Mini+Plex=Impressed!

[johnnj]

I just got a current gen Mini (2.0 GHz) which I upgraded to 4 gigs o' ram and a 500 gig hard drive. I wanted a desktop alternative to either plugging/unplugging a bunch of wires to my MBP or using my full blown gaming PC (for electricity usage/fan noise concerns). It's driving a pair of 24" Dell monitors (which works very well).

Anyway, just to check it out, I installed Plex. WOW. Via SMB mount from my WHS-based media server it played all the MKV's and M2TS files I threw at it. No glitching and no complaints. It was just solid.

For some perspective on where I'm coming from, last summer I built a PC-based HTPC for my main home theater rig. I think I did a pretty good job with parts selection and when it was working, it worked fairly well.

The problem was that in order to do what I wanted, it required a bunch of different software for a bunch of different places, some paid and some free.
Of course they all didn't play well together and an update to one component usually resulted in some type of problem.

I eventually retasked that machine to be my dedicated mkv processor and went back to using a Popcorn hour (this time an A110).

The only thing that it seems like the PCH can do that Mini/Plex can't is stream Dolby TrueHD and DTS MasterHD. It probably never will, and without one of the expensive, flaky, and recently released HD-capable sound cards, neither could my old HTPC.

I'm seriously thinking about offing my PCH and ATV and replacing both with another Mini. I'm that impressed.

John

[mohanman]

I just got a current gen Mini (2.0 GHz) which I upgraded to 4 gigs o' ram and a 500 gig hard drive. I wanted a desktop alternative to either plugging/unplugging a bunch of wires to my MBP or using my full blown gaming PC (for electricity usage/fan noise concerns). It's driving a pair of 24" Dell monitors (which works very well).

Anyway, just to check it out, I installed Plex. WOW. Via SMB mount from my WHS-based media server it played all the MKV's and M2TS files I threw at it. No glitching and no complaints. It was just solid.

For some perspective on where I'm coming from, last summer I built a PC-based HTPC for my main home theater rig. I think I did a pretty good job with parts selection and when it was working, it worked fairly well.

The problem was that in order to do what I wanted, it required a bunch of different software for a bunch of different places, some paid and some free.
Of course they all didn't play well together and an update to one component usually resulted in some type of problem.

I eventually retasked that machine to be my dedicated mkv processor and went back to using a Popcorn hour (this time an A110).

The only thing that it seems like the PCH can do that Mini/Plex can't is stream Dolby TrueHD and DTS MasterHD. It probably never will, and without one of the expensive, flaky, and recently released HD-capable sound cards, neither could my old HTPC.

I'm seriously thinking about offing my PCH and ATV and replacing both with another Mini. I'm that impressed.

John

Have you had problems so far where you would need a keyboard or mouse to maximize plex.. from lets say a popup or software upgrade warning in the background? That would be annoying. I'm interested in doing this too, but don't want those kind of pop-ups and thinks that would ruin the experience.

Thanks

Mo

[Chase R]

This is exactly what I plan to do when I own my own place. Glad to see it's working out good for you.

[gcmexico]

installing Plex asap...what are the must have plugins?

[Chris Rogers]

Do you use Wifi or ethernet?

installing Plex asap...what are the must have plugins?

Like all of them.

[johnnj]

Have you had problems so far where you would need a keyboard or mouse to maximize plex.. from lets say a popup or software upgrade warning in the background? That would be annoying. I'm interested in doing this too, but don't want those kind of pop-ups and thinks that would ruin the experience.

Thanks

Mo

Seems to be ok. Keep in mind that I'm still primarily using this machine as a computer connected to a normal monitor. I just ordered all of the necessary cables today to connect it to my main home theater system so I could do further testing before I bought another mini.

John

[johnnj]

Do you use Wifi or ethernet?


Wired ethernet. I pulled 5E all over my house a while ago and it's all gig switched.

John

[mpshay]

Wired ethernet. I pulled 5E all over my house a while ago and it's all gig switched.

John

I just finished the last room. Went with CAT 6 on the off chance that it will be compatible with whatever standard is next. Also mounted the 52" Samsung on the wall, installed 5 in-wall speakers, and moved the mini, receiver, switch, etc. into a nearby closet. Love the way everything turned out!

[johnnj]

I just finished the last room. Went with CAT 6 on the off chance that it will be compatible with whatever standard is next. Also mounted the 52" Samsung on the wall, installed 5 in-wall speakers, and moved the mini, receiver, switch, etc. into a nearby closet. Love the way everything turned out!

That's awesome! Sounds like a very neat and tidy setup...

John

[Chris Rogers]

How important is a keyboard/mouse in this setup? I already have a harmony remote and I suppose I wouldn't mind web browsing on a 42" :)

I just ordered the new mini and the apple wireless keyboard/mouse are expensive to just be sitting there.

[gcmexico]

How important is a keyboard/mouse in this setup? I already have a harmony remote and I suppose I wouldn't mind web browsing on a 42" :)

I just ordered the new mini and the apple wireless keyboard/mouse are expensive to just be sitting there.
**
this is what I got I got for my mini setup...

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/3848&cl=us,en

some function keys won't work, but it is Mac compatible...and it looks really cool!!!

[Chris Rogers]

**
this is what I got I got for my mini setup...

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/3848&cl=us,en

some function keys won't work, but it is Mac compatible...and it looks really cool!!!

jeez, that's awesome! And pricey :(

I'm thinking if I have Plex constantly running, I will only need the Harmony remote.

[gcmexico]

alright I'm having a problem here...I follow the video direction to access my external HD but Plex will not recognize my .m4v files....are m4v files supported how do I play them?

[Cave Man]

alright I'm having a problem here...I follow the video direction to access my external HD but Plex will not recognize my .m4v files....are m4v files supported how do I play them?

M4V containers are supported. Do you know what video and audio codecs they have (i.e., how were they encoded)?