Mac Mini HTPC?
Over the last few months I have considered buying a Mac Mini to connect to my TV. I would use it primarily for listening to music and watching digital copies of movies.
The most recent hardware update to the Mini makes it much better suited as a HTPC (home theater PC) than the previous models. The updated integrated video card and slightly better processor should be more than enough to push 1080p content to my Samsung LCD.
I have read online about other people using the Mini for this purpose. It is low powered, and very quiet. That is something that is definitely important to me for this type of use.
Currently I use PS3 Media Server on my iMac to stream all of my media to my PS3. By using that program, I can play practically anything on my PS3 by transcoding the media files on the fly. This works fine but requires me to always have my iMac and PS3 running when I want to view that type of content. If i purchase a Mac Mini that would not be necessary. I’m just not sure that I will utilize it enough to spend over $600 on another computer that will basically only serve the purpose of media playback.
Obviously, I am still on the fence about it. I’m curious what others think about using the Mini for this purpose…
Any suggestions of software for the media library would be great. I have read about a few, but some suggestions of what others have used would be appreciated.
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10 Responses to “Mac Mini HTPC?”
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Steve works in the IT field, focusing mainly on Networking, Database Management, Web Development and Programming. | 
If you decide to take the plunge I would be interested in hearing how it works out for you.
I think I’m gonna install Plex on my iMac. Depending on how much I like it will help decide whether or not the Mini is a good idea. http://plexapp.com/
Steve, do you use the PS3 to playback Apple lossless files and if so, how do you make it work? That’s what would put me over the edge on using a Mini, I’d be able to play file types not available on the PS3.
I don’t think I’ve ever tried. I will give it a shot later when I get home from work and post back here.
As for Plex, I installed it on my iMac last night. It looks cool, but is still very buggy. I’m not so sure about it. I found a lot of problems just trying to use it for about 30 minutes.
I just tried playing a .m4a file that I downloaded from iTunes and it played fine on my PS3 using the PS3 Media Server Program on my iMac. It has an asterisk after the filename and says mplayer so that means PS3 Media server is transcoding it. My PS3 displays it as PCM audio. I hope that answers your question…
Steve,
I just wanted to see if you ever took the plunge to get a mini for your HTPC setup. I don’t think you’d be disappointed in using it to provide 1080p video and music to home theater setup. I have the 2009 version and enjoy the flexibility and performance that apps like Boxee and Plex offer. You can even use apps like Scratch for the iPhone/iPod Touch to control Plex (highly recommended).
Let me know if you have any questions,
Brandon R.
No I didn’t end up getting the Mini. I’m still considering it, but I haven’t had the time lately to really think about what I truly need. For a while I was really watching a lot of media, such as digital copies of movies, but lately I haven’t had the time. I am still leaning towards getting it though.
Steve,
Point taken – I am sure you are too busy with work and life to consider the mini. By the way, my last post was incorrect. Snatch is the iPod remote application which I have found useful.
Brandon R.
hey steve
why do not you hook up ur imac directly to ur LCD Sam. I used to have Rivet as a media server for xbox 360 and x360 as media streamer. But the flaw is the xtreme limitation of formats. So what i did is that i hooked up my imac to my tv thru VGA “using a quite long cable” + R/L stero ” as a temporary setup”
then after things get a little better in terms of $$$
, A/V reciever that is connected to my imac thru miniDVI/HDMI and a Toslink adapter.
running plex on ur 2nd monitor is quite amazing. Enjoy the CPE (couch potato experience).
regards