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17-12-2007, 8:54 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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New Member
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Mac Mini Cabling
I've finally decided to take the plunge and get a Mac Mini, primarily to use as a media centre. I'm sure I'll have many questions over the coming days/weeks, but to kick things off can anyone recommend some cables for connecting to my LCD TV and surround sound system.
Specifically, I'm looking for...
1) DVI-DVI video cable (my TV has a DVI input, but no HDMI)
2) Optical digital cable (aka Toslink), preferably with a 3.5mm connector at one end (to save messing around with extra adaptors)
I'd also be interested to hear from any existing Mac Mini owners, if they have any specific advice for me.
Many thanks,
Jon.
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17-12-2007, 9:44 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Re: Mac Mini Cabling
The ones that the applestore stock are ok - I use a monster cable for the optical audio and an xtreme cable for the dvi - both less than £20 - you can get v expensive ones but for 'average' use you aren't going to see much difference ...
Jon
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17-12-2007, 9:46 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Re: Mac Mini Cabling
is optical a standard audio output on the Mini?
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17-12-2007, 11:12 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Re: Mac Mini Cabling
Quote:
Originally Posted by hornydragon
is optical a standard audio output on the Mini?
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Only on the Intel minis. The original G4s do not have optical output, kind of annoying but nothing worth complaining about to be honest, pumping 5.1 from a Mac has been a pain in the ass the few times I tried it via my MacBook Pro. |
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17-12-2007, 11:49 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Re: Mac Mini Cabling
Quote:
Originally Posted by jont
The ones that the applestore stock are ok - I use a monster cable for the optical audio and an xtreme cable for the dvi - both less than £20 - you can get v expensive ones but for 'average' use you aren't going to see much difference ...
Jon
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Jon,
I agree with not opting for top-end cables. However, I can only see a HDMI-DVI cable for under £20 in the online Apple Store. Unfortunately, I need a DVI-DVI cable which Apple sell for £79.95!!!!
BTW, did you have any problems getting 5.1 from the mini, given the comments from other posters?
Jon. |
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17-12-2007, 11:53 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Re: Mac Mini Cabling
Quote:
Originally Posted by stewartbradford
Only on the Intel minis. The original G4s do not have optical output, kind of annoying but nothing worth complaining about to be honest, pumping 5.1 from a Mac has been a pain in the ass the few times I tried it via my MacBook Pro.
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IS there a standard 2 RA out on the older G4 units or is it 3.5mm? I only want stereo anyway i think.
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18-12-2007, 1:37 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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Re: Mac Mini Cabling
DVI to DVI
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/45492/...specifications
tenner for a lifetime warrented, good quality cable... dual link, can't go wrong really...
3m is enough for me, as my screen and comp aren't that far apart...
Optical cable... buy a cheap one, they have little difference between, digital is either 0 or 1s so a decoder will detect the differences anyways... |
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18-12-2007, 8:41 AM
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#8 (permalink)
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Re: Mac Mini Cabling
jone - apologies - xtreme only do a dvi>hdmi or hdmi>hdmi - I have the former - but you should be able to get a dvi>dvi from maplin or somewhere similar for £20
horny - it's a 3.5mm jack on the G4 minis
Jon
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18-12-2007, 10:07 AM
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#9 (permalink)
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Re: Mac Mini Cabling
Quote:
Originally Posted by stewartbradford
pumping 5.1 from a Mac has been a pain in the ass the few times I tried it via my MacBook Pro.
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My 1.83GHz Dual Core Duo mini plays VIDEO_TS with either DD or DTS soundtracks perfectly through FrontRow, and sends the audio straight to my amp for decoding....
Got - Pentax K10D + Pentax 18-55 : Sigma 70-300 APO & 14 f2.8 : 2.4GHz 24" iMac : Epson R360 : Giottos MT8170 & MM9970 : Manfrotto 322RC2 :The Daily 600 & Pretty Boy Maxi XXL : 15" G4 PowerBook : 1.83GHz Mac mini
Want - Pentax DA* Lenses
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18-12-2007, 10:09 AM
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#10 (permalink)
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Re: Mac Mini Cabling
Quote:
Originally Posted by triobot
Optical cable... buy a cheap one, they have little difference between, digital is either 0 or 1s so a decoder will detect the differences anyways...
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Absolutely, people who tell that a digital audio cable can have a negative impact on sound quality are almost off their rocker, it would be like arguing that a £500 Cat 5 cable improves the quality of the video you download!!!!
Got - Pentax K10D + Pentax 18-55 : Sigma 70-300 APO & 14 f2.8 : 2.4GHz 24" iMac : Epson R360 : Giottos MT8170 & MM9970 : Manfrotto 322RC2 :The Daily 600 & Pretty Boy Maxi XXL : 15" G4 PowerBook : 1.83GHz Mac mini
Want - Pentax DA* Lenses
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18-12-2007, 1:25 PM
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#11 (permalink)
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Re: Mac Mini Cabling
Quote:
Originally Posted by baldrick
Absolutely, people who tell that a digital audio cable can have a negative impact on sound quality are almost off their rocker
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Not so mate 
All depends on how well shielded the cables are as I have a cheap cable I got from Ebay and a good quality one and putting my Tag DVD32R to my AV32R you can clearly hear the difference between both.
Seeing as most people will have power and audio cables running on top of each other along the skirting boards audio cables do pick up a great deal of interference from power sources. |
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18-12-2007, 4:15 PM
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#12 (permalink)
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Re: Mac Mini Cabling
Quote:
Originally Posted by alanrob
Not so mate
All depends on how well shielded the cables are as I have a cheap cable I got from Ebay and a good quality one and putting my Tag DVD32R to my AV32R you can clearly hear the difference between both.
Seeing as most people will have power and audio cables running on top of each other along the skirting boards audio cables do pick up a great deal of interference from power sources. |
Optical isnt effected by those................
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