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G4 MacMini 1080p performance?

S

svenr

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 6, 2003
219
1
Hi,

I'm considering getting a used G4 MacMini and hooking it up to a 1080p projector mainly for movie watching. Why not Intel? Because I have a few old OS 9 games I like to play from time to time. There's no classic environment on the Intel Macs.

I know the Mini supports resolutions up to 1920 x 1200. But just because I can, does it mean I should? What is the performance running H.264-encoded full HD 1080p material? Does it run smoothly?

I saw the Bare Feats review here, but they don't mention video playback.

Also is there any hardware extension, anything, that would allow a dual-screen setup? That is, not mirrored, but two independent screens.

Thanks
 
itickings

itickings

macrumors 6502a
Apr 14, 2007
947
185
svenr said:
I know the Mini supports resolutions up to 1920 x 1200. But just because I can, does it mean I should? What is the performance running H.264-encoded full HD 1080p material? Does it run smoothly?
Click to expand...

I'd be suprised if a G4 would do 720p without dropping frames, much less 1080p. Apple has some system recommendations for H.264 playback. One can probably get by with a little less than the recommended minimum systems though. In my experience, the G4 Mini will handle 2D desktop work at HD resolutions, not video and 3D.

svenr said:
Also is there any hardware extension, anything, that would allow a dual-screen setup? That is, not mirrored, but two independent screens.
Click to expand...

Depending on your budget/needs, Matrox' DualHead2Go might be what you're looking for. For my needs, I found it to be too expensive as well as too limited.
 
kgarner

kgarner

macrumors 68000
Jan 28, 2004
1,512
0
Utah
I have a 1.42 GHz G4 Mini and I would say that this won't work. It has been a while since I tried H.264 1080p video (maybe the changes in QuickTime 7.2 help out), but when I tried it a LONG time ago it was unwatchable. 720p is okay if I remember right, but 1080p is too much for that system.
 
S

svenr

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 6, 2003
219
1
I think I'll rule the Mini out then.
The Matrox looks interesting though.

Thanks!
 
K

KurtangleTN

macrumors 6502a
Apr 2, 2007
523
0
Hey guys, I really hate to ask a question in this topic, so sorry OP, but I didn't want to make another topic for the same question..

What about the Intel Macs? I'm interested in a New Mac, the mini seems to be pretty perfect for what I want, but I have a nice 61 inch HDTV, at 1920 x 1080 resolution, is the text readable from say the couch at 10-12 feet away?
 
AlBDamned

AlBDamned

macrumors 68030
Mar 14, 2005
2,641
15
No way a G4 Mini can process HDTV at any decent size. I discovered the same problem with a last-rev powerbook and movie trailers. Simply can't handle it.

C2D iMac on the other hand, is absolutely fine - even at full-screen resolution.
 
R

Royale w/cheese

macrumors 6502a
Jun 5, 2007
669
0
KurtangleTN said:
Hey guys, I really hate to ask a question in this topic, so sorry OP, but I didn't want to make another topic for the same question..

What about the Intel Macs? I'm interested in a New Mac, the mini seems to be pretty perfect for what I want, but I have a nice 61 inch HDTV, at 1920 x 1080 resolution, is the text readable from say the couch at 10-12 feet away?
Click to expand...

My intel Mini reads fine at 10 feet from my couch on a 42" sony wega. But it is hooked up through the vga input. I am not at my home right now, and I cant remember the resolution setting right now, it's been at least a year since I adjusted it. You always have ctrl+scroll to magnify though :)
 
K

KurtangleTN

macrumors 6502a
Apr 2, 2007
523
0
Royale w/cheese said:
My intel Mini reads fine at 10 feet from my couch on a 42" sony wega. But it is hooked up through the vga input. I am not at my home right now, and I cant remember the resolution setting right now, it's been at least a year since I adjusted it. You always have ctrl+scroll to magnify though :)
Click to expand...

Ok that's awesome, thanks!
 
F

FireArse

macrumors 6502a
Oct 29, 2004
900
110
1080p minimum requirements

I think you need either a Dual 2GHz G5, or a 1.66GHz Intel Mac Mini as the minimum requirements for 1080p within Quicktime.

F
 
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