Mac Mini for HTPC

Scythe · 6 Oct 2007 at 20:53

Hi, I'm thinking of getting a Mac Mini for use as a media center/daily pc. Currently the family pc has a Socket A Athlon, 1gb ddr1 etc. So its quite old. However I want a change and a pc in my room. At £400 this seems a great idea to run alongside my xbox360 on my HDTV (26" Hanns G, bought from OCUK).

Is the Mac Mini worth it and is the performance on a hdtv at 1080i/p any good?

Scythe · 6 Oct 2007 at 23:03

At the moment, my iTunes library has about 7.5gb. My current pc has a 80gb hard drive and can struggle to fill it up, mostly its just games i cant be bothered to uninstall and stuff. 80gb is plenty for me I should think.

Scythe · 8 Oct 2007 at 18:14

I won't be using HD material. It will be used for DVDs, music and daily usage e.g internet etc. Will it matter because of the high resolution for playing dvds? Also is the overall performance usable at this resolution?

Scythe · 8 Oct 2007 at 20:36

OK Thanks for the info

Scythe · 8 Oct 2007 at 20:56

Yeah, but at the moment, I want to keep the standard spec and the size is ideal for me. Although, if I do run out of space, I'll either be running my current 80gb (5400rpm same as Mini's) drive in a USB enclosure or through a NAS.

Scythe · 9 Oct 2007 at 15:59

theheyes said:
Have you used or owned a Mac before?

I've used them quite a bit, and I like their software and how stuff is organised e.g. iTunes, iPhoto etc.

Scythe · 9 Oct 2007 at 16:27

onering said:
my gf just got the latest C2D mini, 1.83Ghz 1GB ram etc.

Connected to her 40" Samsung 1080p TV via HDMI and I can tell you its sweet! With VLC you get deinterlaced DVD playback, and it surfs the web and watches downloaded episodes and the lot.

Its great coz its small and unobtrusive, whilst being silent all the time. Don't think I've seen a windows HTPC that's that silent at that price.

Ahh thanks

This is exactly what I want it for

Scythe · 13 Oct 2007 at 16:47

I've just realised, i don't know what inputs or anything to use for audio. I'm planning to play audio through the tv's speakers, how do i do this?

Scythe · 13 Oct 2007 at 22:42

I've just had a look at my TV inputs:
It has a "PC Audio IN" which looks like a normal 3.5mm jack port? I guess i just use a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable? If that makes any sense?

Scythe · 14 Oct 2007 at 16:44

Just bought a 3.5mm->3.5mm cable and the 2.0ghz Mac mini

Well pleased since I was only expecting the £400 version but my parents have bought the £500

Scythe · 14 Oct 2007 at 17:35

theheyes said:
I wish people would buy me the top spec stuff!

I don't think i would have got the top spec if the guy didn't give me 10% discount when he was only meant to give me 6% discount. So overall it cost £450 so its all good

Although I want a Apple Wireless Keyboard + Mouse but it is way overpriced!

Scythe · 14 Oct 2007 at 18:51

theheyes said:
Have you used the Mighty Mouse for extended periods before? All I'm gonna say is try before you buy. (I hate it!)

No i havent, but I've seen a Logitech keyboard & mouse which is made for Macs which is like a normal mouse and its cheaper