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Apple rolls out Merom-based iMacs, new 24-inch model - Page 7

post #241 of 284
9/7/06 at 2:37pm
Hey Gamers!...

http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.ph...y_upgradeable/

The 24 incher has it's GPU on a replaceable card, allegedly.
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post #242 of 284
9/7/06 at 2:39pm
the funny thing about these boards are that the supposed Mac enthusiasts are arguing about things I don't see PC boards argue about. I so far haven't seen PC boards arguing about Merom vs Conroe or integrated graphics vs dedicated graphics.
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post #243 of 284
9/7/06 at 5:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aegisdesign

Hey Gamers!...

http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.ph...y_upgradeable/

The 24 incher has it's GPU on a replaceable card, allegedly.

Well, of course that would require an MXM module card (of which there are few) with an EFI firmware (of which there are even fewer).
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post #244 of 284
9/7/06 at 5:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TenoBell

the funny thing about these boards are that the supposed Mac enthusiasts are arguing about things I don't see PC boards argue about. I so far haven't seen PC boards arguing about Merom vs Conroe or integrated graphics vs dedicated graphics.

PC users have a wealth of choices, they dont' have to wonder if there will be a conroe pc, just how much it will cost.
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post #245 of 284
9/7/06 at 7:03pm
No I'm not talking about what goes into a PC, I'm talking about PC user comments about the current Mac line up.
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post #246 of 284
9/7/06 at 10:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by othello

odd not to have a remote included on the 17"

like the vesa option on the 24" -- a good telly!

Could you give a little more detail on this one? How would that work? Simply put it up on the wall with a 9 foot cable going somewhere for power and a lead to the Cable Box?
"Run faster. History is a constant race between invention and catastrophe. Education helps but it is never enough. You must also run." Leto Atreides II
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"Run faster. History is a constant race between invention and catastrophe. Education helps but it is never enough. You must also run." Leto Atreides II
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post #247 of 284
9/7/06 at 10:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kim kap sol

Hehe, sucker.

I think he deserves a Dell with that approach! Hard to wait a week, isn't it. I'm sure that first week of classes will be spent entirely in getting the Dell components to work with each other!
"Run faster. History is a constant race between invention and catastrophe. Education helps but it is never enough. You must also run." Leto Atreides II
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"Run faster. History is a constant race between invention and catastrophe. Education helps but it is never enough. You must also run." Leto Atreides II
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post #248 of 284
9/8/06 at 4:20am
just ordered a 24inch.
decided only to updgrade the graphics mainly due to cost and the fact that i have tonnes of external memory and i doubt i'll be moving a beast like this too often.
also i can't see me pushing the processor especially hard.
the odd handbrake import is about as tough as i will get.

as an updgrade from a 1.33 12" powerbook this is gonna seem like greased lightning.
i'll upgrade the ram at some point in the future (bit disappointed apple has removed the 1x1GB stick option)

and i didn't know the new eyetv hybrid allows input.
will be buying one of those for my (lowly) ps2.


anyone know anything about the ease of replacing the hard-drive?

i just read someone saying the hd was replacable...
do they mean pulling the imac apart and removing a million screws replacable...
...or macbook replacable?
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post #249 of 284
9/8/06 at 5:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shakerben

anyone know anything about the ease of replacing the hard-drive?

i just read someone saying the hd was replacable...
do they mean pulling the imac apart and removing a million screws replacable...
...or macbook replacable?

The drive is replaceable, as in, it hasn't been set in with Bakelite. To me, it looks harder to get into than the mini. I haven't tried that, so I could be wrong, but the general consensus seems to be that it's not easy to get into.
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post #250 of 284
9/8/06 at 7:32am
Newsflash!! Apple just released a 24" "BLACK" iMac


DaHarder just got banned. Let's crack open the champagne.

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DaHarder just got banned. Let's crack open the champagne.

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post #251 of 284
9/8/06 at 7:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ireland

Newsflash!! Apple just released a 24" "BLACK" iMac



Trying out your Photoshop skills again?
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post #252 of 284
9/8/06 at 9:23am
Since the 24" iMac would be good 2nd tv why don't they incorparate tv tuner?
I can just imagine one of these bad boys on my bedroom wall, surfing the net and watching tv etc. I could buy a USB based tv solution but then fixing the iMac to the wall will be a problem.

