In our last post, we installed Windows 7 on to the Mac Mini, and configured the PC to automatically log-in to a specific account on booting. We’re almost ready to get started with Windows Media Center, but before we do so, we’re going to enhance the range of video types that it can play. Windows 7 comes with broad support for a wide range of video and audio formats, but misses one format that is becoming increasingly popular with media enthusiasts – MKV.
MKV is an open format that is used for many online high definition videos. It offers a wide range of features including embedded subtitle support as well as multiple audio streams, and if you’re going to be downloading video at any point in the future, or you want to take advantage of a great format for your DVD rips, then it makes sense to install the MKV codec on your Media Center.
Now, there are seemingly hundreds of thousands of web pages, comments and forum posts out there dedicated to the right codecs to use in Media Center, as well as detailed (and I mean detailed) walkthroughs on tweaking these codecs to the nth degree. This post isn’t one of those guides – I just want something that installs easily, and plays back my videos without too much hassle. So, we’re going to use a codec pack, namely the Shark 007 Codec Pack which supports playback of a range of files with a very easy to configure front end.
The installation is relatively straightforward, but before we start, let’s remind ourselves of the steps we’ve taken so far, and those which are remaining in our project:
- Get the Mac Mini Up and Running (with OSX)
- Configure Boot Camp to Allow Dual Booting With Windows 7
- Install Windows 7
- Installing and Configuring Codecs
- Install and Configure the Windows Media Center Remote Control
- Connect and Configure our TV Tuners
- Set up Windows Media Center
- Install the Media Center Connector
- Install and Configure Media Center Master
- Install and Configure Media Browser
- Install and Configure TunerFree MCE
1. Check Your AV/TV Receiver Audio Settings
At this point, it’s well worth you checking that you can hear audio through your TV, before we move on to any more advanced configuration. The Mac Mini does not have an Optical out port, so both video and audio is routed through the HDMI port. That means your receiver or TV should be set to allow audio in through HDMI rather than optical. It’s a minor point, but easy to miss – check this setting on your TV or AV receiver if you cannot hear any audio at this point.
Another setting to check for those of you with 5.1 – 7.1 speakers is that your receiver is correctly configured to allow Windows to play surround sound. My AV receiver, an entry level Sony STR-KS1200 was identified correctly in Windows, but in Speaker Setup (Control Panel) I could only select Stereo output, whereas I was expecting 5.1 surround. To check your configuration, right click the Speaker icon in the System Tray then click on Playback Devices.
There’s the Sony AV receiver identified as the default device at the bottom of the dialog. All good. If your receiver isn’t shows as the default, click on it and use the Set Default command next to Properties. With the device selected, click on that Properties button, then go to the Supported Formats tab. Here’s what I saw:
Max Number of Channels set at 2, suggests that the Mac Mini is only going to push out Stereo, rather than surround sound. Not good. Reinstalling the driver did nothing. The secret was a setting on the AV Receiver, which was telling Windows to try to control both the TV plus the AV Receiver. The TV does indeed have only two speakers (never used, obviously) and so Windows went to the lowest common denominator setting. Switching this setting on the AV Receiver to “Amp”, and suddenly a suite of surround sound options opened up and the Max Number of Channels switched to 8. You’ll also see that the Encoded Formats has increased to include both Dolby Digital and DTS Audio.
Close that Properties dialog, and then back in the Sound dialog click Configure, with your device highlighted. Up pops the speaker configuration screen where you can test out those speakers of yours and ensure you have the balance as you need it.
