Joe M. W.
Level 1 (8 points)
Desktops

Q: Using an iMac G4 as a Second Monitor

Hi All,

 

I have an old iMac G4 (800 MHz, PowerPC, running OS X 10.4.11) that I'd like to use as a second monitor to my MacBook, particularly for recording music in Logic, but apparently it's too old to be used as such via any sort of cable.  I've found that this can be achieved through the program ScreenRecycler, but unfortunately my MacBook is running OS X 10.11, and ScreenRecycler is only supported up to 10.10 (the program keeps asking to install the drivers because it can't find them, despite installing them a couple of times already).  Is there any way I can still use my old iMac to create a dual monitor setup, either through software or hardware (that doesn't damage the iMac since it still works fine, albeit slow)?  I've scoured the web for alternatives to ScreenRecycler, but none of them offer support for OS X 10.4 or PPC so far as I know, and I don't know that much about VNC or of any programs like ScreenRecycler that only require you to install a VNC program on the client computer.  Any help would be super appreciated!

 

Best,

Joe

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), null

Posted on Aug 25, 2016 8:05 PM

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Joe M. W.

Q: Using an iMac G4 as a Second Monitor

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Aug 25, 2016 8:58 PM in response to Joe M. W.
    Level 8 (38,071 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 25, 2016 8:58 PM in response to Joe M. W.

    That iMac has built-in video output, but not input, so there's no way to do it directly with a cable.  Also, an 800 MHz iMac G4 has the older (very slow) USB 1.1 ports, so adding a USB video input interface would not work (even if you found one that works under Mac OS X 10.4.11).

     

    ScreenRecycler works over a network connection, by making your MacBook "pretend" it has an external (second) display connected; you then run a VNC client (in full-screen mode) on the older iMac to "screen share" the MacBook's imaginary second display.  Very clever.  I don't know of any other app that does this, if ScreenRecycler is not compatible.  I used it many years ago to make an old PC laptop (running Linux) into my iMac's second display.  One problem (in addition to "refresh time lag") was the need to have it always running with auto-sleep and screen saver features disabled.  A real second display powers off automatically when the Mac goes into display sleep or computer sleep mode.  So, even if it did work properly, it would have limitations...

     

    NOTE:  You can buy a new 1920x1080 ("HD") LCD display for around $100 (or less) these days.

  • by Joe M. W.,

    Joe M. W. Joe M. W. Aug 26, 2016 8:19 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 26, 2016 8:19 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Thanks!  Actually as an update, I have another MacBook (late 2008, running 10.9) that I could also use as a monitor.  Is it possible to use a Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort cable to hook that one up as a monitor to my newer MacBook through Target Display Mode?  I've only ever used the function on my iMac, and I tried using the F2+Command function on my older MacBook to no avail, can't find any information as to whether or not TDP works between two MacBooks rather than between a MacBook and an iMac.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Aug 26, 2016 8:59 PM in response to Joe M. W.
    Level 8 (38,071 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 26, 2016 8:59 PM in response to Joe M. W.

    According to this

     

    Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode - Apple Support

     

    only certain iMac models can be used in Target Display Mode.  For other Macs, the Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort is for video output only.

     

    It may be possible to feed video input through some type of video capture device (that connects to USB), and have the video capture software display the current video input in full screen mode (without capturing it).  However, there would be limitations, and such an interface device (unless you already own one) would likely cost more than a real 20+ inch "1080p" (low end) LCD display.