Korean Job Discussion Forums

[IlIlNine]

Hi everyone,

It's getting to be time to replace my HTPC. Here are my requirements:

1) Able to play 1080p BD-rips (you know, those 50gb ones)
2) Be small and quiet
3) I don't game, so no need for gaming oriented hardware

Random Questions:
Are modern mac-minis fast enough for this? What's a good media-oriented video card? Recommended SSDs for a main boot drive? (Have a 2TB raid array for storage)

So, yeah, other than that, my options are open. If fast enough, I think I would prefer an all-in-one motherboard just to keep things small and simple. Video card should be air-cooled (does this even exist these days?).

Just for reference, I'm currently using a P4-3.0Ghz ~ It's barely enough to play back a good 720p MKV.

I would appreciate any ideas anyone might have .. thanks!

[Senior]

I've got an Atom (with Ion GPU for HD video) Zotac mag. It does the job at a good price point and it's tiny, but it has quite a few niggling annoyances. Being slightly noisy is one of them.

It doesn't have any real issues playing BD Rips, but I had a heap of trouble with codecs in the beginning.

If you want cheap, I don't think you can get better than this. If money isn't an issue (probably only a few 100K more), I would say get a full sized rig, though they are bigger and noisier than this.

The new Mac minis have HDMI out, so should be able to handle 1080, ok.

[eamo]

Are you doing the whole 5.1 surround sound thing?

Does your TV have HDMI inputs?

[IlIlNine]

[Chokse]

I'd go for the Mac Mini myself. The new one has HDMI out and is more than enough to play 1080P BD rips.

I have an older dual core 1.66Ghz Mac Mini that I upgraded to 3GB RAM, 500GB hard drive, and a 2.33 dual core processor (much lower specs than the current model). I have it hooked up to my LG LCD TV using a DVI to HDMI cable, and to the audio system using a Toslink to mini Toslink digital audio cable.

For control of the system, I have a Logitech DiNovo Bluetooth keyboard for the Mac (has Mac specific buttons and a built in trackpad in place of a mouse), and a Logitech Harmony Remote.

The Mac Mini has taken everything I have thrown at it, including BD rips (though 30GB was the largest one I ever downloaded). I leave the computer on all day, using Transmission to download torrents. It all works flawlessly. Also, if you go the Mac Mini route, be sure to download and install Plex.

http://www.plexapp.com/

It's a very cool (and free) piece of software that will really bring a nice "Wow" factor to your media center Mac Mini.

[IlIlNine]