Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Power Mac G5 10.5.8 with VLC

SD-B

SD-B

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 1, 2009
399
14
Hi, I am trying to help someone that is a newbie on a G5 Tower 10.5.8 who wants to watch some avi films.

I only started with a MBP when I bought my recent one 1.5 years ago.
Before that i was on windows and could fix most things but i am unfamiliar with Macs of that age.

I was telling him to download VLC assuming he had a newer one until he told me the error message, that his architecture wasnt right, at which point i asked him for his OS number and discovered how old it was.

Bearing in mind i am dealing with someone who has very little tech experience, I dont want him to get frustrated which he will easily do so I want to check my facts before passing them on to him.

I understand VLC had an issue with 10.5.8 if I read this page and do another quick search on Google.
http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=82230

So I may have to tell him to download a compatible VLC and hopefully at worst lead him through he fix on this page to get it working.

If anyone is familiar with this and can offer advice beforehand, I would be grateful.

Otherwise, is there another program that plays .avi formats on an earlier Mac, such as 10.5.8, preferably one that doesn't have to download codecs.
I want to make this as easy as possible for him.

If any other such programs can be used, please let me know what they might be

TIA
 
Last edited:
Going to the VLC page I see that he downloaded a recent one and it specifically says Download latest VLC for Mac OS X 10.5 and later

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html

But on 10.5.8 when he installed it it did say his architecture didnt support it.
So i am not sure he can install VLC at all?
 
VLC 1.1.8 PowerPC

I found it in 2 seconds on the site. VLC is better than Movist by far. Movist is really just a different QT player and uses entirely too much CPU IMO.
 
Misleading button

  • A G5 can only run Mac OS up to 10.4.11 because it's a PPC (power PC) chip, not an Intel
  • On 10.4.11, VLC will only run up to version 0.9.11

As of writing, VLC 2.0.1 is available. The downloadbutton says ..Version 2.0.1. * Mac OS X (PPC)..

THAT is very confusing since it's not running on any PPC.
 
snipper said:
  • A G5 can only run Mac OS up to 10.4.11 because it's a PPC (power PC) chip, not an Intel
  • On 10.4.11, VLC will only run up to version 0.9.11

As of writing, VLC 2.0.1 is available. The downloadbutton says ..Version 2.0.1. * Mac OS X (PPC)..

THAT is very confusing since it's not running on any PPC.
Click to expand...

Just so you know, this post is kind of wrong, not all of it though.

A Mac G5 can run Mac OS up to 10.5.8 because it is a PowerPC and not Intel.

The wrong part has been marked. The part about VLC 2.0.1 is correct.

Also he needs to make sure he is downloading the VLC player specific for PowerPC, because there is a specific version for his needs, here's a link:

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html
 
I stand corrected. However, the bottom line is the same: VLC only runs on Intel machines after 0.9.10 and so the button is very confusing.

(The VLC page / button is adjusted to the system you use to browse with so you won't see it with a 10.6.8 Mac for example)

This also mean that VLC Remote won't work with a G5 since it needs a recent version of VLC.
 
Last edited:
snipper said:
VLC only runs on Intel machines after 0.9.10 and so the button is very confusing.
Click to expand...

I'm running VLC 2.0.1 on Leopard (Power Mac G5/PPC) without problems.

Edit: Although, OP, I prefer Mplayer for maximum compabillity/quality on PPC.
 

Attachments

  • Bild-1.jpg
    Bild-1.jpg
    401 KB · Views: 786
snipper said:
@Starfighter

I'm very curious how?! What system do you use?
Click to expand...

What do you mean what system? Leopard (10.5.8), Power Mac G5 with PPC-processor - is there more to know? If so, lead me onwards and I will check! :)

I found this in "About this mac", maybe this tells you more?


Model name: Power Mac G5
Model identifyer: PowerMac7,2
Processor name: PowerPC 970 (2.2)
Processor speed: 1.8 GHz
CPU: 2
L2-cache (per CPU): 512 K
Memory: 3,5 GB
Bus speed: 900 MHz
Boot ROM-version: 5.1.5f0
Serial number (system): CK412JPTQVH
 
I was quite surprised. I have 10.5 / Leopard install disks but the 'grey' ones. Those won't install on my G5. From some googleing I understand that the retail version does work.

