Computer guys: Interacting with a TV like interacting with a Mac?

motion · 11-13-2014, 12:56 PM

I'd like to mount a 4K television set on the wall and power it with a Mac Mini. Next, I want to interact with Mac apps using a Leap Motion controller. Feasible?

scottmandue · 11-13-2014, 01:00 PM

I have not played with a 4K flat screen yet... but we have mini mac's here that we connect to Samsung flat screens with a common HDMI cable.

stomachmonkey · 11-13-2014, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion

I'd like to mount a 4K television set on the wall and power it with a Mac Mini. Next, I want to interact with Mac apps using a Leap Motion controller. Feasible?

Yes. Just make sure it's the latest Mini available.

motion · 11-13-2014, 01:26 PM

Why? Doesn't it just need HDMI output?

stomachmonkey · 11-13-2014, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion

Why? Doesn't it just need HDMI output?

No, only the late 2014 Minis will support 4K.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht6008

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Good luck with the Leap. Our testing has it not ready for prime time.

motion · 11-13-2014, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

No, only the late 2014 Minis will support 4K.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht6008

Oh yeah... gotcha.

motion · 11-13-2014, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

Good luck with the Leap. Our testing has it not ready for prime time.

Yeah... I bought one the first day they came out. I played with it for a few minutes and stuck it in a drawer. Didn't seem that useable. They have new V2 software out now. Gonna try another round.

stomachmonkey · 11-13-2014, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

Good luck with the Leap. Our testing has it not ready for prime time.

Thanks for the intel.

I was evaluating something similar from Wacom last year and the performance also did not live up to the hype.

stealthn · 11-13-2014, 05:20 PM

Plex has a nice interface for this, don't know about leap but the wireless remote works fine, and I'm sure you could use voice as well.

Why jesters?

id10t · 11-13-2014, 05:59 PM

What is the cable length limit per HDMI spec? We have HDMI runs from wall plates down low up to projectors in the middle of a classroom.

Put the Mac mini near you, so you can pop cd/dvd/etc in and just use a bluetooth trackpad/tablet thing.

motion · 11-14-2014, 04:10 AM

I want to interact with Google Earth and photo apps with gestures or touch while standing up, looking at the monitor.

id10t · 11-14-2014, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion

I want to interact with Google Earth and photo apps with gestures or touch while standing up, looking at the monitor.

Our mac guys at work use these w/ the BT keyboard that matches. I can't/won't grok the gestures, etc. but if you like I can ask 'em what kind of distance/range they get with them...

best buy link

Although I'm wondering why Apple hasn't released a desktop remote control app for the i devices....

scottmandue · 11-14-2014, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by id10t

What is the cable length limit per HDMI spec? We have HDMI runs from wall plates down low up to projectors in the middle of a classroom.

Put the Mac mini near you, so you can pop cd/dvd/etc in and just use a bluetooth trackpad/tablet thing.

I think the spec. is 50 feet (I didn't look it up but that is what one of the techs here said) we have fudged and gone 75 feet but we may have used a repeater for that (50'+25'). At home I reliably run with a 35 foot HDMI from the Pioneer amp/receiver to the Samsung plasma.