[fullfatcream]

Just wondered how people get on with very old mac minis.

I'm getting some very choppy play back. Just got a new TV toshiba
Regza 42XV635DB that finally gets me up to 1080p So my set up is this.

TV
Regza 42XV635DB

Mac mini = 10.5.8
PowerMac 10.1
PowerPC G4 (1.2)
1.42 Ghz
1Gb memory
bus speed 167 Mhz
ROM version 4.8.9f1

XBMC version 10.05.pre

Even older G4 is used as file server and everything runs on a wired network.

No I know I wont be able to get 1080p out of the mini. But would like it to run smooth.

if anyone else has a similar set up gets smooth playback can you give me a heads up on what you have done.

Cheers all.

[davilla]

Just wondered how people get on with very old mac minis.

I'm getting some very choppy play back. Just got a new TV toshiba
Regza 42XV635DB that finally gets me up to 1080p So my set up is this.

TV
Regza 42XV635DB

Mac mini = 10.5.8
PowerMac 10.1
PowerPC G4 (1.2)
1.42 Ghz
1Gb memory
bus speed 167 Mhz
ROM version 4.8.9f1

XBMC version 10.05.pre

Even older G4 is used as file server and everything runs on a wired network.

No I know I wont be able to get 1080p out of the mini. But would like it to run smooth.

if anyone else has a similar set up gets smooth playback can you give me a heads up on what you have done.

Cheers all.

To run smooth, only play back SD content. you don't have the ponies to play back HD content with a PPC macmini.

[fullfatcream]

You're not wrong. Little fella falls over when I set it to 1080 and do.. well not a lot.

But it is just old school DVD ts folder files I have and they are a little choppy. Plays better in front row.

Surely I've done something wrong or not set something up right.

[davilla]

"top" shows all, if you are near max CPU, game over.

[fullfatcream]

top says...

DialogSeekbar.xml/ 1280x720 @ 50.00 - Full Screen 30.37 Hz. / Free memory - 584MB

istat says

CPU
user 98%
System 1%
Nice 0%
idle 1%

[davilla]

top says...

DialogSeekbar.xml/ 1280x720 @ 50.00 - Full Screen 30.37 Hz. / Free memory - 584MB

istat says

CPU
user 98%
System 1%
Nice 0%
idle 1%

idle 1%, game over. not enough ponies to play.

[fullfatcream]

Looks like it back to frontrow for me. Mind you do you have any recommendations on what I would need?

and in no uncertain terms thanks for helping me look into this. Cheers

[davilla]

Looks like it back to frontrow for me. Mind you do you have any recommendations on what I would need?

and in no uncertain terms thanks for helping me look into this. Cheers

you need a more powerful osx intel box.

[fullfatcream]

I knew you were going to say that.... time to start saving.... How the hell does apple TV deal with this sort of thing?

[garyi]

Better.

[fullfatcream]

Better.

Better how? Do you have one and if so is it worth getting?

[davilla]

Better how? Do you have one and if so is it worth getting?

2.0GHz+ intel macmini == better
1.6GHz intel macmini + crystalhd == better
1.0GHz intel AppleTV + crystalhd == better

[fullfatcream]

Nice one. I now know what to save for.

I take it that anything over 2Ghz you dont need the crysalHD card?

[davilla]

Nice one. I now know what to save for.

I take it that anything over 2Ghz you dont need the crysalHD card?

really depends on content. VC1 will bring a 2.0 GHz core2duo to it's knees. Crystalhd will eat it all day.

[fullfatcream]

does that mean that apple tv with the card will work? just looked and now thinking I might get one.

* Work as in dvd and hd stuff runs smoothly.

2.0GHz+ intel macmini == better
1.6GHz intel macmini + crystalhd == better
1.0GHz intel AppleTV + crystalhd == better

in other words is it worth getting a 2 Ghz mini if ATV with the card is better(er)