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PowerMac G5 as a media center
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Sweden
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So I am wondering what to do with my 4 years old PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0 Ghz (PowerPC). I was thinking of using it as a media center using Front Row for my HD tv so if someone can answer a couple of my questions i'd be happy.
1. Can and should I update the graphics card (currently standard GeForce FX 5200). If yes what do you recommend as minimum?
2. What options do I have for using an apple remote? Do I need to by an IR receiver or something?
3. Any other things to consider?
Thanks
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PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0GHz, 1.5GB RAM & MacBook 1.83, 1.25GB RAM
OS X 10.5.2
www.blurimage.com
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Oct 2008
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How does that G5 handle 720p and 1080p H.264 content? Can you pass through DTS or Dolby Digital surround sound through optical to a reciever?
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Moderator  Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
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Originally Posted by sneezymarble 
How does that G5 handle 720p and 1080p H.264 content? Can you pass through DTS or Dolby Digital surround sound through optical to a reciever?
Passthrough SPDIF works, yes. I understand that the G5 can handle the video, but it will be noisy doing so as the fans rev to cool the CPUs - there is no support for GPU offloading.
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Moderator Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
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Originally Posted by callefoss
So I am wondering what to do with my 4 years old PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0 Ghz (PowerPC). I was thinking of using it as a media center using Front Row for my HD tv so if someone can answer a couple of my questions i'd be happy.
1. Can and should I update the graphics card (currently standard GeForce FX 5200). If yes what do you recommend as minimum?
2. What options do I have for using an apple remote? Do I need to by an IR receiver or something?
3. Any other things to consider?
Thanks
1. Yes you can, but I wouldn't spend any money on it, as the GPU won't help with the video anyway.
2. Something like this will work.
3. Noise. That will not be a quiet solution.
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Portland, OR
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Originally Posted by P
1. Yes you can, but I wouldn't spend any money on it, as the GPU won't help with the video anyway.
Upgrading the GPU can help the video. Mac OS X has passed video output through OpenGL ever since 10.4. It wouldn't be as helpful of an upgrade as a CPU upgrade would be, but it can help.
Also something to watch for is the state of MPEG4 acceleration on Mac OS X. That can be done by the GPU, and a lot of cards support it, but so far the Mac OS X drivers don't. That's rumored to have changed with the drivers that come with the new Macbooks. We'll see if those drivers work their way out to other machines.
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8 Core 2.8 ghz Mac Pro/GF8800/2 23" Cinema Displays, 3.06 ghz Macbook Pro
Once you wanted revolution, now you're the institution, how's it feel to be the man?
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