MIVOmac: Prior Art

MIVOmac: Prior Art

I was searching the web and found a few other like-minded individuals who had created a MIVOmac before me. Here are a few links:'

September 19, 2001, MacObserver.com

This isn't really someone who had created an actual MIVOmac, but he discusses the idea and takes it a step further by adding video recording capability to the digital hub. Here's a quote: Mix together a headless iMac, an Airport, a custom RF/IR remote, a DVR (digital video recorder) enabled video card, and a couple of USB and Firewire ports all into a unit that fits the dimensions of a stereo rack component, and you have a true home Digital Hub Server (DHS).

This one is really cool. Ken Tidwell put together a how-to that he calls iTunes, your Home Theater & Wireless AV 'How-to'.

Ken built his how-to on July 01, 2001. It's a wonderful resource that I wish I had found it before I built my own MIVOmac.

Ken uses a wireles 2.4GHz AV transmitter/receiver pair to get the audio and video output to his home entertainment system. That's pretty cool. Using his system, you don't have to dedicate a Mac as a stereo component in your entertainment system-- you can use your existing Mac to provide audio and video, wirelessly. He has some really good graphics and photos that show many of the details that I left out of my MIVOmac story. If you are thinking about building a MIVOmac, Kens page is a must read.

And then there's this: the AudioTron.

AudioTron Digital Music Player for Home Networks Listen to your PC digital music library and Internet radio from anywhere in your home.

The AudioTron is a network enabled stereo component that is able to access your digital music library (MP3) on your PC or Macintosh and play it over your home stereo system. This is a true stereo component, complete with an infra-red remote and a backlit display on the console. Reports I have read say that it can be made to work with OS X. The AudioTron is available at the TurtleBeach online store and retails for $299.95.

If you are running OS X and want to set up an AudioTron to access your MP3 collection, be sure to check out Paul Guthrie's Max OS X - AudioTron page.