troyfromwindsor

Q: Mac Mini as a commerical display controller?

Can the Mac Mini be set up as a commercial video display controller with automatic updating via network?

Mac mini

Posted on Aug 9, 2012 4:15 AM

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Q: Mac Mini as a commerical display controller?

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  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Aug 9, 2012 10:53 AM in response to troyfromwindsor
    Level 10 (123,628 points)
    Aug 9, 2012 10:53 AM in response to troyfromwindsor

    Can you describe in more detail what the display will be doing?

  • by troyfromwindsor,

    troyfromwindsor troyfromwindsor Aug 9, 2012 11:18 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 9, 2012 11:18 AM in response to BDAqua

    It would just be showing video content for extended periods of time and gets updated at least twice a month.  Currently we use a dedicated display controller and USB updates to do this but are looking to go HD and wireless.  

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Aug 9, 2012 2:06 PM in response to troyfromwindsor
    Level 10 (123,628 points)
    Aug 9, 2012 2:06 PM in response to troyfromwindsor

    Shouldn't be a problem with the Mini connected to a Display!

     

    GraphicConverter gives even more options for slide shows, including Videos...

     

    http://www.lemkesoft.com/

  • by troyfromwindsor,

    troyfromwindsor troyfromwindsor Aug 10, 2012 5:16 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 10, 2012 5:16 AM in response to BDAqua

    thanks, we acutally have about 150+ screens deployed currently and are looking to control them all over a network as opposed to USB updates.  I have found some software, Media Sign Pro and Sedma Presenter but the cost seems prohibitive at this point with the hardware and software cost for each player would be well over $1000.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Aug 10, 2012 11:31 AM in response to troyfromwindsor
    Level 10 (123,628 points)
    Aug 10, 2012 11:31 AM in response to troyfromwindsor

    Well, let's say you were to use Graphic Converter & had it set to certain folders for Slideshows, I'd think you could just change the contents of that/those folders over the Network, but I can't test that.

  • by woodmeister50,

    woodmeister50 woodmeister50 Aug 10, 2012 1:20 PM in response to troyfromwindsor
    Level 5 (5,517 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 10, 2012 1:20 PM in response to troyfromwindsor

    A simple way you could do this is with many of the

    slide show to movie apps, create your display

    images into the form of a movie.   You can then use

    Quicktime player in full screen mode to play it back

    on each Mini.

     

    You could then use a "Master Mini" with Apple Remote

    Desktop to download and control each of the remote

    minis and also maintain them.  You only need one copy

    of ARD for the controller as OSX on all the other Minis

    will have the hooks already built in.

     

    Then you can also create a script that can be run after

    a machine boot by putting it in start up folder that will

    configure Quicktime player and start the "movie".  This

    way if there is some power outage or someone pulls the

    wrong power plug it can be started up without any additional

    work of downloading and such.

     

    BTW, this is a link to the page that lists the various

    containers and video/audio formats supported.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3775

     

    It is one possible approach.  Of course, you aren't

    limited to Quicktime player.  There are many other

    free video players available.