Regarding Apple Computers, DVD, and "Proprietarism"
Somebody that agrees!?!
From: "JAMES W. SIMPSON, JR."
Subject: DVD & Apple
Hi Terry!
Just got done reading your article in "Replication News".
I've got a PowerMac 7600/132. Recently, I purchase a LaCie DVD-RAM drive. I wanted the large capacity and relatively inexpensive disks for back-up of my hard drives. However, I also wanted the drive to play DVD videos.
With the proposed ATI Xclaim VR Rage 128, I hoped to save a PCI slot from the dreaded MPEG II decoder card. The Rage 128 chip has MPEG II decoding built in. In addition, the VR card has the TV Tuner module which, in concert with the Rage Theater chip, allows me to output TV via the S-Video connection, or input S-Video for MJPEG compression. This allows me to forgo the standalone MJPEG card I was thinking about buying, thus freeing up another slot, for the FireWire/SCSI card, and a USB card. Later on, I plan to upgrade with a G3 card.
Well, the ATI folks said that their card didn't support DVD-Video playback unless there was a hardware decompression card. For the card to work without it, Apple would have to upgrade their software. He didn't say whether it required a change in the OS (I'm using 8.1 and don't plan to upgrade until I need the extra features of 8.6, or wait until 8.7) or an upgrade to QuickTime (I have the beta of 4.0).
I can't understand what Apple or Jobs is thinking on this one. It would be a cost effective move to include DVD Video playback in all of their computers, as it would allow folks to eliminate the extra A/V box in the home entertainment stack, as well as save money. Which brings me to the point of why they didn't include an S-Video out jack on their new B&W G3's. This, in addition to requiring a plug in DVD Decoder on the Rage 128 board, that has no OUT jack, and should be capable of decoding without the card in the first place.
If you have any access to the powers that be at ATI or Apple, I would appreciate your letting them know of my frustration. No, I'm not trying to escape buying a new Mac, by upgrading my 7600. I still plan to buy one of the new PowerBooks, or the new P1, as well as eventually upgrading from my 7600 to an new G4 next year. But, how many times do we have to watch Jobs shoot himself in the foot. My wife wants nothing to do with Apple, and plans to buy a DELL laptop this summer. I tried telling her that she could run Windows on the Mac, that it would do just about anything she wants, without much of a performance hit, but it's a no go.
Thanks,
James W. Simpson, Jr.
James:
Thanks for the response, I really appreciate it. No guarantees regarding any power with ATI, but I will try. I have had an ongoing difficulty with ATI (because of Wintel compatibility & incompatibility) for years! I understand that problem (at least parts of it).
Regarding running Windows based software on a MAC - HA! That is such a joke! The last "windows" capable MAC system consisted of an add-on PCI card that actually contained an Intel CPU and Wintel compatible BIOS and RAM. The worst part is that the card, once completely outfitted, cost over $750 - I could have had purchased a more powerful "throw-away" Packard Bell, Tri-Gem, or one of the variety of other Wintel systems for $999 (or less) that would have given me two computers, fewer problems, and more capability than the expensive upgrade card (that was at best equal to a mid-range 486 system with some serious performance problems).
Regarding DELL notebooks... please check out the "On-site Warranty" section of www.helpus.com. I don't know where Cocoa is located, or the population, or the proximity to a "large" city, and DELL has excellent reports of remote technical support for desktop systems. I have heard of two reported problems (mostly inconveniences to the end-user) regarding DELL notebooks, but those problems WERE solved.
Whether it is DELL, Toshiba, Gateway, or one of the thousand other brand names on the market, be sure to get the warranty in writing, make sure you fully understand it - and how it will effect you. What if you drop the notebook? What if you spill something on the notebook? What if... You really need to consider more things with ANY type of notebook, than with a desk top, as there are fewer people that can effectively work on or repair notebook computers. I would personally suggest staying away from ARM Notebooks, unless you can drive to their plant or want to ship your system to them (if they don't have a local tech available). I would also be aware of "off brand" and not locally supported systems. Notebook computers are best purchased from a local BIG retailer that you can DRIVE to, and will either guarantee repairing your system within 5 days or replace the notebook with one of equal or greater value.
Anyhow,
I hope this helps you...
Terry E. Mercer
(Something I didn't write in my emailed response) Regarding Notebooks, in the event of a replacement - whether loaner or new system - unless your hard drive is damaged, specifically request to keep your old hard drive... or make sure you have a GREAT backup, and know it will work. Try to get the company to guarantee to move your data from the old computer to the new one (most won't, but it's worth asking for).
Keeping your old drive may cause a few driver conflicts (which an experienced tech can easily deal with), but it will save your hours of headaches, and weeks of frustration trying to figure out HOW you had things set up, and trying to find that all important data you created a year or two ago!
Hi Terry!
Thanks for the quick reply!
For Windows on a Mac, I was thinking more of Virtual PC, or Soft Windows, which have shown the ability to run things like AutoCadR14 without a slowdown, or maybe Office 2000 (although with Office 98 on the Mac, why would you need to emulate?)
My wife works for the Community College, and was going to use the educational discount, which really only offers about $200 under the standard Dell price. The Dells were rated pretty good in performance, but I'm not so sure about their reparability. On the other hand, some of the Mac sites had a report from Gateway laptop users that had unbelievably good service. Just that the service is needed because the hardware isn't as good.
Prostar, out in California had the best combination of features and price, but the LA Better Business had some bad reports on hardware.
Let me know if you make any progress with ATI or APPLE.
James
James:
You are welcome. I haven't seen SoftPC for more than two years, at that point it was slow and cumbersome. However, AutoCAD R14 is a great test of any PC's ability to crunch numbers and deal with life... I'm glad to hear that things are operating faster now.
"Just that the service is needed because the hardware isn't as good." As good as what? DELL, Gateway, Toshiba, AST, Compaq, Winbook, and the MAC PowerBook all seem to use good parts, and are built with use in mind. So, "as good" is a pretty weak statement, that would need to be backed up by some of these "web sites." Most NOTEBOOK computers are damaged because of the END-USER - dropping, leaving it in a car that is too hot (or cold - which can freeze the display), spilling something on it (the keyboard, in particular), smoking beside the notebook (it's right there, and easier for the smoke to effect it). Anyhow, quality on the big name brand is generally limited to performance and warranty, not quality of parts.
I have also heard about problems with ProStar, ARM, Office Pros, Hitachi, Compaq, Sager, and quite a few others... never about quality (unless a docking station was involved)... it was always about on-site service, out-of-warranty work, and replacement parts on discontinued models. Anyhow, I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Terry