So we just got a big fancy new 1080p LG TV the other week and we're thinking of using a Mac Mini plus Plex to use it as a media centre. Currently I am running Plex on the MacBook in my sig, when hooking up to the TV and watching HD films I can clearly hear the fan spinning away at top speed. I'm assuming this is because decoding and playing HD videos is a tad processor intensive. The question: What would the minimum specs of a Mac Mini be that would be suitable for this purpose? I don't fancy shelling out £500 for the cheapest new one just for that! It'll only be used as a media centre and for downloading, pretty much nothing else. Cheers
Core 2 Duo as a minimum unless you have no interest in pushing out HD video Go for the most recent you can get last gen may be ok for it but I'd personally go with the current gen offering... as an aside you can pick them up from CEX these days pretty cheaply
I have the one before the recent one - meaning it doesn't have the 9400M. Still, the sound of the fan is pretty unhearable when watching a movie with plex, getting it streamed or locally decoding it. The MacBook Fans are pretty loud, so don't judge the Mac Mini taking the MacBooks as an example. What I am searching for right are two things: 1. EyeTV integration for Plex, which it still lacks, it doesn't even have a plugin to switch between those 2 apps 2. A way to get surround sound out of my Mac mini. Does anyone here know a solution for that? Sorry for pullin' this Thread a bit OT btw Back to your stuff, I would totally recommend getting a Mac Mini media center, it's totally awesome. Also, will it have TV Support? If so, I recommend the EyeTV Hybrid. It's pretty much perfect, the only thing it is lacking is Plex support, or is Plex lacking EyeTV Support? Nevermind, for my part I can recommend it to you. But don't get the Apple Wireless mouse and keyboard, no matter what. They are truly beatiful, but the performance of the mouse is crappy, and the keyboard loses it's connection all the time.
the headphone jack doubles as an optical SPDIF out. When hooked up, the application should pass along any AC3 streams it finds. Might need a bit of tinkering though.
If you know anyone who's at school/college/uni or is a teacher (even a nursery school nurse) then there's an education discount available. Saves about £50 on a macbook so would be a bit less on a Mini but would be a saving nonetheless...
You will want to get the latest Mac Mini if your going to be outputting 1080p video, its the only one with a proper video card. The cheapest current one will do great.
I'm not to fussed about the fan, I merely mentioned it as it's how I twigged the MacBook was chugging away quite hard. I've currently got my eye on the 1.83Ghz Core 2 Duo run. It's only the GMA 950 but my MacBook doesn't seem to have any issues (granted mine is the X3100) There is no way I'd buy the Apple Wireless K/board and mouse, way too expensive for too little. I'm currently using the wired Apple Keyboard, I couldn't do with the smaller wireless with less keys. Nae chance with the mouse either. Useless. I love my MX Revolution Cheers for the advice
I Wouldnt go for one with the GMA950, its terribly underpowered, and might struggle with Full Quality 1080p Video. The Processor should be fine for now, as long as it is a Core2Duo not a Core Duo.
