Mac Mini TV Performance?

[zedsdead]

How does the Mac Mini handle itself when being used directly with a large TV?

I have a 1080p TV, 46" and plan to use it as a computer to show people how to use iPhoto and iMovie and such. I had my MacBook Air hooked up, and it worked fine as a second monitor but there was minor lag at times. When the Air was hooked up to my Apple 24" LED there is no lag at all so I was wondering if the screen size has anything to do with it.

Does the Mini handle this situation well? I am currently waiting for the refresh, but wanted some opinions in case this has been an issue or not.

 

[mdgm]

The next Mac Mini should be fine for that. If as hoped it gets a Sandy Bridge processor it'll make the MacBook Air look terribly slow in comparison for CPU intensive tasks, especially if you put a SSD in the Mini.

As for EyeTV, the current Mini isn't as powerful as many of us would like, but I find it to be adequate. Hopefully the refresh will correct this and allow smooth playing of live sport in HDTV using progressive scan.

 

[zedsdead]

The next Mac Mini should be fine for that. If as hoped it gets a Sandy Bridge processor it'll make the MacBook Air look terribly slow in comparison for CPU intensive tasks, especially if you put a SSD in the Mini.

As for EyeTV, the current Mini isn't as powerful as many of us would like, but I find it to be adequate. Hopefully the refresh will correct this and allow smooth playing of live sport in HDTV using progressive scan.

I think part of the issue was the 2.13 core2duo processor in the Macbook Air, but I agree that the next Mac Mini should be much more powerful. The Graphics Card will be a downgrade, but shouldn't be that much of a difference.

 

[cocacolakid]

I have a 2010 unibody mini hooked up to a 37" Vizio 1080p HDTV as it's main monitor. (I also have a 24" HD monitor as a dual monitor, but I rarely use that).

I have had absolutely no issues at all using a large HDTV. There isn't any lag, the picture is fantastic, etc.

I play a ton of movies on this thing, using Front Row, VLC, and Boxee (and the iPad has apps to use as a remote for all 3).

I'd highly recommend it.

 

[michael.lauden]

I have had no problems pushing a Vizio 47" LCD, or a LG 37" LCD with my 5 year old Mac mini, 3 year old MacBook (both in sig), or my girlfriend's '09 13"MBP.

 

[zedsdead]

Thanks for all the feedback. I can't wait until they are updated! I have wanted one for years, but never had a practical use for it until now. Very excited.

 

[fa8362]

The next Mac Mini should be fine for that. If as hoped it gets a Sandy Bridge processor it'll make the MacBook Air look terribly slow in comparison for CPU intensive tasks, especially if you put a SSD in the Mini.

As for EyeTV, the current Mini isn't as powerful as many of us would like, but I find it to be adequate. Hopefully the refresh will correct this and allow smooth playing of live sport in HDTV using progressive scan.

I have EyeTV and two 2009 Minis and see no problems other than the motion problem inherent in 1080i video. Changing computers won't fix that problem.

 

[dcoulson]

I have a 1080p TV, 46" and plan to use it as a computer to show people how to use iPhoto and iMovie and such. I had my MacBook Air hooked up, and it worked fine as a second monitor but there was minor lag at times. When the Air was hooked up to my Apple 24" LED there is no lag at all so I was wondering if the screen size has anything to do with it.

Doubt screen size has anything to do with it - I'm running three displays off my Mini without any lag (2 at 1920x1080 aka 1080p and one at 1920x1200).

Do you have the Mac Mini plugged into a port labeled HDMI/DVI that is perhaps handled differently by the TV? I'm thinking image processing on the TV might be the cause of the lag, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[zedsdead]

Doubt screen size has anything to do with it - I'm running three displays off my Mini without any lag (2 at 1920x1080 aka 1080p and one at 1920x1200).

Do you have the Mac Mini plugged into a port labeled HDMI/DVI that is perhaps handled differently by the TV? I'm thinking image processing on the TV might be the cause of the lag, but I'm not 100% sure.

I don't have one yet, which is why I was asking...lol...glad to hear it works great though.