Is there any Media Centre software for a Mac?

I am thinking about getting a Mac Mini (mainly because of it's form factor) and a 24" iMac. I wish to using both of them as home media centres. (please don't ask why I am getting two.. it's complicated).

Anyways, is it possible to setup either Mac to be a media centre and then stream the data over the wire to a dumb terminal?

i'm sorta thinking of how an xbox can be a media centre extender and a pc can be the main media centre.

Pure.Krome

Posted 2009-08-06T05:04:41.680

Reputation: 1 713

Answers

Besides XBMC you also have Plex, the source code is based on the XBMC Media Center code. I use Plex and it works great, I think it got a better UI than XBMC.

Bobby

Posted 2009-08-06T05:04:41.680

Reputation: 261

Plex is excellent -- the in-app plug-in system in particular is fabulous. Makes it very easy to find and install plugins to watch online video. – arathorn – 2009-08-19T15:47:44.060

Sounds like a good solution :) if not Plex, then XBMC. – Pure.Krome – 2009-08-20T01:33:50.403

Since you didn't specify that you were needed TV tuner or DVR functionality, I believe Front Row (which comes installed on every Mac) meets your needs.

las3rjock

Posted 2009-08-06T05:04:41.680

Reputation: 1 434

2so this would stream an HD movie (read: avi, qt, etc) from the mac-mini to some other device (eg. xbox, pc, macbook pro, etc). ??

Also, i was thinking of getting an EyeTV.... – Pure.Krome – 2009-08-06T06:04:19.930

XBMC is a free open source media centre for Mac, Linux and Windows. It works well. I use it on my Mac to view exsiting Media Centre streams and when on the road to stream to others with very little problems.

BinaryMisfit

Posted 2009-08-06T05:04:41.680

Reputation: 19 955

kewl :) does xbmc allow for streaming to extenders? – Pure.Krome – 2009-08-06T07:42:49.070

Yes it does. I stream to my X-Box and to my Vista Extenders. Not sure about others though. – BinaryMisfit – 2009-08-06T09:38:41.570

Check,

MacWorld: My multimedia Mac mini
MacWorld: Mac mini media center: Configuring Front Row
The Ultimate Mac Mini HTPC – Part 1: Media Center Software
- Followed up with Part 2: Installing MediaPortal using Apple Boot Camp

nik

Posted 2009-08-06T05:04:41.680

Reputation: 50 788

Check out Boxee. It's free and works on Mac, Windows, and a variety of set-top boxes.

Barry Brown

Posted 2009-08-06T05:04:41.680

Reputation: 1 742

Boxee is built on top of XBMC. – Roy Rico – 2009-09-23T20:33:11.820