Base Config Mac Mini Streaming HD Video

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Base Config Mac Mini Streaming HD Video

Hello all,

I'm looking at getting a computer to hook up to my TV so that I can have web video content on my TV. I'm trying to decide between a Mac Mini and a Dell Zino.

I was wondering what people's experience (or expertise) is in streaming HD content over the web, not an internal network. All the reviews and discussions I've read have said that it will grab HD video off a server or a NAS no problem, but I'm wondering more about things like 720p Hulu or HD Amazon VOD stuff. Would a base model Mac Mini ($699) handle this stuff well? Internet speed is not an issue for me, I'm just wondering about the hardware.

Also, if the base model won't handle that sort of thing, what upgrades do you think WOULD allow it to handle it?

Appreciate the help in advance! Thanks!

15 inch MBP - 2008, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Jan 26, 2011 7:11 AM

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Answer 1

Euchre

Level 4

1,275 points

Jan 26, 2011 10:04 AM in response to Superman730

Welcome to  Discussions!

My 2007 Mac mini handles 720p video from Netflix fine, and from other HD sources like YouTube. (I am not aware of Hulu having any 720p streams yet.) My internet connection is not the fastest around to be sure, but its decent. Considering my processor and graphics support are lesser than the current model, you shouldn't have any issues. For the absolute best results though, I do recommend a wired network connection, not wireless.

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Answer 2

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,727 points

Jan 26, 2011 10:10 AM in response to Superman730

Welcome to the Apple Discussions!

I have the Early 2009 base model and I watch HD video from Netflicks all the time with no issues. HD quality also has to do with your ISPs service. I have a 10 meg fiberoptic connection, it is much better than the 6 meg coaxial connection that I used to have with the cable company. I also watch US TV shows from the websites; ABC, CBS, FOX, etc. I notice that those servers provide me HD content automatically with my 10 meg service more so than they used to with the slower service.

Dah•veed

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Answer 3

Superman730 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 26, 2011 10:23 AM in response to Euchre

I believe Hulu Plus offers 720p content on network shows. I can't be certain at the moment because the site is blocked at work. I was going to go wired, definitely.

Also, the reason I said that the internet connection wasn't a problem was because there is only one option in my area, so it will either be fast enough, or it won't but I don't have control over different choices.

Thanks for your help! The Mac is probably what I'm leaning towards.

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Answer 4

Superman730 Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 25, 2011 7:08 AM in response to Superman730

The answer was yes lol

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Answer 5

the_arje

Level 1

23 points

Feb 25, 2011 3:15 PM in response to Superman730

Superman730 ,

We use a MacMini as our Home Theater PC and it not only grabs/displays content from Hulu Plus well, it also serves up content from EyeTV/Live over the air TV and movie files via StreamToMe to iOS devices very well.

If you like, you can read about what we've done on our blog www.tvonthecheap.com

Good Luck

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Answer 6

Feb 26, 2011 3:28 AM in response to Superman730

I use a MacMini 2010 for my HTPC. Works just fine for Netflix.
I don't have HULU Plus but, regular HULU works just fine for me.
Only thing, do not install Adobe Flash 10.2. I updated
mie from 10.1 and ended up with really jerky playback and
generally very poor video quality. I reverted back to the last 10.1
release, and all was fine again. No wonder Steve despises Flash.

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