Can Mac Minis decode HD encoded video? (Mac Mini HTPC?)

[LordJezo]

Can Mac Minis with the core duo processors decode HD encoded xvid videos with all the surround sound and stuff? I know they require pretty powerful video cards to do with a good watchable framerate and I see the mini only has some Intel graphics thing.

I am thinking about getting one to hook up to my HDTV.. how feasible is this? I'd hook it up via a DVI to component adaptor (like this thing) and use it as a video player for my TV. I’d get the wireless mouse to control it and use 802.11/something to stream / grab content from my main box.

If that sort of thing would work and I'd be able to decode all the latest content on the net (anime ftw!) and DVDs I rip to my media server I would be in love and also very excited.

Has anyone set up a mini as a HTPC unit?

 

[Eidorian]

The Solo can do 720p and the Duo's can do 1080p in h.264. That's with 512 MB of RAM too.

 

[LordJezo]

I just read this at the mac htpc site http://www.machtpc.com/


1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo or faster for 720p HD playback” but unfortunately the new mini does fall a little short, coming in at 1.66GHz for the faster model. I suppose its possible that Quicktime 7 could be further tweaked to make up for this seemingly small difference of .17ghz, but Apple clearly states 1.83ghz or faster for QT7 HD playback. Who knows though maybe 1.66 is enough, if only I had a review unit!

What should I think of that statement?

 

[kgarner]

do a search around the forums here. I know that there have been a few threads discussing people's experiences with Intel Minis and HD video. I think the general consensus was that the Dual COre can do it, but I think it got a little jerky when the action was heavy.

 

[khisayruou]

What should I think of that statement?

Read:
http://www.macworld.com/2006/03/firstlooks/minitome2/index1.php