How fast MAC for MKV 720px264 files?

[Iletys]

I saw that there was a similar subject but I wanted to ask this question here. My PowerBook G4 won't play these files almost at all. Mplayer does play a little more but the picture is still too slow.

Is it that only the new Intel based Macs will handle this file correctly?

Would the Mac mini (intel) 1,6GHz be enough?

[The DJ]

My Intel Core2Duo 2Ghz plays them just fine, but my G5 Dual 1.8Ghz is complaining all the time. I can't say anything about what is in between.

[Mark Booth]

I realize I'm comparing Apples (QuickTime) and Oranges (VLC).. (Hey, that's pretty funny!) but... Apple's minimum CPU recommendations for QuickTime:

720p - 1.8 GHz G5 or 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo
1080p - Dual 2.0 GHz G5 or 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo

That said....

My 1.33 GHz PowerBook G4 chokes on anything larger than 480p.

Befoe I upgraded it, my 1.66 GHz Core Duo Mac Mini played 99% of 720p files OK and SOME 1080p files OK. But since upgrading the Mini to a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo it plays all 720p and 1080p files just fine.

My dual 2.7 GHz PowerMac G5 plays all 720p and 1080p files just fine.

My guess is a 1.83 GHz Core Duo Mini would play the majority of 720p and 1080p files just fine. But you might still hit an occasional 1080p file that slowed it down.

Mark

[The DJ]

QuickTime h264 is much more optimized for PowerPC then ffmpeg's h264.

However QT's h264 is also a very limited version of the h264 decoder. It truly isn't that good.

[Hamilcar]

Can we hope for a better h264 decoder in future releases of VLC ?

It will be great to be able to playback 1080p on my 1.83GHZ mini

[The DJ]

You can always hope.

(codecs in vlc are developed by ffmpeg, not by videolan)

[ToeCutter]

My MacBook Core Duo 2.0 GHz plays both 720p and 1080p .ts and .mkvs BEAUTIFULLY.

I can't tell you how impressed I am with the quality of VLC's rendering. I have my MacBook connected to a Panasonic AX100 projector via DVI/HDMI and the picture quality is stunning.

The ability to easily adjust sat and gamma allows for truly impressive output.

I'll say it again: Outstanding job by the devs!

Adding SPDIF audio output has restored the Mac as a true contender for the living room. I've had no issues with AC3 or DTS tracks thru SPDIF. I'll probably end up purchasing a Mac Mini to host VLC for home theater duties.