Mac Mini for playing back EX1 material on Full HD LCD TV at DVinfo.net

Mac Mini for playing back EX1 material on Full HD LCD TV · October 15th, 2008, 11:32 AM

I need to have a 10 min institutional film shot on EX1 playing back continually on a full HD LCD TV (HDMI) at a conference.

Right now I'm considering getting a Sony Playstation 3 or BluRay player and getting Adobe Encore + BluRay burner to author a BluRay DVD (We're set up with FCP).

Alternatively has anybody tried playing back HD material from a Mac Mini (DVI to HDMI cable)

Thanks

Rob Collins · October 15th, 2008, 01:06 PM

I haven't ever used a Mac Mini, but in theory that's an easier solution. I've gone the Blu-ray route on a Mac, and it's a pain. A relatively recent Macbook or MBpro would also work using the TV as a second monitor. That would save you having to lug keyboard and mouse.

Also, if 720/24p would work, you could use an Apple TV. My stuff shown on a 1080p set looks great that way.

Adam Plywaczewski · October 15th, 2008, 02:09 PM

We've done some testing with our cheap on-location storage laptop, equipped with some Intel graphics chipset and 1.5 Ghz Core2duo processor, running WIndows XP, with much success.

We've exported a high bitrate MPEG2 file using some pretty standard Compressor settings, and used VLC player.

It was 1080i25 MPEG with 20 Mbps bit rate (or something about that), VLC player set to deintarlace. We haven't observed any stuttering or hick ups.

Laptop unfortunately was not equipped with DVI, only VGA.

Same goes for Macbook.

So I would assume you should be able to play such MPEG on Mac Mini.

P.S. Vista laptop and windows media player - there were some problems there, especially in the beginning of the video.

David A. Smith · October 18th, 2008, 03:51 AM

You could certainly use your Macbook Pro playing out an I frame codec like DVCPro HD to an HD monitor via DVI. I do it all the time with a G4 Powerbook. Most probably you can play the native XDCAM files on your MBP.

Kalunga Lima · October 18th, 2008, 04:35 AM

I'm primarily looking for some form of HD via HDMI playout system that would not involve leaving my laptop running at the convention centre all day.

So far I think that the Apple TV suggested by Rob is my best option even if it means reducing my resolution to 720p (no Encore, no blu-ray burner, no PS3).

Sverker Hahn · October 18th, 2008, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalunga Lima

I need to have a 10 min institutional film shot on EX1 playing back continually on a full HD LCD TV (HDMI) at a conference.

Right now I'm considering getting a Sony Playstation 3 or BluRay player and getting Adobe Encore + BluRay burner to author a BluRay DVD (We're set up with FCP).

Alternatively has anybody tried playing back HD material from a Mac Mini (DVI to HDMI cable)

Thanks

Maybe easier to use a media streamer like the TviX. It is cheaper and easier to use than a Mac Mini. It plays H.264.

/Sverker

Christopher Witz · October 18th, 2008, 12:08 PM

yes... the appletv is a fantastic tool.... you can wirelessly grab any appletv encoded vid in the itunes library from your mac... no burning.... no cables ( from mac to atv ) heck... the screensaver mode with your stills is a great feature as well. I've lent mine to clients for tradeshow loops to projectors and big lcd/plasmas and it worked without a hitch!

For $250 it's a bargain!

Rob Collins · October 20th, 2008, 02:05 AM

I haven't tried, but I'm not sure there's a way to loop a video on Apple TV if you need that for the conference. Of course, you could create a QT with the video looped a bunch of times. You can loop in QT player if you want to reconsider the Mac Mini idea.

One other option: if you can get your hands on a HD-DVD player (format Blu-ray beat), then you could make a looping HD-DVD on a regular DVD-R using DVDSP. Creating Hi-Def DVDs Using 4.7GB Type 5 DVDs

October 18th, 2008, 03:51 AM	#4
David A. Smith New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lambertville, New Jersey Posts: 16	You could certainly use your Macbook Pro playing out an I frame codec like DVCPro HD to an HD monitor via DVI. I do it all the time with a G4 Powerbook. Most probably you can play the native XDCAM files on your MBP. __________________ Your mileage may vary.

October 18th, 2008, 04:35 AM	#5
Kalunga Lima Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Luanda - ANGOLA & Lisbon - PORTUGAL Posts: 126	I'm primarily looking for some form of HD via HDMI playout system that would not involve leaving my laptop running at the convention centre all day. So far I think that the Apple TV suggested by Rob is my best option even if it means reducing my resolution to 720p (no Encore, no blu-ray burner, no PS3). __________________ Kalunga Lima PDW-F350, PDW-EX1, MacBookPro, MacPro 8-Core, Final Cut Studio 2

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October 15th, 2008, 01:06 PM	#2
Rob Collins Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 221	I haven't ever used a Mac Mini, but in theory that's an easier solution. I've gone the Blu-ray route on a Mac, and it's a pain. A relatively recent Macbook or MBpro would also work using the TV as a second monitor. That would save you having to lug keyboard and mouse. Also, if 720/24p would work, you could use an Apple TV. My stuff shown on a 1080p set looks great that way.

October 15th, 2008, 02:09 PM	#3
Adam Plywaczewski New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Poland Posts: 8	We've done some testing with our cheap on-location storage laptop, equipped with some Intel graphics chipset and 1.5 Ghz Core2duo processor, running WIndows XP, with much success. We've exported a high bitrate MPEG2 file using some pretty standard Compressor settings, and used VLC player. It was 1080i25 MPEG with 20 Mbps bit rate (or something about that), VLC player set to deintarlace. We haven't observed any stuttering or hick ups. Laptop unfortunately was not equipped with DVI, only VGA. Same goes for Macbook. So I would assume you should be able to play such MPEG on Mac Mini. P.S. Vista laptop and windows media player - there were some problems there, especially in the beginning of the video.

October 18th, 2008, 12:08 PM	#7
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 581	yes... the appletv is a fantastic tool.... you can wirelessly grab any appletv encoded vid in the itunes library from your mac... no burning.... no cables ( from mac to atv ) heck... the screensaver mode with your stills is a great feature as well. I've lent mine to clients for tradeshow loops to projectors and big lcd/plasmas and it worked without a hitch! For $250 it's a bargain!

October 20th, 2008, 02:05 AM	#8
Rob Collins Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 221	I haven't tried, but I'm not sure there's a way to loop a video on Apple TV if you need that for the conference. Of course, you could create a QT with the video looped a bunch of times. You can loop in QT player if you want to reconsider the Mac Mini idea. One other option: if you can get your hands on a HD-DVD player (format Blu-ray beat), then you could make a looping HD-DVD on a regular DVD-R using DVDSP. Creating Hi-Def DVDs Using 4.7GB Type 5 DVDs