Anyone use Handbrake to convert video on their Mac Mini?

[jamesryanbell]

I'm using a 2011 Mac Mini Server i7 Quad, mainly converting 1080p mkv files to 1080p M4V files. This isn't why I bought the machine, but I just wanted to ask a quick question. I'm only averaging about 11.2 frames/sec on all conversions. Isn't that slow for this processor? Anyone have better results? Just curious why mine seems slower than I thought it would be (based on comparisons with some friends' machines).

 

[shortcut3d]

There are numerous threads on the 2011 Mac mini and Handbrake. However, to address your question. Yes, many people use the 2011 Mac mini server for handbrake and get great results. Your frames per second are related to conversion settings, so one can not comment if the performance is good or poor.

For reference, Avatar 1080P MKV burned in forced subs original audio to Apple TV 2 preset (720p) averaged 25fps with the 64-bit nightly build in Windows 7 Professional 64-bit on a 2011 Mac mini server with 8GB 1866MHz memory and all SATA III SSDs (the source and destination on different SSDs). This is about the best you can expect converting a Blu-ray to Apple TV 2 preset on a 2011 Mac mini server.

 

[jamesryanbell]

Ok, so what settings do I need to post in order to see what could be changed to get faster results, what's necessary and unnecessary, etc? Screen shot? I'm just using the "high profile" preset and the file is a 1080p MKV file.

 

[shortcut3d]

You can do a near Apples to Apple comparison (no pun intended) if you run the 1080P MKV through Handbrake using the Apple TV2 preset. You only need to do a couple chapters to test the speed. If its near 24fps then the High preset is slowing you down, but its a much better quality profile with a higher bit rate and resolution.

Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any software that does a remux to MP4 or M4V. This would keep the original quality video and sound and be blazing fast. For example, the remux from Blu-ray folder to MKV in DVDfab is over 60MB/s.

 

[jamesryanbell]

Thanks for the input. I appreciate the info.

 

[shortcut3d]

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I rebooted with the latest nightly Handbrake Windows x64 build and got significantly better performance. I'm averaging 30-35 fps on Blu-ray folders using Apple TV 2 preset. I think the restart had a big impact.

 

[marioman38]

I use Handbrake on my mini, 11fps is not too shabby for a high quality encode. Your computer isn't considered slow until you start talking seconds per frame.

 

[shortcut3d]

Ouch! Encoding Blu-ray back-ups in Handbrake 0.96 using the Apple TV 2 preset adjusted for 1920 width for the new Apple TV 3 and the New iPad now takes forever on the 2011 Mac mini server. Handbrake 0.96 using the Apple TV 2 preset was up to 30fps and now drops to 12fps. Burned in subtitles drops it to 10fps The file size is about 3x so 2GB -> 6GB. Still much better than the 20GB - 30GB Blu-ray main movie.

 

[DisMyMac]

I wish people would stop degrading their movies just to save space. Hard drives are cheap and big enough even for full Blu-ray rips.

 

[shortcut3d]

I wish people would stop degrading their movies just to save space. Hard drives are cheap and big enough even for full Blu-ray rips.

Really? An iPad 64GB can hold a decent Bluray collection? Sorry, compression is necessary.

 

[the read]

Really? An iPad 64GB can hold a decent Bluray collection? Sorry, compression is necessary.

Surly you get his point though. Personally I'm tired of rebuying films or media on different formats just to get the same content at a better quality, starting on VHS, then LazerDisc, then VCD, then DVD, now again at BlueRay or Digital 720p and 1080p. Now were digital we should own the rights to non commercially play the content so the value continues as technology evolves. At least then it's not just throwing money away.

If you down grade the quality now to 720p, you will endup rebuying the same content again... and again....

In my opinion the new iPad is a dumb product. A massive resolution with a crap graphics capability and pathetic sized HD. Useless. Apple want you to buy so you can replace it with a new one 9 months from now "that will have 'better graphics'"

How about Apple start to create products that last...
Apologies for the rant off topic

 

[shortcut3d]

Surly you get his point though. Personally I'm tired of rebuying films or media on different formats just to get the same content at a better quality, starting on VHS, then LazerDisc, then VCD, then DVD, now again at BlueRay or Digital 720p and 1080p. Now were digital we should own the rights to non commercially play the content so the value continues as technology evolves. At least then it's not just throwing money away.

If you down grade the quality now to 720p, you will endup rebuying the same content again... and again....

In my opinion the new iPad is a dumb product. A massive resolution with a crap graphics capability and pathetic sized HD. Useless. Apple want you to buy so you can replace it with a new one 9 months from now "that will have 'better graphics'"

How about Apple start to create products that last...
Apologies for the rant off topic

I'm not tossing the original content so I don't understand your points. However, I do understand your point about DRM and agree if you purchase a Blu-ray disc you should have the right to play back on any device. Unfortunately, the studios current license does not allow that. It's not the individual but the studios out dated point of view. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools that allow us to make the content portable, which is my point.

Apple is not at fault, nor any other technology company. There are restrictions to any design. Apple is simply trying to improve their product with every release to drive demand. Therefore, they update the technology by doing a massive amount of R&D. People act like its a conspiracy all technology has already been invented and Apple is maliciously controlling the flow. FALSE

IMO, the new iPad is very good. I've had no issues playing back 1080p content. Just takes a while to create the portable format.

 

[andymodem]

Mine is crawling that slow as well as I encode my movies again for 1080p for the ATV 3. Wish I had a Mac Pro now.

 

[shortcut3d]

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Mine is crawling that slow as well as I encode my movies again for 1080p for the ATV 3. Wish I had a Mac Pro now.

I'm curious if my 2010 iMac 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel i7 Clarksdale will be materially faster than my 2011 Mac mini server. The Geekbench scores are higher, but not sure how that will translate to Handbrake.

I agree a new Mac Pro (whenever they are released) maybe in my future given how media quality and mobile media consumption have improved so much over the last year.