iTunes HD Server, 2009 2.26 Core 2 Duo Mac Mini?

[SpaceJello]

I have a 2009 2.26 Core 2 Duo... it's in good shape. I tried streaming my 1080p iTunes content to my tv 3, but noticed that it isn't as sharp as streaming from more powerful computers. Maybe it is my eyes.

Is there a minimum in CPU power to streaming 1080p content through iTunes to TV? I am hoping to make it my dedicated streaming server but am wondering if it is worth it. Is there any upgrades I can do that will help with the streaming?

Thoughts?

 

[Omnius]

It should be perfect. The 2009 mini is more than capable of streaming 1080p.

 

[rabidz7]

Try using non iTunes content. iTunes uses lossy compression.

 

[SpaceJello]

Try using non iTunes content. iTunes uses lossy compression.

Thanks all. Rabidz7, when you say non-iTunes content do you mean content from the iTunes store, or even those we handbrake and convert for iTunes?

 

[rabidz7]

Thanks all. Rabidz7, when you say non-iTunes content do you mean content from the iTunes store, or even those we handbrake and convert for iTunes?

Anything from or in iTunes has been compressed, if you convert anything to work with iTunes it gets compressed. If you want uncompressed movies you will need to download them from somewhere other than iTunes.

 

[SpaceJello]

Anything from or in iTunes has been compressed, if you convert anything to work with iTunes it gets compressed. If you want uncompressed movies you will need to download them from somewhere other than iTunes.

Thanks, but I am comparing iTunes HD content streamed on this Mac Mini versus another more powerful computer (a Mac Pro in this case). I noticed the image quality streamed to TV from the Mac Mini looks to be more compressed than streamed from the Mac Pro.

I am comparing the same iTunes HD content in both cases. Not iTunes compressed content vs the original.

But I am not sure if this is the case or if it is my illusion. I do remember reading at one point where if the computer isn't capable, iTunes would stream the content in a lesser bit rate. Not sure if anyone can verify this?

 

[marzer]

Thanks, but I am comparing iTunes HD content streamed on this Mac Mini versus another more powerful computer (a Mac Pro in this case). I noticed the image quality streamed to TV from the Mac Mini looks to be more compressed than streamed from the Mac Pro.

I am comparing the same iTunes HD content in both cases. Not iTunes compressed content vs the original.

But I am not sure if this is the case or if it is my illusion. I do remember reading at one point where if the computer isn't capable, iTunes would stream the content in a lesser bit rate. Not sure if anyone can verify this?

I've got a 2009 mini, 2.53 Ghz, and in stress tests I can stream 2 iTunes HD to two separate Apple TVs with no noticeable degradation. If I try streaming a third, the quality of the three streams isn't impacted but it does create noticeable rebuffing on at least one of the streams. (The mini is hard-wired to the network, all ATVs are connected via wireless.)

 

[SpaceJello]

Thanks all, I tried it out with several other iTunes content and as suggested, it worked really well. This Mac Mini is definitely a great little machine.