Mac Mini - Eject Help

[mohanman]

Hey guys, I am interested in getting a mac mini, putting boot camp and xp on it so I can use it as a sage client, or wait until sage client comes out for it. But I am confused as to how you eject a dvd disc from mac mini as there is no eject key on the system itself? I dont want to use a stupid beyboard in my home theater setup, and I plan on using a media center remote, or even the apple remote depending?

Thanks
Mo

[bcjenkins]

You can setup a dynamic menu entry to call an external program to eject the disc. I did this for a PC who's eject button was giving me agida.

B

[mohanman]

Ahhh... nice
Can the dynamic menus do commands ? Like "Ctrl-E" or something?
thanks

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by mohanman

...or wait until sage client comes out for it.

There's a Mac Placeshifter out now, which is meant for both remote and local LAN use. There are no plans for a separate SageTVClient for the Mac.

[mohanman]

Yeah I played around with the placeshifter, but rather have a client so I can play dvds.
So I will install boot camp and use vista instead!

Just wondering if the dynmiac menus can do commands like "ctrl-E" etc so I can map the button a command etc.

Thanks
Mo!

[Menehune]

If you don't mind voiding the warranty, you can upgrade the mini to a slot load PC optical drive which has a eject button. Then drill a small hole in the case that you can press with a toothpick or paperclip.

I upgraded my combo-drive mini with a DVD-RW drive and I noticed the drive had an eject button. I didn't drill a hole in my case though.

[bcjenkins]

Originally Posted by mohanman

Yeah I played around with the placeshifter, but rather have a client so I can play dvds.
So I will install boot camp and use vista instead!

Just wondering if the dynmiac menus can do commands like "ctrl-E" etc so I can map the button a command etc.

Thanks
Mo!

http://www.alexnolan.net/software/commandline.htm

*Note I have never used the software, just googled for a cmd line eject cd.

B

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by mohanman

Ahhh... nice
Can the dynamic menus do commands ? Like "Ctrl-E" or something?
thanks

Yes, indirectly.

You can use autohotkey to create executables that emulate such key presses.

You then call the executables from a dynamic menu entry.....!

[mohanman]

Well I took the plunge. I am a big mac fan. I dont know why, I used to be a big time pc gamer, but apple products just seem to work better for me. I mean, they actually go to sleep when they are supposed to. And with bootcamp I can fully run vista.

So I bought a mac mini with 2gb memory, and vista OEM Home Ultimate. I plan on using this as a client. I have that stream zap remote, so I will probably just use that, and hopefully be able to program an eject key. That would be the only problem I could think of potentially running into.

Will keep you guys posted with my results of using this mini as a client soon (if any of you guys are interested).

Mo!

[mohanman]

Well I got the mac mini. Installed vista after playing around with os/x for a while and installed sagetv client. Everything works fine, except I wish my media center remote would work with it. I bought that streamzap remote, and I dont really like it. Its sluggish, doesnt have guide or back buttons and it will put mac mini to sleep, but cant wake it up!

I hope media center remotes with IR blaster can.. I really hope so!

Mo!

[mohanman]

Quick update on my mac mini experience (if anyone cares)

So far my mac mini works great! I have it attached via DVI to my sony plasma in my bedroom which is ideal because it makes like 0 noise. Also it doesnt have any annoying lights on the front other then one really small one to keep you up all night.

I would love to see sage client for mac os/x, as I love the operating system. It is so much more stable and easy to use then vista or xp.

I tried vista bootcamp, and although sage worked well as a client, it wasnt smooth. So I reformatted and installed XP instead. Sage client works perfectly fine now! I just need an MCE remote, as I dont like the streamzap or girder (too confusing)

Lastly, sage client doesnt seem to want to sleep well (standby). It goes into standby, but waking up the picture doesnt show up. Soo.. I decided just to leave it on all the time. It only consumes 70W idle and 110W really active which isnt bad.

I also added an eject button to the dynmaic menus in sagemc.

If anyone has any other tips let me know!
Thanks
MO!