Which Mac mini will provide sufficient performance

Channels DVR Server
#1

I have Channels DVR running on my PC now, and I want to move it to a mac mini so I don't have to leave my computer on 24/7.

How old can I go and still get good performance? We watch in-the-home 99% of the time, and rarely stream outside the home. We record from an HD Home Run 4k and a TV Anywhere source. My local Fox station only comes in on ATSC 3.0 4k and I do record on it daily, so that might be the only wrench in the works?

There's a 2011 model for sale locally with a 2.0 GHz Core i7 (I7-2635QM). Would this be ok?

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#2

I am running on an i3 Mac mini and it is way more than enough. CPU use sits at less than 1%. This while also running Docker and HomeBrew for several other services.

#3

Thanks for the reply. Can I ask how old is your Mac mini?

#4

It's from 2018, but frankly you can run Channels on a Raspberry Pi. The system demands are not very high. I used to run Channels off a 2012 i5 iMac.

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#5

That is good to hear, thanks for confirming.

#6

I'm currently using a 2011 Mac mini (dual core i5) with a transplanted 500GB SSD and 10GB RAM to run Channels DVR...no issues at all. In fact it's eerily smooth. OS 10.13.6. Highly recommend running AV since there are no more OS security updates. Also, not sure if Docker can run...last time I tried it gave me all kinds of warnings about having to upgrade the OS first, which obviously cannot happen.

#7

I run Docker, AdGuard Home, Homebrew and Channels all on my mini. Total system load is 4%. I don’t think there is a Mac out there that can’t run Channels unless it’s an old PowerPC running OS 9 :grin:

#8

I've run Channels server on a 2005 Sony Vaio laptop. That only has a 1Ghz mobile processor, 60gb drive, and 1Gb RAM. I wiped it and installed Debian Linux, and removed the magnet for the lid that causes it to hibernate when closed. Channels ran perfectly, with no issues.

I've since gone to a RP 4b with the built image, just because it's smaller and uses even less power.

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#9

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