Can MBA play HD video?

iWizzard · Jan 18, 2008, 08:51 AM

Is Macbook air powerful enough to play x264 720P and even 1080p?

And does the DVI port even support 1920 x 1200 output?

Eidorian · Jan 18, 2008, 08:52 AM

It's faster then most Mac minis and has single link DVI output.

Catch · Jan 18, 2008, 09:20 AM

I don't see why the MBA would not be able to play back HDM at 1080p on a 50"+ screens. IT supports larger resolutions than 1080p as it supports the 23" CD.

What are you planning on watching? Clips or full 1080p movies? If you consider that a BD can hold up to 50GB of data, the MBA HD will probably not even hold the contents of even 1 full disc with software and OSX also on the drive. Especially so for the SSD version...

If you are talking about HD movies off the iTunes then absolutely. Thats what it screams out to be used for.

As a sidenote, I really wish that apple would stop pushing highly compressed downloadable HD movies. Once you watch HD movies in full 1080p on a 1080p screen with DTS HD MA, there really is no gong back!

Regards,

C

iWizzard · Jan 18, 2008, 09:40 AM

I just wanted to get a feeling for how powerful it was, I do not plan to buy a new computer for at maybe a year. Sadly I still use a PC

DannyBres · Jan 18, 2008, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catch

I don't see why the MBA would not be able to play back HDM at 1080p on a 50"+ screens. IT supports larger resolutions than 1080p as it supports the 23" CD.

What are you planning on watching? Clips or full 1080p movies? If you consider that a BD can hold up to 50GB of data, the MBA HD will probably not even hold the contents of even 1 full disc with software and OSX also on the drive. Especially so for the SSD version...

If you are talking about HD movies off the iTunes then absolutely. Thats what it screams out to be used for.

As a sidenote, I really wish that apple would stop pushing highly compressed downloadable HD movies. Once you watch HD movies in full 1080p on a 1080p screen with DTS HD MA, there really is no gong back!

Regards,

C

i didnt think you could download HD movies form itunes i thiouhgt that was only available on apple tv!

Catch · Jan 18, 2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyBres

i didnt think you could download HD movies form itunes i thiouhgt that was only available on apple tv!

No thats what the keynote was about. They are putting HD content on the iTunes store. I think it will be more like 720p than 1080p though. Having said that I have not looked into it as I have a typically poor UK net provider, and I also collect movies so like to own the disc.

The Apple TV is what Steve hopes you will be using to stream those iTunes purchases.

Regards,

C

Eidorian · Jan 18, 2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyBres

i didnt think you could download HD movies form itunes i thiouhgt that was only available on apple tv!

There are many other sources for HD video on and offline for your computer.

Catch · Jan 18, 2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyBres

i didnt think you could download HD movies form itunes i thiouhgt that was only available on apple tv!

Actually you are correct on the download... you have to rent them. My mistake.

C

Consultant · Jan 18, 2008, 11:49 AM

Yes, MBA can play HD, even the older MacBook Core Duo can play HD video.

HD videos can be compressed down to 5 to 10gb and still look similar to uncompressed HD video.

DOUGHNUT · Jan 18, 2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catch

Actually you are correct on the download... you have to rent them. My mistake.

C

actually the HD content isn't just limited to download only. it is limited to

tv. You can't rent it on a Mac through iTunes

Catch · 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOUGHNUT

actually the HD content isn't just limited to download only. it is limited to

tv. You can't rent it on a Mac through iTunes

wow... that makes it even less valuable to me than I previously thought. Are you saying that I cannot watch a downloaded/rented movie on my MBA in say a hotel room at all?

C

EDIT: Apologies to the OP, I just realized this is totally off topic

Jan 18, 2008, 08:51 AM	#1
iWizzard macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2007	Can MBA play HD video? Is Macbook air powerful enough to play x264 720P and even 1080p? And does the DVI port even support 1920 x 1200 output?
	0

Jan 18, 2008, 08:52 AM	#2
Eidorian macrumors Penryn Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana	It's faster then most Mac minis and has single link DVI output. __________________ Core i5 750 / 16 GB RAM / SSD / HD 7950 / Windows 8
	0

Jan 18, 2008, 09:20 AM	#3
Catch macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: London, UK	I don't see why the MBA would not be able to play back HDM at 1080p on a 50"+ screens. IT supports larger resolutions than 1080p as it supports the 23" CD. What are you planning on watching? Clips or full 1080p movies? If you consider that a BD can hold up to 50GB of data, the MBA HD will probably not even hold the contents of even 1 full disc with software and OSX also on the drive. Especially so for the SSD version... If you are talking about HD movies off the iTunes then absolutely. Thats what it screams out to be used for. As a sidenote, I really wish that apple would stop pushing highly compressed downloadable HD movies. Once you watch HD movies in full 1080p on a 1080p screen with DTS HD MA, there really is no gong back! Regards, C __________________ MacPro 3.0 Harpertown \| CD 30" x 2 \| iPad 3 \| iPhone 5 Mac Mini Music Server \| Audio Research DAC 8 \| C2300 Pre \| MC275 Power x 2 \| A.R.T. Deco 10
	0

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Jan 18, 2008, 09:40 AM	#4
iWizzard Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2007	I just wanted to get a feeling for how powerful it was, I do not plan to buy a new computer for at maybe a year. Sadly I still use a PC
	0

Jan 18, 2008, 11:49 AM	#9
Consultant macrumors G5 Join Date: Jun 2007	Yes, MBA can play HD, even the older MacBook Core Duo can play HD video. HD videos can be compressed down to 5 to 10gb and still look similar to uncompressed HD video.
	0