How Fast Is MiniMac ( DivX,XviD,Real)

[MaXiMuS]

I was GOOOOGLIN` like hell :devil: but could not find any reports how
MiniMAC (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/70603/wo/5LVR6Yhgz5KF3g8AdMB2vtPanwj/0.0.11.1.0.6.23.1.3.1.0.0.0.1.0) is fast (slow) for DVD to DivX/XviD/Real transcoding ... maybe somebody can do few tests ...

Maybe use The Matrix (http://imdb.com/title/tt0133093/) for encoding
resolution : 640 x XXX
audio : 128 kbps abr
no filters


NO, i am not gonna SWiTCH (http://www.apple.com/switch/) but i would like to play with TiGER (http://www.apple.com/macosx/) ... i gotta justify spending $600 ... so i can use it as dedicated dvdrip/stream box ;)

http://spasticrobot.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/tiger.jpg

[Joe Fenton]

Look at it logically - you're looking at a 1.25 or 1.42 GHz G4 with AltiVec... that's roughly equivalent to an Athlon XP 1600+ (which has SSE). That class machine (in my experience) takes about three times the length of the video clip to do a high-quality xvid two-pass encode, say six hours for a two hour movie. Factors can change that... type or amount of scaling, any filters, quality setting of the mpeg4 encoder, which mpeg4 encoder being used... but it's a decent ballpark number.

[MaXiMuS]

i got simmilar estimate .. but i was wondering if any1 on the board does have MiniMac and give us some more precise numbers...

thx 4 your reply

[Joe Fenton]

No problem. I'd fire up my iMac, but it's a G3, not a G4, so whatever I got wouldn't be of any use to you.

[LordRPI]

To be perfectly honest of being a G4 (500mhz) owner, a
G4 really won't cut it for an encoding machine - in terms of both power and native encoding tools. Even my G5 (2.0ghz x 2) lacks in that department.

[Joe Fenton]

I agree that PPC's have even fewer native tools than x86 Linux, but that nonsense about not having enough power, even with a G5, is nonsense. A G5 is WAY plenty enough power to encode. Most people encoding on PCs are using the equivalent of 1.5 to 2 GHz G4s. Many are using even lower end systems. I've read posts from people using 700 MHz P3s to encode. Heck, I've done encoding on my 450MHz G3 and been satisfied with the results. Unless you are looking for real-time HDTV encoding, a G4 is plenty.

As for tools on the Mac, you're best bet is FFMPEGX.
http://homepage.mac.com/major4/
This is probably enough for most people.

[mrbass]

I just finished over 80 hours of encoding on a mac mini. I would was doing svcd to dv (takes twice as long as real time) and same with dv to dvd using iDVD. Now if I didn't have other computers to play with I'd go crazy. Everything is great especially how it's near silent so easy to sleep with it right next to you. Problem was my external hd has a loud fan so that was annoying. I just ordered an aluminum 3.5" external enclosure with no fan so it'll be a silent experience in future endeavors.

[MaXiMuS]

Originally posted by mrbass
I just finished over 80 hours of encoding on a mac mini. I would was doing svcd to dv (takes twice as long as real time) and same with dv to dvd using iDVD. Now if I didn't have other computers to play with I'd go crazy. Everything is great especially how it's near silent so easy to sleep with it right next to you. Problem was my external hd has a loud fan so that was annoying. I just ordered an aluminum 3.5" external enclosure with no fan so it'll be a silent experience in future endeavors.

Thx mrbass :)

If i get MiniMac i`ll do some speed test & post it here ...;)

[LordRPI]

Originally posted by Joe Fenton
I agree that PPC's have even fewer native tools than x86 Linux, but that nonsense about not having enough power, even with a G5, is nonsense. A G5 is WAY plenty enough power to encode. Most people encoding on PCs are using the equivalent of 1.5 to 2 GHz G4s.


Maybe I should rephrase that. Buying a Mac for encoding and only encoding isn't the greatest idea. Although the G5's are powerhouses, you could get a much faster encoding rig if you go x86. Raw power aside, the optimizations (AltiVec) aren't as well tuned as their x86 counterparts at least for the time being. XviD just recently with 1.1 finally got some AltiVec enhancements that work under OS X. The asm format for ppc linux and os x are different..

