2011 mac mini HTPC set up & workflow for newbie

[LY2000]

With mac mini sporting HDMI port and thunderbolt I am thinking about taking the plunge to decommission my aging HDD recorder/bluray player setup.

I am not keen on converting videos, just like to playback with full video and uncompressed sound (DTS-MASTER etc.) as if I popped in a BD.

NAS --- LAN or TB --- Mac Mini --- (HDMI) --- AMP ---(HDMI) --- TV

I am seeking advice on the following topics:

1. What HDMI version is implemented in Mac Mini and any pitfalls (in case of future HDMI versions)?

2. Workflow to build up media library
Does XMBC or other media center support BDs/DVDs as ISO files? Plan is to rip using something like AnyDVD HD to ISO

3. Recording TV shows
Is EyeTV good for recording free to air as well as cable (US/UK)?
Any recommendation for a clean set up (minimum cables)?

I actually don't mind ditching Mac OS and run everything in bootcamp if that opens me up to better playback quality (like bluray 3D), media management functions etc.

Thanks in advance

[Smithcraft]

Hello there!

1 - Can't say. I would also venture to guess that trying to figure out what future versions of HDMI might support is really anyones guess.

2 - Can't say for XBMC since I find it too annoying to set up. Plex will support files but not file structure. While it currently supports VIDEO_TS I'm almost guessing that will go away in future versions. Rip using MakeMKV.

3 - Can't say as I don't DVR anymore.

You shouldn't need to ditch OS X for any of the reasons you listed.

SC
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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!

[LY2000]

Regarding HDMI version, I would like to check if the mac mini version is already old. E.g. if mac mini is ver 1.3 then it would not be able to support bluray 3D according to the HDMI specs.

[ez061111]

The one hang-up you might have will be DTS-HD or AC3-HD as macs don't currently have anything implemented to handle it. My understanding is that the HDMI version in the new Minis can theoretically deal with it, but it is not a part of the OS. I think I read somewhere that the new minis are v1.4, but that is completely off the top of my head and could very well be erroneous. You will be fine with 5.1 outputs. 3d from what I know still isn't supported by OS or software.

Full agreement with Smithcraft on makemkv, it's quick and pretty simple and gives you one nice 1:1 wrapper. If you do chose to transcode/compress the video in the future it's easy to work with as well.

I also use and like Plex, it's not perfect, but it suits my needs nicely.
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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 forgot about the HD audio deal. Sadly it is not supported in OS X, but apparently works fine on minis running Windows.

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!