Mac Pro - can u turn into HTPC?

[jjahshik32]

Have you ever heard a Mini?
No?
There you go!

Personally I would not like to have a Pro in my living room. The Mini runs circles around it in means of noise. You can't hear that thing. Perfect for a HTPC!

Mac mini is quieter but it cant really handle 1080p mkv files very well. I had the mac mini 2.0GHz model (before the new upgrade of just the few days ago) and it did play hd movies fine via plex player but when I tried to run 1080p materials it had problems at some scenes where it would slow to a crawl in terms of fps.

 

[Tesselator]

Have you ever heard a Mini?
No?
There you go!

Personally I would not like to have a Pro in my living room. The Mini runs circles around it in means of noise. You can't hear that thing. Perfect for a HTPC!

Mac mini is quieter but it cant really handl 1080p mkv files very well. I had the mac mini 2.0GHz model and it did play hd movies fine via plex player but when I tried to run 1080p materials it had problems at some scenes where it would slow to a crawl in terms of fps.

I dunno. If he uses the HD154UI green drives which have a max operating temp of 65c and which typically run at 30c to 35c at Mac Pro factory set fan speeds then I guess he could just leave the fan speeds at factory and the Mac Pro is also completely silent. It'll run on the higher side of warm but it'll be silent.

starting to think that selling it and buying/build my own htpc is the way i might go. Just need to find a buyer!
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I have a guy that will give me $1500USD for my Mac Pro, should i do it, $1500 could get me a pretty good htpc build, no?

Pretty close. I think the $2k mark is more suitable for a "good" HTPC. But are you sure you want to? The Mac Pro does everything you want to do except for the BRD protected disk playback - and there may be a remedy for that in the near future(?). Also WinTel boxes need lots of care and consideration to make them quiet.

I notice people saying to use Mac Minis as a HTPC but that's pretty dumb IMO. It'll only work if you stay on Apple's prescribed path. Meaning no space for ripping, no BRD, no surround sound output - at least I don't see any (see image), no eSATA which means slow I/O if you add storage to it for ripping, it's not upgradable or user serviceable, and like jjahshik32 says it can't really handle 1080p very well, etc. etc.

Power, NIC, FW, 2 Disply, 5 USB, 2 Audio (line in/out, headphone)​

So IMHO the Mac Mini is probably the worst choice there is. I seriously don't think there is a worse choice except maybe a laptop. On the other hand if all they're doing is stereo DVD playback and XdiV internet downloads then it (or a laptop) will be just fine.

BTW, I recently added 5-1 surround processing to my Mac Pro 1,1 and wow what a huge and delightful difference there is from just stereo. And my stereo is a $2.5k audio kit so it's no slouch! And OMFG, when I put a DTS disk in and play it I'm emerged in a sea of sound. Of course my neighbors probably don't appreciate it as much as I do but what the hey - I'll just bake them some cookies or something. Seriously the only downside to true surround is when there's a door-knock on my FR speaker (which is by my room-door) I say, "Who is it, come in", and when there's a telephone ring on my RL speaker (which is next to the room phone) I dunno if I should answer it or wait for an actor to get it.



EDIT:
Evidently the Mini's audio ports are "combined optical digital (minijack)" and can support 5-1 contrary to my assumptions. I had assumed all "minijacks" were only copper. Here's the low-down on 5-1: http://www.thismuchiknow.co.uk/?p=24 and here's the Mini's specs (see the bottom of the center column): http://www.apple.com/macmini/specs.html . So the other limitations I mentioned still apply but it seems there is actually 5-1 capability.

 

[gugucom]

I'm telling Tess forever that BD playback with Bootcamp Windows is no issue. It works on the Mac Pro and even on the newest mini. The mini is just a PITA to change the optical disk drive in.

Other than that the latest mini's have some pretty good Core 2 Duo chips but they have a long way to go if they want to compete with Xeons for Handbraking or speed of remuxing. On top they are crap for storage particularly when you run two OSes. Remember a 1080p movie will take some 20 Gigs and at that rate you want several Terabyte disks.

The one point I agree with him is that the MP is a very nice platform for an HTPC, particularly when you need a bit of crunch power to redo things.

 

[Tesselator]

Who in their right mind would want to run bootcamp on a home theater system? Not to mention the extra costs involved or voiding the warrantee by installing a BRD. Yuck!

 

[gugucom]

Well, it isn't ideal isn't it? But what do you want to do if Apple boycotts BD to promote their iTunes sales. I don't think you will get regular playback or ripping Blu-Rays anytime soon on a Mac. On my Mac Pro it wasn't a big deal to replace the superdrive with a Blu-Ray. On a mini it is slightly more work but some people will definitely do it.

 

[Tesselator]

Yeah, kinda like those kids that mod their XBox 360's and PS3's?

 

[entatlrg]

It'll suck too much power if you ask me, but it's actually not that loud.

