Hi All,
I live in a mixed household of PC and Mac devices and need some ideas on setting up a media center. At its most basic, the object is to be able to play downloaded itunes (and maybe others) that will be stored on a NAS into a HD TV. The needs are pretty modest. There won't be a lot of ripping, simultaneous applications or gaming.
This all came about because most of our video library is MPEG-4 DRM movies that refuse to go through Twonkymedia. We also have an ATV3 that can't play any of the special features or director's commentaries on the downloads. They are fine on the PCs but not the iPad or through the ATV3. I'm the PC half of the equation but also chief IT officer. I understand that the DRM issue isn't unique to Apple and I don't want to spend time transcoding stuff.
My thinking right now is to look at a gently used Mac Mini in the 2009-2010 vintage as a media server. I've been lurking here for a few days reading all the threads about that very thing but still have a few questions. I don't need the storage and don't need an optical drive either. Goal A is to be able to play all features in SD of HD as-purchased from itunes. Goal B is to be able to be able to handle non-Apple formats -- probably with Plex.
Pretty much all the parts are in place but the media center and a gigabit switch. My cable reception is often spotty so wired may help a bit more than the wireless LAN for parts that don't move. I also have a 3T external drive that could plug into the Mini.
So my basic question is what should I look for in a Mac Mini for essentially a playback unit but capable of 1080p and adequate audio? Thanks, sh
I live in a mixed household of PC and Mac devices and need some ideas on setting up a media center. At its most basic, the object is to be able to play downloaded itunes (and maybe others) that will be stored on a NAS into a HD TV. The needs are pretty modest. There won't be a lot of ripping, simultaneous applications or gaming.
This all came about because most of our video library is MPEG-4 DRM movies that refuse to go through Twonkymedia. We also have an ATV3 that can't play any of the special features or director's commentaries on the downloads. They are fine on the PCs but not the iPad or through the ATV3. I'm the PC half of the equation but also chief IT officer. I understand that the DRM issue isn't unique to Apple and I don't want to spend time transcoding stuff.
My thinking right now is to look at a gently used Mac Mini in the 2009-2010 vintage as a media server. I've been lurking here for a few days reading all the threads about that very thing but still have a few questions. I don't need the storage and don't need an optical drive either. Goal A is to be able to play all features in SD of HD as-purchased from itunes. Goal B is to be able to be able to handle non-Apple formats -- probably with Plex.
Pretty much all the parts are in place but the media center and a gigabit switch. My cable reception is often spotty so wired may help a bit more than the wireless LAN for parts that don't move. I also have a 3T external drive that could plug into the Mini.
So my basic question is what should I look for in a Mac Mini for essentially a playback unit but capable of 1080p and adequate audio? Thanks, sh