There's been some recent discussion about Home Theatre set-ups etc. I just thought I'd document my system, including the little project I am just about finished adding.
The current system is:
• Sony Flatscreen CRT in 68cm. (I've been promised a 42" LCD when this one dies. Any suggestions as to how I can accelerate it's demise? )
• Panasonic DMR-EX75 HDD DVD Recorder with Digital Tuner.
• Sony VCR (backup for watching while the above is recording, and for taping shows for the 'lations)
• Yamaha RX-657B (I think) AV Receiver (7.1 blah blah etc etc)
• Accusound 5.1 speaker package (no idea of model numbers, but it gives fantastic sound for it's price)
• Slimline PS2 (sees very little use these days)
• Apple Airport Express (wireless receiver for playing iTunes music through the sound system)
• stereo cabling installed in the walls to the rear speakers and also to 2 outlets on the patio (with dedicated outdoor volume control) to make use of the extra 2 audio channels in the receiver (no outdoor speakers installed yet)
Currently, if I wish to watch a downloaded movie/ tv show, it requires shifting my Apple Mac Mini from the study out to the TV room. It's a minor inconvenience, but only because the Mac Mini is so tiny. I have an old 17" flat-screen iMac which has had no use since the Mac Mini arrived, so I decided to investigate using it as a permanent addition to the setup. I have already wiped the internal drive & reinstalled the latest version of OSX (quicker & easier than uninstalling all the unnecessary apps/ utililties etc) and found a way to install Apple's Front Row software (usually only included in the new Intel Macs with Apple Remote). The iMac runs Front Row like a charm, but has no IR receiver, so the Apple Remote is currently useless. Earlier in the week I ordered a USB IR receiver, which has arrived today. So that solves that problem. So now I just need to set the iMac up in the entertainment unit and change some of the network settings around. The Airport Express is no longer needed where it is, as the iMac already has wireless, and iTunes can be used to stream audio from any other iTunes library on the network. So that means I can shift the Airport Express to the study, where it can be connected to the ADSL modem to give me a true wireless internet connection (rather than having to share the connection from the Mac Mini). That also gives a more robust wireless connection & faster transfer speeds, so it wil easily handle transferring the AVI files to the iMac. The only other thing I am considering, is getting a Logitech Harmony remote control to replace the 5 current remotes with 1.
Phew! I think that's covered everything. I'll be setting the iMac up over the weekend, so I'll add some pics later on.
Update: I set up the iMac on the weekend. Fits perfectly in the entertainment unit. The wireless streaming from the other machines iTunes library works a treat. The only problem I have is with the video signal. The output from the mini-vga port on the iMac isn't compatible with the TV, so I've purchased a scan converter to sort that out.
I've got a very itchy finger that has almost pulled the trigger on a Harmony several times already.
Update 2: The scan converter arrived yesterday. I quickly plugged it in before the big game last night. It works perfectly without any tweaking required. I also purchased an Xbox Harmony off eBay. Should be here any time now.
Update 3: Pics as promised.