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The Mac Mini As A HD HTPC
- Thread starter northy124
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Please report back here your settings, since you seem to be the pioneer for this.
The Mini is unable to display high quality (high bitrate) 1080p content consistently (you WILL drop frames).
It has everything to do with the GPU since the Mini's GPU shares the CPU Ram and whatnot. A simple X3100 would cause the standard c2d mini to play the content fine.
The reason Apple 1080p trailers play fine through the Mini is that they are relatively mediocre quality (you can often see blocking which is common on lower bitrate x264 encodes).
I've had the Mini choke on super high detail 720p encodes.
I've read about people opening up the Mini and dropping in more Ram and a 2.33 ... but still choke on 1080p due to the GPU sucking.
It has everything to do with the GPU since the Mini's GPU shares the CPU Ram and whatnot. A simple X3100 would cause the standard c2d mini to play the content fine.
The reason Apple 1080p trailers play fine through the Mini is that they are relatively mediocre quality (you can often see blocking which is common on lower bitrate x264 encodes).
I've had the Mini choke on super high detail 720p encodes.
I've read about people opening up the Mini and dropping in more Ram and a 2.33 ... but still choke on 1080p due to the GPU sucking.
This is the same argument that people make about using Photoshop. The GMA950 was engineered for 1080 video and HDTV. It excels at 2D image manipulations. The weak link in the Mini is its ability to decode highly compressed video, such as H.264. Depending on the bit rate (one of the variables I mentioned above) you can get perfectly fine 1080 playback, provided you have sufficient throughput. The decoding of the compressed video file is done by the cpu on a Mini, not the gpu.
For 98% of most movies, this would be a non-issue. Frankly, I don't expect to see too much change with the X3100 chipset.
Where did you read that? I'd like to see it.
I am in the same boat as the OP Could someone out there who already owns a mini try playing one of the following sample MKV files?
My understanding is VLC player should play them.
I found some short sample clip mkv files you can test at your convenience. They should include dolby digital 5.1 track as well.
Shootemup 720p sample: http://rapidshare.com/files/80194809/s-shootemup-sample.mkv
Live Free or Die Hard 1080p sample: http://rapidshare.com/files/101784196/live.free.or.die.hard.2007.1080p.bluray.dts.x264.sample-hv.mkv
My understanding is VLC player should play them.
I found some short sample clip mkv files you can test at your convenience. They should include dolby digital 5.1 track as well.
Shootemup 720p sample: http://rapidshare.com/files/80194809/s-shootemup-sample.mkv
Live Free or Die Hard 1080p sample: http://rapidshare.com/files/101784196/live.free.or.die.hard.2007.1080p.bluray.dts.x264.sample-hv.mkv
Just So You Know They Aren't Official Trailers
Yea I know but I think this is what the OP and myself are concerned with and it should be enough of a sample that someone could test it out to see how well the 1080p file plays compared to the 720p file.
Grassrootz I'am the OP LoL and I have got 1080p HD Videos to work using QT Pro (I have Pro but it should work with standard) with perian installed just by opening the video up and leaving it to load for 10 minutes then it plays flawlessly (For most 1080p Videos).
Oh I didn't realize you had bought the Mini. I thought you were waiting till the next revision. Which mini did you buy? Have you tried VLC Player as opposed to Quicktime/Perian? How large are the MKV files that take 10 mins to load?
I was but got bored of waiting and bought one (It seems like it won't be coming for another year or 2).
2.0GHz Superdrive base specs (Upgraded to 2GB Ram myself)
Yes and it was bad for the large file, 720p is great using VLC but 1080p need QT With Perian Really to get almost 100% flawless playback (Some movies can be a pain so I burn them to DVD-9 or if they don't fit 2 DVD-9's and play on DVD Player instead).
13GB to 20GB I mean that, they do get big (As in GB size) although if you are lucky and find some really compressed but great quality 1080p ones then it can shrink to 8GB. Although it is 10 Minutes can sometimes turn into 30 Minutes but it really depends on the GB and weather you have anything going on in the background.
Wow thank you for that update.
So from your experience would you recommend me to get the Mini?
Did the Ram upgrade make a difference on playback as opposed to 1GB?
And what cable do I need to output Digital SPDIF to my receiver?
As a note I already have a Vista Ultimate box with Core2Duo 2.4 2GB Ram and a Geforce 8600GTS that plays both 720p and 1080p mkv files fine. However I am looking for the more polish that the FrontRow/DVD Pedia offers along with a Ipod touch with remote buddy.
So from your experience would you recommend me to get the Mini?
Did the Ram upgrade make a difference on playback as opposed to 1GB?
And what cable do I need to output Digital SPDIF to my receiver?
As a note I already have a Vista Ultimate box with Core2Duo 2.4 2GB Ram and a Geforce 8600GTS that plays both 720p and 1080p mkv files fine. However I am looking for the more polish that the FrontRow/DVD Pedia offers along with a Ipod touch with remote buddy.
It's your choice not mine I suggest you play around with one in the store first.
Don't know as I upgraded the Ram straight away
Can't help with that one.
I'd use that as it looks like and excellent set up and you would be downgrading I don't think the Mini would be of any use and you might notice a big difference (I've only had a MacBook (Which also play 1080p great))
Ok let me rephrase that first question... Are you happy with your Mac Mini for playing HD files? For me playing around in the store isn't going to answer any questions I have about this specific topic as I can't install software and download mkv files in the store.
As far as the downgrading I'm not giving up my Vista Box I'll have that one as standby. I just wanted to take a step into the Mac world and I thought the Mini would be a great way to dabble on the cheap. Does the Apple store online have a return policy? I could order one and attempt to get it working like I want and if not just return it.
Also what makes you think the next revision is 1-2 years off?
Anyways thanks for your help.
As far as the downgrading I'm not giving up my Vista Box I'll have that one as standby. I just wanted to take a step into the Mac world and I thought the Mini would be a great way to dabble on the cheap. Does the Apple store online have a return policy? I could order one and attempt to get it working like I want and if not just return it.
Also what makes you think the next revision is 1-2 years off?
Anyways thanks for your help.
You need a Toslink cable with a miniplug on one end (for your Mac). You need to make sure your receiver also has an optical input, as well.
DL XBMP - it utilizes both cores better than just about any app out there.
Yes I'm happy with the Mini playing HD Files.
Not sure I didn't buy online.
Taking ages and could not even be updated but don't care now as I have bought one now.
That's ok
On a Mini, it chokes with VLC, and plays perfectly well with XBMC. XBMC is THE app for doing 1080 HD movies - it is really efficient at running both cores. Its bit rate is over 10 mbps and it looks like it's in DTS, not DD.