Any suggestions anyone?

G5 2GHZ Power Mac, iPod Shuffle (1st Gen),iPod Nano (2nd Gen),iPod (5th Gen), Apple TV, Apple TV 2G x2, iPad 2,iPhone 4S, rMBP 15" 2.6

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G5 2GHZ Power Mac, iPod Shuffle (1st Gen),iPod Nano (2nd Gen),iPod (5th Gen), Apple TV, Apple TV 2G x2, iPad 2,iPhone 4S, rMBP 15" 2.6

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post #253 of 284
9/8/06 at 9:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM

The drive is replaceable, as in, it hasn't been set in with Bakelite. To me, it looks harder to get into than the mini. I haven't tried that, so I could be wrong, but the general consensus seems to be that it's not easy to get into.

i know all about difficult to get into.
i've had to replace my powerbook hard-drive once.

now....anyone know it the cpu is still replacable?
i would assume so since merom is a drop in replacement

if it is i'd probably think about a processor and hd upgrade in a year or so.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo123

Since the 24" iMac would be good 2nd tv why don't they incorparate tv tuner?
I can just imagine one of these bad boys on my bedroom wall, surfing the net and watching tv etc. I could buy a USB based tv solution but then fixing the iMac to the wall will be a problem.

Any suggestions anyone?

fixing it to the wall could be a problem anyway since all the usb ports are on the back.
i know that they offer a vesa mount now and that there is some gap between the back and the wall but it doesn't sound ideal to me.

a solution for you...?
a very long usb cable
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post #254 of 284
9/8/06 at 9:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shakerben

i know all about difficult to get into.
i've had to replace my powerbook hard-drive once.

now....anyone know it the cpu is still replacable?
i would assume so since merom is a drop in replacement

if it is i'd probably think about a processor and hd upgrade in a year or so.



fixing it to the wall could be a problem anyway since all the usb ports are on the back.
i know that they offer a vesa mount now and that there is some gap between the back and the wall but it doesn't sound ideal to me.

a solution for you...?
a very long usb cable

So the 24 " iMac is not a multimedia solution to me which makes me think that Apple must have a
different solution altogether.

G5 2GHZ Power Mac, iPod Shuffle (1st Gen),iPod Nano (2nd Gen),iPod (5th Gen), Apple TV, Apple TV 2G x2, iPad 2,iPhone 4S, rMBP 15" 2.6

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G5 2GHZ Power Mac, iPod Shuffle (1st Gen),iPod Nano (2nd Gen),iPod (5th Gen), Apple TV, Apple TV 2G x2, iPad 2,iPhone 4S, rMBP 15" 2.6

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post #255 of 284
9/8/06 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo123

Since the 24" iMac would be good 2nd tv why don't they incorparate tv tuner?
I can just imagine one of these bad boys on my bedroom wall, surfing the net and watching tv etc. I could buy a USB based tv solution but then fixing the iMac to the wall will be a problem.

Which TV tuner would they include? Analogue, Digital, ATSC, NTSC, PAL, HD, DVB-T, DVB-M, ....
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post #256 of 284
9/8/06 at 12:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aegisdesign

Which TV tuner would they include? Analogue, Digital, ATSC, NTSC, PAL, HD, DVB-T, DVB-M, ....

Indeed. (There is no DVB-M, however.) If Apple included one tuner, they'd lock out people from using it. If Apple included multiple tuners, they'd drive the price high. In either way, they'd likely also provide lower quality than possible for some people.
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post #257 of 284
9/8/06 at 12:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chucker

Indeed. (There is no DVB-M, however.) If Apple included one tuner, they'd lock out people from using it. If Apple included multiple tuners, they'd drive the price high. In either way, they'd likely also provide lower quality than possible for some people.

