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^squirrel^

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 4, 2006
651
1
England
All,

Is it worth me getting a mini to use as a media centre? I'm not too sure what kind of res the mini will be able to produce?

Or is it worth getting an iMac and using the ext DVI connection?

If anyone is using a mini hooked up to their tv, it would be great to see some picture?

Thanks all

D
 

Josh396

macrumors 65816
Oct 16, 2004
1,129
0
Peoria/Chicago, IL
I'm interested in doing the same thing but I think I'm going to wait a little bit. However, every review I've read, people haven't been having any problems with the mini driving their HDTV's, especially 32 inchers. I know there have been a few threads on this already so if you search maybe you'll find your answer faster.
 

jsw

Moderator emeritus
Mar 16, 2004
22,910
44
Andover, MA
My two cents:

I have a 1GB mini duo running a 37" Westinghouse LCD at 1920x1080 with no problems whatsoever. None. 1080p QuickTime movies? Glitchless. WCIII at full settings? Great. Using it while sitting on the couch with a BT KB & mouse? Priceless.

I connect via one of the two DVI plugs on the Westinghouse. FWIW, you need to be sure that the TV you're using will accept the video resolution you're trying to use. For example, the Westinghouse takes 1920x1080 on one DVI input, but not the other.



 

^squirrel^

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 4, 2006
651
1
England
jsw said:
My two cents:

I have a 1GB mini duo running a 37" Westinghouse LCD at 1920x1080 with no problems whatsoever. None. 1080p QuickTime movies? Glitchless. WCIII at full settings? Great. Using it while sitting on the couch with a BT KB & mouse? Priceless.

I connect via one of the two DVI plugs on the Westinghouse. FWIW, you need to be sure that the TV you're using will accept the video resolution you're trying to use. For example, the Westinghouse takes 1920x1080 on one DVI input, but not the other.




Jezzz, that looks amazing!

Yep, will be placing my order for the Mini now.

Thanks very much for your posts all!
 

jsw

Moderator emeritus
Mar 16, 2004
22,910
44
Andover, MA
^squirrel^ said:
Jezzz, that looks amazing!

Yep, will be placing my order for the Mini now.

Thanks very much for your posts all!
Congrats!

FWIW, i wish I'd gone with 2GB, either through Apple (much easier) or 3rd party vendors (much cheaper). 1GB is an acceptable minimum and works well for entertainment center purposes, but 2GB is a lot better for "real" work.

Also, note that the solo, which cheaper, doesn't work as well. I figure you're getting the duo, but just wanted to comment.
 

Uma888

macrumors 6502
Jan 10, 2005
411
0
Birmingham, United Kingdom
jsw said:
My two cents:

I have a 1GB mini duo running a 37" Westinghouse LCD at 1920x1080 with no problems whatsoever. None. 1080p QuickTime movies? Glitchless. WCIII at full settings? Great. Using it while sitting on the couch with a BT KB & mouse? Priceless.

I connect via one of the two DVI plugs on the Westinghouse. FWIW, you need to be sure that the TV you're using will accept the video resolution you're trying to use. For example, the Westinghouse takes 1920x1080 on one DVI input, but not the other.




Whats the thing under your mini.....

Im thinking of doing the same this but with this TV

You rekcon it would work?
 

flir67

macrumors 6502
Jun 23, 2005
256
0
nice setup

where did u get the seats at. I'm needing that for my set up right now.
 

jsw

Moderator emeritus
Mar 16, 2004
22,910
44
Andover, MA
flir67 said:
where did u get the seats at. I'm needing that for my set up right now.
My wife bought them locally at a place called Circle Furniture. We have four (only two shown) which can form a sort of coffee table, and the metal stands below can be placed on top for drinks, etc.
 

balamw

Moderator emeritus
Aug 16, 2005
19,365
979
New England
^squirrel^ said:
Or is it worth getting an iMac and using the ext DVI connection?
Note that the external DVI isn't as convenient as I had hoped for this application. The main issue is that FR displays on the primary display (the one with the dock), and blanks the secondary display, so you can't trigger this easily from the remote (at least I haven't found an easy way). Or you have to mirror the displays which only really works if the resolutions match.

B
 

Josias

macrumors 68000
Mar 10, 2006
1,908
1
The mini will support any display with up to 1920x1200 pixels (same res. as 23" ACD). Any HD TV would be supported (as long as it has DVI connection). I would go for the duo though, with 1 GB (like jsw), perhaps 2 GB if you wanna do real heavy stuff.

BTW jsw, cool setup.:cool:
 
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