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cryon · Nov 24, 2003, 08:10 AM

Hi, my G4 iBook 12" is on it's way, meanwhile i want to gather as much information about it as possible. And one thing I haven't really understand yet is IF (not sure i will risk my warrenty) i apply the spanning hack to my iBook, will i be able to run tv-out as an external screen so i can keep using my ibook while looking at a movie on my TV?

And what's the maximum resolution i can have on an external screen while running my iBook at 1024x768 and both with 32bit color?

dracoleb · Nov 24, 2003, 10:57 AM

Well the spanning hack is a small piece of software that can be undone. in fact I had applied the hack, then later the LCD messed up (had a line of white pixels across the screen, unrelated to the hack) and just undid the hack and deleted the software. Then I took it back to the Apple store and they swapped it out for a brand new one.

nickgold2012 · Nov 24, 2003, 11:18 AM

You can run the hack (which works very well I might add) and still get composite or s-video out, no problem.

Wiping nvram (reset-nvram from Open Firmware) and then removing the installer for the hack from your machine would theoretically remove all traces that it had ever been applied.

cryon · Nov 24, 2003, 01:23 PM

Ok, then i will for sure install the hack. because screen spanning is a feature a really would have use for!

Juke-box · Nov 24, 2003, 05:58 PM

how does the spanning hack work?

does it hurt the computer in any way?

where can i get the hack?

and how do i get rid of it after?....just curious...heh

Sophus · Nov 24, 2003, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by Juke-box:
how does the spanning hack work?

does it hurt the computer in any way?

where can i get the hack?

and how do i get rid of it after?....just curious...heh

Have a look here:

http://www.rutemoeller.com/mp/ibook/ibook_e.html

nickgold2012 · Nov 24, 2003, 08:37 PM

Also www.macparts.de I believe...

ccsccs7 · Nov 25, 2003, 02:33 AM

Originally posted by Juke-box:
how does the spanning hack work?

does it hurt the computer in any way?

From what I gather, the hack enables a feature that the chipset supports (which is allowed in the same chipsets used in Powerbooks). It does this by making a change in the firmware.

If your computer is not supported by the hack, it can cause major problems.

dracoleb · Nov 25, 2003, 02:23 PM

From what I know the hack works on the White iBooks and flat panel iMacs

cryon · Nov 25, 2003, 02:37 PM

Ok, thanks for your answares. But i would really like to know what resolutions i can use with my iBook (soon mine). And if it's possible to use the computer and at the same time use tv-out to watch a movie as an extended screen.

Juke-box · Nov 25, 2003, 11:06 PM

Sounds great as i want more screen estate.

but does it hurt the computer in any way? i'd hate to damage my week old iBook G4

drive-thru · Nov 26, 2003, 07:07 AM

cryon - I run an external 17" monitor at 1280 x 960 @ 90Hz and can go up to 1600 x 1200 if I want.
I'm not sure whether the iBook treats a TV differently (as it uses the Compostie adaptor) but I don't see why it should. I would test but don't have a TV here at uni to check with.
With the spanning hack on my 800 G3 iBook I have the external monitor set up as my main display, so it has the dock and menu bar on, and I can watch a movie in VLC on either screen whilst working on the other. Just be aware that video ram (32MB) is split 50/50 for each display.

drive-thru · Nov 26, 2003, 07:09 AM

I just remembered that one of my friends has a TV here, so if you want me to test it on his I would be more than willing. Just let me know, or I may be going over there anyway so will take my iBook if I remember, and I'll let you know if it works.

cryon · Nov 26, 2003, 07:44 AM

thanks drive-thru! well you don't really have to 'cause i think my iBook will arrive on friday, or monday in worst case

so I can test it myself. But i'm happy to hear that you can use such high resolution. I will probably use 1280x... in school sometimes.

zoid · Nov 26, 2003, 07:53 AM

The spanning hack also works with TVs - i've tried it last weekend. So it's right: You can watch a movie on your tv while working with the internal sceen of your iBook. It works just the same way as it does with an usual external display.
But you have to buy the Apple Video Adapter because in contrast to Powerbooks it is not bundled with the iBooks.

nickgold2012 · Nov 26, 2003, 08:20 AM

Now that is cool, I never would have even thought to test it! Thanks for the tip, zoid!

cryon · Nov 26, 2003, 09:35 AM

Perfect! i don't know of any pc-laptop that have that feature though i find it really useful! I can't wait until my iBook arrives but i'm terrified that there will be a dead pixel or something wrong with it(was very unlucky with an IBM laptop. a red-glowing pixel at the center at the screen and a defect fan-controller chip that made it constantly noisy)