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TICKET ARCHIVE -> HD video on a 1.5gbz Mini?

RobinS - Feb 17, 2008 - 8:10 pm

So I've tried downloading some 1080p and 768p trailers and they don't play properly. I'm using the latest 10.4.11 with VLC. Is there a better player? Is the video on the Mini making this impossible? I've tried closing every other program as well to help things. No dice.

So if the Mini won't play HD, what do I need for a video card in a Mac Pro (no integrated monitor for me so no iMac) to watch 1080p at either 1900 x 1280 (24"-28") or 2560 x 1600 (30")?

And just as a reference, what iMac plays 1080p?

(The stills are so vivid in their sharpness that I'm totally sold on HD!) Can't wait to see something on a 30". Coupled with good headphones it takes a movie or good TV show to another level.

RAMPCHECK - Feb 17, 2008 - 9:09 pm

Robin,

The Mini really is not strong enough to drive a 30" at those resolutions. The progressive part is not a problem (ie it would do the same thing at 1080i).

you really need a MacPro with the Nvidia card to do what your wanting to do... The ATI would do it but I have read mixed reviews on the HD output. Some say it does fine and others say it needs work. All of them suggest the Nvidia does a better job.

RobinS - Feb 18, 2008 - 1:29 am

So the player doesn't make the slightest difference or is VLC the best player?

And just as a reference, what iMac plays 1080p?

RAMPCHECK - Feb 18, 2008 - 8:20 am

From what I can tell, VLC does not support the needed codecs... QuickTime plays 1080, try playing one of the QT 1080P and see if that works.

you may still have the problem of the video card driving a 30" but I would be interested in hearing the outcome.

RobinS - Feb 19, 2008 - 1:10 am

So does any iMac play 1080p? Surely the 24" mus?

RAMPCHECK - Feb 19, 2008 - 2:05 pm

I don't think the imacs will output 1080P very well. If any of them, I would get the top end with the 2.8Ghz 24".

RobinS - Feb 20, 2008 - 2:29 pm

Please...if you don't know for sure, just forward this to someone else. Thanks. "I don't think that......" is totally useless - and you know it.

Ever priced out a separate motherboard for that machine?
Ever priced out a separate monitor for that machine?
Buying an all in one machine is only for delusional optimists. Sooner or later something is going to die. And if you can replace that one item in a few years it will cost you very little. That is if you don't have to buy it from Apple. Witness the costs of any component in a 3 year old PC. There is nothing that would cost more than $50 to replace. And often far less. The replacement cost for the motherboard for a PPC Mini is hundreds of dollars - more than a complete used machine costs right now. That's Apple screwing you after you've been loyal. Thanks Apple! lol!

I'm kind of a pessimist I guess. Its nicer living in the real world.

RobinS - Feb 20, 2008 - 2:32 pm

The sooner OS X is sold for general PC use the better. Hopefully within a couple of years. We can only hope. As they haven't seemed to make the cracking of it on PC hardward extremely difficult, perhaps this was in their plans from the beginning. I'm thinking perhaps it was. Once the cracking community grows some more they may say "we have to release it otherwise we're losing too much business". I'm thinking it will coincide with Steve Job's resignation. Oh happy day that will be.

RAMPCHECK - Feb 20, 2008 - 3:50 pm

Robin,

I have tested two of the current imacs and the mini for this ticket.
You can find more information here:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/guide...endations.html

I am going to reopen the ticket so you can get other advice

TechSupport - Feb 23, 2008 - 4:00 pm

We apologize for not being able to resolve the issue you asked of us. It is the absolute worst case scenario for us to do this. In our review of why this happens, it generally is related to either the particular issue being addressed or frequently, incomplete or incorrect information provided. We hope by moving your request to the public forums that you will be able to get a solution without leaving you empty handed.

Your ticket has been closed with our support team. Your request has just been posted to Mac OS X System & Mac Software and is available for your viewing at:

http://macosx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=298692

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