Best Mac Mini for 1080p video playback?

[macmini22]

Hello,

I'm looking to replace my 2010 Mac Mini because it lags when playing 1080p MKV files.

The only thing I need it for is iTunes music playback and watching movies, which are mostly 1080p MKV files.

Which Mac Mini has the best value for that? Can the current base model do that? Or will I have to get the medium one? Or could I even consider an older model and pick one up for cheap?

Thanks for your help!

 

[giggles]

Have you tried gpu acceleration (using players like XBMC or Movist)?

Another cheapish option would be buying a Windows 8.1 Home license, dual booting it and using MPC-HC on Windows for movies. (again with gpu acceleration, but a lot more effectively than on OSX, as far as my experience goes)

The new base model could probably handle your movies fine, especially if leveraging gpu acceleration. But since you may want to upgrade to 8gb of ram anyway, you might as well just get the middle model and have a stronger cpu.

 

[Tough Guy]

Pretty much any computer sold today can do 1080p video very easily.

I'd go for a 2012 refurb if you can find it.

 

[fa8362]

Which software are you using? Are you streaming? My late 2009 doesn't lag at all in Plex when not streaming (with both Plex Home Theatre and Plex Server installed).

 

[navier]

Pretty much any computer sold today can do 1080p video very easily.

I'd go for a 2012 refurb if you can find it.

Doesn't have problems playing 24hz (aka 24p) ?

 

[fa8362]

Doesn't have problems playing 24hz (aka 24p) ?

My 2012 2.3GHz i7 has no problems playing 24p in Plex or xvmc. Neither does my late 2009.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Have you tried gpu acceleration (using players like XBMC or Movist)?/QUOTE]

I run movist on a 2010 and not only is there no lag, but the SSD I popped in gives faster FFW and RW then I've ever seen, on anything. Maybe do a clean install or a least a new user account test.