Can iMac be used as a music server?

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Level 1

27 points

Can iMac be used as a music server?

I am a long term PC user, but have used MacBook Air and MacBook Pro at work lately. I am thinking to replace my 7-year old Dell home computer with an iMac or a Mac Mini. I use my home computer for email, web, YouTube, Word, PPT, etc., as well as serving as the music server for my Logictech players. I have a high end player, Transporter, and some low end Slim Devices.

My Dell PC has served well as a music server. When I don't use the PC for email/web/etc, I turn off the monitors and put the PC in sleep mode to save energy. My music players connect to the PC via Ethernet cables. I can use remotes to turn on the players, which in turn will wake up the PC. I can program the player to play music for 1 hour and stop. After the player stops, the PC will time out, say after 30 minutes, and go into sleep mode.

I am wondering if I can use an iMac for this application as well. The requirements are:

1. Wake up on LAN and play Logitech Media Server.

2. When the music stops, it will be idle and go to sleep mode after some time.

3. Ability to keep the monitor/screen off during the operation.

It would be greatly appreciated if some experienced iMac users can comment. Thanks.

Posted on May 6, 2014 4:05 PM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,488 points

May 6, 2014 4:12 PM in response to vett93

Sure and either a MM or iMac world work fine. However I'd junk theLogitech Media Server and use an AppleTV (avaialbe for $75 refurbished from Apple) and then you can stream all your media via the ATV to your home theater. Content would include photos, music, movies, you and even use your big screen tv as an external display. The advantage of using a AppleTV is one it's seamless and two because it's a Wi-Fi device it can connect to your iMac or MM via Wi-Fi which gives you the freedom of placing the computer where you want, like an office, in the kitchen, in your bedroom etc rather than being hardwired to your home theater. To learn more about the AppleTV I'd recommend clicking:

http://www.apple.com/appletv/

I have my iMac (and a MM) and both are connected to our AppleTV's, we have to ATV's one in the kitchen and another in the family room. Both seem to work perfectly and were extremely simple to set up and use.

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Answer 2

vett93 Author

Level 1

27 points

May 6, 2014 4:30 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks. Will the screen/monitor of an iMac turn on when it is used as a server?

BTW, I have made huge investment on my music system as I am an audiophile. Just the Transporter player is $2,000 from Logitech and then I spent another $2,000 to upgrade. :-)

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,488 points

May 6, 2014 5:13 PM in response to vett93

The iMac (or MM) display can be set to sleep, it's a simple setting. As for your media server I understand you have a lot invested in and I was an audiophile too but an AppleTV is extremely tough to beat. Sell the media server and use the proceeds to pay for apps, backups and other items you will need.

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Answer 4

vett93 Author

Level 1

27 points

May 6, 2014 5:45 PM in response to rkaufmann87

With a Mac Mini, I can turn off the electric power to the monitors. With an iMac, I understand that I can set it to sleep mode. I have been using a MacBook Air. They should be similar, right?

If I wake up the MacBook Air, the screen will turn on as well. Can I turn on an iMac from the sleep mode and still keep the screen off?

Thanks.

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