Power Mac G4 Quicksilver (933MHz) TV-Out via VGA-RCA Converter?

Question

Power Mac G4 Quicksilver (933MHz) TV-Out via VGA-RCA Converter?

Hello,

I just bought a Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver, 933MHz). I want to be able to plug it into an old Sony Trinitron TV to watch DVDs and view random videos. I used to have a Titanium PowerBook and it came with a DVI-RCA (yellow video cord input) adapter. Stupidly, I did not do my research regarding the Quicksilver, which only has an Apple Display Connector and a VGA port. VGA-RCA connectors are going on eBay for about £3 and I was wondering if purchasing one of these would do the trick or if the Power Mac's Geforce4 card (64MB) will not support TV out in the same way the Titanium PowerBook (1GHz) did with the DVI-RCA connector. Do I need some kind of converter box instead? I'm not anxious to spend any more money on this machine! =P Thanks.

Regards,
-Steve

MBP 13-inch, mid-2009, 2.53 GHz, 4GB RAM, NVIDIA 9400M, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Mar 4, 2011 4:17 AM

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Answer 1

lipwak

Level 1

127 points

Mar 4, 2011 9:29 AM in response to Steven Hirschler

I don't mean to hijack the thread but I am in a similar situation. I have a Quicksliver 933mhz with this display info:

Chipset Model: GeForce3
Type: Display
Bus: AGP
Slot: SLOT-1
VRAM (Total): 64 MB
Vendor: nVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0200
Revision ID: 0x00a3
ROM Revision: 1057.019
Displays:
VGA Display:
Resolution: 800 x 600 @ 60 Hz
Depth: 32-bit Color
Core Image: Not Supported
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported

(I set it to 800x600 now in hopes that the VCR/TV would see it but normally, resolution is 1024x768.)

It has an S-VHS connecter on the back, next to the VGA. I am using the VGA by running it into a LCD TV. Works great. I am not getting anything to work from the S-VHS port. I restart the computer after it is hooked up via RCA cable (using a S-VHS to RCA adapter from my G4 Powerbook 1.67ghz HD) to a VCR which is connected to the LCD tv. My Powerbook works fine with this arrangement. I can drag a webcast (from a web page) onto the second monitor screen, in this case the VCR/TV and go full screen and life is beautiful. When I try to do that with the G4 tower, the desktop does not appear.

Also strange is the Monitor preference pane on the G4 tower. Even though both the tower and my Powerbook are running 10.4.11, only my Powerbook has an option in the preference pane for "Detect Displays". The Powerbook displays that even when no external monitor is connected so that can't be why it's different.

Why would the video card have an S-VHS output if I can't use it?

Perhaps my question will be answered with a response to Steven's inquiry. (What a coincidence that such similar questions were asked on the same day!)

Thanks so much.

Cheers,

John L

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Answer 2

Mar 5, 2011 3:11 AM in response to lipwak

Hello John,

Unfortunately, this does not directly answer your question, but I thought I'd show you this little device that I've just ordered. When it comes, I'll let you know whether or not it works. Unlike the video card in the PowerBooks, I'm fairly certain those found in the towers do not support TV-out, but it's so strange that your card has an S-VHS out port and doesn't display anything. It is also interesting that the OS doesn't 'detect displays' in the same way it does on the PowerBook. This is particularly frustrating, because sometimes you want to change the resolution of the 'guest' screen.

In any case, please see the link below. While it probably won't let me change the width of the image on my TV screen, it should allow me to convert from VGA to RCA. This isn't exactly what you're looking for, but it might still be something of interest.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kanaan-VGA-Composite-Video-Converter/dp/B003U0PHC8/ref=s r110?ie=UTF8&qid=1299322848&sr=8-10

Regards,
-Steve

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Answer 3

lipwak

Level 1

127 points

Mar 5, 2011 3:32 AM in response to Steven Hirschler

Hi Steve,

That's an interesting device. Alas, I only want to get video out of the Quicksilver for two occasions, Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz Fest. The rest of the time I don't need to use it; I just use my Powerbook. Mardi Gras is happening now so I wouldn't get the device in time for that and I'm not sure I want to buy it just for Jazz Fest which may or may not have much streaming video.

Nonetheless I thank you for your thoughtful reply. I too wonder about the anomalies I have (S out and the differing display preference pane). Maybe someone else can shed some light on them.

I will say though that I can change the Quicklsiver's display as it appears on the TV (using the VGA out). I originally had it at 1024x768 but changed it to 800x600*, both of which worked on the tv. I tried another resolution, I forget what, but that didn't work. (* Going from my memory here. It's too early in the morning to actually turn the tv on and check...)

Cheers, and Happy Mardi Gras!

John L

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