[MaXiMuS]

Originally posted by LordRPI
Maybe I should rephrase that. Buying a Mac for encoding and only encoding isn't the greatest idea. Although the G5's are powerhouses, you could get a much faster encoding rig if you go x86. Raw power aside, the optimizations (AltiVec) aren't as well tuned as their x86 counterparts at least for the time being. XviD just recently with 1.1 finally got some AltiVec enhancements that work under OS X. The asm format for ppc linux and os x are different..

well i do have my main encoding rig (p4 3.06 htt) but i want to learn 2 work with mac (osX) ... so i need a reason :devil:

[calinb]

Originally posted by MaXiMuS
well i do have my main encoding rig (p4 3.06 htt) but i want to learn 2 work with mac (osX) ... so i need a reason :devil:

Do you have a firewire port from a cable (or other) STB? The mini is a great virtual D-VHS recorder! See http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=386740&page=1&pp=30&highlight=mac+record

I've used a PC for this too, but the Mac is more convenient and slightly more stabile in this application. You'll need a PC, dual G5 Mac, or hardware decoder (like a D-VHS deck) to playback Hi-Def mpeg2, however.

This may be your reason! :)

[leviat]

I love using my Mac Mini for encoding. However, speed isn't an issue for me. I typically queue up everything before I head to bed and then it's done when I wake up in the morning. The thing is near silent, in fact, I didn't realize the thing even had a fan until I did my encode.

The AltiVec is nice, but you'll be hard pressed to find tools that actually support it. You'll also find that getting the tools you need requires a little bit more digging. The only time I've ever felt the limitations of the little feller is when trying to watch HD H.264 videos. You're going to lose frames even at 720P :(.

So in short, I give it a thumbs up for as a little encoder box, but not recommended as an HD media box.

[shevegen]

Isnt that too expensive considering you get more speed for less money spent?

Sure it looks a lot better, but I try to view from a point of efficiency.

[leviat]

Isnt that too expensive considering you get more speed for less money spent?

Sure it looks a lot better, but I try to view from a point of efficiency.

If your goal is to get a machine that's pure purpose it to encode, then yes. However, I use my Mini for many other things as well so for me it was a perfect fit. What's important is that the Mini is fast enough to be used for encoding, but I wouldn't recommend it as an encoding powerhouse. Thus, it was the efficient buy for me. (I needed a machine for web development, encoding, and a way to learn Darwin, OS/X, and PPC arch.)

[MaXiMuS]

If your goal is to get a machine that's pure purpose it to encode, then yes. However, I use my Mini for many other things as well so for me it was a perfect fit. What's important is that the Mini is fast enough to be used for encoding, but I wouldn't recommend it as an encoding powerhouse. Thus, it was the efficient buy for me. (I needed a machine for web development, encoding, and a way to learn Darwin, OS/X, and PPC arch.)

THANK YOU for your reply!

please can you encode (without filtering,deinterlace and any fancy stuff.)some well known movie at 1CD size and post speed results:
use some tipical settings 640x __ abr audio128k.

TIA

[MaXiMuS]

http://homepage.mac.com/major4/images/bench1.jpg

:)

[riggits]

http://homepage.mac.com/major4/images/bench1.jpg

:)

In other words, it's bloody slow. You have your answer :)

[Joe Fenton]

In other words, it's bloody slow. You have your answer :)

First, that was an 800MHz G4. The Mac-Mini is at least 50% faster by clockrate alone. Second, iBooks have a LOUSY bus and slow memory. That's a VERY serious detriment when encoding. The Mac-Mini has a much better bus and MUCH faster memory.

With a Mac-Mini, you aren't after the fastest encoder, so no one is expecting encoding like a fast P4 or AMD64.

[riggits]

[...]

With a Mac-Mini, you aren't after the fastest encoder, so no one is expecting encoding like a fast P4 or AMD64.

like I said, it's bloody slow :) What else would you expect? Slow CPU, slow bus, slow hard drive... these things add up (or detract, if you prefer)

[EggyToast]

I've got a dual 1.8 mac and it's hella fast. Not to mention that it's a piece of cake to set up HUGE encodes and just continue using the computer. I regularly set up encodes "in the background" and just use the computer as I normally do without experiencing any real speed hits.

But yeah, the Mac Mini is more a "user" computer rather than a "professional" computer, meaning that while you could get one and set up encodes on it, it would be pretty slow. But it'd also be a little box you could just set up and let it go without having to get some huge loud desktop system for your encodes. Or just set up your encodes to go overnight.