[mythtv-users] Mac Mini Core Solo as FE/BE Combo?

[Jarod Wilson]

On Feb 21, 2007, at 17:54, Michael Freeman wrote:

> I was just given a Mac Mini Core Solo by an uncle of mine who just  
> hated Quicken for OS X that much.
> Would it be capable of being a full front and back end unit with a  
> WinTV PVRUSB2 for analog and a HDHomeRun for digital?
>
> I expect to be able to continue to watch 720p and 1080i content  
> like I do now on my bulky space heater of an Athlon 64 3000+ --  
> stuff on there runs smooth enough, but not as smooth as when I go  
> watch it on a real TV / Comcast DVR combo.
> I can't get XvMC to work...so maybe that's why.
>
> Am I dreaming with my goals or can I take the space heater offline  
> [Myth is the only reason it exists] in favor of the free Mini?

I spent a little while playing with a core duo mini a week or two  
ago. I think that's likely a pipe dream to play back HDTV with a core  
solo, at least at the moment. The duo couldn't play back 1080i  
material smoothly, even when using something a little lighter-weight  
than mythtv (mplayer). Dunno if maybe under OS X there's a way to  
take advantage of quicktime pro's mpeg2 support or not. In theory,  
the duo should be able to play back 1080i material smoothly, since  
quicktime (this is obviously under OS X) could handle 1080p h.264  
material smoothly (albeit w/both cores nearly maxed out).

Note to self: remember to borrow that core solo from down the hall in  
the office...

Oh yeah, you could also improve your chances by purchasing a socket m  
core 2 duo and swapping it into your solo min... :)

-- 
Jarod Wilson
jarod at wilsonet.com