I use Plex (a side project from XBMC) on the Mac. It works swimmingly on a headless MacBook I repaired ($100 baby!). It's a C2D with a GMA950 and it plays HD content without skipping from 720p right through to 30-40GB HD 1080p. It just plays through an Unraid box through ethernet. You could easily stream HD through 802.11.N, through my experience. Of course it does depend on the codec... H.264 is extremely efficient in my experience, as XBMC uses a codec that makes use of two CPUs instead of one.
You're looking way too far into what I said. I did not mean to be prerogative, I was just stating facts. $14 is better put towards a new CPU. If his MB will take one that is. A low range C2D will run you in the range of $50 on a deal, not really out of reach? A new CPU would not only give power to play high definition media, but it will make his computing experience more satisfactory across the board. It helps to be open minded about such things.
I use Unraid for all my data storage. The parity and data isn't striped across all drives, only one drive is parity. If I loose two disks, I only loose the data on those two disks. I've got 4TB of home storage at the moment, but will eventually scale it. Best thing is that it runs on most hardware, and boots off a memory stick. It happens to run Reiser FS though, so when a HD dies, it really makes your life hard to get any data back. But thats why you have backups, right?
It's definitely your processor. 2Ghz C2D is absolute minimum for playing 1080p, even more for high bitrate media. Try using XBMC for playback, it's very efficient and may help you until you can afford to purchase another computer.
You forgot that this is Slashdot. Most people here would run linux on their toasters (doubling as a router) if they could. Maybe that would bring a meaning to hot packets?
Of course, going 85mph, your chances of getting pulled over then fined greatly increases. This sort of defeats the purpose of saving money for petrol. ; )
Why not encrypt all your sensitive files and chuck them on an SD card. Put.RAW as the extension and then put the SD card in a camera. Simply chuck them back on your laptop when you've passed customs.
Does anything think that this is erosion of democracy? They're taking away the right of free speech for a chunk of people. I mean, I know there are other ways to contact the government to let them know what you think of them (F^$# *&%$# !@#), but surely it'd be in our best interests to pay for a decent mail exchange than to build another missile? This really isn't the best way to deal with the situation, its like shoving it under the carpet.
Yeah that may be true. But they are probably using a 2 million dollar exchange setup running Vista. If they were running it on anything open source, they could run the whole shibang on a few PIIIs. But this is the American government we are talking about...
Fair enough. I went through the NZ school system when they started doing that stupid NCEA. They offered nothing along the lines of IT, and it was so watered down I got so bored I left and did my own thing. I'm doing very well for myself in the IT job market without government college schooling.
I guess it's the price some people pay for upgrading earlier than anyone else. I tell you what though, as I watch movies fairly regularly, I can definitely say its worth it in my eyes. Sound is probably more important to me, so I put most of the focus on that.
It's your decision on how you spend you money, and some people value recreation over other things. I feel the extra details get me more into the movie, so that makes it worth it for me.
The cost to get decent benefit out of the upgraded sound and video is just exorbitant.
Rubbish! I spent $3000 NZD to get (brand new) a nice 42" 1080p panel, a decent Onkyo Amp, and a full Wharfedale 9.6 surrounds with 9CM center with a SW250 Sub surround sound setup, including all cables. Then I spent $150 on a damaged MacBook that I repaired for a media center (XBMC) with SPDIF out, etc. Seriously, how is that exorbitant? It sounds and looks amazing with Blue-Ray, and I definitely notice the difference. If you shop around, you can get some great deals, and you end up with a system that you really enjoy.
I guess it's worth it for some, and not for others
Slashdot Mirror
I use Plex (a side project from XBMC) on the Mac. It works swimmingly on a headless MacBook I repaired ($100 baby!). It's a C2D with a GMA950 and it plays HD content without skipping from 720p right through to 30-40GB HD 1080p. It just plays through an Unraid box through ethernet. You could easily stream HD through 802.11.N, through my experience. Of course it does depend on the codec... H.264 is extremely efficient in my experience, as XBMC uses a codec that makes use of two CPUs instead of one.
