mrt2 Wrote:So I just got an Apple TV because I saw that you could do more with it than the built in Apple stuff (you guys should get a commission as XBMC is the only reason I got one LOL). While I LOVE XBMC and am so blown away by how amazing all this, the performance on the ATV isn't that great... it's laggy when cycling through menus, it's laggy/choppy when pulling up the next DVD in showcase modes or Widemodes in different skins etc... basically the animations and DVD cover movement and when viewing my library visually instead of by list is great to look at but it's slow and laggy... So now this has me thinking would a Mac Mini be better for this? What would be the advantages or disadvantages of using a Mac Mini instead? Would I still be able to purchase and Rent the same movies using the Mac Mini and Front row as I would using the Apple TV? Would there be a significant performance increase when viewing my Library visually with a Mac Mini? Any thoughts on the pros and cons? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

mrt2 Wrote:Any ideas?

kkj1961 Wrote:I'm considering the same change. I am also disappointed with the performance on the appletv. From some other posts I've read on these forums, I believe that XBMC doesn't use the GPU at all, so it's primarily dependent on processor speed. If that's true the mac mini should perform better. I'm on the verge of picking one up, but I'm sure if I do, Apple will release an improved model in January at macworld.

Kevin

mrt2 Wrote:Interesting... so could this maybe be the reason that when using ATV a lot of people are having the display resolution problem that when they choose 1080i or 720p or any option HD, it goes into windowed mode instead of making it full screen forcing us to use the 'resolution (full screen)' option; because it's the GPU that is responsible for displaying HD modes and HD content and XBMC isn't currently using the GPU?

davilla Wrote:GPU does not really mean squat as the GPU is only involved in GL video scaling and display. If you are trying for optimal playback of 1080p high profile, high bit-rate... maybe a better GPU will help.

Using the GPU in video decode will depend on the development of GPU code and creating an API. Non-trivial.


For the AppleTV, don't use screen drawing intensive skins like MediaStream.


MacMini is 3 times the cost and 4 times more powerful in cpu (2GH) than the AppleTV. Cost vs Power. If you can afford it, MacMini, if not, then AppleTV and remember that if you pick the AppleTV, throwing any old mkv at it might/might not play. You really need to understand the video content encoding inside the mkv. Google for "MediaInfo", it's a nice app that shows the video/audio encoding inside most container formats (mkv, avi, mov, etc).

spiderlane Wrote:Hey mrt2 are you inclined to build PCs at all? Because if that sort of thing interests you (and I fully appreciate that for many it doesn't!) then you might be better off building a small, high powered HTPC where you can play all the media you might want to and run all the really nice skins without problem.

mrt2 Wrote:With all that being said... I wonder how cheap I could build an HTPC for that would handle any video I throw at it, at any resolution I choose as well as handle the most graphically intense skin without a hiccup?

davilla Wrote:Cheap and and handing any video/resolution do not equate (not until the new nvidia API has a few more revs). Pick something with a Core2 Duo in the 3GHz range.