Matt,

The 2010 Mac Mini will function as a Catalyst Server. However, it is only with significant limitations.

My Tests were conducted with single & dual monitors 1920x1200 and with single & dual monitors 1920x1080, single & dual ImagePros, single & dual TVOne 3250s, and DVI detectives. I tested outputs from 640x480 to 2560x1600 at 75&60 Hz 25&30 fps.

The Mac Minis were the server version with thew faster processor and 8GB of Memory. I tested five hard drive configurations. I have listed the order in which I received the best performance.
  • Single OCZ on SATA
  • Dual OCZ on SATA in RAID1 and RAID0
  • Single OCZ on Firewire
  • Single OCZ on SATA & Single OCZ on Firewire in RAID1 and RAID0
  • Dual OCZ on Firewire RAID1 & RAID0


The results coincide with the specifications on the system. We all know raid 0 is stripe and that stripe has faster read and write speeds because you are using the buffers of two or more disks simultaneously. What many people don't know though is that RAID1 (mirror) is actually faster for playback because you are reading from two drives that have synchronized data. Still though the system overhead of performing RAID on a mac mini actually caused performance to slump.

Furthermore, the 2011 Mac Mini actually has a slower single channel SATA (yes 2 port but only single channel) and its IO performance actually clocks at slightly slower than the Firewire which feeds directly to the processor whereas the SATA goes through a controller before reaching the processor.

In short, the Single OCZ on SATA as content with a second system drive showed the best overall performance.
I have extensively tested and my results summary is as follows:
  1. Do not attempt to run two outputs. If you use both outputs simultaneously then you will see a significant lag and frame dropping on the HDMI.
  2. Do Not Use the HDMI output. It only supports the default standard TV Output formats and does not allow for traditional computer resolutions very easily.
  3. Use the MiniDisplay Port to VGA Adaptor for as many applications as you can. You wouldn't think it but VGA actually has better overall performance with less overhead.
  4. If you need DVI use the Dual Link DVI adaptor. I have tried the single link and dual link DVI adaptors and have had better overall EDID recognition using the Dual Link DVI. Specifically the Single Link DVI adaptor does not play nice with Image pros at 1080
  5. At 60Hz 30fps the absolute max number of layers you can run are 2 1920x1080 and 1 720x480. If you attempt to run a second SD layer you will drop frames.
  6. At 75Hz 25fpt the absolute max number of layers are 2 1920x1080 and 2 720x480. Running 3 1920x1080 showed frame drops every 6 seconds.


I have also been testing the Epiphan DVI and VGA frame grabbers as well. The work marginally well with presentation and computer feed through but do not always respond best with Camera sources.

I currently have ten of these machines configured into a single self contained 1U rack chassis. They have built in USB audio output, SMPTE IN and OUT as well as DVI for output and configuration. They are available for hire and are relatively inexpensive for overnight shipping. Contact me off list if you want more details or questions.