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Hackintosh HTPC Hardware suggestion

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sudeep

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Apr 16, 2009
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Could anyone please suggest a decent (not too expensive) hardware to put together a Home Theatre PC that will work on Mac OsX..
I prefer OsX so please suggest anything that would be compatible with it..
Thanks
 
We can't discuss hackintoshes here.

That and Mac's aren't great for HTPC's regardless of hardware IMO, and I'm a Mac user. All my HTPC stuff is Windows.
 
OSx has got to be the worst choice for an HTPC. I don't think there is a single benefit to using OSx over Windows.
 
I'm typing from a Hackintosh and trying to build one for HTPC use would be a terrible idea... what is there about OSX that you would prefer for an HTPC? You're going to be running a front-end anyway and whatever you're going to use (XBMC I guess?) you could just install on a PC...

Building a Hackintosh can be an effort in frustration anyway due to getting drivers for everything to work... I wouldn't want to be dealing with trying to get HDMI or optical ports to work, etc etc.
 
Yea, OS X is terrible for HTPC use, and rhouck brought up the point of drivers and such. It's going to be extremely difficult to get all the stuff working is OS X if it is even possible.
 
If you want something "different" or not windows, try some different builds of linux and use VDPAU with an nvidia chipset.
 
Just use linux, it will work a lot better. And many of the HTPC programs for Mac have a linux version. (XBMC for example)
 
lol Wow. The OP really needs to come back and explain WTF he's trying to do....
 
But it's APPEL!?! It's teh best!

No explanations needed. kthxbye

lol..
 
Hmm, I wouldn't use anything else then my Mac Mini for a HTPC.... Nothing could be any simpler to setup and use... Not to mention you get a remote that works with ZERO configuration right out of the box.

Boot it up, install Plex, point it to my media share on my server and your done... Plays back all my 1080p x254 encoded rips flawlessly. Couldn't be happier.

People will bash it, but hey, it fills ALL of my needs without any of the headaches of a windows based HTPC. After a fresh Leopard install you only need to install ONE app (Plex) to get full seemless HTPC functionality.

The Plex App Store is awesome aswell: http://vimeo.com/3315441
 
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Well, besides many other key features that HTPC's have.
 
OSX is a great os, I love my macbook. But it's such a premium to a lot of the other offerings concerning HTPC usage. It's hard to justify the extra money expense, or difficulties with a hackintosh, when a linux machine can do it just as well.

If you really want to stick with OSX, just try to get a used Mac Mini (can be rather difficult, theyre in high demand)
 
criccio said:
Hmm, I wouldn't use anything else then my Mac Mini for a HTPC.... Nothing could be any simpler to setup and use... Not to mention you get a remote that works with ZERO configuration right out of the box.

Boot it up, install Plex, point it to my media share on my server and your done... Plays back all my 1080p x254 encoded rips flawlessly. Couldn't be happier.

People will bash it, but hey, it fills ALL of my needs without any of the headaches of a windows based HTPC. After a fresh Leopard install you only need to install ONE app (Plex) to get full seemless HTPC functionality.

The Plex App Store is awesome aswell: http://vimeo.com/3315441
Click to expand...

Sweet! So you can rent or buy a Bluray disc and toss it into your bluray drive and watch it?
 
rhouck said:
Sweet! So you can rent or buy a Bluray disc and toss it into your bluray drive and watch it?
Click to expand...

Sarcasm, nice...

I don't rent of buy BD's...

Like I said, it does everything I need it to do, and that is play 1080p x264 encoded rips. (identical to the BD masters)
 
I think I got the picture pretty clear...
so no matter how much I love OsX or that Windows really suck, I'm not going to build a Hackintosh HTPC.
I take an oath.
 
criccio said:
Like I said, it does everything I need it to do, and that is play 1080p x264 encoded rips. (identical to the BD masters)
Click to expand...

Um... no. They're good but not nearly identical.

You made a good point that OSX can serve a nice simple media player but that's basically all it can do.
 
nite0 said:
Um... no. They're good but not nearly identical.

You made a good point that OSX can serve a nice simple media player but that's basically all it can do.
Click to expand...

Competent encoders (something you are apparently not used to) CAN indeed make transparent encodes. I can show you many, many comparison screenshots proving that. Just because your don't have experience with it doesn't mean it isn't possible. x264 is completely capable of making transparent encodes.

This argument always starts up with people who don't know anything about encoding... not need to do it again.
 
criccio said:
Competent encoders (something you are apparently not used to) CAN indeed make transparent encodes. I can show you many, many comparison screenshots proving that. Just because your don't have experience with it doesn't mean it isn't possible. x264 is completely capable of making transparent encodes.

This argument always starts up with people who don't know anything about encoding... not need to do it again.
Click to expand...
that does give me some hope to have OsX as my operating system...
please please please do suggest if anyone's got a solution to this dilemma of mine..
thx
 
criccio said:
Hmm, I wouldn't use anything else then my Mac Mini for a HTPC.... Nothing could be any simpler to setup and use... Not to mention you get a remote that works with ZERO configuration right out of the box.

Boot it up, install Plex, point it to my media share on my server and your done... Plays back all my 1080p x254 encoded rips flawlessly. Couldn't be happier.

People will bash it, but hey, it fills ALL of my needs without any of the headaches of a windows based HTPC. After a fresh Leopard install you only need to install ONE app (Plex) to get full seemless HTPC functionality.

The Plex App Store is awesome aswell: http://vimeo.com/3315441
Click to expand...
what about sound?? does a mac mini have a 5.1 surround???
 
sudeep said:
please please please do suggest if anyone's got a solution to this dilemma of mine..
Click to expand...

Start using Google. Start looking at threads asking for HTPC hardware advice. I guarantee you that you'll start seeing the same hardware show up again and again. Then go from there. We cannot personally recommend hardware for a hackintosh AFAIK.
 
Trust me, it's not worth it. As soon as you start touching details like remote control or proper sound, things start to go down.
 
criccio said:
People will bash it, but hey, it fills ALL of my needs
Click to expand...

That's great that it fills YOUR needs. Unfortunately, for most of us a Mac Mini leaves a lot to be desired. Thus we are trying to suggest more capable options to the OP, or at least get a better idea of what he's looking for.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go pop the BD I just rented into my HTPC and watch that sucka while you wait for yours to encode.
 
Hackintoshes are a grey area at this point legally, but we're gonna err on the safe side here.
Sorry

And FWIW, I run a Mac Mini for my HTPC and love it with FrontRow ;)
 
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