[Peter_S]

Can anyone tell me whether I could achieve smooth operation of a Mac Mini music server using an Ipad to control it.  I don't want to be limited to itunes (e.g. remote), but want full functionality of the machine.

Thanks, Peter

[JLM]

Good question, check these sticky threads (at the top of the Apple circle):

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=62768.0

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=51326.0

[Atlplasma]

I've been wondering about that too. Remote is okay for iTunes but limited. Jump Desktop looks interesting. I'm on my way out buy test it when I get back.

[Crimson]

There are many iPad-specific VNC apps available that work quite well for full desktop control. Just be aware that screen size can be a limiting factor, regardless of app. I use iTeleport.

[jtwrace]

I own this http://www.iteleportmobile.com/ but since purchasing a MacBook Air, I just use screen share and it's SO much better IMO. 

[timind]

I use Pocket Cloud on both my iphone and ipod touch to control my headless mini when I need more than the simple remote itunes app. Pocket Cloud works ok, not great as screen size is an issue. Another issue is sometimes there is a lag between command and execution. Every once in a while I hook up a monitor for the heck of it, or if I want to rip a few disks, but it's been a couple months now.

[Peter_S]

OK - it sounds workable, but less than perfect.  I'm sure this is covered somewhere else on AC, but if I am running other music servers besides itunes (decibel etc) or itunes add-ons (audivirvana) - what GOOD apps are there that work seamlessly with these better sounding options?  Thanks.

[Atlplasma]

Here is a nice review (with awkward English):

http://www.dailytut.com/apple/best-remote-desktop-apps-ipad.html

The free version of Team Viewer looks interesting.

[shortcuttomoncton]

OK - it sounds workable, but less than perfect.  I'm sure this is covered somewhere else on AC, but if I am running other music servers besides itunes (decibel etc) or itunes add-ons (audivirvana) - what GOOD apps are there that work seamlessly with these better sounding options?  Thanks.

After some playing around, I've approached it with two separate apps: Remote for all my music control (iTunes/Audirvana), and iTeleport for any Finder/GUI stuff I need to do.  iTunes is always on, and Hidden in the background - unless I need to fool around with adding content etc., I never use VPN for iTunes, as Remote is a much simpler and easy to use interface.

There is a lag with iTeleport, though.  It's annoying, but it's there.  I'm attaching a dummy VGA dongle this weekend to see if that engages the GPU when running it headless - apparently it might help, but I'm not exactly sure how.  We'll see.

[Peter_S]

Thanks.  Keep us informed!

Is anyone using Pocket Cloud to run their mac mini headless?

[mcgsxr]

For anyone out there running an older Mini like me, it is not so straightforward.

The Apple remote app won't connect to legacy iTunes versions.   I use VNC lite to control my old Mini from across the room. 

It would be vastly easier to use the remote app, but buying a new Mini is not in the cards short term for me.

[shortcuttomoncton]

I really found searching for a good VPN to be annoying.  That provided list of "top 5" for example doesn't even mention iTeleport - but if you look at other lists, they will have iTeleport but won't have some of the apps available on that one.

Maybe they're all so alike as to be interchangeable?  It's just sort of weird - normally, with software such as this, there's a general consensus on the "top apps" in the category.

[nickd]

I also struggled with this issue for quite some time. I finally gave up on the VNC apps. My fix was to buy a PS Audio PW DAC and use E lyric. My other solution was to use the screen sharing capability of an Air book, but at the time they were about $1500. Bought the DAC instead. I use the server all the time now and couldn't be any happier.

[shortcuttomoncton]

Dummy dongle worked absolutely fantastic for the headless mini - iTeleport control is now as smooth as butter, with no jerkiness or noticeable lag in the mouse cursor while I played with it for about 15 minutes last night.  Cost me $22 for the displayport-VGA adaptor and a 100 Ohm resistor. 

Instructions are here:

http://blog.macminicolo.net/post/33839671756/build-a-dummy-dongle-for-a-headless-mac-mini

Having said the above, I do have the mini connected to a TV, which is my "normal" method of running it (I use Plex as an always-on TV GUI for movies/TV - again, with Remote controlling iTunes entirely in the background for music).  You can run iTeleport like a remote - iPad screen is black, and you simply use the TV as a monitor - or you can have the iPad act as the monitor (which is what you'd be doing all the time if the iMac was headless).  Well, when I did use that view, I guess the GPU gets used by iTeleport, instead of the TV; everything looked smooth on the iPad, but everything started looking jerky on the TV, which is the opposite of what has been happening before I made the dongle.  Weird.   

I don't know if that's the case as long as the dongle is connected, or only when iTeleport is screen sharing.

It wasn't a problem playing videos via the TV with Plex while screen sharing on the iPad, though - we noticed no difference with 720p ~1.5gig episodes of Sopranos.  (Note that iTeleport isn't a good way to play videos on an iPad - it's too jerky.  Just use Plex if you want to play videos located on the mini from your iPad.)  I didn't have enough time to check and see if a 1080p ~12 gig movie file showed any performance hit, though.