How to: Create a Mac Mini Media Center (Part 6 – Connect and Configure the TV Tuners)

In the last part of our Mac Mini Media Center series, we installed and configured the Media Center Remote Control. As we’ll be feeding Live TV into the Mac Mini (using the computer as our DVR), we’ll need to install a TV Tuner – we’re going to use Silicon Dust’s HDHomeRun network tuner, which allows simultaneous recording of two channels and, as the TV signal is passed around the network, we’ll be able to access it not just from our Mac Mini, but any other PC or Mac on the network too. The tuner will access a Freeview (DVB-T) antenna on the roof – in our area, we’ve yet to be upgraded to Freeview HD which provides high definition programming over the air (using DVB-T2) but that’s an option for us in the future.

We’re now well on the way to completing our Mac Mini project – once the Tuners are installed, we just need to set up Windows Media Center, then add a few extra features to create a really great HTPC solution:

1. Get the Mac Mini Up and Running (with OSX)
2. Configure Boot Camp to Allow Dual Booting With Windows 7
3. Install Windows 7
4. Installing and Configuring Codecs
5. Install and Configure the Windows Media Center Remote Control
6. Connect and Configure our TV Tuners
7. Set up Windows Media Center
8. Install the Media Center Connector
9. Install and Configure Media Center Master
10. Install and Configure Media Browser
11. Install and Configure TunerFree MCE

Let’s get these TV Tuners installed! We’ll start with the HDHomeRun.

1. Connecting the HD HomeRun

Connecting up the HDHomeRun is a pretty straightforward task – just make sure you have a couple of power sockets available, and most importantly, think through how you want to run the network from wherever your aerial socket is positioned to your router. I have Ethernet cable running from my router into the lounge, so that’s the network connection taken care of – you may wish to try a Powerline adaptor for a neat solution if you don’t want the hassle of running cable.

Firstly, let’s split the Freeview (DVB-T) signal to feed the HDHomeRun’s twin tuners. It’s recommended that you use a powered aerial amplifier to split the signal. These are available from most electronics stores – I picked up this one from Maplins for around £15.

Simply take your aerial cable and slot it into the amp’s input socket.

Then take the two coaxial cables supplied with the HDHomeRun and connect them between the two outputs on the amplifier and the HDHomeRun’s “Tuner 0” and “Tuner 1” inputs.

Connect the supplied Ethernet cable to the HDHomeRun’s network socket and your router.

Power it all up, and you’ll see the power light and second light on the HDHomeRun illuminate. That second light will flash green for a short time whilst a network connection is made, but as long as everything goes to plan, should turn solid green.

Now, you will go and tidy up all of those cables neatly with cable ties, won’t you, rather than just stuff them down with the rest of the cable bush behind the TV? Thought not. Okay, let’s move on – that’s it as far as hardware installation goes. We now just need to get things working with our media software.