I just obtained a 1.66 core duo Mini, and my goal is to use it as a media server, mostly to playback divx/Xvid files from a NAS. I don't have the NAS yet, but just experimenting with playback in VLC from a networked share, I get studdering video and dropped frame errors.

The Mini connects to my home network via a 802.11g AP. The networked share (a slower Thinkpad) is connected to a wired port on my router/switch. I also tried playback from a network share on a faster Thinkpad, but it was connected via 802.11g so I can't really consider that a benchmark for speed.

The VLC error suggested a too slow computer. Which one? The client or the server?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Don't use the wireless network if you want to be able to have VLC do the video from a mounted share point. 802.11g is fast enough under perfect circumstances, but nothing in life, and certainly nothing on a wireless network is even perfect.

any hopes for 802.11n ?

Newbie question: I have my mini connected to my 32" Toshiba LCD using the DVI-RGB adapter that came with the Mini. Can I expect any improved PQ using a DVI-HDMI ?

any hopes for 802.11n ?

Newbie question: I have my mini connected to my 32" Toshiba LCD using the DVI-RGB adapter that came with the Mini. Can I expect any improved PQ using a DVI-HDMI ?You positively mean the DVI-VGA adapter. ;) And you should indeed experience better quality with DVI-HDMI, but there are a lot of overscanning/underscanning issues out there, so proceed with caution.

:)

Regards
Thorolf A. Holmboe

You positively mean the DVI-VGA adapter. ;) ...Whoops! You're right. I didn't want to chuck out the bucks for an expensive cable for minimal PQ. I think it looks great now :)

I'm on a PPC mini and even thou the intel mini's are better, I still am running fine, I have it hooked to a 32" Sammy LCD, I'm running a 400mb FW drive attached to the mini, and am Streaming from a 500gb HD on my Network. I use DVDpedia a great piece of software to log my DVD's and Play them right from the SW in Full screen view. I use Itunes for my Music and TV shows.

Whoops! You're right. I didn't want to chuck out the bucks for an expensive cable for minimal PQ. I think it looks great now :)
That Toshiba 32" TV is probably 1366x768. I think you're going to run into problems trying to output that resolution through HDMI.

I don't have 1st hand experience, but in reading this forum, connections over HDMI work best with TV resolutions (i.e. 1080i/p, 720p, 480p) and have trouble with PC/Mac resolutions like 1366x768.

VGA and pure DVI connections seem to have fewer reported problems.

Of course, YMMV.

BTW, the HDMI cable isn't too costly. A good HDMI cable can be had for $15 (monoprice.com). Grab an inexpensive audio cable/mini jack adapter and you're set for around $20 If it doesn't work, just put the cables in your "EXTRA CABLES and ADAPTERS BOX" and just wait for the right opportunity to use in the future.

ft

I just obtained a 1.66 core duo Mini, and my goal is to use it as a media server, mostly to playback divx/Xvid files from a NAS. I don't have the NAS yet, but just experimenting with playback in VLC from a networked share, I get studdering video and dropped frame errors.
This is a common problem. It's not the best solution to play DivX/Xvid from network shares via VLC. I've experienced the same problems and found this thread at the VLC-forum: forum videolan org / viewtopic.php ?t=11854
Because I have just registered, I'm not allowed to post links, but I think you'll be able to build the link ;)

If it doesn't work, just put the cables in your "EXTRA CABLES and ADAPTERS BOX" and just wait for the right opportunity to use in the future.

I've been doing this for so long...I thought Box? as in single? You got to be kidding. I have a couple of suitcases worth of cables and connectors in the attic :rolleyes:

I've been doing this for so long...I thought Box? as in single? You got to be kidding. I have a couple of suitcases worth of cables and connectors in the attic :rolleyes:
I totally hear you. I have cables and adapters all over the place. Basement, attic, garage, in-laws house, my car, my office ...

ft

Whoops! You're right. I didn't want to chuck out the bucks for an expensive cable for minimal PQ. I think it looks great now :)

Check monoprice.com, their cables are far from expensive.

Reporting back here hoping for more answers.

