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23 May 2004
| Different ports and different video |
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Apple computers have different kinds of video ports. Your computer may have one or more of the following ports: ADC, DVI, VGA, Mini-VGA, A/V, S-Video, or Video output. A/V or composite video merges the audio and video signals into one signal. You can connect a TV, headphones, or external speakers to your computer using the A/V port (also called the RGB or composite video port). S-Video displays professional-quality video output and is a preferred format for professional video editing. |
| No Window menu? |
| Move your cursor to the top of the screen and the menu bar becomes visible. Under the Video menu you can also choose the size for the Viewer: full screen, or a small window which you can keep open while you work. |
NZ Macguide Issue 14
So, there were DVD movies under the Christmas tree, you have a Mac which can play DVDs, what next? There can be hidden complexities, but here's what you need to know to add a bit of fun to your life
Hardware
Okay, first things first. Can your Mac play DVDs? Visit the System Profiler (Applications Folder - Utilities, or press the More Info button on the about This Mac panel selected from the apple menu) and look in the Hardware or Devices sections. If your Mac can play DVDs then it should specify DVD in the Drive Type.
Preparations
With that settled, you need to load up a plate with carrot and celery sticks and grab a glass of pure water. Hah, just kidding! Fill a bowl with popcorn and peanuts and grab a bottle of your favourite carbonated, sugar-laden drink.
Region Coding
The big movie companies tend to release movies in different countries at different times. Often they are available in a country like the US long before they open in cinemas in places like New Zealand. The problem (for the distributors) is that those of us keen to see the movie before it's officially released in our country may simply import a DVD and watch that. In order to counteract this heinous crime against the ruling order, DVDs generally come with special protection called Region Coding.
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Darn! I'll lose my region code if I play the DVD my cousin from the US sent me |
When you insert the first DVD into your Mac you'll see a warning which advises the Region Code will be set to that of the DVD. If you then try to play a DVD from a different region your DVD player will be set to that new region. But after five changes the region is locked to that of the last DVD you inserted - henceforth DVDs from any other region will refuse to play.
Get out the magnifying glass
You'd think a DVD would shout which region it belongs to with huge print in a conspicuous place. In fact, to find out which region your DVD belongs, you need to carefully study the packaging or the disc itself. If you look long and hard enough you should see a small map of the world with a number in it. The USA is Region 1, the UK is Region 2 and New Zealand and Australia are Region 4. (You can see a more detailed list of countries and regions at the Apple website (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60183).
Open the Drawer
On modern Macs you'll need to press the Drive Open key - look at the top right of the keyboard for a symbol with a horizontal bar beneath an upward pointing arrow and press that key firmly. Position the DVD carefully in the drawer and press the key again to shut it. On a slot-loading Mac just slide the DVD into the slot until it reaches home.
Then wait a few moments. If all is well you should hear spinning noises. Before long the DVD will probably start to play, beginning with several screens of stern warnings about piracy.
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In Panther (OS 10.3+) I can set DVD Player to open automatically under System Preferences>CD and DVD |
AutoPlay
If the DVD doesn't just start playing, check under the Control Panels and System Preferences. Be sure, too, that you work through the DVD Player application's preferences to get it all set up how you like it.
Keep the Remote Handy
Under the Window menu in Apple's DVD Player you can choose to Show Controller. This is your on-screen remote. Drag the right edge to the right to open up extra controls. DVD Player Help (Help menu) will fill you in on all the various controls. When I compared the old OS 9 DVD Player to the Panther version I found the Panther player offers many, many more features.
Boost the Sound
If you have an iBook, PowerBook or flat screen Mac such as the iMac you'll probably be totally captivated by the fabulous pictures you get on screen when playing a DVD. It amazes me every single time I watch a DVD on my PowerBook. But you might find the built-in speakers a bit lacking.
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Panther's remote control is aesthetically polished |
That's easy to fix if you have a stereo with suitable inputs, or maybe the Harmon Kardon Creature Speakers (reviewed elsewhere in this issue). Spend a few dollars for a standard cable to go from the audio out jack on your Mac to the line in of your stereo. Another option is to plug in some headphones, for a more private experience. You'll need to check your Mac to see whether it's possible to plug in headphones or an audio out lead - look for an icon of headphones or a speaker by a stereo mini-pin sized port.
Enlarge the Picture
You may also find you can plug your Mac into your TV, playing the DVD on the Mac and viewing it on the TV screen. If you're doing that you may also choose to play the audio through the TV. It all depends on exactly which model Mac you have and what inputs your TV has. If you have other things plugged in to your TV, such as a video recorder, then also check what inputs are available on those devices. Apple's Help, available from the Help menu, has quite a lot of information about these connections.
The main thing is you need to get a video signal out of your computer and into the TV or VCR. An S-Video port will let you do this. For example, I can plug my PowerBook into my TV with a standard S-Video cable. Then I switch the TV to one of the AV channels. I can also open System Preferences and click Displays to adjust the resolution and video settings.
This can all be a bit fiddly, as you need to plug cables into the right places, sort out the TV channels and so on. It's a good activity for a rainy day - get it set up right before you actually want to have a few friends round and watch the overnight hire.
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Panther's smart enough to remember the last few discs you played. When you reinsert the disc it asks where you'd like to start playing from. |
Caution
Playing DVDs on your Mac may be detrimental to your work.
If you have a fairly new Mac, don't try to play a DVD while you're supposed to be working. The screens on new Macs are just too fabulous and you'll find yourself riveted to the display. For example, writing this article took about five times as long as it should, as I just had to keep watching the DVD Viewer window. I normally watch DVDs on TV via a stand-alone DVD player, and then I can happily relegate them to a corner of my mind, but my excellent PowerBook screen brings a depth, crispness and clarity of picture which are simply irresistible.
(The editor just drags the DVD picture to his other monitor, a cheap CRT!)
So: knock off work, sit back, put your feet up and just enjoy your Mac.
© Parkside Media 2004
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