#PLEX MAC MINI MC816LL PRO#
#PLEX MAC MINI MC816LL TV#

MacPorts for all those missing standard UNIX command-line utilities that Apple forgot to include (wget, curl, watch, git, unrar, etc.).

I was only a few bucks, but still… Software: I stupidly purchased a MiniDVI->DVI adapter so I could plug my monitor into the Mac Mini for setup, but the Mac Mini comes with this adapter already.

Mini Displayport Male and USB Male Audio to HDMI Female Converting Adapter.

If you want digital audio to go over HDMI, you could get one of these instead of the MiniDVI->HDMI and 1/8″->RCA cables: Barnum would be proud).ĦFT 3.5mm Stereo Male to 2RCA Male Cable For short runs, as long as the cable is up to spec, there is no difference in visual and audio quality between a $3 Monoprice cable and a $130 Monster cable (P.T. Monoprice has several of them starting as cheap as $3. Western Digital Elements 1.5TB External HD (WDBAAU0015HBK) Because of the corporateperks account, I was able to get this for $17.00. Amazon has them for a little cheaper than the Apple Store. Because I have a account, I was able to get this for $563.00.

The Mac Mini is a late-2009 model, with a 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 160GB Internal HD, and 2GB of RAM…the most basic model they offer. I’ve provided a bunch of links down below that go into more elaborate setups, including using the Mini as an over-the-air HD tuner and DVR.

#PLEX MAC MINI MC816LL TV#

The configuration described below is the one I settled on based on my existing TV and sound system (both low-end, but adequate for me). Somehow, I turned into an Apple Fanboy over the last couple years.

#PLEX MAC MINI MC816LL PRO#

Ok, it wasn’t that hard, given that I already own a 2006 15″ MacBook Pro, a 24″ iMac, and use a 15″ MacBook Pro at work. So, after much deliberation I mentally justified the Apple tax and ponied up for a Mac Mini (with Snow Leopard). There may be some hacks out there to get it working, but honestly my day job is configuring and administering clusters of Linux machines and I really didn’t feel like giving myself headaches for my television. However, after much research and with the advice of some helpful coworkers, I learned that Netflix doesn’t work under Linux. Originally, my plan was to purchase one of the many inexpensive ($200-300) media center PCs available or something like the Dell Zino, which along with Linux, seemed like a perfect solution.

Plex mac mini mc816ll