Thanks jack68 for the link, that was an interesting thread. Another thread suggested this would not be a problem if I used Quicktime. Took a while to get QT with the right plug-in support to play Divx and AC3, hence so long to report back, but I get the same studdering/freezing video and skippped audio.

I really like the idea of using Front Row, as it's easy to pop an alias to the shared video into the movie folder. My set-up was as follows: Macbook Core Duo 2.0 Ghz-1.25G ram wired to router/switch. Mini Core Duo 1.66Ghz-512 ram connected 802.11g.

Two questions:
1) Ram is cheap, will increasing the Mini to 2G ram help?
2) Running cat5 is an option, just not preferred. Is 802.11n fast enough to stream my videos?

1) Ram is cheap, will increasing the Mini to 2G ram help?
I don't think more RAM will help playback.

2) Running cat5 is an option, just not preferred. Is 802.11n fast enough to stream my videos?

It probably is if you have 802.11n on both ends. Is the mini one of the ones that has the stealth 802.11n (more a question to others than the OP)? If not then you will be stuck at 802.11g.

I would eliminate any of the possible network issues before looking at things like RAM.

Why use VLC? Install Perian and an AC-3 codec in quicktime and then use Front Row. You should be able to mount the NAS drive from the Mini, either wifi or ethernet and make an alias of whatever folder you have all your movies in, put that in your ~/Movies directory in your Mini and Front Row will play them without any problem. :)

Hey dannyz Maybe I wasn't clear. I have installed the QT codecs for Divx/Xvid and AC3. I still get studdering/freezing video and audio in Quicktime. I am using Front Row with alias(es) to the networked share.

pkscout - I have only heard of recent MBP's having the crippled by firmware 802.11n adapter. Not the Mini's. You got a link?

Why use VLC? Install Perian and an AC-3 codec in quicktime and then use Front Row.

Well, if you happen to want 5.1 surround sound, you'll need to use VLC...

pkscout - I have only heard of recent MBP's having the crippled by firmware 802.11n adapter. Not the Mini's. You got a link?

Nope. I'm pretty sure the mini can't do 802.11n, but that's why I asked the question.

I don't think this is your issue, but just as an fyi, you can put an "n" card into one of the earlier pre-stealth mini or Macbook models: just pick up a Mac Pro n card, I paid $43 for mine at an Apple store, and put it in my Macbook. This was a very hot mod about a month ago:

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/macbookpro_wireless_N_upgrade/macbookpro_N_card_install.html#storytop

Thanks chefklc ! Great link. I was just shopping for a USB wireless "n" adapter, and the least expensive (Netgear) was $99. I haven't cracked open the Mini yet, but will soon.

I also just ordered this Logitech keyboard:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2166,CONTENTID=12339

It's sleek and sexy, and according to this guys blog:
http://5thirtyone.com/archives/751
he's got it up and running with OS X with full functionality.

I'm excited and hope I can resolve my video streaming issues. Thanks for the help and keep those ideas and suggestions rolling in.

You still can't do 5.1 audio on a Macintel mini (AVI file) except via VLC?

I know we can on PPC machines by installing AC3 quicktime codec but no such working codec for a Macintel machine correct?

Well, if you happen to want 5.1 surround sound, you'll need to use VLC...

You still can't do 5.1 audio on a Macintel mini (AVI file) except via VLC?

I know we can on PPC machines by installing AC3 quicktime codec but no such working codec for a Macintel machine correct?

<sigh>

The AC3 codec of which you speak will not give you 5.1 audio. It will take the 5.1 AC3 information and mix in down to 2.0 stereo. I swear, we should have a sticky just for this.

If you want AC3 passed through an optical digital (or optical coax) to an external receiver for decoding, you either have to use DVD Player.app or VLC.app.

This is the AC3 codec I installed on my intel Mini:

http://trac.cod3r.com/a52codec/

The info there states it can do 5.1 decoding. Unfortunately I don't have a 5.1 channel set-up to test. I did tell the preferences after instaling to just convert the 5.1 to stereo. I'm making the great mental leap here that if you have digital output, you should get 5.1 surround if you have a decoder.

I have been playing avi files encoded with Xvid and AC3 in QT with no problem.(other than the studdering trying to stream over my wireless)

<sigh>
I swear, we should have a sticky just for this.