Does the MacPro suck up that much more power than the new 27" iMac?

 

[iamcheerful]

Does the MacPro suck up that much more power than the new 27" iMac?

iMac 27"
Maximum continuous power: 365W (27-inch models)
Link - http://www.apple.com/imac/specs.html

Mac Pro (original till today, 2006-2009)
Operating power ranges from 250 to 318W
Link - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2836

Note: stock config, excludes display, details see link

Update
Here's a screenshot for easy viewing (for those who may not want to click the link)

Power consumption

Since I run my Mac Pro as much as 14 hours a day, I care about power usage, which hits $0.35/KWh at my home in expensive run-by-morons California.

Power usage is amazingly good for this class machine. Past Mac Pros would hit the 550 watt range under full load; the MP09 maxes out at about 350 watts under the most severe load.

Stock config takes 138 watts idle (single drive spinning).
With 4 drives and 16G, when the drives spin down the MP09 takes only 136 watts.
About 5 watts more for 16GB vs 6GB.
Up to 325 watts under full compute load (all 16 cores busy) with 16GB and single drive. Add another 20 watts or so four 1TB drives.
With 16GB and 4 drives (+SSD), under full stress 350 watts.
Add 60 watts for the power-glutton ATI Radeon 4870 video card, which requires its own two power cables to the motherboard.

Source

 

[Tesselator]

Kewl stats!

But I dunno about an iMac as a home theatre system. Ug! That tiny little monitor? A family of 4 would just about need to be sitting shoulder-to-shoulder (touching) to see the movie and a family/group of 6 or more would need to start taking advantage of lap-realestate. I guess they could use the mini DP on the back but I dunno too may HT systems that run 2 monitors in the room like that. <shrug>

 

[VirtualRain]

IMO, The ideal hardware for your home theater depends entirely on your primary content medium... And you are often better off buying multiple devices rather than trying to get one device to do it all...

iTunes is best played back on AppleTV
BluRay is best played back on a PS3 or dedicated player
Ripped MKV's are best played back on a Mac Mini (running Plex) or PC (Windows Media Center)

While I own a PS3, my movie viewing primarily falls into the latter group and I use a Mac Mini. It's only detractor (IMO) is that it doesn't include HDMI output to simplify cabling but it's hardly a show-stopper to have to use DVI-HDMI and Optical for audio. A 2.0GHz C2D Mac Mini with 2GB is plenty of hardware for 1080p playback... and storage is easily covered with a NAS or FW enclosure attached directly to the Mini (2TB Green in my case). In fact, a media center Mini can perform a variety of other tasks, including acting as a NAS. It's low power consumption make ideal for an always-on computer.

Plex is a fantastic media center software that will playback anything you throw at it and has a wonderfully easy UI.

You will want to use a more powerful machine for ripping movies, but you don't need to use the same machine for ripping and viewing.

 

[gugucom]

Apart from the point of energy use you can do all this with the Mac Pro as well, using green mass storage disks, GT120, Blu-Ray drive and SSDs. One fly in the ointment is the audio bug that lets the 2009 machine run hot. I hope Apple will fix this.

 

[VirtualRain]

Apart from the point of energy use you can do all this with the Mac Pro as well, using green mass storage disks, GT120, Blu-Ray drive and SSDs. One fly in the ointment is the audio bug that lets the 2009 machine run hot. I hope Apple will fix this.

No doubt... but for the money, you could get a Mac Mini, AppleTV, and PS3 and have the ideal solution for all forms of media.

I've spent a lot of time trying to build do-it-all HTPC's and it's always a case of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole... there's too many compromises currently in such a solution.

 

[nanofrog]

No doubt... but for the money, you could get a Mac Mini, AppleTV, and PS3 and have the ideal solution for all forms of media.

I've spent a lot of time trying to build do-it-all HTPC's and it's always a case of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole... there's too many compromises currently in such a solution.

Were your attempts strictly with OS X and Macs, or did you try with other OS's and PC hardware as well?

 

[gugucom]

No doubt... but for the money, you could get a Mac Mini, AppleTV, and PS3 and have the ideal solution for all forms of media.

I've spent a lot of time trying to build do-it-all HTPC's and it's always a case of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole... there's too many compromises currently in such a solution.

Well, if you already run a top class MP for a reason I don't think there are many obstacles to use it as an HTPC. You just have to be a bit frugal on graphics which isn't a huge problem unless you game. This I do not.

 

[VirtualRain]

Were your attempts strictly with OS X and Macs, or did you try with other OS's and PC hardware as well?

Actually previous attempts to make the ultimate HTPC were with Windows. Only recently did I give up my Vista HTPC for a Mac Mini and as with all my migrations from Windows to Mac, it has been a sweet transition.

Having said that, Vista is a very capable platform for a HTPC, but I found the media center software lacking and Windows is simply a big headache. I also wasn't happy with the power consumption and noise of a PC in the living room.