Yeah - it's a lot better to have a "bring your own tuner" set-up. Which is where a PCIe card slot would be great, but USB and FW400 aren't horrible.
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post #258 of 284
9/8/06 at 12:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shakerben

fixing it to the wall could be a problem anyway since all the usb ports are on the back.
i know that they offer a vesa mount now and that there is some gap between the back and the wall but it doesn't sound ideal to me.

a solution for you...?
a very long usb cable

Apple has gone on record saying they won't enter a market where someone is making a great product. eyeTV definitely qualifies as great. Therefore...

Just place the eveTV box where you place your speakers. USB extension cords go for what? $10? (that's if you even need one). A VESA mount will definitely allow for room enough to plug stuff in.

But in any case, no one interested in this stuff should buy anything until next Tuesday. By then we'll be able to determine if Apple intends this iMac to be the home theater it could possibly be, or if they have something more direct/dedicated in the pipe.
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post #259 of 284
9/8/06 at 1:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aegisdesign

Which TV tuner would they include? Analogue, Digital, ATSC, NTSC, PAL, HD, DVB-T, DVB-M, ....

You are mixing in classifications with standards so the list really isn't as forbidding as it looks.

I have a tuner board that can do NTSC, ATSC and I think it will do PAL too.

It would be easier if Apple included an ExpressCard slot somewhere, then third parties can be more motivated to make tidier add-ons.
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post #260 of 284
9/8/06 at 1:03pm
Here's an idea:

1) Apple rolls out movie store for iTunes.
2) Apple creates iVision - an app that grabs TV feeds off of station's website (some stations now air shows online for free with commercials), keeps iTMS TV eps for shows that don't do that, or only keep them up for days/weeks. (Apple makes little margin on iTMS sales after royalties and bandwidth).
3) EyeTV and cable companies are obsolete once we move to this method. In theory, cable channels support themselves with ad revenue, and now they'll only have to have profitable programs, and can stop making filler if it loses them money.
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post #261 of 284
9/8/06 at 1:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM

You are mixing in classifications with standards so the list really isn't as forbidding as it looks.

I have a tuner board that can do NTSC, ATSC and I think it will do PAL too.

Yeah, but then you need analog and digital inputs (at least component and coax, and hopefully HDMI or DVI), and if you're using encrypted cable, you're still fracked.
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post #262 of 284
9/8/06 at 3:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZachPruckowski

Yeah - it's a lot better to have a "bring your own tuner" set-up. Which is where a PCIe card slot would be great, but USB and FW400 aren't horrible.

What I'd like is if Apple could add ExpressCard to the iMac, but I don't see it happening. Then again, some recent additions did surprise me, e.g. FW 800 on the high end.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM

You are mixing in classifications with standards so the list really isn't as forbidding as it looks.

I have a tuner board that can do NTSC, ATSC and I think it will do PAL too.

You'd need to provde NTSC, ATSC, PAL, PALplus and JTSC in analog/terrestrial.

Then you'd need to provide DVB-T (terrestrial), DVB-S (satellite) and DVB-C (cable) in digital.

Then you'd need to provide various forms of mutually incompatible card slots.

You'd end up with a tuner unit upwards of $500.

Then people would want a second tuner so they can watch one thing and record another.

And then you still wouldn't cover close to enough. So forget about it. A one-size-fits-all solution is commercial suicide.
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post #263 of 284
9/8/06 at 3:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chucker

You'd need to provde NTSC, ATSC, PAL, PALplus and JTSC in analog/terrestrial.

And SECAM


Quote:
Originally Posted by Chucker

Then you'd need to provide DVB-T (terrestrial), DVB-S (satellite) and DVB-C (cable) in digital.

And DVB-H (not M as I wrote earlier) would be handy, and whatever they have in the Far east as they don't use DVB.

And if they're adding tuners, a DAB tuner too.

It's quite mad. You're right though, an express card slot in the the iMac somewhere unobtrusive would be useful. In the meantime the Elgato Hybrid USB stick does for most people and their firewire boxes for other people wanting something more high end.

I hope, however, that Apple adds software support in Frontrow for the TV tuners.
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post #264 of 284
9/8/06 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aegisdesign

And SECAM

SECAM is basically a bastardized PAL. There are plenty of chips that can capture NTSC and its variants, PAL and its variants as well as SECAM. I have a capture card from 1998 that did that, and that basically covers most of the world in terms of analog SD broadcasts.

