[Trojita]

I've been looking to either build my own Windows/Linux HTPC for using XBMC or getting a Mac Mini to use as an HTPC. I was greatly interested in getting the Mini since it has a very stable OS, an IR Port built in, and its slim profile. I heard some things though about audio not playing properly and the mac mini not allowing bitstreaming. I was thinking about waiting for the Mac Mini 2011 refresh to see if anything is different.

If the 2011 refreshed Mac Mini's have a graphics card that supports bitstreaming (If it is an Nvidia it would have to be around the 460 series or better) will XBMC on Mac then play the bitstreamed audio?

I'd like a player that could have great video quality and I'd like a player that could play the audio or output to the receiver properly these audio types:
TRUE HD
DTS HD
AC3 5.1
DTS 5.1
FLAC 2.0 or 5.1

I'm not sure on the specifics of audio types, but I guess sometimes these audio files are turned into LPCM by the hardware and sent to the receiver uncompressed, or something like that.

For my needs I don't know if it might be better to get the Mac Mini (Refresh 2011 if this fixes any of the problems) or build my own Windows or Linux box to put XBMC on.

[SpectreX]

Tha Mac Mini has a 320M GPU, so i doesn`t support HD audio bitstreaming, only normal DTS/AC3, and an outdated CPU.

You can build a Core i3 2100HT with does HD audio bistreaming, 3D support, and CPU much more powerfull for half the price, in the mini-ITX form factor, so you get a small box.

[jhsrennie]

If you must have bitstreaming you can't use a Mac Mini: that was easy.

If you can live without bitstreaming, and the (high!) cost isn't an issue, then the Mac Mini is absolutely gorgeous. I have never seen any other HTPC that comes close to the Mac in terms of design and build quality.

JR

[SpectreX]

If you must have bitstreaming you can't use a Mac Mini: that was easy.

If you can live without bitstreaming, and the (high!) cost isn't an issue, then the Mac Mini is absolutely gorgeous. I have never seen any other HTPC that comes close to the Mac in terms of design and build quality.

JR

Yeah, because obviously only Apple has aluminium cases and builds their own hardware from scratch...oh wait, they don`t. They take hardware from the Foxxcon/Asus OEM division (Designed in California, MADE in China, heh), slap it into an aluminium case (the same aluminium you find in a mini-ITX Lian Li case and lots more), put the word "magical" on it and Apple zealots rush on it like it`s the 8th wonder of the world.

[jhsrennie]

At a quick glance round my room I can see nine computers: two Dell Precision workstations, four Dell Poweredge servers, two Acer Revo 3610s and ... one Apple Mac Mini. The Mini isn't even the new model, and it's running Bootcamp/Windows XP. So, I think I can reasonably deny any accusation that I'm a Mac zealot.

I don't care what the Mini is made from or where it's made. I just think it looks great and works perfectly, and I'm pleased I own it.

JR

[Trojita]

You guys don't think the next Mac Mini coming in late July/Early August will be a latest (Not THE Latest though knowing Apple) graphics card chip that allows Bitstreaming?

I mean I don't really care about Bitstreaming as long as the Mac Mini was playing the audio correct, I'd rather it not play just stereo when something with 5.1 FLAC is supposed to be played.

[BenH]

The rumors are that the next mini will be an i3 on Sandy Bridge platform, so I wouldn't be surprised if they drop nvidia for intel graphics.
Ben

[patm95]

I am considering a mac mini for my next htpc. I would obviously slap windows 7 on it , but I think it would look great next to the tv compared to my current custom built pc.

[jhsrennie]

so I wouldn't be surprised if they drop nvidia for intel graphics.

Noooooooooooooooooooooo!

JR

[thanamesjames]

You should ask around in the hardware forum... those guys know there stuff! This is one of the most popular threads over there, Build a HTPC

[mac666]

Xtreamer Ultra :-)

[darkscout]

Yeah, because obviously only Apple has aluminium cases and builds their own hardware from scratch...oh wait, they don`t. They take hardware from the Foxxcon/Asus OEM division (Designed in California, MADE in China, heh), slap it into an aluminium case (the same aluminium you find in a mini-ITX Lian Li case and lots more), put the word "magical" on it and Apple zealots rush on it like it`s the 8th wonder of the world.

Care to post the link to the Lian Li that comes close to those dimensions?

[jhsrennie]

Please, no more pornographic images :-)

JR

[vikjon0]

Yeah, because obviously only Apple has aluminium cases and builds their own hardware from scratch

I do not use apple (except ipod) and I will even get the new samsung pad to stay on the "open" track.
BUT, most people agree apple produce both superior design AND superior HW quality. As far as I know they even own the battery supply chain to accomplish superior battery capacity.

I beleive it takes more than a shiny case to do this.

I hope Samsung finally will put up a fight. It looks good, it will come down to the battery.

EDIT: And my dream htpc is the atv2 hw but with an open os

[SpectreX]

Care to post the link to the Lian Li that comes close to those dimensions?

Here`s the first one i have at hand : http://www.habeyusa.com/products_show.ph...ildMenu130 . Same rounded egdes, minimal design ideea.

One inch taller/wider than the Mac Mini, 3mm aluminium case. And quite cheap (60$ i think).

Here`s a pre-built one :http://www.giadatech.com/index.php?app=p...show&id=42. This one is actually smaller than the mini : 190 * 150 * 25 mm (Gianda) vs 197mm * 197mm * 35mm (mini). You can find models with the same footprint that include a Core i3 CPU.