Got my new Mac Mini setup as a media center!

[Cave Man]

How well does streaming work for high definition files under plex?

It depends on the bitrate. For example, the Apple 720 HD files are encoded around 4 to 4.5 mbps and stream just fine. However, ff and rew are pretty slow. The few transcoded Blu-Ray movies I have (1080p down to 720p) are encoded at 6 mbps and drop frames every now and again to my Apple TV, but not to my Mini. The principal difference here is my ATV is on WiFi-n and my Mini is by ethernet (100 mbps). My Blu-Ray movies stream fine through Plex using ethernet.

I want to do this on my my 1.25GHz G4 PPC Mac mini with 1 GB Ram and 100 GB HD Can anyone help me?

You'll likely need to get a different computer. The G4 isn't a great processor for doing 480 video playback, let alone HD content, and I don't think it even came with Front Row or a remote (i.e., no IR), did it? The Intel dual core Minis are probably the lowest for playback of HD content, while a single core can handle standard def (e.g., DVD rips).

 

[chedda]

Projector Hmmm

That's a nice setup, for sure. And Plex is tops for HTPCs. Now, you just need to get rid of that LCD TV and get a 1080p projector.

I'm not so sure about a projector in the living room after having one for a few years. The best picture is only achieved through total blackout in the day time and the fan noise was also a bit of a problem.Also due to my naivety i used to smoke and the cooling system pulled it in nicely rendering my beautiful huge image a nice tobacco tint ! I'm all for projectors don't get me wrong it's just that i think they need there own dedicated room possibly a basement. Another added bonus is that with the correct paint on the wall when the projector is off you don't lose any space and have a dull black screen in the room this was a problem for those huge rear projection tv's. For now i'll stick with my loewe 46 individual .

 

[Cave Man]

Yeah, no doubt. My projector is in the basement, soon with dark red walls and dark blue matte ceiling. (Wife vetoed flat black.)

 

[kalex]

Can a 1.83 C2D model of mac mini handle blue ray playback through plesk? or does it have to be 2.0 C2D?

thanks

 

[rogersmj]

Can a 1.83 C2D model of mac mini handle blue ray playback through plesk? or does it have to be 2.0 C2D?

thanks

1. What's Plesk? Is that some other piece of software or do you mean Plex?

2. No Mac has a Blu-Ray drive, but if you mean playback of ripped HD content then yes, as we've already talked about in this thread several times, any of the current-gen Mac Minis work fine. A whole 170 MHz isn't going to make much difference.

 

[kalex]

Sorry meant to say Plex

thanks for the answer

 

[rw3]

You could always get a modded Mini with a 2.33Ghz T7600 Core 2 Duo.

 

[gonyr]

This is my exact upcoming project, except that I have an old-school crt front projector (way bigger and ridiculously heavy, but an awesome picture at about 106" diagonal). I'm still looking for a mini in my price range. If I get tired of waiting, I'll probably build a cheap hackintosh box.

 

[kalex]

You could always get a modded Mini with a 2.33Ghz T7600 Core 2 Duo.

Thats true, but C2D 2.0 is already expensive

 

[rw3]

Thats true, but C2D 2.0 is already expensive

I can make a T7600 from a refurbed 1.83Ghz Machine for cheaper than a NEW 2.0Ghz machine.....and that includes maxing out the machine with a 500GB and 4GB (3GB is actually faster).

 

[DoFoT9]

I can make a T7600 from a refurbed 1.83Ghz Machine for cheaper than a NEW 2.0Ghz machine.....and that includes maxing out the machine with a 500GB and 4GB (3GB is actually faster).

here in aust where its more expensive i cant turns out to be around $300AUD more expensive. i cant find any T7600's anyway, only the R7500's (2,2ghz models)

oh and how is 3gb faster? because its paired?

 

[rw3]

3GB just seems to be addressed by the Intel 945 Chipset better than having 4GB in there. The T7600 can be had on eBay for under $400 usually.

 

[jmann]

Wow

That's awesome. I am fantastically jealous.

 

[rw3]

I actually have a brand new spare of the same specs in my sig, so if anyone would want one....

I really love the machine. I use it in conjunction with my AppleTV and use it to encode some BluRay rips. It does a great job and bumping the fan up in speed with smcFanControl doesn't ass much noise.

 

[DoFoT9]

I can make a T7600 from a refurbed 1.83Ghz Machine for cheaper than a NEW 2.0Ghz machine.....and that includes maxing out the machine with a 500GB and 4GB (3GB is actually faster).

a T7700 can be put into the mini? found one for $412... im sure i could supplement it in instead of getting a larger HD, i have enough storage space already haha

 

[rw3]

The T7700 cannot be used in the Mini, it has a 800Mhz FSB. The T7600 is the highest Core 2 Duo you can put in the Mini.

 

[DoFoT9]

The T7700 cannot be used in the Mini, it has a 800Mhz FSB. The T7600 is the highest Core 2 Duo you can put in the Mini.

o thanks very much for that