Hi Justin The only problem(s) you "may" have, and depending on your model of PowerBook, is the limitation of a) the USB ports b) the Storage space to "buffer" information c) the speed of your laptop and d) the version of software. To break it down a bit more,.. A) You require USB2 to run most of the plug in TV devices (eg EyeTV). The PowerBook G4 12-inch DVI was the first model to get USB2. Before that it was USB1 only and all the models after that were USB2 B) If the hard drive is quite small, then it will run out of room quickly if you want to record or bufffer TV. C) The speed of the machine can limit the info coming from the software etc D) The OS version can limit what sofware will be able to be installed. As a lot of the new software requires Intel machines these days.
But yes, it "may still" be do-able. :) Hope that helps. Kind Regards Daniel On 11/8/10 10:06 AM, "Justin Davies" <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi guys, been watching this with interest - is this idea feasible with an old > g4 powerbook (IBM chip)? > Best regards > > > > Justin Davies > [email protected] > www.justindavies.com.au > 0414 567 638 > 9309 9309 > > Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/justinkdavies > Business website: www.emergination.com.au > Twitter: www.twitter.com/justinkdavies > > > > On 11 Aug 2010, at 9:45 AM, Crisp, Peter wrote: > >> >> Ok, thanks for that Ray. In the mean time I had a look at the Apple site >> and noted on the current Macmini it has 4 USB ports - which is plenty I >> think, and also an onboard Superdrive - so burning of discs is taken >> care of there. >> >> It is probably obvious to most out there, but can someone give me in >> simple terms - the differences between the Apple TV and a Macmini - and >> more importantly - what more will the Macmini enable that the Apple TV >> can't do? >> >> Thanks >> >> Peter... >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On >> Behalf Of Ray Forma >> Sent: Wednesday, 11 August 2010 9:27 AM >> To: WAMUG Mailing List >> Subject: Re: TV DVD Recording >> >> >> Peter, >> >> My 4yo Macmini, running EyeTV and Toast, has an internal burner that >> burns up to double-layer DVDs. Can't do Blueray, but the current >> Macminis can't either. >> >> My old Macmini has 4 USB ports. I use one for the keyboard/mouse, and >> one for the EyeTV stick. >> >> A slightly expensive, but very useful extra to an EyeTV, Mac, Toast >> setup is a screen colour calibrator. Makes colours much more vibrant >> on my system, which uses a 24" Samsung monitor as the screen. Should >> give even better results on a HDMI-driven TV screen because TVs >> screen makers tend not to worry too much about rendering colours very >> accurately. Just compare the pictures on the various screens running >> the same p[program in your local TV retailer. >> >> Has anyone mentioned that you can use your TV-Mac for other computing >> work while watching TV (with screen clutter) or when not watching TV. >> >> Would never dream of using AppleTV instead. >> >> On 11/08/2010, at 7:17 , Crisp, Peter wrote: >> >>> >>> Hi Daniel, this use of the Macmini sounds fantastic and very >>> versatile. >>> I am some time in the near future to set up my home entertainment >>> units >>> and have a simple Panasonic HD recorder currently (with twin digital >>> tuners on board) so it is fine for my current 'couch potato' needs. >>> But >>> to incorporate itunes, iphoto, internet capability, avi file (and >>> other >>> file types) DVD playback and perhaps others by piggybacking a macmini >>> into the mix, sounds like something that will give me access to >>> some of >>> my media which is slightly inaccessible currently and some further >>> functionality that I have never experienced on the home TV platform. >>> >>> Below you note about burning off to DVD using Toast. Does the macmini >>> have a burner on board or is it an external attachment? >>> >>> How many USB ports does the macmini have? Can it accommodate the eyetv >>> dongle as well as an external drive/burner attached if that is what's >>> required? Can it function with a hub if I need multiple USB ports? >>> >>> I had anticipated up till now an Apple TV would give me what I want >>> (with the atv hack of course and maybe an attached external drive for >>> mega capacity) but maybe the Macmini approach will give me all this >>> and >>> more than the Apple TV will give for around the same or even a little >>> more $$'s. >>> >>> Your comments appreciated. >>> >>> Regards >>> >>> Peter. >> >> Regards, >> >> Ray Forma >> Tel & Fax +61 (0)8 9335 6568 >> Mob +61 (0) 428 596938 >> >> >> >> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >> Unsubscribe - <mailto:[email protected]> >> >> ***************************** >> NOTICE - This message from Hatch is intended only for the use of the >> individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information >> which is privileged, confidential or proprietary. >> Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as >> information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, arrive late or contain >> viruses. 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If you have received >> this message in error, please notify us immediately by return e-mail and >> destroy and delete the message from your computer. >> >> >> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >> Unsubscribe - <mailto:[email protected]> >> > > > > -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- > Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> > Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> > Unsubscribe - <mailto:[email protected]> > --- Daniel Kerr MacWizardry Phone: 0414 795 960 Email: <daniel @ macwizardry . com . au> Web: <http://www.macwizardry.com.au> **For everything Macintosh** -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Unsubscribe - <mailto:[email protected]>
