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Modul8 w/ Mac mini
Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 10:21 pm
by blackwatch
Anyone with input on how Modul8 runs with the Mac mini would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 8:49 am
by vanakaru
Runs great in some mini's and not so great on others.
What mini you have in mind?
Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 9:00 am
by blackwatch
thanks for you response
here are the specs for the current model
# 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 4GB memory
# 320GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
# NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
and how configurable / reliable is the Mini DisplayPort output?
Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 9:12 am
by vanakaru
Well the main problem with mini is that it does not have two screens available. Just one VGA, DVI or DisplayPort out. So you can not have your GUI on main screen and projector on output. There are workarounds like Matrox DualHead2Go (or TH2GO) and USB to VGA devices,but these have not become viable options.
So you can *run* M8 quit well on your mini, just projecting can be difficult. I have done this as a backup or background projection. Iset up the mini as much I can - go to full screen and control params with MIDI controller.
I am not sure how well the new port is configurable - yet.
Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 9:37 am
by blackwatch
great info
thank you
Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 2:06 pm
by anomad
vanakaru wrote:Well the main problem with mini is that it does not have two screens available..
. are your sure about this? on apple.com it says 'mini-DVI output; VGA output (using optional adapter); Mini DisplayPort'
. i have a mini i'll check out later tonight, but i could have sworn i ran a vga @ 1024x768 and an external monitor @ 640x480
-james
(a nomad. )
Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 4:18 am
by anomad
. following up on my own post...
. well, i tried hooking up a vga monitor on miniDisplayPort (1024x768) and a DYNEX svid/rca in mini-dvi port - and, well the DYNEX adapter is a piece of junk. simply doesn't work and several reviews on the web verify that.
. so, i'll need to get an Apple mini-dvi adapter - but, it should work - the mini recognized two independent monitors and all that.
. here's an odd question - can modul8 be set up on a mac mini so that each video out (miniDisplayPort and mini-DVI) are set up as individual outs? perhaps a new option that allows videos out on the second port, then goes full screen on the monitor that had the GUI? from a system view, aren't they just viewed as one 'large' video display area? even if it was limited to same resolutions (ie, 640x480 on both ports) - that would be awesome.
. i'm thinking of a project that runs primarily on a VGA monitor as the focus of the exhibt, then running a second monitor w/information about the piece and the artist...
. just a thought.
-james
(a nomad. )
Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 8:47 am
by sigmasix
it's recognized as two outputs, like on a mac pro or macbook pro.
You can use advanced output in modul8 to use the two outputs fullscreen at any resolution.
Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 4:40 am
by anomad
. another followup.
. i went to the apple store and got a mini-dvi to video (rca/svideo) and... nothing.
. i have a mid-2009 mac mini and the nVida9400 video chip set does not support analog rca out.

(
http://store.apple.com/us/reviews/M9319 ... TcwNTUxOTg )
. so, i guess i'll use a mini-dvi -> vga instead and use a scan convertor if i need svid/rca
-james
(a nomad. )