Fair enough. That codec sounds good anyway ; ) I'd like to think that Slashdot is a better place to argue that say, digg...
You're looking way too far into what I said. I did not mean to be prerogative, I was just stating facts. $14 is better put towards a new CPU. If his MB will take one that is. A low range C2D will run you in the range of $50 on a deal, not really out of reach? A new CPU would not only give power to play high definition media, but it will make his computing experience more satisfactory across the board. It helps to be open minded about such things.
Personally, I'd rather put the $14 you have to pay for it into another CPU. ; )
I use Unraid for all my data storage. The parity and data isn't striped across all drives, only one drive is parity. If I loose two disks, I only loose the data on those two disks. I've got 4TB of home storage at the moment, but will eventually scale it. Best thing is that it runs on most hardware, and boots off a memory stick. It happens to run Reiser FS though, so when a HD dies, it really makes your life hard to get any data back. But thats why you have backups, right?
It's definitely your processor. 2Ghz C2D is absolute minimum for playing 1080p, even more for high bitrate media. Try using XBMC for playback, it's very efficient and may help you until you can afford to purchase another computer.
You forgot that this is Slashdot. Most people here would run linux on their toasters (doubling as a router) if they could. Maybe that would bring a meaning to hot packets?
Decent hardware? Heard of the Xbox?
The rest is FaceBook and Myspace pages.
Of course, going 85mph, your chances of getting pulled over then fined greatly increases. This sort of defeats the purpose of saving money for petrol. ; )
Why not encrypt all your sensitive files and chuck them on an SD card. Put .RAW as the extension and then put the SD card in a camera. Simply chuck them back on your laptop when you've passed customs.
Did anyone notice the front forks, brakes and wheel? Looks like they were taken from my downhill bike! Safe at 50mph? Hmm..
Does anything think that this is erosion of democracy? They're taking away the right of free speech for a chunk of people. I mean, I know there are other ways to contact the government to let them know what you think of them (F^$# *&%$# !@#), but surely it'd be in our best interests to pay for a decent mail exchange than to build another missile? This really isn't the best way to deal with the situation, its like shoving it under the carpet.
Yeah that may be true. But they are probably using a 2 million dollar exchange setup running Vista. If they were running it on anything open source, they could run the whole shibang on a few PIIIs. But this is the American government we are talking about...
I've been an avid Apple fanboy all my life, but if this works, then I might be building my own machine. AKA, the model Apple never offered us.
Fair enough. I went through the NZ school system when they started doing that stupid NCEA. They offered nothing along the lines of IT, and it was so watered down I got so bored I left and did my own thing. I'm doing very well for myself in the IT job market without government college schooling.
Oh wait.. Never mind.
Its only 3 in the afternoon!!
NZ is backwards. What more can I say? : )
See above..
Yeah but my panel cost less than any of the 720p panels cost in NZ, and it looks better. I don't think I really made a bad decision there, do you?
It's your decision on how you spend you money, and some people value recreation over other things. I feel the extra details get me more into the movie, so that makes it worth it for me.
Everything is exorbitant in NZ though, I have to say. You could probably pick something similar to what I have for a 1/3 less in the US of A!
Agreed. Was going to post the same thing :P
The cost to get decent benefit out of the upgraded sound and video is just exorbitant.
Rubbish! I spent $3000 NZD to get (brand new) a nice 42" 1080p panel, a decent Onkyo Amp, and a full Wharfedale 9.6 surrounds with 9CM center with a SW250 Sub surround sound setup, including all cables. Then I spent $150 on a damaged MacBook that I repaired for a media center (XBMC) with SPDIF out, etc. Seriously, how is that exorbitant? It sounds and looks amazing with Blue-Ray, and I definitely notice the difference. If you shop around, you can get some great deals, and you end up with a system that you really enjoy.
I guess it's worth it for some, and not for others
There can be only none!