Apple Mac Mini – Elgato EyeTV/Terratec Review
Wed 14 Feb 2007Filed Under: Apple Computers | Comments Off on Apple Mac Mini – Elgato EyeTV/Terratec Review
Yes I finally got a TV tuner for the Mini! Not many manufacturers make them for Apple. I hoped that it wouldn’t be a dud.
Curiously the box it came in says EyeTV but the tuner case is labelled Cinergy – Terratec T2 but the software is called EyeTV2. The tuner box is a tiny thing (I’d put up pictures but I don’t know how to do it with this software just yet but I’m working on it.) It’s coloured silver like the mini and has a blue LED on the front. I connected it up installed the software without any problems and I had TV!
Now connecting to the Plasma was a bit of an issue since it could on recognise certain screen resolutions. It’s a high defninition unit but not a true one. I don’t really understand the whole Hi-Def concept anyway – not really interested either. As mentioned in an earlier post I recevied the weird out of range error – which doesn’t tell me much. It wasn’t the Mini’s fault or the Plasma I guess it’s me not understanding what resultion to set the thing to. I guess it would have been easier if the Plasma manufactuer had better error messages. After sorting out what resolutions the Mini and the Plasma where both happy with everything was now fine.
The early versions of EyeTV, although worked where not as good as the latest version. The current version although has an annoying media center like interface when turned has much better aspect ratio controls. I can’t find the controls to turn the menu thing off! I’m sure other may find other interface issues with it but I’m happy with it – so far.
The picture quality is good and the recording is easy to use and works fully automatic. Even when I went away for a few days it turned everything on and off flawlessly. Combined with the Mini’s flawless sleep function I was completely satisfied.
My conclusion is that if you want a reliable media center the combination I have really works.
Apple Mac Mini – Wireless Internet
Mon 12 Feb 2007Filed Under: Apple Computers | Comments Off on Apple Mac Mini – Wireless Internet
Connecting a Mac Mini to the internet
Once I configured my set up it was time to connect to the internet.
I run the usual ADSL – broadband connection via a DLINK wireless router. I don’t have access to a regular ethernet ports scattered around the house so I rely on a wireless router to access the internet. The rest of the Windows PCs have wireless cards or Centrino technology (LOL).
My Mac Mini has built in Airport Extreme ! – alias a wireless network card. (And you though Centrino was weird) However connecting to the router was not as easy as the rest of the setup – so far. So here’s my experience. Hope it will help others !
As with Windows opening the web browser called Safari on the Mac will reveal the Internet connect wizard. The key settings are and I input all of them in as displayed. The Mac Mini has a funny option of having to gave a location name. I presume it is so that it can work as a router its self ? Hmmm… don’t know yet so I’ll have a play around with the settings later. Anyway after following the instructions to the letter nothing happened !!
The router and the Mac Mini discovered each other but they decided that they weren’t going to play together. So you can guess – I wasn’t happy that I had to waste even more time trying to get the thing going.
This was not going to be as easy as setting up the Palm TX which has got to be the benchmark for ease of connecting to a wireless network !
I played around with all the wizard settings and still no avail. Mind you I didn’t have network broadcasting on and a proper network password and DNS settings. Despite all the correct inputs still no connection.
I had a little rest by now as it was getting frustrating. I re-read the manual that came with the Mac but it didn’t reveal anything new or that I hadn’t already tried.
Undeterred I tried a few more things but nothing worked until off chance I tried the setup preferred network option. Volia ! it worked. 1 hour later I was on the Net and looking for updates !
My Mac Mini came default installed with OS X 10.4 and after pressing the update option was presented with at least 500Megs of downloads. Oh well – So after an hour or so downloaded and installed all the updates. Nothing went wrong !
I then installed the other bits of software that came in the box – iLife 06.
So I finally ended with OS X 10.4.4
Apple Mac Mini – Keyboard and Mouse
Mon 12 Feb 2007Filed Under: Apple Computers | Comments Off on Apple Mac Mini – Keyboard and Mouse
I didn’t get the Apple keyboard and mouse as I have plenty from regular PCs over the years. Besides at $99 AUST each I’m not convinced its value for money. So I’m using a Logitech Cordless Desktop LX700. Yes – just superseded series – December 05. By the way I don’t think the new Logitech S series keyboard and mice look as good as the LX700. (Includes the S530 Mac specific setup) But infinitely better than the Microsoft keyboards or mice.
That said imagine if Apple reduced the price – not to mass market level but say $50 they would probably sell more.
So did it work ? Yes, of course I followed the instructions for a change and it all recognised each other etc… Mind you now that I have a mouse with at least 5 buttons I’m not sure what to do ! Got to find out which are the ‘Apple’ keys are too !
Note that the Logitech LX700 keyboard and mouse set is wireless released in 2004.
The good bits
The desktop set worked perfectly when the Mac Mini was turned on the first time.
The wireless range for both keyboard and mouse was at least 5 meters with fully charged batteries. I love wireless in general there’s no wires and you can hide the transmitter recharging base. (Yes I even love Infrared)
Furthermore all you have to do to wake the Mac from sleep mode is to move the mouse or press any button on the keyboard.
Problems
The Logitech didn’t come with any Mac software or drivers so I haven’t quite worked out what the keyboard mapping is yet. That said the keyboard has a lot of additional buttons which as this point are all but useless as the Mac does not allow native identification of the extra buttons.
Needless to say I haven’t any keyboard manufacturer that makes Apple Mac specific keyboards or associated drivers. You’d think there would be now that its based on Unix.
Anyway I’ll update the page with how I’ve solved it – if I manage to do it.
Logitech keyboard mapping for Apple Mac
So far I’ve worked out :
ESC = ESC
Start = Apple key
F12 = Eject DVD/CD
Keyboard scroll wheel = scroll up/down
Conclusion
Good so far.