dylan wrote:

Thank you both.

As you can imagine Stefan, not what I wanted to hear but very useful information. I am still keen to pursue the MacMini as I like the integration and user interface that Linkplayer-Plex offers, however I will definitely not be purchasing one 'til I hear that someone has managed to get the simultaneous digital & analogue signals out of it. Looks like I need to also look at the other Media Centre options - I'd not heard of Tvix so shall start by investigating these. I currently have a Topfield PVR which works well except that I have constant frustrations with it failing to be able to access its external hard disc reliably (seems a common problem judging by their forum).

Thanks again

Sorry, but I was just talking about MY experience and MY requirements. At least I got it working. But I was just looking for a (HD) video solution, so I tried to find a simpler solution. As said for music, photo, web I got a BM1 and now a BS5. If you are looking for a media server that can handle all media using Linkplayer iphone/ipod touch I think it`s the best solution. Especially Phils Linkplayer is awesome! I don`t (yet) have a Beoport, but since I installed Linkplayer on my Macbook and Linkremote on my ipod touch )even works without BP!) I`m thinking about buying one for my office as a linkroom.

Maybe you are interested in this product: CM-388, Converter HDMI to video and audio - incl. loopthrough

http://cpc.farnell.com/1/1/22722-converter-hdmi-video-audio-cm-388-cyp.html

I have NOT tested this device, but maybe it`s what you are looking for....(?)

Stefan

stefan wrote:

 

Sorry, but I was just talking about MY experience and MY requirements. At least I got it working.

 

No need to apologise - your, Phil's and Elephant's replies are exactly what I need - informed comment.

stefan wrote:

If you are looking for a media server that can handle all media using Linkplayer iphone/ipod touch I think it`s the best solution.

This is pretty much exactly what I want -  to be able to access all media, through an attractive interface (eg Plex), on my BV7 screen. I want to be able to do this using a Beo5 and, as a bonus my iPhone, and for there to be minimal peripherals attached directly to the BV7 and those which are to be hanging off the back without making it topple over! I want HD on the BV7 and to access video and audio in the link rooms. I also need PVR capability. If I get this I'll be happy and maybe the wife will understand.

stefan wrote:

Maybe you are interested in this product: CM-388, Converter HDMI to video and audio - incl. loopthrough

Looks interesting - will explore further.

After your previous post I spent idle moments of the day looking at TVIX etc - does look good but think would need solution for audio etc and can't stretch to BS5 etc, my optimism on my original scheme has now been refreshed so will turn attention back in this direction!

thanks again

Dylan

stefan wrote:

Maybe you are interested in this product: CM-388, Converter HDMI to video and audio - incl. loopthrough

http://cpc.farnell.com/1/1/22722-converter-hdmi-video-audio-cm-388-cyp.html

I have NOT tested this device, but maybe it`s what you are looking for....(?)

Is this quote from the product literature the kiss of death in terms of using it with a Mac Mini?:

• When the signal from HDMI or DVI source is protected by HDCP (Highbandwidth Digital Content Protection), the HDMI or DVI display needs to support HDCP to be able to show picture, and there will be no analog video output.
• Not compatible with HDCP source.

dylan wrote:

stefan wrote:

Maybe you are interested in this product: CM-388, Converter HDMI to video and audio - incl. loopthrough

http://cpc.farnell.com/1/1/22722-converter-hdmi-video-audio-cm-388-cyp.html

I have NOT tested this device, but maybe it`s what you are looking for....(?)

Is this quote from the product literature the kiss of death in terms of using it with a Mac Mini?:

• When the signal from HDMI or DVI source is protected by HDCP (Highbandwidth Digital Content Protection), the HDMI or DVI display needs to support HDCP to be able to show picture, and there will be no analog video output.
• Not compatible with HDCP source.

 

No. It just tells us we need a HDCP supporting display (=BV7). And protected material will NOT be converted to analog video, which means picture on your BV7 but no picture in linkrooms when using HDCP. But usually there is no HDCP in MKV and avi....so should be no problem.

If you connect a Mac mini to the CM-388 you have to use a DVI - HDMI cable. This does not include audio. For audio you need to use the optical output, an optical to coax converter and there will be NO analog conversion through CM-388 (see user manual)..So the HD player should have an HDMI out with video and audio. Tvix got an HDMI out and can send digital and analog audio simultaneously. Do you have a surround setup, btw?

