To get TV content/movies/etc that are saved on my MacBook to play on my projector, I have to 1) unmount my external usb drive; 2) unplug the headphone speakers and usb hub, 3) move the laptop from the bar to the barstool (my cords only stretch so far), 4) make sure the remaining power cord and EyeTV usb cord don’t pull anything over the bar onto the floor, 5) unplug the M1-DA/HDMI adapter from the projector, 6) plug the M1-DA/DVI cord into the projector and MacBook, 7) and plug an optical cord from the laptop to the optical switch connected to my receiver. Phaw.

I really only go through all this during the World Series or when Jack Bauer is kicking a$$….and I could solve this a number of ways. I’ve been debating awhile on getting a Mini as a video server, but now with the lowered cost of the aTV and iTunes rentals, I just might set up an automatic encode, plop down a couple hunnerd and pick me up a new aTV.

As for sound, just output the sound from the headphone/audio-out port to your TV’s speakers. If you have a surround sound setup, get this cable: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=2834&seq=1&format=2 One end plugs into the Mac, the other into your audio receiver. That’s what I use to watch movies now. You’d be surprised how many rips comes with AC3 audio.