Apple announces Boot Camp (dual boot loader for Macs)

[pwlong]

http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/



So anyone making plans for a Mac-based BTV link machine? Does the graphics adapter in the Mac Mini (Intel GMA950) support playback of HD content?

[Kilrsat]

Yes, the Mac Mini plays back HD just fine.

[btvfreak]

Kilrsat - Just curious. Did you try to play HD first hand with a new Intel Mac mini? Does it need the core duo CPU or is the core solo enought? I'd jump on this if it does in fact playback HD shows.

[Kilrsat]

It was running at ~25-30% cpu usage of the core duo model while playing back a 1080i file. I didn't have a chance for more in depth testing, but it is coming.

[merrypig]

is that using btv link under winxp/bootcamp stuff? or using the mac natively with apple's os?

[Kilrsat]

BTV Link in Windows XP.

[pwlong]

So if the onboard video is capable of smooth 1080i playback, are there any technical obstacles to using a Mini as a link machine? It's supposed to be very quiet - is it?

At first blush it may appear that a Mini might be a relatively expensive option for a link box, but in the end, if it's completely silent and handles HDTV playback smoothly, it might just be the perfect "completely hidden" BTV link.

I'm definitely interested in hearing the results of any testing done in this area, so if you have more to share in the near future, Kilrsat, it would be much appreciated.

[btvfreak]

Thanks Kilrsat. Keep us posted on your testing. Also, how's memory usage? Is 512MB enough?

I'd like to get a core solo and get HD playback.

The only other issue I can think of with the Mac mini is that there is no eject button for the slot-loading optical drive, so you'd need to use a Mac keyboard to eject since there is no remote option.

[gbranche]

If you're thinking of getting a Mini, pay the extra $ for the Core Duo model. You'll be much happier in the long run, especially when trying to play HD video. The Solo is a single processor running at 1.5GHz, and doesn't have the dedicated video hardware like the PC boxes we've all built. I would also recommend getting the extra 1/2Gb of memory pre-installed. The built-in graphics steals system memory to be used as video memory, leaving you with less than 512Mb for system use on a 512Mb system.

Eject functionality can be achieved by adding a third-party remote control, such as this one from Keyspan. (Disclaimer: I do not have personal experience with this device. I DO, however, have personal experience with the Core Solo Mac Mini.)

[Bloggator]

What about using a Core Duo as not just a Link machine, but as a full-blown BTV server?

Could you use DVICO USB HD Tuners and Firefly with the blaster plugged into USB and have a great HDTV machine for under a grand?

[pwlong]

From a CPU and video-streaming perspective, I suspect a Core Duo would work nicely as a BTV server. Dual core for processing ShowSqueeze/SmartSkip jobs without disturbing video-streaming to Link machines, 10/100/1000 network, USB ports for external tuners. You'd probably want to bump the RAM up to 1GB. It's only got an 80GB drive, but you could easily add external Firewire or USB drives for extra capacity. Considering my BTV server sits in a dark, unfinished basement, though, it seems a waste to banish such a family-room-friendly chassis as the Mini to server duty.

Given it's existing capability in such an appealing form factor, the Mini really looks like a compelling platform for all BTV functions, and once it gets a CPU refresh in a couple quarters (Merom/Conroe?), so much the better.

[Bigbird999]

It just goes to show you how much BTV software is loved.

Because.......people will go to the extreme of desecrating (dare I say ruining) a magnificent piece of equipment, like the Mac Mini, by loading crappy old windows, just so they can use BTV.

Just so long as we don't have any reports of folks using a dual boot Mac to run any other windows apps than BTV, I guess it will be OK!

One or more Macs have lived in our house since 1985 and I loved them all!

BB

[MarkTO]

Is there a windows driver for the built in infrared reciever in the Mac Mini? Also does sleep mode work (suspend to RAM)?