Well, if you already run a top class MP for a reason I don't think there are many obstacles to use it as an HTPC. You just have to be a bit frugal on graphics which isn't a huge problem unless you game. This I do not.

You definitely could (and maybe should)... However, my Mac Pro stays in my home office. I understand the need or desire of using one system to fill multiple roles... I guess I'm spoiled with all the hardware I have... being able to have what I feel is the ideal platform for each role.

 

[nanofrog]

Well, if you already run a top class MP for a reason I don't think there are many obstacles to use it as an HTPC. You just have to be a bit frugal on graphics which isn't a huge problem unless you game. This I do not.

Cabling isn't as simple as HDMI, but I wouldn't think it that big a deal (separate audio, and a converter to get DVI to HDMI or MDP to HDMI).

Assuming movies only, I'd think the HD4870 or GTX285 should be sufficient. Is this actually the case?

 

[nanofrog]

Actually previous attempts to make the ultimate HTPC were with Windows. Only recently did I give up my Vista HTPC for a Mac Mini and as with all my migrations from Windows to Mac, it has been a sweet transition.

Having said that, Vista is a very capable platform for a HTPC, but I found the media center software lacking and Windows is simply a big headache. I also wasn't happy with the power consumption and noise of a PC in the living room.

I've not tried it, but thought had it been done on OS X + Mac, that the HDCP (lack of) compliance would be a problem.

For Window's, I'd expect 3rd party software to be needed, depending on specifics.

 

[VirtualRain]

Cabling isn't as simple as HDMI, but I wouldn't think it that big a deal (separate audio, and a converter to get DVI to HDMI or MDP to HDMI).

Assuming movies only, I'd think the HD4870 or GTX285 should be sufficient. Is this actually the case?

Plex uses the CPU for video decoding. 1080p H.264 decoding can be done with a dual-core CPU at about 1.8GHz. I don't think there is an API for hardware accelerated decoding outside of Quicktime on OSX at this time. Under Windows, even a 9400M was sufficient GPU for 1080p decoding. A gaming level graphics card is way overkill for 1080p playback.

I've not tried it, but thought had it been done on OS X + Mac, that the HDCP (lack of) compliance would be a problem.

For Window's, I'd expect 3rd party software to be needed, depending on specifics.

I'm not sure exactly what you are asking, but playing back Bluray on Windows does require 3rd party software (Cyberlink PowerDVD). Never tried it on a Mac, so I don't know what's required. The PS3 is really the best platform for full Bluray support given it's upgradable firmware and support for the latest 7.1 lossless audio standards... something that simply cannot be supported on a Mac with only Toslink audio out.

 

[VoR]

asrock ion 330ht with bluray running xbmc.
An atom machine that's super cheap, uses a few watts of electricity and will decode hd media quicker than a mac pro running osx.
Use the mac pro for encoding (and serving?).

 

[gugucom]

Assuming movies only, I'd think the HD4870 or GTX285 should be sufficient. Is this actually the case?

Actually a GT120 is plenty enough and it takes no PCIe power at all. For older Mac Pros a 3870 Mac&PC Edition with passive cooling or big heat pipe two slot heat sink is ideal.

 

[nanofrog]

I don't think there is an API for hardware accelerated decoding outside of Quicktime on OSX at this time.

This is what I was getting at. I'm not aware of a hardware API either, and presumed the only way is CPU dependent under OS X.

Under Windows, even a 9400M was sufficient GPU for 1080p decoding. A gaming level graphics card is way overkill for 1080p playback.

For windows, you don't need that much. Gaming is another story, but that's specific use the way I look at things. So HTPC doesn't necessarily mean gaming optimized to me.

But it's not hard to do, if desired.

I'm not sure exactly what you are asking, but playing back Bluray on Windows does require 3rd party software (Cyberlink PowerDVD)..

BluRay is the major issue that popped up in my mind, but HTPC can be done without BluRay, which is why I worded it the way I did.

There could be 3rd party software that's easier than Windows Media Play to use as well. Not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised, given the number of applications available that do similar (if not identical tasks) built into windows.

The PS3 is really the best platform for full Bluray support given it's upgradable firmware and support for the latest 7.1 lossless audio standards... something that simply cannot be supported on a Mac with only Toslink audio out

Some don't like 7.1. Others do. To me, it's not critical, so Toslink would be acceptable. I'm happy with 5.1 myself.

To me, the real advantage to the PS3 is it's ability to play BluRay disks and provide gaming capabilities for an inexpensive price. Gives a nice value for the money. Even with BluRay player prices dropping. That may change, though once the prices hit bottom. Especially for those who don't game.

Actually a GT120 is plenty enough and it takes no PCIe power at all. For older Mac Pros a 3870 Mac&PC Edition with passive cooling or big heat pipe two slot heat sink is ideal.

I wasn't sure if the drivers caused issues or not for such a card under OS X, and wondered if a additional horse power was needed to overcome any issues.