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+--- Thread: OS X Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC (/showthread.php?tid=176186)
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Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - passenger - 2013-10-21
Hello, I want to connect a Mac Mini (running XBMC of course) via an HDMI cable through my Led TV HDMI ARC input. That's pretty straight forward but I wanted to know if somebody could tell me if it's possible to use the tv remote to control XBMC with this setup.
RE: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - allan87 - 2013-10-21
The mac mini has IR that can be controlled by an apple remote control or a Harmony.
RE: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - nickr - 2013-10-21
You would need a Pulse 8 HDMI-CEC adaptor for that, (and before you buy one I would ensure its driver runs on OSX!)
RE: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - noggin - 2013-10-21
Or run Windows on the Mac Mini - as many Mac Mini HTPC owners chose to do.
Re: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - nickr - 2013-10-21
Or linux if you want a real OS
RE: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - allan87 - 2013-10-21
Although CEC is, on paper, a very elegant solution, the quality of support varies among TV manufacturers. If I had a mini (as opposed to a raspberry pi) connected to my LG, I think the mini's IR would be the better solution.
RE: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - passenger - 2013-10-21
Thanks a lot for all the replies, really helpful. I will look into the CEC converter option. I would use the apple remote but the tv is in another room...
RE: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - ozkhan1 - 2013-10-21
Apple mac mini IR is very unstable when it comes to using it with non Apple remote. I have not been able to get it to work consistently.
You might be better off with a bluetooth remote. Getting a bluetooth remote to talk to Mac mini BLUETOOTH receiver is much simpler and easier.
Just my two cents.
RE: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - allan87 - 2013-10-21
(2013-10-21, 17:38)passenger Wrote: Thanks a lot for all the replies, really helpful. I will look into the CEC converter option. I would use the apple remote but the tv is in another room...CEC uses the HDMI cable. Do you have the mac mini connected to a TV, that is in another room, with HDMI?
(2013-10-21, 17:44)ozkhan1 Wrote: Apple mac mini IR is very unstable when it comes to using it with non Apple remote. I have not been able to get it to work consistently.I only use my appleTV with a non-apple remote.
RE: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - passenger - 2013-10-21
Yes I know, but a Bluetooth remote it's very expensive for this. The HDMI CEC adapter nickr suggested is a nice idea but I'm not sure if it will work. My final option will be just using a remote control app via wifi, but we all know it's not the same as using a real remote.
What about something like this? In theory I can use the Apple Remote through the wall:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170930299276?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649
allan87, Yes with a 5-6 feet HDMI cable that goes through the wall. The rooms are not that big, basically the mac mini and the tv are just a few feet apart except from a wall (this of course blocks the IR signal from the Mac Mini)
RE: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - allan87 - 2013-10-21
I don't understand why you would not have the TV and Mini in the same room, unless the Mini is not going to be a dedicated HTPC. If it is not a dedicated HTPC, remote control is the least of your problems.
RE: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - passenger - 2013-10-21
The Mini is placed in a office type room, so it's not a dedicated HTPC. It all works perfect, but the problem is that a remote control app is not a match to the experience of an actual tv/apple remote (I hate looking at the phone screen all the time if you know what I mean).
Hope it's more clear now, english it's not my primary language so some things may get lost in translation.
RE: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - nickr - 2013-10-21
OK well I think we have exhausted all the options for you. Up to you what you do now.
RE: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - spencers - 2013-10-21
(2013-10-21, 18:10)passenger Wrote: Yes I know, but a Bluetooth remote it's very expensive for this. The HDMI CEC adapter nickr suggested is a nice idea but I'm not sure if it will work. My final option will be just using a remote control app via wifi, but we all know it's not the same as using a real remote.
What about something like this? In theory I can use the Apple Remote through the wall:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170930299276?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649
allan87, Yes with a 5-6 feet HDMI cable that goes through the wall. The rooms are not that big, basically the mac mini and the tv are just a few feet apart except from a wall (this of course blocks the IR signal from the Mac Mini)
I think that solution on ebay would suit you best. Just run it through the wall next to the HDMI cable
RE: Mac Mini and Led TV via HDMI ARC - passenger - 2013-10-21
Yes I agree, and if it doesn't work then it's cheap as hell to try at least haha. Thanks again for all the suggestions.