Headless Mac Mini, How?

[Val33]

I'm contemplating using a mac mini to run Itunes and feed directly into my dac.

What is the best way of controlling the mini/itunes headlessly? How do others do it?

I have an imac, macbook air and iphone.

I am guessing that I need to use a remote desktop to start itunes and then use the itunes remote app. Its the remote desktop bit that is putting me off. Are there any other options?

thanks

Val

[morris_minor]

Hi Val,

I use LogMeIn to get into my Macs and PCs remotely (both at home, and when I'm out), but this is a paid for service.

For Mac to PC there's a Mac version of the Windows Remote Desktop Client.

For Mac to Mac, I've seen there's a program with the name "Chicken of the VNC" :lol: This actually might be worth checking out as it's described as


Chicken of the VNC is a VNC client for Mac OS X. A VNC client allows one to display and interact with a remote computer screen. In other words, you can use Chicken of the VNC to interact with a remote computer as though it's right next to you.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/cotvnc/

I've never used it so can't tell you how good, or bad, it is. :rolleyes:

Others here may have alternative solutions.

Bob

Edit: There's also this: http://www.jinx.de/JollysFastVNC.html

[guyb]

If you have an iPhone you can use the Apple remote app to control iTunes on you Mac Mini.

This is exactly what it do.

I can also be used to control Apple TV as well as being used to pick AirPlay speakers.

I have a AirPort Express connected to some powered speakers in my bedroom, my Mac Mini hidden away connected to my amp in the living room for music and have an Apple TV for movies and music and used my iPhone and iPad to control them all using the Remote app.

I also have a monitor connected to the hidden away Mac Mini so I can interact with Mac OX and iTunes to rip music and update the OS and so on - but if you have another machine, as suggested, you could use VNC or remote desktop to do this.

You can get VNC and remote desktop apps for iPhone and iPad but it can be a little tricky to use...

Hope that helps...

Guy

[guyb]

Also, along as you keep iTunes open and set the Mac Mini to sleep after, say, 30 minutes then you can leave it running all the time.

The Mini doesn't use much power in sleep mode and the Remote app will wake up the Mac when you try access it (after a slight delay) so you shouldn't need to access the Mini via Remote Desktop to start iTunes each time.

[twelvebears]

I'm contemplating using a mac mini to run Itunes and feed directly into my dac.

What is the best way of controlling the mini/itunes headlessly? How do others do it?

I have an imac, macbook air and iphone.

I am guessing that I need to use a remote desktop to start itunes and then use the itunes remote app. Its the remote desktop bit that is putting me off. Are there any other options?

thanks

Val

No need for any other software. As you have a MacBook Air, then you just need to set up screen sharing in the Sharing section of System Preferences.

You will then be able to 'screen share' from your air regardless of whether you have a display connected or not.

I have a Mac Mini in our front room and am doing stuff on it remotely now from my MacBook even though the TV is off.

For general control you can just use the Remote app for your iPhone.

The screen sharing works very well on Mac. We've a number of Apple computers around the house, including one down in my listening room and I can access any of them.

Just make sure to enable 'Wake for Network Access' within the Energy Saver section of System Preferences if you want the Mac Mini to be able to sleep and still be woken up by a Screen Sharing request.

[twelvebears]

Just remembered something!

You will need to make sure you're using ethernet not wireless to the Mini, and also you will need to install this little free app on your MacBook Air if you don't want to keep the Mini awake permanently.

http://www.readpixel.com/wakeonlan/

For reasons that I can't fathom, enabling the various Sharing options as above and also the 'Wake for network access' option on the Energy settings WON'T allow you to wake the Mini from sleep with a Screen Sharing request.

The WakeOnLan app will ping any machine with a 'Magic Packet' (no joking, that's what it's called) and then you can Screen Share.

The app also has a handy little desktop Widgt.

[twelvebears]

If you decide that having to 'prod' your Mac using the WakeOnLan app and then open Screen Sharing is a pain (guess it depends how often you do it), then you may want to try what this Chap did:

http://skillfulness.blogspot.com/2011/01/mac-os-x-app-to-wake-mac-and-then-open.html

[Val33]

Thats all brilliant info, many thanks.

My only experience of screen shareing is using remote VNC apps across the internet. Is screen shareing over a lan much smoother?

Val

[morris_minor]

Thats all brilliant info, many thanks.

My only experience of screen shareing is using remote VNC apps across the internet. Is screen shareing over a lan much smoother?

Val
Yes - you shouldn't experience much of a delay at all. As I said I use LogMeIn which is a kind of VNC-like application, and I can control a Mac or PC in my home office from the living room via an iPad app which is just like being on the desktop of the remote machine. :) This is over a mixed wi-fi/ethernet via Homeplug network.

[Beechwoods]

I use my Mac Mini via Remote Desktop / Screen Sharing all the time and it's fab. Just as fast as using it directly, over WiFi. If leave my Mac Mini on all the time, just set the screen to switch off to save power, so it's always there when I need it. The Apple 'Remote' app is excellent, as is iTunes Home Sharing.

I also use iTeleport on my iPhone to VNC to my Mac Mini over the internet from my iPhone (via 3G). It's worth the money; zero configuration, just works, and is actually useful!