Parallels 3.0 Update 1 - Support for DirectX 9.0c!!!

[geerlingguy]

On a whim today, I decided to install Myst V: End of Ages on my XP Parallels installation, after updating Parallels to the latest build. Before, I tried doing this (with the first 3.0 release), and Myst wouldn't even start (it told me my graphics hardware wouldn't support the game.

This time, the game starts and runs (quite slowly, but it runs...), and this game requires DirectX 9.0c to be installed... so does this mean the latest Parallels build actually does support DirectX beyond version 8.1?

I have attached some pictures I took of the screen (I have a 2nd monitor attached to my MacBook Pro (2.4Ghz/LED/15"/4GB RAM)

[brkirch]

DirectX 9.0c is not officially supported by Parallels yet but from my experience they are a lot closer than VMWare is. More recently I found that a N64 emulator (Project64) works nearly flawless with Parallels 3D support. I then tried it on Fusion (v1.1b), but found that the textures aren't drawn correctly.

[geerlingguy]

Originally Posted by brkirch

DirectX 9.0c is not officially supported by Parallels yet but from my experience they are a lot closer than VMWare is. More recently I found that a N64 emulator (Project64) works nearly flawless with Parallels 3D support. I then tried it on Fusion (v1.1b), but found that the textures aren't drawn correctly.

It's interesting how VMware is actively advertising their beta support for DirectX 9, even though it's quite rough (from what I've heard), while Parallels seems to think 'mum's the word' when it comes to all the things their new build of Parallels can do.

Later tomorrow I'm going to try playing Fifa '07, which also requires DirectX 9. The only sad thing is, it will probably be too slow to enjoy (if it plays at all).

(As a footnote: Does anyone know what happened to the Mac forum for Parallels?)

[brkirch]

Originally Posted by geerlingguy

It's interesting how VMware is actively advertising their beta support for DirectX 9, even though it's quite rough (from what I've heard),

To be fair, VMWare does advertise their DirectX support as "experimental".

Originally Posted by geerlingguy

while Parallels seems to think 'mum's the word' when it comes to all the things their new build of Parallels can do.

Look for the "Release Notes.pdf" file which should be in the same directory as Parallels Desktop. It has a list of most of the changes made.

Originally Posted by geerlingguy

Later tomorrow I'm going to try playing Fifa '07, which also requires DirectX 9. The only sad thing is, it will probably be too slow to enjoy (if it plays at all).

Unfortunately no 3D support through virtualization will ever be even near as good as it would be running directly, unless direct I/O to the video card becomes supported (and even then it would require a second graphics card).

Originally Posted by geerlingguy

(As a footnote: Does anyone know what happened to the Mac forum for Parallels?)

I didn't know that anything ever happened to it. It is located at the same place that it always has been: http://forums.parallels.com/.

[geerlingguy]

Originally Posted by brkirch

Look for the "Release Notes.pdf" file which should be in the same directory as Parallels Desktop. It has a list of most of the changes made.

But support for DirectX 9 wasn't in there.

I didn't know that anything ever happened to it. It is located at the same place that it always has been: http://forums.parallels.com/.

How do you get to that from the main website? I tried going to Support, and I tried going to it from Parallels for Mac, then clicking on support, and there are only links to FAQs, Downloads, etc., but not to the Forums (see here: http://www.parallels.com/en/support/).

[psychofreak]

I'm still preferring Fusion to Parallels, as it just runs smoother IMO...

Originally Posted by brkirch

DirectX 9.0c is not officially supported by Parallels yet but from my experience they are a lot closer than VMWare is. More recently I found that a N64 emulator (Project64) works nearly flawless with Parallels 3D support. I then tried it on Fusion (v1.1b), but found that the textures aren't drawn correctly.

Just incase you didn't know, there is a great N64 emulator for the Mac called Sixtyforce

[geerlingguy]

Originally Posted by psychofreak

I'm still preferring Fusion to Parallels, as it just runs smoother IMO...

Are there any other significant differences? I just bought Parallels a few weeks ago, and I might be able to pawn it off to one of my friends if Fusion is that much better...

[brkirch]

Originally Posted by geerlingguy

But support for DirectX 9 wasn't in there.

That's because it's not *officially* supported yet. They intend to add support for it, but until Aero in Vista works, they are unlikely to advertise it.