I asked around and a friend of mine has the retail version lying around so I'll give it a spin next week.

Thanks for the tip!
 
The grey ones are machine specific. They will install to the machine indicated on the DVD label. The retail discs are colored black, and it will install on both intel and powerpc macs. It would not install on a powerpc mac with processor speed lower than 867 MHz. But there are tricks to install it on a non-compatible macs, just look around.
 
How nice of snipper to revive a year old thread to paste it with very incorrect info. Your own limited experience doesn't speak for anyone but you.

True facts:

- 10.5.8 is the highest OS to run on G4 and G5 systems. 10.4.11 is the limit for G3 and G4 below 867MHz. 10.5.8 can be installed on the sub-867MHz with a firmware hack.

- ALL versions of VLC run on PowerPC
 
From what I know, the only reason a Leopard Disc won't work is because it is a Dual Layer DVD, and early G5s did not come Dual Layer capable, correct me if I'm wrong, anyways you just need to have a way to install it. Either way:

All G5s can run Mac OSX Leopard 10.5.8

All G5s can run VLC 2.0.1 as long as they have the appropriate operating system.

End of story.
 
Nameci said:
All superdrives will read DVD-DL, so the earliest G5 will read retail leopard install DVD's.
Click to expand...

Correct. It's the combo drives in eMacs, G4 towers etc that can't read DL DVD. Another thing about install disks is that there never would have been any grey system specific disks for PowerPC. 10.5 didn't come out until about 18 months after the last PowerPC was made and shipped.

10.5 needs the altivec engine to run on a PowerPC system so that means only G4 and G5. That is why older G4's can run it with a firmware edit because although older slower chips they still have altivec.
 
Nameci said:
All superdrives will read DVD-DL, so the earliest G5 will read retail leopard install DVD's.
Click to expand...

Actually that is incorrect. According to Mac Tracker, the only ones that support DL are early 2005 and later models. Late 2004 models and earlier do not support DL.

Late 2004 and Earlier Models = DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive
Early 2005 and Later Models = DVD+R DL/DVD+-RW/CD-RW SuperDrive

More Proof that Early G5s didn't have Dual Layer:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermac_g5/specs/powermac_g5_1.8_2.html
 
gryffinwings said:
Actually that is incorrect. According to Mac Tracker, the only ones that support DL are early 2005 and later models. Late 2004 models and earlier do not support DL.

Late 2004 and Earlier Models = DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive
Early 2005 and Later Models = DVD+R DL/DVD+-RW/CD-RW SuperDrive

More Proof that Early G5s didn't have Dual Layer:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermac_g5/specs/powermac_g5_1.8_2.html
Click to expand...

He wasn't incorrect at all. The DL designation in the later model means it can burn DL. All G5 optical drives can read dual layer.
 
I am under the assumption that all super drives can support read on DVD-DL, since my lowly PowerMac G4 1.42DP reads the DVD-DL Leo install disc.

And how about my iMac G5? Everymac also states 4x "superdrive", further quoting it;

Apple reports that the slot-loading 4X DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive "writes DVD-R discs at up to 4x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 16x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 8x speed, [and] reads CDs at up to 24x speed".
Click to expand...

How come I have installed Leopard if it cannot read DVD-DL?

I have also installed Leopard on my 1.33GHz iBook on which everymac states only had a combo drive. How come it reads DVD-DL being a combo drive?
 
Last edited:
Nameci said:
I stand corrected then.
Click to expand...

You didn't need to be corrected because you were right. Never trust anyone who uses a url to argue points. If people can't make an argument from their own know how then what do they really know? If he/she really knew they would use their own words and wouldn't need a web page to help them.
 
It is alright I have edited it. I know I can prove my point. I have done Leopard installs on a variety of G4's and G5's. And I am not new to computers either. Most of my posts here in MR are based on actual experience with a little help from research.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back