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SOCOMRAIDER
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Joined: 26 Oct 2005
Posts: 2869
Location: Minneapolis
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 Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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| amlara wrote: | Read again:
HDMI output for LCD TV screens (I know it's got DVI for computer screens).
And if you think we don't use for HTPC, have a look here:
http://www.123macmini.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=64
Right now the Mini is quite good for HTPC and with a faster Core Duo, a decent graphic card and HDMI, could be just perfect. |
Like I said, there is no need for HDMI. You can simply buy a DVI-to-HDMI adapter, or even a DVI-to-HDMI cable. If you are indeed using it for a true HTPC, then you should be using the 5.1 optical out for audio anyways. Not using any TV speakers, as their output is poor compared to a dedicated audio system.
Yes I know there are some that are using it for HTPC purposes, so am I.
But as Bandit Bill has pointed out, the Mini is a desktop computer first and foremost.
You can use the Mini for HTPC purposes, but also as Bandit Bill has said, it is missing a bunch of features (as he listed).
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MiniMoe
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Joined: 25 Apr 2006
Posts: 605
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| Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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> large 3.5" drive
No problem... even Firewire 400 can handle SEVERAL simultaneous channels of MPEG 2 HDTV, much less MPEG 4.
> power button on front
Why? It's a friggin' Unix box... should be able to stay up for a year between reboots. Program Remote Buddy if you want to shut it down.
> 5.1+ audio out
Got it.
> HDMI output
Why? It doesn't need to add HDCP to its output. If there's any need for HDMI on an HTPC it's on an input, and HDCP keys won't be licensed for that.
> decent video card
The GMA950 is more than adequate. If you use ffdshow, that's going to turn off hardware acceleration anyway.
> video recording capability
Even the old PPC Minis should have enough oomph to grab multiple 19.4 Mbps ATSC streams simultaneously from multiple ATSC tuners and put them on disk.
> video input
Analog video is DEAD! Digital video can be input through Firewire or USB 2.
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Moe
1.66GHz Core-Duo Mini, 2GB/120GB, Apple 23" Cinema HD Display
Apple Wireless Keyboard & Mouse, Apple iSight Camera
Apple USB Modem (for faxing), Bose Companion 2 Speakers
2.0GHz white MacBook 1GB/80GB |
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Bandit Bill
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Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 5793
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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Those aren't things that I want to see. I was just trying to make the point that the mini is not a home theater device even though that is what some people are using it for.
Point taken on the video input. |
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sikosis
New Member
Joined: 20 Mar 2006
Posts: 12
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:21 pm Post subject: |
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I'd like to see more codecs in Intel or Universal format ...
Faster wifi access ...
I'd like Front Row to have a few updates such as:-
+ Ability to fast forward, like really fast or large skips
+ Ability to read the full title of files
+ Ability to read from the DVD (without need of third party apps)
+ Stop Pausing every now and then
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bsnoel
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Joined: 04 Jun 2005
Posts: 355
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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A lower price. 
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www.grweather.com |
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picaman
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Joined: 16 Aug 2005
Posts: 1444
Location: NYC
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| Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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| SOCOMRAIDER wrote: | | amlara wrote: | | HDMI output for LCD TV screens |
There is no need for a HDMI output. As most people use LCD monitors and that connection is either VGA or DVI. You can also get a DVI-to-HDMI cable, which negates the need for HDMI. |
Technically you are right, but (unfortunately) any HTPC that Apple makes is almost guaranteed to have HDMI because of the copy protection that's included.
Jamie |
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elec999
Junior Member
Joined: 25 Jul 2006
Posts: 29
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| Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject: |
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Im not expert at what apple needs to inprove or change for its next mac mini. But I really think they should add a external sata connector. And also if possible, full size ddram2 slots.
Thanks |
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vKarma
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Joined: 26 Jul 2006
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:41 am Post subject: |
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1. Do away with the Intel graphics and go with a ATI Radeon X1400.