But the point is taken, there's not much point in trying that route. NTSC as a broadcast standard is supposed to go away soon, but there will still be legacy devices.

The 24" iMac + an EyeTV Hybrid (1) + right angle extension cable (2) might suit me pretty well as a small entertainment system, except for the point of not being able to take a game console input, and then there are the HD disc formats too. It's a pity that the 24" iMac can display 1080p without scaling, but there's no good way of getting any 1080p input into the unit save a few video clips you scrape from the Internet. If it only had an HDMI input, I might even consider the thing, for the above reasons. One can get a 37" 1080p TV for $1500, but it doesn't have the built-in computer. I suppose the $500 difference can be put towards a mini.

(1) http://elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyetvhybridna
(2) http://www.shoplet.com/office/db/g2515080.html
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post #265 of 284
9/8/06 at 5:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aegisdesign

And DVB-H (not M as I wrote earlier)

Yeah, I thought you'd mean that, but why would you need this on a desktop? I can see the use on a laptop, of course. (Yeah, sure, the iMac already has WiFi and Bluetooth and infra-red, so it's not a stretch to other wireless technologies, but I'm just curious what the advantage of DVB-H would be in this particular case.)

Quote:
And if they're adding tuners, a DAB tuner too.

Yeah, and then DRM (and I don't mean the protection scheme; I mean the radio system), ADR, and so on and so on.
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post #266 of 284
9/8/06 at 5:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aegisdesign

Since v6, iPhoto has stored images in either...

~/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2006/Film Roll Name

or left them where they are on your disk. It's an option in Preferences.

Do you (or does anyone) know if a single iPhoto Library can use a combination of auto- and self-managed storage styles by toggling that option? Maybe it's analogous to toggling the "Advanced > General > Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library" preference in iTunes?
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post #267 of 284
9/8/06 at 7:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ireland

Newsflash!! Apple just released a 24" "BLACK" iMac

I wouldn't mind seeing that 24" iMac in a nice faux walnut trim with a burgundy crushed velvet stand.

Proud AAPL stock owner.

 

GOA

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Proud AAPL stock owner.

 

GOA

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post #268 of 284
9/8/06 at 7:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chucker

Yeah, I thought you'd mean that, but why would you need this on a desktop? I can see the use on a laptop, of course. (Yeah, sure, the iMac already has WiFi and Bluetooth and infra-red, so it's not a stretch to other wireless technologies, but I'm just curious what the advantage of DVB-H would be in this particular case.)

It's nice low bandwidth. Great if you're not on fast broadband.
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post #269 of 284
9/8/06 at 8:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM

But the point is taken, there's not much point in trying that route. NTSC as a broadcast standard is supposed to go away soon, but there will still be legacy devices.

Analogue PAL signals are being switched off here in the UK starting 2008 so potentially a PAL tuner is going to be useless in a Mac way before you're ready to replace it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM

The 24" iMac + an EyeTV Hybrid (1) + right angle extension cable (2) might suit me pretty well as a small entertainment system, except for the point of not being able to take a game console input

So you skipped...

"Connect game consoles to your Mac
Connect your game console and enjoy an excellent live play experience EyeTV Hybrids uncompressed analog video signals appear on the screen with zero latency. "


Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM

, and then there are the HD disc formats too. It's a pity that the 24" iMac can display 1080p without scaling, but there's no good way of getting any 1080p input into the unit save a few video clips you scrape from the Internet. If it only had an HDMI input, I might even consider the thing, for the above reasons. One can get a 37" 1080p TV for $1500, but it doesn't have the built-in computer. I suppose the $500 difference can be put towards a mini.

Wouldn't an external HDDVD or BluRay drive connected to a USB2/Firewire port fit the bill? I presume Apple will make their DVD player and the Mac HDCP compliant of course which doesn't necessarily follow as it's took them years to even acknowledge 3rd party DVD burners in their software..
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post #270 of 284
9/8/06 at 8:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aegisdesign

"Connect game consoles to your Mac
Connect your game console and enjoy an excellent live play experience – EyeTV Hybrid’s uncompressed analog video signals appear on the screen with zero latency. "

How does that help using the PS3's HD output?

