How to output dvd from mac to TV?

[tee jay]

I have a G4 DDM and I want to be able to output either DVD or movies that I have rip into my harddrive to a TV. I tried using the firewire to connect to my camcorder and the analog out from camcorder to my TV but it doesn't seem to work. I realized that the video is not even coming out from the firewire. Do I need to buy any extra hardware or are there any software that can make it output to firewire?

[terryj]

I'll be the first to say it:

Invest in either a PCI based option that either
lets you export video out through firewire
or RCA inputs, or get a standalone
box that will allow you to pipe DV
signals out via FW to it, and then out
from that to wither a VCR or a TV equipped
with RCA inputs.

[tee jay]

terryj, is there a difference between the firewire that came with the mac and another PCI based firewire? I could be wrong but I had a feeling that the dvd player software that came with the mac does not output to the firewire since it doesn't give you that option in the preference or the menu unlike say FCE. Can anybody enlighten me on this? Thanks.

[FCPguy]

I'm pretty sure there's a cable you can buy for about 20.00 that will do exactly what you are talking about... or you can get a burner and watch those dvds on a dvd player (Go to the apple webpage and look in accessories area, it should have a cable that goes from the three inputs on a tv (red yellow, white) and another end one input for your computer) Hope that is the answer you're looking for! (though I have been able to watch through the means you were talking about before... don't know why it isn't working, though it just is more wear and tear on your camera, so I'd get the cable anyways) just my 2c-

[tee jay]

"though I have been able to watch through the means you were talking about before... "

FCPGuy, are you saying that you are able to watch dvd using your apple dvd player software and will output via firewire to your camcorder monitor? If yes can you tell me the procedures? Thanks.

[FCPguy]

I'm sorry, I should've been more clear- what you are talking about is a way to check your video in FCP.. and I forgot that you meant by watching DVDs from dvd player... no you're gonna need to get a box, or that cable I mentioned. You can do this, but you'd have to convert your entire file to DV, and that's not worth it at all. Sorry again for the confusion

[terryj]

terryj, is there a difference between the firewire that came with the mac and another PCI based firewire?

Yes, the PCI card will have encoders/ decoders that
will enable you to play the ripped and converted
to DV stream from the DVD out via iMovie.

The card i'm thinking of is this:

[url]http://www.videoguys.com/ACEDVio.html[url]
however, I have never used it myself, because my
PCI slots are darn near full! So i just opted out for
the canopus advc-100 box, whichalso has LOCKED AUDIO
input.

and yes, you are correct..you will NOT be able to just
use DVD Player 4.0 for this...You will need to rip
and convert to DV, to be able to play in iMovie
or FCP/FCE. You cannot natively through software
export your DVD disc signal out to a TV on a MAC....
yet.

[deadsierra]

does your video card have an svideo out?

[tee jay]

I wish it has but a G4 DDM tower only has audio out and firewire for video.

[galactica]

Something like this will do you wonders

[TugBoat]

Bite the bullet. Do what I'm going to do. Buy one of these Core Graphics capable cards,
http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm?ID=6048&Item=ATI100435050
Depending on your Mac, this card may be overkill. But what the heck. you only live once.

I've been holding off on purchasing a card in the hopes that last years piece on Ars about ATI doing a Mac All-in-Wonder was true. Fat chance. So, it looks like the 9800 PRO MAC EDITION for video out and my Camcorder for video in.. sucks.. Oh well, Halo should run great :P

BTW, those adaptors you see at Apple are for the G5s and other newer Macs, none of them work with the MDD/FW800 G4 PMs. They had to change the motherboards for these adaptors to work with the newer machines. Great.