2. Move to 3.5" hard drives. I've read a few comments here saying that Apple should make the Mac mini taller to achieve this. They could do the same thing by making the Mac mini a few inches deeper. That's what Shuttle did with the XPC X100. http://sys.us.shuttle.com/X100.aspx
3. Upgrade the Core Duo's already. I'm waiting Apple!  |
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Scotty
Member
Joined: 18 Aug 2005
Posts: 52
Location: CALIFORNIA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:06 pm Post subject: exterior additions |
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| I'd ask for a reasonably priced exterior flat monitor (small, thin, light, tough) and a similar exterior keyboard/mouse -- so the mini could be used on the road as a semi-portable. |
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7031
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Joined: 15 Apr 2006
Posts: 161
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:43 am Post subject: |
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| pompeyjon wrote: | 1. Drop the Solo
2. Include a TV Tuner
3. Charge less for 2Gb RAM |
Wouldn't 2Gbit ram (256MBytes) be cheap anyway?  
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SOCOMRAIDER
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Joined: 26 Oct 2005
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Location: Minneapolis
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 1:25 pm Post subject: |
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| 7031 wrote: | | pompeyjon wrote: | 1. Drop the Solo
2. Include a TV Tuner
3. Charge less for 2Gb RAM |
Wouldn't 2Gbit ram (256MBytes) be cheap anyway? |
256MB = 256MB
2GB = 2048MB = $300
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Dan__
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Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:07 am Post subject: |
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| SOCOMRAIDER wrote: | | 7031 wrote: | | pompeyjon wrote: | | 3. Charge less for 2Gb RAM |
Wouldn't 2Gbit ram (256MBytes) be cheap anyway? :D :?: |
256MB = 256MB
2GB = 2048MB = $300 |
Looks like you missed his point/technicality.
GB=Giga Byte
Gb=Giga bit |
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SOCOMRAIDER
Veteran Member
Joined: 26 Oct 2005
Posts: 2869
Location: Minneapolis
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Dan__ wrote: | | SOCOMRAIDER wrote: | | 7031 wrote: | | pompeyjon wrote: | | 3. Charge less for 2Gb RAM |
Wouldn't 2Gbit ram (256MBytes) be cheap anyway? |
256MB = 256MB
2GB = 2048MB = $300 |
Looks like you missed his point/technicality.
GB=Giga Byte
Gb=Giga bit |
Yeah I sometimes forget those technicalities.
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amlara
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Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 8
Location: Sevilla
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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| picaman wrote: | | SOCOMRAIDER wrote: | | amlara wrote: | | HDMI output for LCD TV screens |
There is no need for a HDMI output. As most people use LCD monitors and that connection is either VGA or DVI. You can also get a DVI-to-HDMI cable, which negates the need for HDMI. |
Technically you are right, but (unfortunately) any HTPC that Apple makes is almost guaranteed to have HDMI because of the copy protection that's included.
Jamie |
Wrong, a DVI-to-HDMI cable gives you only video while HDMI-to-HDMI is audio plus video. HDMI you like it or not is already here and growing faster to replace SCART in Europe. In a Mac mini could be very useful for PCHT because it leaves the Mac optical sound output free (5.1 sound for a movie?) and use the HDMI sound from the usb tv tuner to watch tv programs (never used an amplifier to listen to the news).
I want to use a Macmini for PCHT mostly, for other tasks I'm very happy with my iMac.
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SOCOMRAIDER
Veteran Member
Joined: 26 Oct 2005
Posts: 2869
Location: Minneapolis
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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| amlara wrote: | Wrong, a DVI-to-HDMI cable gives you only video while HDMI-to-HDMI is audio plus video. HDMI you like it or not is already here and growing faster to replace SCART in Europe. In a Mac mini could be very useful for PCHT because it leaves the Mac optical sound output free (5.1 sound for a movie?) and use the HDMI sound from the usb tv tuner to watch tv programs (never used an amplifier to listen to the news).
I want to use a Macmini for PCHT mostly, for other tasks I'm very happy with my iMac.
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I know a DVI-to-HDMI cable only gives you the video only. I also know HDMI also transmits the audio also. But majority of PC monitors out there have DVI. First and foremost, the Mac mini is a computer. Second of all, the monitors that have built in speakers are usually crappy. So it's best to go thru some other option for audio. Like even small separate speakers, remember those little round ball Apple speakesrs? I do think it would be nice to keep away from cable clutter. Right now it's all about either VGA or DVI for PC monitors.
But if you want to go into the future. Then skip HDMI or DVI and go with either of these...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Display_Interface
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort
I think that would be perfect for a Mac Pro or any "headless" Mac.
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