Channels on Mac Mini M1 that’s also my main computer…

Channels DVR Server
#1

Ok, Channels friends: Talk me out of running Channels on my recently purchased Mac Mini M1 and also using that same M1 as my desktop computer. But hear me out first.

In most scenarios I wouldn’t do this or recommend doing so but I’m really the only user of Channels in my home and not terribly concerned about interrupting recordings to reboot or resource issues since 1) It’s relatively rare for me to do anything that’s very resource intensive aside from occasionally having way to many Chrome tabs open and 2) There won’t be much overlap at all between when Channels will be doing its thing and when I’m using the M1 as a desktop. I typically don’t touch my home computer much during the week.

Current channels server:

Mac Mini
2.5GHz Core i5 (Late 2012)
8GB RAM
512GB HDD

New Mac Mini:
3.2 GHz Apple M1
16GB RAM
256 GB SSD

Channels recordings will continue to reside on an external HDD.

#2

I’ve been doing this exact thing for years. I am now using an M1 mini as my main home desktop that also runs Channels 24/7 with no problems at all. I used to run an i7 iMac as my main machine but when the M1 came out I couldn’t resist going for it. I’m now using the iMac as a Ham Radio main computer. The mini is super efficient and my data in on a 18 TB OWC Thunderbay enclosure using RAID 5. I have 5 Apple TVs (all hardwired BTW) and 4 iOS devices as clients. I’ve never had any problems with throughput on any devices and Channels runs happily in the background while I do whatever needs to be done on the M1 mini including transcoding video with Handbrake. Others may disagree, but I can’t tell you any reason not to do it.

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#3

Why not just keep the old macMini and run it headless in a closet/basement/whatever with external storage attached? Use screen sharing/remote desktop to access it when needed.

I've got a (Late 2014) macMini in my basement running as the home file server/Channels DVR/time-machine backup server. :slight_smile:

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#4

Im using an always on 2010 mac mini headless for channels. Its very enticing looking at the M1 and M2 mac minis. Every time I look into upgrading I can’t justify upgrading yet for my use case, but if/when I do upgrade it will probably be an M2 mac mini.

Is there any reason why you couldnt leave your main desktop always on?.then you could have the best of both worlds. Perhaps just shut your monitor off, and leave channels running all the time and never have to worry about dropping any recordings, etc.

#5

That’s super helpful. Exactly what I wanted to hear.

That’s the state the old Mini is in now. I’m wanting to harness the awesome power of the M1 for both Channels and as my Desktop.

I started out looking at the M2 but after reading about the slower SSD in the 256gb model & the cost to get it to 16gb RAM - the M1seemed like a better deal particularly since I got a refurb with a veteran’s discount. I can’t really justify the upgrade either. The real reason I bought it has more to do with my inability to resist a bargain + desire to have a new toy. :grin:

Actually, that’s exactly my plan. :grinning:

Thanks for all the great input!

1 Like
#6

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