.

We have a 80 GB G4 Mac Mini with Lacie 160GB and Maxtor 250GB drives attached - one USB and one Firewire, running Media Central, connected to a 46" TV and the sound to a Marantz SR5400. It works well, but the initial search of the drives for DVD's takes a little while and is a bit annoying. I know there's a hint at www.macosxhints.com that helps this issue but havent taken the time to look into it and implement it.

We use a Keyspan IR Remote Control with it.

Here's the media Central performance hint link .... http://www.macosxhints.com/article.p...edia%2Bcentral

Thanks for the replies guys.

Bugger about that network disk - wonder why?

MacPomme - what made you choose media central above front row? And how have you found it - there appear to be mixed reviews, hence I'm veering away (nice set up by the way)

My G4 Mac Mini doesnt have an IR sensor so Front Row wont work without using FrontRowEnabler from Andrew Escobar. After OS X updates, sometimes, FrontRowEnabler has issues which require you to download and update from the ComboUpdate. So I prefer not to use Andrew's hack. Many people dont have this issue.

Media Central is quite good as far as I'm concerned, but the frequent updates from Equinix are a pain in the butt. There seems to be at least an update or two a month for the past few months. But it does work well, and the updates always introduce new / better functionality.

The KeySpan USB IR Remote Control works well - just needs a bit of tinkering to get it working in every area - but its OK as well.

I dont use Media Central for photos or for music, as I have an Airport Express for the music from my G5 iMac to the Marantz SR-5400, and I would never "entertain" friends with the slides of my holiday to Vista de la Mar in Barcelona. I use Airfoil and RealPlayer / GarageBand / iTunes to the SR5400 via the Airport Express (our AM and FM radio reception absolutely sux) and I have Harman / Kardon sound sticks off the G5 as well. Oh the SR5400 is connected to Bose speakerlets (you know the little ones on long legs - I have no idea what they are called), and a bloody big sub-woofer - whose brand / model I cant read in the dim light in the lounge room.

So the G4 Mac Mini running Media Central is really is only used for DVD's and maybe watching the odd Movie Trailer - and I'm about to add a terabyte of storage to it as well. For more DVD's. I know I sound a bit underwhelmed by it all - but I wouldn't swap it.

It all just works.

And one remote control for it all (its the Marantz one).

The reason those network external drives suck is because they have pathetic network interfaces.

You are much better off with a firewire drive, connected to a machine, then networked as a share drive.

Remember, USB 2.0 is up to 480Mbps. Firewire is a constant 400Mbit (guess what's faster?)

pipsqeek

If you plug and external drive into the mac mini you'll be able to access that from the iMac. Be aware that Front Row doesn't search for video files on your computer... it only looks in the Movies folder and in the iTunes library. I think you can use aliases though.

For the TV, check out Toshiba Stasia, Sony Bravia and Samsung. All are good and worth looking at.

Firewire 400!
(But not enough to really matter)

Thanks folks.

You've convinced me re network drive - I think I'll go the FW route.

Marc - external drive via FW into mini via ethernet-router-ethernet to imac and I would be able to see it...if I read you right. EDIT - I'll look into the LCD's you recommended.

MacPomme - I want to use it for all media, so I may give front row a go. I'm also thinking of getting some sound sticks to hang off the iMac

Again, thanks for all your help.

Well... you can very easily network the macs together, and see the Mac Mini's drives from the iMac and vice versa. So yep. This is what I do here... just mount the Mac Mini's external HD, and shift stuff over to it, then watch/listen from the mini.

A mate of mine, who uses his mini as a Media centre, got a 500GB Lacie drive that looks like the mini and sits underneath it -- however, he ended up taking it back, as the drive was too noisy. Something to consider ...

I just try not to fill up my drive with too much crap though I am a bit behind in my recorded episodes of Iron Chef ... I watched one from the 9th Sept last night

I've been using a Vantec case:
http://umart.net/au/product_info.php...ucts_id=102493

It does have a fan, but it's pretty quiet.

CoolerMaster are supposed to be good and have no fans at all (=as quiet as you're going to get).
http://umart.net/au/product_info.php...ucts_id=105936