Using a Mini Mac as a HTPC?

DarkShadow

DarkShadow

DarkShadow

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As thread title, was looking at a mini mac to hook up to a Toshiba 37WLT66 once it's ordered and the mini mac is within my budget and it looks smart and ideal.

Been offered one with wireless kit for a reasonable price, I mainly want it for the odd web browsing session and playing movies downstairs.

I was thinking of a dvi to hdmi connection. Would appreciate any ideas/comments.

Thanks.
 
I was looking for a LCD to connect to my Mac Mini and narrowed it down to the screen you mentioned and the new 40 inch Sony S series. After reading threads on AV forums about the Toshiba not doing 1 to 1 Pixel matching I purchased the Sony. If you have the Toshiba you may have problems connecting any HTPC to it.

It is easier to connect a Mac Mini via VGA than DVI/HDMI. The only negative with a Mac Mini is the number of updates from Apple. I have had mine for about 7 weeks and have already downloaded nearly 900 mb of updates
 
Sorry no MSN. From what I read there is still some kind of stretching or overscan. Some people find it acceptable. It seems strange that the older Toshiba screens did not have this problem but this one does.
 
Peg said:
Sorry no MSN. From what I read there is still some kind of stretching or overscan. Some people find it acceptable. It seems strange that the older Toshiba screens did not have this problem but this one does.
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that is over hdmi tho no?
 
There are people running it through VGA but they are using cinema 2 mode and that zooms the picture to fill the screen. There is a 12 page thread on AV forums about using this screen with a PC and still no definate conclusion as to wether this screen will give 1 to 1 pixel matching.
 
The one I'm getting is:

Apple mac mini G4 PowerPC 1.42Ghz
1GB DDR
Ati 9200
Combo DVD-+R/CD-+RW
80GB HD

Now TV wise I'm unsure on what to get, I just waiting for someone to confirm they had 1:1 with their toshiba set.

Peg, how does the mac mini suit your htpc needs? Also are you display it at native res? If so, Over what input? On your set, is it achieving 1:1?
 
I have my Mac mini connected via VGA at 1360*768. This leaves a 3 pixel border to the left and right of the screen which you would not notice unless some one told you. The sony does have the option to fill the screen by slightly stretching the picture but I prefer 1 to 1 Pixel mapping.

My Mac mini is connected to a wired network (wireless not fast enouch for HD streaming) and I use VLC to playback a variety of HD content. I have the Intel Core Duo model with 1 gig of RAM and it plays 1080p perfectly.
 
dark_shadow said:
The one I'm getting is:

Apple mac mini G4 PowerPC 1.42Ghz
1GB DDR
Ati 9200
Combo DVD-+R/CD-+RW
80GB HD

Now TV wise I'm unsure on what to get, I just waiting for someone to confirm they had 1:1 with their toshiba set.

Peg, how does the mac mini suit your htpc needs? Also are you display it at native res? If so, Over what input? On your set, is it achieving 1:1?
Click to expand...

Not sure that would play back 1080p, and you need a mac with an intel cpu to be able to use windows on it.
 
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Appreciate any links to recent testing of the latest "intel" models and being used as HTPC or more importantly just HiDef Playback.

What about the HDCP issue, this is going to be a major bummer if its not possible.

Still think a PC is the best bet as its upgradeable and has more software suitable for the job as well as possibly being best for playing more file formats but cant confirm this part.


Mac Mini look ultra cool though.
 
Energize said:
Not sure that would play back 1080p, and you need a mac with an intel cpu to be able to use windows on it iirc.
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Most TV's only support upto 1080i and a guy over at AV forums has confirmed that it will support 1080i.

I didn't realise you needed an intel based mac to run boot camp. Now i'm stuffed :(
 
Peg said:
A lot has changed since that thread. First of all my Duo Mac Mini plays 1080p no problem through my network (ethenet) and it will do anything a Windows PC will do because you can run it dual boot with Windows on it.

VLC and a Mac Mini makes an adequate HTPC.
Click to expand...

how well does a mini mac run mce? anyone running this on a mac? is frontrow a non-runner?
 
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