Okay, i'm totally new to video encoding, etc. I have a 2011 Mac mini (2.3 i5) that I originally purchased solely to use as a second computer/desktop (I also have an 08 non-pro macbook). I had all the necessary peripherals and it was a cheaper option than a new MB. I say all that because I realize my machine isn't ideal as a HTPC, but I didn't purchase the machine with that purpose in mind.
Now, this summer I have tried my hand at ripping my DVD library (and I quickly discovered how taxing Handbrake can be on the CPU). The method of conversion that I use (and actually totally plagiarized from a user on this forum) is MakeMKV --> Handbrake (ATV3 preset) --> Subler --> iTunes. On my Mac mini, Handbrake was running at about 300% CPU, and I uhhh, was uncomfortable with that number (visions of melting my processor and burning my house down flashed through my head). My MacBook did the same process at around 180% CPU (2 Ghz Core Duo). I did some research on this forum and found that high percentage wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but the process takes around an hour and I didn't like the idea of my processor running that hard that long, so I quit converting the files after doing 2 movies on each machine.
Also, I start law school in the fall so i'm not planning on devoting much time to all this in the immediate future, I really just wanted to get familiar with the process so that I could hit the ground running in the future (and to know exactly what type of machine i'll need to properly convert my entire library). My plan going forward is to periodically convert my DVDs (and eventually my blu rays when i purchase a drive) to MKVs as I have time (because this process seems to be much less intensive, at least according to activity monitor), and to store them away in an external somewhere until I have the time and means to really hit this hard in the future. But there are about 10 movies that I'd like to go ahead and convert between now and school starting just so I can have access to them through my apple devices.
Sorry for how long winded this is, I just wanted to fully explain myself before I ask my question: is it harmful to run my computer at such high CPU uses for an extended period for the sake of 10 or so of my favorite movies? I realize this could cause overheating, but how real of a threat is that? I'm totally new to this and I definitely don't wanna fry anything for a hobby that i've take up this summer. I assume that for no more than i intend to do, it shouldn't be a massive deal, but I figured i'd consult people who actually know what they're doing with all this.
Thanks in advance for your help, and for all the help you guys give from posting about this subject in other threads! It's a huge help to newbs like me!
Now, this summer I have tried my hand at ripping my DVD library (and I quickly discovered how taxing Handbrake can be on the CPU). The method of conversion that I use (and actually totally plagiarized from a user on this forum) is MakeMKV --> Handbrake (ATV3 preset) --> Subler --> iTunes. On my Mac mini, Handbrake was running at about 300% CPU, and I uhhh, was uncomfortable with that number (visions of melting my processor and burning my house down flashed through my head). My MacBook did the same process at around 180% CPU (2 Ghz Core Duo). I did some research on this forum and found that high percentage wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but the process takes around an hour and I didn't like the idea of my processor running that hard that long, so I quit converting the files after doing 2 movies on each machine.
Also, I start law school in the fall so i'm not planning on devoting much time to all this in the immediate future, I really just wanted to get familiar with the process so that I could hit the ground running in the future (and to know exactly what type of machine i'll need to properly convert my entire library). My plan going forward is to periodically convert my DVDs (and eventually my blu rays when i purchase a drive) to MKVs as I have time (because this process seems to be much less intensive, at least according to activity monitor), and to store them away in an external somewhere until I have the time and means to really hit this hard in the future. But there are about 10 movies that I'd like to go ahead and convert between now and school starting just so I can have access to them through my apple devices.
Sorry for how long winded this is, I just wanted to fully explain myself before I ask my question: is it harmful to run my computer at such high CPU uses for an extended period for the sake of 10 or so of my favorite movies? I realize this could cause overheating, but how real of a threat is that? I'm totally new to this and I definitely don't wanna fry anything for a hobby that i've take up this summer. I assume that for no more than i intend to do, it shouldn't be a massive deal, but I figured i'd consult people who actually know what they're doing with all this.
Thanks in advance for your help, and for all the help you guys give from posting about this subject in other threads! It's a huge help to newbs like me!