I'm not sure if I'd trust Apple's HD-DVD or BluRay player. Their standard DVD player is sluggish and they've paid no attention to deinterlacing quality. An external HDMI input would offer a decent choice in case they botch something or don't offer something that I want.

Then there's HD satellite or HD cable that the EyeTV won't help with so it's not a complete solution.
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post #271 of 284
9/8/06 at 8:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM

How does that help using the PS3's HD output?

Not out for the best part of a year yet. I'm sure something will crop up for HD input.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM

I'm not sure if I'd trust Apple's HD-DVD or BluRay player. Their standard DVD player is sluggish and they've paid no attention to deinterlacing quality. An external HDMI input would offer a decent choice in case they botch something or don't offer something that I want.

Can't say I've noticed but yes, relying on Apple for 3rd party hardware support is never a good idea.
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post #272 of 284
9/9/06 at 12:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chucker

Wow, where did you pull that one out?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewire
Read the history section. Apple pretty much sank firewire.
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post #273 of 284
9/9/06 at 7:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by aegisdesign

Not out for the best part of a year yet. I'm sure something will crop up for HD input.

Maybe, but I think I'll pass on the idea as a whole. For one, if such a device is made, we don't know how long it will take or at what cost. I can't buy a device based on the hope or promise of an accessory. I'm still waiting for the ExpressCard/34 FW800 card that several sites claim to have gotten reassurances from unnamed compaies that it's really coming. I'm glad that I don't absolutely need it but am disappointed that I can't get it.

It would be nice, but not as nice as a 42" 1080p LCD TV + mini that I would be comparing it against.
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post #274 of 284
9/9/06 at 9:51am
Mine has shipped (9th Sept), should be here soon!
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post #275 of 284
9/9/06 at 10:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeaPeaJay

...But they better get their act together for the next release.

It is one thing for the Mac version to have a separate window for each account/function while the Windows version has one window for everything, but to not be able to import a Windows file into the Mac is unforgivable. Hopefully, Quicken 2008 will be a Universal Binary, total re-write that can import Quicken for Windows files.
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post #276 of 284
9/10/06 at 4:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo123

So the 24 " iMac is not a multimedia solution to me which makes me think that Apple must have a
different solution altogether.

hmmm...wishful thinking.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DCQ

Apple has gone on record saying they won't enter a market where someone is making a great product. eyeTV definitely qualifies as great. Therefore...

Just place the eveTV box where you place your speakers. USB extension cords go for what? $10? (that's if you even need one). A VESA mount will definitely allow for room enough to plug stuff in.

But in any case, no one interested in this stuff should buy anything until next Tuesday. By then we'll be able to determine if Apple intends this iMac to be the home theater it could possibly be, or if they have something more direct/dedicated in the pipe.

i know that there will be enough room behind it....(though i'm not sure about the eyetv hybrid) but it's just something that would bug me.
if i was wall mounting it i'd prefer ports on the side.

still...i won't be mounting it so it'll be ok for me.

i just want it NOW!
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post #277 of 284
9/10/06 at 7:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmmpie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewire
Read the history section. Apple pretty much sank firewire.


Ah... wikipedia, the authoritative source!
"Run faster. History is a constant race between invention and catastrophe. Education helps but it is never enough. You must also run." Leto Atreides II
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"Run faster. History is a constant race between invention and catastrophe. Education helps but it is never enough. You must also run." Leto Atreides II
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post #278 of 284
9/10/06 at 5:27pm
hey about the eyetv hybrid, is it possible to record video from a VCR or a camcorder so then you can edit it with any program!?!?
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post #279 of 284
9/10/06 at 5:59pm
That's a question of outputs and inputs. The eyeTV hybrid has composite and coaxial inputs. If your VCR can out put to coaxial, you're in business. Same with a camcorder. There also exist ways to go from component (which is common on camcorders) to coaxial with a bit of effort, so yes.
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post #280 of 284
9/10/06 at 7:01pm
ok, thansk! thats what i thought (since i have both outputs) but in the hompage it said it did't have VCR digitalization or sth like that, that's why i asked!
thanks!
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