You wish is my command :)

Please take a look and tell me if you have any suggestions for improvement. Thanks.

Correct me if I am wrong but can't you currently get 5.1 out of Quicktime with a PPC MAc and the AC3 Codec installed?

I downloaded some AC3 AVI's to a G5 and it seemed to work but perhaps it was only my mind being fooled (blinded by science).

You wish is my command :)

Please take a look and tell me if you have any suggestions for improvement. Thanks.

Correct me if I am wrong but can't you currently get 5.1 out of Quicktime with a PPC MAc and the AC3 Codec installed?

I downloaded some AC3 AVI's to a G5 and it seemed to work but perhaps it was only my mind being fooled (blinded by science).

Please note the difference between "playing 5.1 audio" (as in your "get 5.1 out of...") and outputing 5.1/AC3 to your amplifier, that is, through Apple's digital audio port. The codecs will let QT play 5.1 audio, but will not output AC3 to your amplifier. If you don't mind hearing AC3 in stereo, the codecs will work for you. Otherwise, you'll just have to use VLC.

Currently, there are two programs that can output via the Mac's digital audio output 5.1 audio: DVD Player and VLC. DVD Player will only play DVDs -- whether on disk or ripped to hard drive. VLC will play DVDs as well as most other file types -- .avi, .divx, etc.
I'm answering here because the sticky thread is locked: the above is incorrect. EyeTV for one will pass 5.1 AC3 to a Mac's digital out.

I'm answering here because the sticky thread is locked: the above is incorrect. EyeTV for one will pass 5.1 AC3 to a Mac's digital out.

I am aware of that, but which file formats other than the one it creates can it do this with?

Okay, now I see why that sticky was generated... I already started another thread adding information about 5.1 (Core Audio API allows for digital audio, MythFrontend and Media Central support it).

Personally, I think 5.1 audio is too minor an issue to justify its own sticky thread. Wouldn't it work as an item in a Mac HTPC FAQ sticky thread?

Note: I added more info on digital audio support in the other thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=826375

The short version is: DD5.1 / DTS does work in QuickTime, iTunes, and several other Mac OS X apps; but no iTMS content provides a surround sound track yet.

Personally, I think 5.1 audio is too minor an issue to justify its own sticky thread. Wouldn't it work as an item in a Mac HTPC FAQ sticky thread?

It's a major issue for making a Mac a real HTPC. More importantly every few weeks someone shows up and asks the question. We then give them the answer in the sticky. Then they don't believe us. They bring up the AC3 Quicktime plugin, they bring up the iTunes PCM passthrough thing, etc. Basically they link to pages we've hashed over before many times.

Maybe we should unlock the sticky and let folks post all those things that don't work there as well. At least it'll all be wrong in only one place. ;)

Then if something changes the first post can be updated (which is what I'll look at from now on).

Yeah, but it's no more important to an HTPC than any of the dozen other common questions (video output options, resolutions, DVD Player.app quality issues, HTPC application options, etc.). If a sticky is made for all of those individual issues, it will take up half the page before you get to normal threads. In my opinion, the Mac forum could use a good FAQ sticky. Currently, there is only the MCE FAQ (does that belong here?), and a very general Mac HTPC FAQ.

Also, the 5.1 sticky as it is now is incorrect.

My feeling is that we need two types of stickies: one a FAQ and a second to dispel the myths, misconceptions, etc. that seem to pop up every two or three days. As was already pointed out, quite a few people obviously believe that the AC3 codec for QT means QT will "playback" 5.1 audio (via an audio amplifier).

I would also like to make a sticky with a list of LCD/Plasma displays that work "out of the box" with Macs, but so far, we only have two.

I don't mind adding information from the other stickies to the FAQ, however, as is quite obvious, a few people come here and start posting without even looking at the stickies. Hopefully, a few individual stickies (the Windows forum has 8 of them, btw) to address common questions will stop the majority of people from repeatedly asking the same questions.

