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Is the base Mini Enough

D

dollarbillz

macrumors member
Original poster
May 29, 2008
31
0
Hey Guys,

I wanted a new htcp and have played around with plex on my macbook im impressed!

So i wanted to know if i buy the new 2.0ghz with 2 gigs of ram to utilize the 256mb graphics is this enough to run MKV (720p) (1080p)

Or would i need the 2.6ghz

Also i found this adapter mini dvi to hdmi http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10419&cs_id=1041912&p_id=4852&seq=1&format=2

Will i still have issues with the display on my 42" Westinghouse


My budget is to spend under $700 which i can do with my student discount I also got a 1TB My Book which i can hook up to it


Is this sufficent equipment to run a good htpc??


Thanks
 
Wirelessly posted (BB 8900: BlackBerry8900/4.6.1.101 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/301)

I have the last-gen mini as a htpc (2.0) and it plays 1080 mkv fine; I can't imagine the new ones have any problems doing the same.

And what 2.6 are you referring to? Not a mini...
I
 
jackiecanev2 said:
Wirelessly posted (BB 8900: BlackBerry8900/4.6.1.101 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/301)

I have the last-gen mini as a htpc (2.0) and it plays 1080 mkv fine; I can't imagine the new ones have any problems doing the same.

And what 2.6 are you referring to? Not a mini...
I
Click to expand...

I believe he means 2.26.
 
aaquib said:
I believe he means 2.26.
Click to expand...


Yah sorry i do! im just wondering if the 2.0 2 gig memory 120gb hd model is sufficent as i dont have $$$ to much to spend right now but i can wait if it aint gonna be enough horsepower

I mostly want it for plex and mkv's


Thanks
 
interested on this answer as well.
i'm contemplating on the base model with 2 gb of ram for a htpc
or the 2.26
 
Base Mini

I got the base 2009 Mac mini. I've been using it for Boxee, Plex, and DVD ripping and HandBrake.

I have not had time to upgrade the HD or RAM yet, but I will soon.

My only complaint is that the 120GB HD is dog A** slow. I'm getting spinning beach ball somewhat often, but then again the HD is 90% full, so that is to somewhat expected, but it occurs much more often than my late 2006 Blackbook with 2GB RAM and 250 HD. My Handbrake conversions went from 22-24fps when the HD was 20-50% full down to 12-15fps when the HD is 90% full. This is to be expected some what but the stock hard drive is ****.

Otherwise, this Mac mini rocks, it is dead silent 99% of the time. My Handbrake rips were a loud high pitched sound on my Blackbook, and I could hear my overnight batch conversions from 2 rooms away. On this Mac Mini, I can't hear them in the same room if I am more than 8 feet away from the Mini.

The superdrive is somewhat noisy, but I have a 16x external that I use which is quieter and much faster.

I haven't had any playback problems yet.
 
I bought the base 2009 2.0 model, upgraded to 4GB memory (this was very easy) and it plays everything that I throw at it.

Still getting my movies organized, but definitely love this setup.
Michael
 
XXmacXX why 4 gigs? isnt it redundant as the graphics card only utilizes 2 gb to make 256mb?

and spacepower... if i have an external HD im sure the HD wont be a problem then would it???
 
dollarbillz said:
XXmacXX why 4 gigs? isnt it redundant as the graphics card only utilizes 2 gb to make 256mb?
Click to expand...

someone suggested to me on another thread here, y not max it out in case you end up using it somewhere else later? 2GB upgrade at crucial is less than $35 and 4GB is less than $70.
 
dollarbillz said:
o i wanted to know if i buy the new 2.0ghz with 2 gigs of ram to utilize the 256mb graphics is this enough to run MKV (720p) (1080p)
Click to expand...

Even 64 mb is plenty for 1080p 24fps playback. The issue for OS X is that video decoding is done by the cpu, not the gpu, thus processor speed is king. This may all change, though, with the release of Snow Leopard and OpenCL, which we all hope will allow video decoding to be done by the gpu instead. The 9400m has 16 processor cores - if SL cannot leverage them for video playback, then I'd say Apple has dropped the ball big time.

Right now, even the 2 gHz, 2 gb model can play most Blu-ray rips (1080p, high bit rates) just fine. Where you get into trouble is trying to watch such a movie while doing other processor-intensive tasks, such as a Handbrake or Eye TV transcode.

dollarbillz said:
if i have an external HD im sure the HD wont be a problem then would it???
Click to expand...

Get a FW400 or FW800 drive and you'll be in great shape. Avoid a USB drive unless it's solely for playback (and not recording, which is slower).
 
mini is working great for me...I love it...have the 2.0 4gb...took me a little while to find the best all in one interface...tried Plex, Boxee...but both have issues playing content bought from itunes...best way is to go through frontrow and install the boxee plugin...now my mini rocks...turn the tv on and all you see is frontrow first option is boxee, click on that for Netflix and Hulu...exit out of boxee brings me back to frontrow for all my itunes...AWESOME!!!!:D
 
listen.. i run the Mac mini in my sig for watching HD movies all the time.. with 1080p i get around 60-120% processor usage but for everything you're going to need.. i wouldn't see the point in buying a new mini.

i am fine with mine man! you will be good no matter what you do. especiallyif it is a C2D
 
Cave Man said:
Right now, even the 2 gHz, 2 gb model can play most Blu-ray rips (1080p, high bit rates) just fine. Where you get into trouble is trying to watch such a movie while doing other processor-intensive tasks, such as a Handbrake or Eye TV transcode.
.
Click to expand...

This wont be a problem as i will only be using it as a HTPC for just playback everyting else i will do on my PC or macbook

I think ill buy the base model then as i dont wanna spend more the 1k

Thanks!
 
i think i'll do the same, even though it will be the familys HT setup since i don't have my own hdtv. but it'll be a start :cool:
 
gcmexico said:
mini is working great for me...I love it...have the 2.0 4gb...took me a little while to find the best all in one interface...tried Plex, Boxee...but both have issues playing content bought from itunes...best way is to go through frontrow and install the boxee plugin...now my mini rocks...turn the tv on and all you see is frontrow first option is boxee, click on that for Netflix and Hulu...exit out of boxee brings me back to frontrow for all my itunes...AWESOME!!!!:D
Click to expand...

Can you tell me how you installed the boxee plugin?
 
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