Originally Posted by geerlingguy

How do you get to that from the main website? I tried going to Support, and I tried going to it from Parallels for Mac, then clicking on support, and there are only links to FAQs, Downloads, etc., but not to the Forums (see here: http://www.parallels.com/en/support/).

You can't get there from the main website as they have chosen not to advertise their forums for some reason. But there are indirect ways to end up in the forum, for example forum topics appear in the search results of the Parallels knowledge base.

Originally Posted by psychofreak

I'm still preferring Fusion to Parallels, as it just runs smoother IMO...

Not my experience though, but whatever, both programs have similar performance at this point.

Originally Posted by psychofreak

Just incase you didn't know, there is a great N64 emulator for the Mac called Sixtyforce

I know about Sixtyforce but unfortunately it isn't even close to the game compatibility Project64 has.

Originally Posted by geerlingguy

Are there any other significant differences? I just bought Parallels a few weeks ago, and I might be able to pawn it off to one of my friends if Fusion is that much better...

Why not try Fusion yourself and decide? You can get a free trial for it and decide based on your experience with it. Personally I prefer Parallels, and not just because it is what I bought (I own Fusion too) but because it works better for the programs I use with it.

[geerlingguy]

Originally Posted by geerlingguy

Later tomorrow I'm going to try playing Fifa '07, which also requires DirectX 9. The only sad thing is, it will probably be too slow to enjoy (if it plays at all).

I installed Fifa '07 on XP in Parallels, and it ran, but many of the background images and interface options were black, so I had to click randomly to try to get in the game (no pun intended). I couldn't get it to run, but it probably would've run like Myst did; with some elements drawn, some transparent, and others invisible or black.

So, I installed it on my Boot Camp partition, rebooted in XP, and played for a while. Fifa '07 rocks! (I played using a Saitek P750 controller).

The next issue I'm dealing with is audio on the PC side. I use a Griffin FireWave on the Mac, but there are no drivers for it on windows. I'm thinking of using an iMic plugged into my USB hub for windows, and just switching the speaker cable between it and the FireWave (since they can be sitting right next to each other) when I switch between OSX and Windows.

[seanneko]

Originally Posted by psychofreak

Just incase you didn't know, there is a great N64 emulator for the Mac called Sixtyforce

Personally I think Mupen64 is better. It's free, has better game compatibility, and runs about 5-10 times faster.

[user13]

Originally Posted by brkirch

That's because it's not *officially* supported yet. They intend to add support for it, but until Aero in Vista works, they are unlikely to advertise it.

There is DX 9 support, but it is really unofficial i think (as it has been mentioned). There's no info about the version of DX supported on Parallels Product Page.

[user13]

Anyway this is good, very good news. I'm excited about DX 9 support and will definitely check this out myself soon!!
I think that Parallels beats VMWare here

[MacRumorUser]

What version of Parallels are you running.


I have 5160 from September 11th ? Not sure if that's C1 or C2

But the Beta page at parallels lists C2 as 5158 ?

[speakerwizard]

ive been running prey in parallels since 3 release and its great - open gl

[user13]

Originally Posted by brkirch

That's because it's not *officially* supported yet. They intend to add support for it, but until Aero in Vista works, they are unlikely to advertise it.

I have looked through their homepage and everywhere else.
Even if DX 9 support is real, it is still unofficial, unfortunately

[user13]

Update:
This support is unofficial.
No info on Parallels homepage or anywhere else. Will be waiting for the following version and official confirmation!

[kamm]

Bump... what's the current situation on DX9, which one is better, Fusion or Parallels?

[ayeying]

old post. lol.

Currently, DX9 is somewhat supported on Fusion. Parallels are mostly aiming to OpenGL, so any openGL games would run more or less ok in Parallels.

Then again, any games, go with boot camp or crossover. No need to play in a virtual machine since performance would be extremely terrible.

[kamm]

Originally Posted by ayeying

old post. lol.

Currently, DX9 is somewhat supported on Fusion. Parallels are mostly aiming to OpenGL, so any openGL games would run more or less ok in Parallels.

Then again, any games, go with boot camp or crossover. No need to play in a virtual machine since performance would be extremely terrible.

THX
Actually I'm more worried about 3D in AV apps, not in games (I have a QC@3.8GHz PC for gaming)... not crazy important but it can help me here and there.

[pastrychef]

It's great to hear that Project64 runs well in Parallels. When I have time, I'm going to see if Connectix' Virtual Game Station runs in it as well!