Do you use your Mac mini as a HTPC?

silvine · 19-01-2010 11:03pm #1

After been disappointed by the WD Live (network issues etc) I am looking at the Mac mini to use as a movie and music system for my TV and amp. I particularly like how it seems like a great partner for Plex.

What are people's experiences with it like?
Is the cheapest version sufficient?
Is now a good time to buy?
How does it handle streaming especially HD?

Dorsanty · 19-01-2010 11:35pm

I'm currently using Boxee on Windows 7 (for the blu ray support) and have done so on my MBP and on my folks AppleTV (although waiting for a Beta version to be available for AppleTV at the moment). Works with the Apple remote and is the easiest setup I've seen for any Media Center. Simply point at the storage location of movies/photos/music and it will do all the sorting and indexing. Of course your files need to have reasonably useful names in order for it to succeed in imdb lookups. It does make the odd mistake but it is a low percentage.

Then there's all the app addons. I was even using RTE Player via an app, but that only works with the alpha version last I checked.

banquo · 20-01-2010 2:43am

I would LOVE to see Boxee in action/try it out before making a htpc decision. Looking into an AppleTv with ATV Flash so I can add an external hard drive / be able to play all file types.

Lack of 1080p is the only thing really holding me back, but I'm not going to afford a proper telly anytime soon.

Would you recommend having a mac mini over my (potential) setup, Dorsanty?

J-blk · 20-01-2010 8:31am

I recently got a current gen. base spec Mini (I had an older 1.6Ghz Core Duo back in the day, my first Mac

) to use exclusively as an HTPC - I use Plex and I'm very happy with it, plays everything I throw at it, no hiccups with 1080p mkvs or anything... That said, I really only watch media on it, don't give a crap about Bluray and I don't record Live TV with it so I could only comment on how it works overall with downloaded media (mostly mkv and avi files).

BTW, I got the cheapest current spec - no upgrades at all, it is perfectly fine (and more than you'll need for the foreseeable future) for all content. I'd recommend it over an Apple TV without a blink, much more powerful. And it has been as solid as a rock - boots in seconds (because I have pretty much nothing installed anyway other than Plex), works great with just the Apple remote (no keyboard or mouse, I can do all maintenance through screen sharing from my MacBook anyway).

Dont be at yourself · 20-01-2010 8:59am

I've got a Mac Mini connected via a DVI - HDMI cable and an optical cable to my AV amp. It's running Plex, and streaming content from a Time Capsule. Controlled by either a keyboard/mouse, Apple Remote, or XBMC iPhone app.

The only fly in the ointment is the lack of blu-ray support, but I have a separate player anyway.

Dorsanty · 20-01-2010 9:21am

Yes to Mini over AppleTV. At the very least there's more CPU horsepower and memory for that 1080p playback. Then there is DVD playback assuming you don't have the server version of the mini.

As for trying Boxee it is definitely worth spending 2 hours with it. It is available for os x (intel only), linux, and windows. So sign up for the current public released version and give it a whirl on any computer you wish, preferably one you have a remote for.

Also you can make frontrow look at a folder on your disk (which can contain a link to a network share). Then you have a media centre with local music and photo library and access to your various xvid/divx/h.264/etc content.

I'm hopeful apple will overcome their issues with blu ray this year since the licensing was changed last year to make it simpler and cheaper for manufacturers to use. I was only seconds from buying a mini last year in the states when I remembered I had a small blu ray collection, which is larger now. Still that's my requirements and not essential for a lot of people.

silvine · 20-01-2010 6:20pm

Can the Core Duo mac mini handle 1080p? Was looking at one on eBay.

bruce wayne · 20-01-2010 7:08pm

J-blk wrote: »

I recently got a current gen. base spec Mini (I had an older 1.6Ghz Core Duo back in the day, my first Mac ) to use exclusively as an HTPC - I use Plex and I'm very happy with it, plays everything I throw at it, no hiccups with 1080p mkvs or anything... That said, I really only watch media on it, don't give a crap about Bluray and I don't record Live TV with it so I could only comment on how it works overall with downloaded media (mostly mkv and avi files).

BTW, I got the cheapest current spec - no upgrades at all, it is perfectly fine (and more than you'll need for the foreseeable future) for all content. I'd recommend it over an Apple TV without a blink, much more powerful. And it has been as solid as a rock - boots in seconds (because I have pretty much nothing installed anyway other than Plex), works great with just the Apple remote (no keyboard or mouse, I can do all maintenance through screen sharing from my MacBook anyway).