If anyone has suggestions for other stickies or additions to the FAQ, please post here. Thanks.

the new 1080p Vizio 47" works out of the box with both my MacBook (Mini-DVI to DVI-HDMI cable) and my brother's Mac Mini Core Duo (DVI-HDMI). perfect 1:1 pixel mapping from what I could tell, edge to edge at 1920x1080 resoultion. Also tried other resolutions and they looked amazing. Of course the 1920x1080 was the best.

the new 1080p Vizio 47" works out of the box with both my MacBook (Mini-DVI to DVI-HDMI cable) and my brother's Mac Mini Core Duo (DVI-HDMI). perfect 1:1 pixel mapping from what I could tell, edge to edge at 1920x1080 resoultion. Also tried other resolutions and they looked amazing. Of course the 1920x1080 was the best.

Thanks for that. Is Vizio the brand name or a model? If its the model, what is the brand name?

I would also like to make a sticky with a list of LCD/Plasma displays that work "out of the box" with Macs, but so far, we only have two.

I can tell you from first hand experience, that the Sharp LC46D62U (and it's 42" and 52" brothers) work "out of the box" with intel macs. My set-up is a CoreDuo Macbook with the mini-DVI to DVI adapter from Apple and a DVI/HDMI cord from monoprice for the video. For the audio, I use a mini-jack to RCA adapter plus a standard RCA L/R cord.

My TV has 2 HDMI ports, one of which has separate audio connections that can be used.

The TV is able to accept 1080p through the HDMI and the Macbook is able to output 1080p. The only thing is that you have to play around with the Display System Preference and the TV's input function to get 1080p. OS X does not (at least on my set-up) a resolution for 1080p (there's only 1920x1080 (interlaced)). However, if you mess around with it enough, you'll see two instances of "1920x1080, 60Hz" up in the Display Menu icon on the menu bar. One of these is 1080p and the other is 1080i.

The TV will report the format of the incoming signal. Once you've chosen the correct 1080p setting, it'll stay that way until you change it again.

The Sharp 62U series has 1:1 pixel mapping so overscan is not a problem. There is a slight bug where the very last row of pixels is missing, but I think I can live with 1920x1079p.

ft

I can tell you from first hand experience, that the Sharp LC46D62U (and it's 42" and 52" brothers) work "out of the box" with intel macs.


Thanks, ft. I've noted it and will try to make the sticky later today.

Also, the 5.1 sticky as it is now is incorrect.

No it isn't. It is an accurate statement of today's situation. Nothing you've posted in this forum in the last few days is any different than anything we've already discussed, reviewed, and tried over and over again. But whatever. I'm not going to argue with you about it.

No it isn't. It is an accurate statement of today's situation. Nothing you've posted in this forum in the last few days is any different than anything we've already discussed, reviewed, and tried over and over again. But whatever. I'm not going to argue with you about it.

Actually, it is incorrect, and posting a "definitive statement" on the issue that is not accurate will only perpetuate the problems. Here is what the sticky message currently says:


Currently, there are two programs that can output via the Mac's digital audio output 5.1 audio: DVD Player and VLC. DVD Player will only play DVDs -- whether on disk or ripped to hard drive. VLC will play DVDs as well as most other file types -- .avi, .divx, etc.


This is not correct, there are more than just two apps. I use MythFrontend to display HDTV and DVDs in DD5.1 daily. EyeTV also supports DD, as does Media Central. I think iTele (DVB digital tv player) does, mplayer _might_ support it, but I'm not sure about that one.

Any application is free to use digital audio, there is no limitation in Mac OS X. The digital audio situation in Mac OS X is pretty much the same as in Windows or Linux.. the OS supports it via the Core Audio APIs. But, for whatever reason, Apple has chosen not to implement it in QuickTime.



No other Apple programs (QuickTime or iTunes) can currently output 5.1 audio via the Mac's digital audio output. It does not matter which codecs you have installed -- it is currently simply not possible.


This is true in spirit. But, as phrased it is wrong. Both QuickTime and iTunes "can currently output 5.1 audio via the Mac's digital audio output" as described above with the AC3 encoded WAV files. It would be better phrased that QT/iTunes do not have formal support for AC3 pass-through, but can be "tricked" into outputting DD/DTS, as described in Apple's knowledge base.


When it does become possible, this message will report that.




I updated the first post in the other 5.1 thread with what I think is an accurate summary of the situation: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=826375