Computer: 2 Ghz Core 2 Duo MacBook with 2GB RAM
Display: 1366x720 native Sharp Aquos with DVI input
Software: OS 10.5.5, Front Row v1.0 and Understudy 0.5.0
Internet: Cable modem with >15Mbs bandwidth.

I have managed to get a full 720p display on my Aquos TV over its DVI input from the MacBook by twiddling with setting using SwitchResX.

When logged in to Hulu with account preference set for 480p I see jerky video when playing videos through Understudy and Front Row. Sound is perfect.

According to Hulu: "If the video stutters but the audio is fine, you are most likely experiencing issues related to your computer's hardware and/or software configuration."

Checking and ruling out the other items listed we come to: "Is the CPU usage on your computer unusually high while watching videos on Hulu? .... On a Mac, go to "Applications," then "Utilities" and launch the Activity Monitor. If the CPU usage is above 50% (or 100% on Mac with a dual-core processor), try shutting down any applications that may be using your CPU."

My CPU usage runs about 140% when doing this check (fortunately Understudy cancels Front Row's blanking out of the laptop built in display when it is running so I can put the activity monitor window there).

So my MacBook is underpowered for this application.

This leads to the whole reason for this post: When I get a dedicated Mac for HTPC use, what is the minimum set of specifications I should be looking for? I was hoping that a MacMini would do the trick but on paper its specifications are not very different from my MacBook. But on the other hand, a Mac Mini would only be driving one screen and, I think, the display processor is different.

Does anyone have a MacMini that they are using in the same or similar setup? Is your video jerky?

I have a "Santa Rosa" 2.0 C2D Macbook w/ 4GB RAM and the X3100 connected to a 720p set over DVI, I'll run the test and report back so you have another data point. I've never had a problem with Hulu content before, and admittedly I never checked CPU usage.

What happens to CPU usage with Hulu content when you don't use Understudy to try to stick it in Front Row?

But on the other hand, a Mac Mini would only be driving one screen and, I think, the display processor is different.

Do you know you can run your MB with the lid closed? Try that to see if the video is still jerky...

If your MB is older than the Santa Rosa, which was October 2007 I think, then you might be held back by the RAM limitation and poor GMA950. My HT performance picked up noticeably when I traded up from a 1.83 C2D Macbook, but no Mac mini would do much better since they're also RAM and GMA950 limited.

I wouldn't rule out a SwitchRes/timing issue just yet...can you connect to your Sharp over VGA for a test?

OK, I checked things out for you, in 10.5.6 all the Hulu HD content over Comcast internet played perfectly for me, fullscreen, in Safari, with my closed lid MB. CPU at about 140%.

Tried Understudy with both Hulu and NF Watch Instantly, both players fullscreen, no problems at all. Just tried SD content on Hulu since I couldn't find a quick way to get Understudy to see anything in the HD gallery...also, couldn't figure out how to go totally fullscreen within Understudy/Front Row for Netflix using the Apple remote and I didn't know if there's a key command, either.

Understudy has a long way to go, but has potential.

So, that said, I'm back thinking it's a screen resolution/connection/SwitchRes issue for you, something related to that particular Sharp, and that your jerky video is not a CPU issue per se.

...also, couldn't figure out how to go totally fullscreen within Understudy/Front Row for Netflix using the Apple remote and I didn't know if there's a key command, either.

Understudy has a long way to go, but has potential.



Right now Understudy doesn't let Netflix go full screen. So I think what you found is normal behavior for right now. Hopefully they will fix that soon.

I really hope to see an AppleTV version of Understudy soon!

chefklc,

Thank you for your comments and suggestions.

I made some more observations tonight:

First, my MacBook is an older one with the GMA 950 graphics.

Second, I don't see the jerky artifacts when viewing Hulu videos at the full screen 480p setting on my laptop's screen. This is true for watching in Safari and for watching through Front Row with Understudy. (No external display attached in either case.)

Third, I see only a few artifacts when viewing Hulu videos at the full screen 480p on to my 720p Sharp using the DVI input when I play them directly through Safari. In fact, if I wasn't looking for them I probably would not notice.

Fourth, I see the jumping on pans and zooms when viewing the videos through Front Row/Understudy on the Sharp Aquos.

So, I think my older MacBook is basically at its limit for running this type of program and apparently running Hulu through Understudy is just a little more than it can manage.

I am puzzled about the comment on not being able to run full screen with Hulu and Understudy. I am doing exactly that on my setup. I haven't looked at very much on Hulu yet and it seems a lot of the content is 4:3 format. But I have seen a number of 16:9 format TV shows and movies that showed in full screen both directly in Safari and using Understudy.

Again, thank you for your observations and suggestions. From this I think that if the current Mac Mini has the same GMA 950 graphics as my MacBook that it will be underpowered. I can't see buying a new MacBook with the newer graphics just for a HTPC, so I guess I will wait and see what Apple comes up with for a small, quite, headless machine be it a new Mac Mini or a new Apple TV.

One thing I didn't mention, in case you still have the stock drive in your MB, is that I've upgraded mine several times, first to a 200GB Hitachi 7K200 and very recently to a 320GB WD Scorpio Black. Both are very fast and just fantastic in the HT.

I am puzzled about the comment on not being able to run full screen with Hulu and Understudy.

Hulu does fullscreen just fine, my comment, and teague's confirmation, was that right now you can't get the Netflix instant player to go fullscreen once it's been invoked by Understudy.

I think that if the current Mac Mini has the same GMA 950 graphics as my MacBook that it will be underpowered.

That's been my suspicion reading the reports of others, besides music I'm primarily concerned with recording high def TV over firewire and with EyeTV tuners. Because of the GMA950 the mini just can't handle EyeTV 1080i programming glitch-free at its best deinterlace setting, while every Macbook since Oct 2007 can. The current white Macbook with the 9400M would make a killer HTPC, especially when it eventually shows up as a refurb for $799-849 or so. The fact that it's the last Macbook with firewire will keep its resale price very high, too (not that people aren't already lining up to buy used Macbooks, they are.)

I can't see buying a new MacBook with the newer graphics just for a HTPC, so I guess I will wait and see what Apple comes up with for a small, quite, headless machine be it a new Mac Mini or a new Apple TV.

That's certainly a viable strategy, I'm waiting as well.

I've had both, and to me on almost every level Macbooks seemed better values and better performers than the Mini--just as small, just as quiet, much better resale value, wireless n, 4GB RAM, effortless hard drive and RAM upgrades, better graphics. The Santa Rosa (Oct 2007) and Penryn (Feb 2008) MBs will still be quite nice in the HT, let alone the 9400M version, even if a new mini were to be released. So the issue is how much are you missing out on while you wait, and that answer will be different for all of us.

Some of the SD content on Hulu is decent, in a pinch, but I couldn't tolerate it long term in any sustained way blown up to 46"--your Sharp is a 32" probably but this stuff looks worse as you go larger. I'd torrent HD versions before long if Hulu was my only television option, probably because I've been spoiled by recording HD shows for 4-5 years already.

I tried out Understudy with Front Row today and it works pretty well. Watching "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," it stuttered a little in the beginning, but then settled down and worked fine through the end of the show. This was on my dual 2.5Ghz Power Mac G5 with an ATI Radeon 9600 Pro video card (stock).

Given that Hulu has banned Boxee, this could potentially be a viable alternative, but I'd like to see better performance and access to the HD content, when possible.

Dennis