Powerbook G3 DVD

[aruffo]

Hi There,

I bought a second hand powerbook g3 250 (black one) with a DVD drive. When I try to play a DVD it asks me for a "PC card".

Is there any way I can play DVDs without having to buy this PC card (software, patch, etc.).

Many Thanks!!

[galactica]

Im pretty sure (not 100%) that you need either a software based dvd encoder, or a hardware based encoder on the older machines.

Was the dvd drive included with the comptuer as in does it look like it came bundled with the 1st time purchase, or does it look after market.

when you put in a dvd, does it mount?
Open apple dvd player program and what happens?


I dont have one like this, all mine have always played dvd's but i think the older ones required either a software dvd encoder or a hardware dvd encoder

[aruffo]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

It's an original Apple dvd that came with the G3. You can use it as a normal CD player (it does mount) or as a DVD rom drive.

When you try to view a DVD video, it starts opening the dvd player but after a while it stops and asks for a "PC card" to be installed in order to decode the movie.

Cheers.

[galactica]

When you try to view a DVD video, it starts opening the dvd player but after a while it stops and asks for a "PC card" to be installed in order to decode the movie.

Cheers.

Yep, just as i thought. It required a hardware decoder to actually beable to read the m2v and .ac3 data contained within the .vob

so you will have to get one inorder to watch dvd on that computer.

here;s just what you need
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2742309930&category=14908

not bad price, hope you win it!