[melbdean]

... and have just one question -that will probably end up with about 20 parts! but here goes:
can I use it as a media centre? I have read bits and pieces from many other posts/threads but i'm so far none the wiser.
it is a gift from my music-producing brother and as he has other macs, this one no longer has purpose. I haven't received it yet so all i know is it is a PowerPC g4 400 mhz processor with 768 mb sdram. probably with protools and the like.
at my home/office i have a couple of MacBooks, a wireless modem/router, a ps3 connected to a 50" samsung plasma 1080p, elgato EyeTv for Mac and a 26" samsung LCD 780p sitting all alone. the MacBooks are both used for business and can't really be tied down.
if the G4 will do the job, what do i need to do? i was about to drop $400 on the time capsule so i don't mind spending a few bucks on whatever if need be.

with thanks,

[mr. burns]

if you want it to play movies off the hard drive, it's not going to perform very well with high res video. i used to have a dual 500MHz G4 and it really struggled with high quality video playback, and i was using an upgraded videocard [radeon 9200 i think].

[melbdean]

playing movies was definitely the intent. altho if i can live without focussing too much on hi-res, would you recommend i still proceed. i am actually a big HBO/Showtime fan and watch plenty of US TV (being that I am in Australia). is the G4 competent enough in that regard? generally i watch direct from websites but occasionally download for later consumption.

[SierraDragon]

I cannot answer your specific questions but I can advise you not to put any money into that very old, very weak, moving-parts-prone-to-failure, 2-full-generations-back computer. Save your money for the MacIntel generation.

See also
http://forums.macnn.com/65/mac-pro-a...ia-file-print/

-Allen Wicks