I've heard it suggested that the Mac Mini might be used as a digital media center. However, I can't figure out how it would drive the 30" monitor--which, to me, is about the smallest size to put into such a home system. Any ideas or alternatives?
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Any way to drive 30" screen with Mac Mini?
- Thread starter finchna
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mad jew
Moderator emeritus
The 30 inch screen is a much higher resolution than televisions so when people say they'd use it for a media centre, they mean with a lower resolution but ultimately larger screen which is less trying on the mini's tiny GPU.
Sorry, but unless you plug a PowerBook or Power mac into the mini, it ain't gonna happen. 🙁
Sorry, but unless you plug a PowerBook or Power mac into the mini, it ain't gonna happen. 🙁
homerjward
macrumors 68030
*if* you really need to run a 30" acd with a mac mini you can do it at 1280x800 which will look fine but it'd be best just not to. $500 computer+$3k display=what's the point
SpaceMagic
macrumors 68000
I have to agree. There are cheaper LCD TVs with integrated tuners. With the Mac Mini you're going to have:
$500 mac mini
$3k 30" Apple Cinema Display, which wont even be able to run at full res
$300 on an EyeTV to watch TV
The costs will mount up. I even doubt that the next mac mini will run the 30"... we'll just have to wait and see.
$500 mac mini
$3k 30" Apple Cinema Display, which wont even be able to run at full res
$300 on an EyeTV to watch TV
The costs will mount up. I even doubt that the next mac mini will run the 30"... we'll just have to wait and see.
If you want to spend some $$$ anyway... buy a decent HD Plasms screen like 42" the res is lower than the 30"... but its very good for computer use & tv use... any 'normal' plasma screen will be **** because you need higer res to be able to use the computer functionallity from the Mac mini
a lot of those HD TV screens have DVI or HDMI input so or direct or with an adaptor you can plug the Mac mini into it & make it work...
a lot of those HD TV screens have DVI or HDMI input so or direct or with an adaptor you can plug the Mac mini into it & make it work...
Abstract
macrumors Penryn
I don't see why people think they can use a cheap ass computer like the Mini to do so much.
Its like people who whine about not having this feature or that feature in the Mini......well, you just paid $500 for a computer that kicks ass.
And if you want to run a 30" Apple Cinema Display, you're dreaming. You can run a tv though. If that is what you're after, then great. However, I think people have only been dreaming up different ways of using the Mini (ie: put it in the car, beside the tv, etc) while its not really a specialty product. Its main role is still as a general Apple computer.
Its like people who whine about not having this feature or that feature in the Mini......well, you just paid $500 for a computer that kicks ass.
And if you want to run a 30" Apple Cinema Display, you're dreaming. You can run a tv though. If that is what you're after, then great. However, I think people have only been dreaming up different ways of using the Mini (ie: put it in the car, beside the tv, etc) while its not really a specialty product. Its main role is still as a general Apple computer.