Same here, fully recommend it

thecommander · 20-01-2010 7:12pm

Have a Mac Mini running over HDMI to my LCD. Running Plex, with transmission/clutch and Episode Linker to sort tv shows into right directory. Works like a dream

silvine · 20-01-2010 9:20pm

I was offered this mini mac for €450:

CPU: 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
RAM: 2GB 1067MHz DDR3
GPU: nVidia GeForce 9400M 256MB
HDD: 160GB @ 7,200 rpm
Apple Wireless Keyboard – International English
MiniDVI to VGA cable

What do you think, is it worth getting?

Talisman · 20-01-2010 9:54pm

Is it the 2009 model? The base 2009 model is 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM (upgradeable to 4GB), 160GB HD (5400RPM) and retails for €549 inc VAT/€453 ex VAT.

banquo · 20-01-2010 9:57pm

Everyone here rocks.

/Prepares credit card.

silvine · 20-01-2010 10:41pm

Yeah it's a second hand upgraded version of the 2009 model. What do you reckon?

I'm tempted...

Talisman · 20-01-2010 10:51pm

You'd be saving yourself about €170 on buying the same kit new.

Mac mini + Wireless keyboard : €549 + €69 = €618

Definitely a bargain. Does it come with Snow Leopard?

silvine · 20-01-2010 10:56pm

Leopard but I have my own copy of Snow Leopard . Can I just install my copy onto this Mac? I don't really need the wireless keyboard.

Still seems good though.

jolsen · 20-01-2010 11:02pm

I had one, I liked it but didn't love it. It does have a wow factor and plex is great on it. I used to use mobile air mouse app (acts as a mouse and keyboard) on my iphone to control it which worked like a charm. The novelty quickly wore off for me though and I felt it was a bit wasteful. In the end I gave it to my parents when their pc stated to crap out on them, they gave it the love it probably deserved.

If you're buying new I would hold off until after the apple event in a week or so.

Talisman · 20-01-2010 11:11pm

silvine wrote: »

Leopard but I have my own copy of Snow Leopard . Can I just install my copy onto this Mac? I don't really need the wireless keyboard.

Still seems good though.

There's nothing stopping you from installing Snow Leopard but it's a violation of the license agreement if you're already using it on another Mac.

silvine · 20-01-2010 11:16pm

Okay thanks for the info. Will think about it and decide in the morn.

AlmightyCushion · 23-01-2010 1:55am

silvine wrote: »

I was offered this mini mac for €450:

CPU: 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
RAM: 2GB 1067MHz DDR3
GPU: nVidia GeForce 9400M 256MB
HDD: 160GB @ 7,200 rpm
Apple Wireless Keyboard – International English
MiniDVI to VGA cable

What do you think, is it worth getting?

That should handle full hd content easily enough which is nice. Plus, while the western digital tvs are nice they aren't a patch on having an actual pc hooked up to your tv. You won't regret it.

silvine · 23-01-2010 8:01pm

Ok so I've got the mini mac but I can't get it to display properly on my HDTV. I've connected my mac with the mini dvi cable to a dvi/HDMI converter. The dvi/HDMI converter connects to my sharp aquos tv to with a HDMI lead. However, the mini mac image display on the tv is all distorted and in strange colours. Any ideas?.

AlmightyCushion · 23-01-2010 8:04pm

silvine wrote: »

Ok so I've got the mini mac but I can't get it to display properly on my HDTV. I've connected my mac with the mini dvi cable to a dvi/HDMI converter. The dvi/HDMI converter connects to my sharp aquos tv to with a HDMI lead. However, the mini mac image display on the tv is all distorted and in strange colours. Any ideas?.

Can you try it on a normal monitor using a dvi connection. Just to rule out the tv/lead as the problem.

silvine · 23-01-2010 11:57pm

I'll see if I can borrow someone's monitor and try this. Although I'm pretty sure it's not the leads. I use the same HDMI cable and port for my Xbox 360 for HD and there's no problem. The dvi cable and converter are brand new.

maccorkie · 01-02-2010 3:32pm

i am in the same boat as you, ie,trying to set my mac mini as a htpc.
i have a 2.26ghtz mini,a harmon kardon avr and a42in phillips tv.
i got on to apple and they recommended connecting via the mdp(min display port) on the mini.as the mdp does not support audio at present you will need a seperate connection for this.after much searching the most elegant solution i could find was from a company called monoprice,product id 6331
http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?spcDB=10428&spcWord=DisplayPort+Adapters&keyword=apple, the downside is that it costs $50 and its in the usa.i got one and i can confirm that it works.at one end you have (1)mdp cable(2)toslink cable(3)usb cable,(for power).at the other end you have a female hdmi cable.all you then need is a standard hdmi cable to connect to an avr or to a tv.hope this helps

Do you use your Mac mini as a HTPC?

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