iMac 5K Realtime Video Capture

[Stratozsphere]

Hi all,

I am look at purchasing the new iMac 5K, for both 3D modelling / Video Editing and a bit of Gaming. I've been told that this unit cannot display an outside sources signal due to the custom Apple processor for the 5K display.

Essentially I want to be able to stream my Xbox One (without lag) to the new iMac 5K and use it as the screen for the xbox.

1. Is this possible?
2. Will this device work? Intensity Shuttle for Thunderbolt

Thanks

 

[yjchua95]

Hi all,

I am look at purchasing the new iMac 5K, for both 3D modelling / Video Editing and a bit of Gaming. I've been told that this unit cannot display an outside sources signal due to the custom Apple processor for the 5K display.

Essentially I want to be able to stream my Xbox One (without lag) to the new iMac 5K and use it as the screen for the xbox.

1. Is this possible?
2. Will this device work? Intensity Shuttle for Thunderbolt

Thanks

Nope.

 

[Stratozsphere]

Nope.

Thanks for your reply....why though? I thought this iMac was made for Video Editing / Photo editing?

 

[driftless]

Thanks for your reply....why though? I thought this iMac was made for Video Editing / Photo editing?

Neither of which you are trying to do.

 

[Stratozsphere]

I am actually trying to both - I need to be able to stream videos to this machine.

How can I do this - and if not Why? I just keep being told that it is impossible, but WHY, I don't understand.

 

[cruisin]

Apple disabled Target Display Mode for the retina iMacs. Mainly because there is no single cable that sends 5K and I assume the weird custom chip they use for the internal 5K signal is a hack and therefore has no support for external input like the other iMacs. You are better off to use a different iMac or at least a separate external monitor.

 

[Stratozsphere]

Yes but If I use the Intensity Shuttle for Thunderbolt by Black Magic Design, surely I can stream a HDMI signal to the iMac? Its not Target Display mode

 

[cruisin]

I don't know if HDMI would be supported as the iMac expects a thunderbolt/displayport signal.

The whole problem is that Apple blocked the only simple video input method (aka Target Display Mode - TDM). A quick search shows that no one had any success in using the retina iMac as a secondary monitor. So unless something is found, you need a different monitor.

 

[yjchua95]

I am actually trying to both - I need to be able to stream videos to this machine.

How can I do this - and if not Why? I just keep being told that it is impossible, but WHY, I don't understand.

Video editing is meant to be done on footage that's captured through a dedicated recording device (like a HDSLR or your iPhone), not streaming.

The 5K iMac is meant for professional cinematographers who shoot with gear like a EOS-1Dc or an Arri, as well as people who edit and produce videos to make a living, and not for people who record their gameplay footage and upload it to their YouTube channels.

You cannot turn your iMac into a streaming device or an external monitor (like target display mode), simply because Apple uses a custom TCON in the monitor that nobody makes, because nobody besides Dell and Apple have 5K displays of their own.

In Dell's case, it doesn't use a custom TCON because as far as I know, the Dell 5K display actually splits the view into half before merging them together to produce a single composite image.