[mythtv-users] Mac Mini as Frontend?

Jurgen Kramer gtmkramer at xs4all.nl
Thu Oct 21 16:04:51 UTC 2010


On Thu, 2010-10-21 at 09:47 -0600, Brian Wood wrote:
> The Mac Minis were always too expensive for me to seriously consider using one as a Myth frontend.
> 
> Now I'm seeing refurbed Minis for $350, still pricey but getting closer to the ION units. You do get an optical drive, 
> something that's missing from my Revo.
> 
> I see they have Intel GMA-950 graphics. Is that usable under Linux for HD? 
> 
> I also think there is an OSX F/E version that's floating around.
> 
> So I have three questions:
> 
> Is a Mini with the Intel graphics a practical frontend machine?
> 
> Is it better to install Linux or use OS/X on a Mini for F/E use?
> 
> Are the Atom/ION units better choices for a F/E? Perhaps with an external optical drive?
> 
> I have a Revo 1600 that works great, but I like to experiment. 
> 
> Other thoughts?

My suggestions is, if you really want HD and a mini, go for a mini which
has Nvidia Geforce graphics. I am using two (1x 2009 model, 1x 2010
model) both running Linux. Utterly silent. I do not use the internal
optical drives. The downside is their price...
I think the OS X version of Mythfrontend cannot/does not use the VDPAU
capabilities of the GPU and is therefore less usable for HD.

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