If this is not the case you can set audio out of the mini to analog and don`t need a converter.

The Tvix (I`m talking about the 6500 - I think there is a new one  - 6600? - with faster start up..) alsp has an audio- and photo section that I never used. Mine also got a DVB-T HD modul (single Tuner) that can record to disc - also timer recording). Though I don`t know if this will work in your region....

Stefan

Thanks again Stefan

stefan wrote:

No. It just tells us we need a HDCP supporting display (=BV7). And protected material will NOT be converted to analog video, which means picture on your BV7 but no picture in linkrooms when using HDCP. But usually there is no HDCP in MKV and avi....so should be no problem.

Good news

stefan wrote:

If you connect a Mac mini to the CM-388 you have to use a DVI - HDMI cable. This does not include audio. For audio you need to use the optical output, an optical to coax converter and there will be NO analog conversion through CM-388 (see user manual)..So the HD player should have an HDMI out with video and audio. Tvix got an HDMI out and can send digital and analog audio simultaneously. Do you have a surround setup, btw?

If this is not the case you can set audio out of the mini to analog and don`t need a converter.

I don't have surround currently but planning to in the future (Come to think of it don't have a BV7 or MacMini at the moment but at least the BV7 arrives soon)

If I can get the MacMIni working then I'd rather not have eg TVIx or a seperate PVR as well so I'm thinking of splitting the audio out from the MacMIni - one side goes to the CM388 the other gets converted eg by link to give the analog audio feed.

Below is my latest thoughts of what would be hanging off the back of the BV7 and the various connections:

Login to view image

Grateful for your thoughts

Dylan

BTW, not sure if you had seen my wiring set-up that has been posted previously

Dylan,

A couple of remarks:

- You'll need to get analog sound from the Mac mini to the Beoport as well as to the TV.

- The CM388 seems to have analog audio out, so you could take it from there, instead of using an external DAC for the sound.

P. 

Thanks Elephant for the wiring diagram - will take me a while to digest but looks interesting.

Phil, unfortunately, from the CM388 product info "Analog L/R audio outputs are not available when the audio input is Coaxial" so I can't see a way of avoidiing the DAC

D

Dylan, do you own that Mac mini already or you're going to buy it?

p.

dylan wrote:

Thanks again Stefan

stefan wrote:

No. It just tells us we need a HDCP supporting display (=BV7). And protected material will NOT be converted to analog video, which means picture on your BV7 but no picture in linkrooms when using HDCP. But usually there is no HDCP in MKV and avi....so should be no problem.

Good news

stefan wrote:

If you connect a Mac mini to the CM-388 you have to use a DVI - HDMI cable. This does not include audio. For audio you need to use the optical output, an optical to coax converter and there will be NO analog conversion through CM-388 (see user manual)..So the HD player should have an HDMI out with video and audio. Tvix got an HDMI out and can send digital and analog audio simultaneously. Do you have a surround setup, btw?

If this is not the case you can set audio out of the mini to analog and don`t need a converter.

I don't have surround currently but planning to in the future (Come to think of it don't have a BV7 or MacMini at the moment but at least the BV7 arrives soon)

If I can get the MacMIni working then I'd rather not have eg TVIx or a seperate PVR as well so I'm thinking of splitting the audio out from the MacMIni - one side goes to the CM388 the other gets converted eg by link to give the analog audio feed.

Below is my latest thoughts of what would be hanging off the back of the BV7 and the various connections:

Login to view image

Grateful for your thoughts

Dylan

 

Yes, should work. It`s similiar to my setup descibed above. But why connect the mini`s coax out to the CM-388 ? It`s just a passthrough, you can connect it directly to BV7-40. If you have a DAC that passes the coax through there is no splitter necessary. BTW the DAC should be able to detect automatically PCM, DD, DTS - passthrough and convert to analog stereo without delay (! - otherwise picture won`t be lipsync - is this the right word...?). The only product I found that fulfill these requirements is a little headphone surround amp from the Netherlands called Philips SBC HD 1502. The Gefen TV DD-2-AA seems to be a new product ( at least new to me....), converts DD and PCM to analog stereo - no passthrough, no DTS - but interesting/should work. If you want to distribute N.MUSIC via LinkPlayer you should split the analog out to the BV7 and Beoport - a simple Y-splitter should be fine.

Stefan