2. pc-audio
  3. 1105542684

Mini Mac as audio server?

OK, I've existed in blissful ignorance of the OSX world, being a Windows dude. But, this little miniMac thing might change my world. Small enuf to stick next to the stereo... Cheap enuf too... With DVI and DVD, probably eliminates my DVD player as well. Check it out:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore/

Sooo, someone wanna educate a non-OSX user on audio via Macs? Right now I'm 70% through ripping over 1K CDs to WAV files. I'm thinking the files will eventually end up on one of the Buffalo Terabyte NAS RAID 5 devices when they become available next month. So... the questions...

- Can I play the WAV files via iTunes?
- Is iTunes smart enuf to recognize that I've dropped the files into /Artist/Album directory format and create tags?
- Anyone using an Edirol UA-1D via USB out of the Mac? Any compatibility issues?
- Anything better to do PCM output from the Mac than the Edirol?
- If I watch a DVD, and output the video to my plasma via the DVI port, will the Apple media software recognize that I want PCM output, not multichannel?

Any help appreciated.
edesilva
fishpatrol
30 posts
 
Depends what else is happening on the network and what kind of files you're sending. If you're playing back uncompressed audio and grabbing a couple shows from easytree.org, you'll probably have some problems.

Can I ask why you're still buying a CD player instead a DAC? Just to bypass the pre?
Post removed 
edesilva OP
768 posts
 
A mini is a G4, and clocks in at less than $600 w/the BT keyboard and mouse.

Besides, I hear its quieter than the G4 notebooks.

Besides, it just looks *cool*!

A laptop just looks like a laptop.

;)
Post removed 
edesilva OP
768 posts
 
BT=bluetooth... wireless.

The mini has a DVI out--plugs into my HDTV so I can run iTunes from the couch. The visualizer on a 42" plasma is pretty trippy.

It is not a complete computer... Needs an audio interface like the Waveterminal, needs a keyboard/mouse and monitor. It is really marketed at those Win users who already have keyboards/mice/monitors, or so I am told.
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