Mac Mini Late 2012

[hackers79]

Hi guys

I have the latest Mac Mini (late 2012) model and was wondering if I use this as a HTPC will it output TrueHD audio?????

[Smithcraft]

No. You could use Handbrake, or MakeMKV, to transcode the audio to FLAC, and if you are using HDMI, you could get the HD audio. Otherwise, OS X doesn't play HD Audio, be it DTS-HD or TrueHD.

Also, Plex and XBMC do something to transcode the audio on the fly so they will provide audio but it might just be the core(yes, I know TrueHD doesn't have a core like DTS-HD) stream.

SC
_________________
Grumpy old man of computing.

[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8

[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)

Make sure it has pins!

[geeji]

@Smithcraft
Up to now, I thought that Mac Mini 2011/2012 were able to output HD audio streams, such as DTS-HD and TrueHD, through HDMI (and HDMI only).
You answer seems to confirm that, but it starts however by "No.".
What am I missing ?

[ez061111]

It may play depending on software, just not as HD. Either as down-sampled/transcoded or by playing the core track. I think I remember reading that hardware-wise it was possible via HDMI but that the OS and/or software is the constraint.
_________________
2.0 GHz i7 Mini 8 GB RAM, OWC Merc Extreme SSD & Samsung Spinpoint
2.6 GHz i7 Mini 16 GB RAM, Samsung 830 & Hitachi
15" 2.3 GHz i7 MBP 16 GB RAM, OWC Extreme Pro 6G SSD & WD Black

[Smithcraft]

I've heard it works in Windows, but OS X is the limiting factor here.

However, and while I trust people to know what they are talking about when talking about their own computers, rumor has it that the one OS X bluray playback program supports HD audio, even via TOSLink.

SC
_________________
Grumpy old man of computing.

[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8

[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)

Make sure it has pins!

[b0bb]

The closest is XBMC V12 (Frodo). which can decode TrueHD and output the 5.1 or 7.1 audio as LPCM over HDMI.

Bitstreaming will require Windows.

[ClutchKargo]

OK I have the newest Mac mini and 5.1 seemed to be working fine at first but now it seems all my center channel sounds are coming through my rear left speaker or whatever but the bottom line is 5.1 is not correct. Playing video files through XBMC,VLC, or iTunes all produce the same wrong sound. I have only checked the sound settings which show my Denon 1713 receiver as the sound output.

What else should I do or check?

[macmanmacman]

you need a 5.1 surround sound card for the mini there is great news in this.

http://www.amazon.com/Channel-External-Sound-Audio-Adapter/dp/B0027EMHM6/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1363620670&sr=8-11&keywords=usb+5.1+sound+card

this is what i purchased for my mac mini as well as my older power pc macintoshes as well works great and is really affordable

[mooblie]

How does that unit work in 5.1, with just a stereo output plug?
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Martin at HeadSpin HD now on Blu-ray

[macmanmacman]

yep and i have had no issues

[ClutchKargo]

[ClutchKargo]

BTW - I get perfect 5.1 sound out of my Jailbroken Apple TV2 running XBMC but not my new top of the line Mac Mini!!

What gives here???

[ez061111]

[macmanmacman]

Here is what you need.

You need a 5.1 surround sound receiver that supports Dolby digital not DTS Dts requires optical which wont work.

all you need is a headphone jack male connector to a Rca connector for your surround sound the system works very good while playing movies make sure you dont encode in stereo surround sound and your fine.

Also make sure the usb audio device is selected in the sound settings in mac os x now if you want to try another usb 5.1 as well creative labs xifi system also works on the mac for 5.1 surround sound as well

[Smithcraft]

All Intel minis support optical out.

SC
_________________
Grumpy old man of computing.

[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8

[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)

Make sure it has pins!