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Hi,
I've just heard that the Mac Mini should perform well with 1080p content. Is this really true?
I mean it only got 1,8 Ghz and an integrated Intel graphics chip. Or would I need the 2.0 Ghz version?
Does the Mac Mini start up without keyboard and mouse connected? As I would only use it as HTPC.
Since it only got a DVI Connector how would I get the sound to my TV? I only have a DVI to HDMI cable but then I have no sound? I have yet to find a DVI to HDMI cable with a 3,5" jack connector.
I guess the last part should be no problem - put XBMC (or plex or whatever) into autostart and control the complete XBMC with the supplied remote control from Apple?
Thanks for your answers in advance.
I'm really looking for an easy to setup HTPC solution - I could build my own HTPC on Linux or Windows or whatever, but configuration will be always be a pain not to mention the power consumption.
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In my opinion it is simply impossible that a mac mini can handle all 1080p stuff out there! For 720p material it is not the question. Some 1080p films will even go, too. Bot take an h264/x264 film with a high bit rate and the mac mini reaches the end! It is simply too weak for 1080p. Go and build a HTPC by your own with a C2D with at least 2,2 or better 3 GHz.
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My 1.8 mac mini handles 1080p x264 just fine... what you more so have to worry about is your network connection, I've been streaming using 802.11N over 5ghz(my living room is next to my pc room so i'm sure that helps too) anything less will not work.
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I started using my mac mini with wireless g and 1080p content didn't play well. Once I started using an ethernet cable I was able to play them without issues...
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@Gustovier: Did you use Quicktime Movies or regular mkv 1080p files? I heard that the Mac Mini plays Quicktime in HD quite well but not other files. Did you use XBMC / Plex?
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I have the 2GHz mac mini with 4GB of ram, runnoing PLEX & anything I've downloaded from the internets that was a blu-ray ripped to H264 mkv file at 1080p, it plays just fine. It can struggle every now and then on an insanely complex moving image...But I expect with some tweaks it shoudl handle everything I ever want to see, and if I want to watch a full blu-ray title, I switch to my PS3.
I se no reason until 2K or 4K HD comes out to really consider anything else than a mac mini. If you are a home theater nut loking for the high end, you wouldn't be using a HTPC anyways, and any improvement the custom built PCs give you would be probably not be worth the extra time and hassle building your own custom HTPC.
I'd do it only if you want to make something that records with 2-4 inputs, if it doesn't record HD, mac mini would be a very easy way to go.
As for connections, those answeers are in this forum and on the Plex forum as well.
Two things:
DVI to HDMI adapter.
Mini-TOSLink adapter
(Optional item: Toslink + DVI to HDMI out adapter)
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I have a DVI to HDMI Adapter and I know what Toslink is, but I have never found a Toslink + DVI to HDMI Adapter, is something like this really out there?
Then it would be perfect. And I don't really need to record stuff. Also the Mac Mini comes with a remote control already which is very sweet.
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pike
Team Kodi Admin
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talk about thread-jacking
looks xpensiv (mostly because there's no pricetag, and it's probably a rather unique product)