#8100/80AV Video
7 messages in this thread
David,
With the proliferation of Mac configurations I'm getting totally lost. I hope
you can clarify one question for me.
I just got an 8100/80AV for my developments at work, arrived today. I'm really
confused by the video configurations which the machine will support.
I know there are two video ports, but does that _really_ mean that every AV is
fully configured for two separate monitors ? If so, why would Apple include
all that video RAM for the second monitor when most customers wouldn't even
realize it was there or use it ?
It is an issue for me because I've gotten really used to my private fx with
multiple monitors – a small color one for color applications and a couple of
TPDs for serious work. At work I need a large monochrome or grayscale display
for text documents and a color monitor to test-flight color vugraphs (selling
research concepts is getting pretty difficult). So I decided to go for multiple
monitors there too.
I ordered the AV with a 16" Apple color display and a SuperMac 20" gray scale.
I thought I'd need a separate card for the 20" so I ordered an 8/24 (24/8 ?)
card. Now I've been told that the AV should be able to support the SuperMac on
the AV's S-Video card and the 16" on the digital AV video port if I just get
the right adaptor for the squarish digital connector.
We have something like 4,000 Macs, so I'm sure I can find someone who can use
the "extra" NuBus video card I may have ordered, but I don't want to spend
another (possibly wasted) $60+ to buy the adaptor to find out.
Can you give me the real run-down on ?
BTW, I've used the same Mac II for the last seven years at work and I used to
groan over how slow it was compared to my private fx, now the roles are going
to be reversed 🙁 That 8100/80AV really flies !!! What a machine !!
-Sven
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Sven,
You _can_ run 2 monitors off of the 8100/80AV without buying an additional
video card. You'll run into problems, however, if either monitor "syncs on
green" (as some older, non-Apple models do, apparently). I've been told the
Power Mac won't drive such a monitor, at least not without a special adapter,
and maybe not at all (I can't remember the definitive answer on that). Even if
your old monitors don't sync on green, you may still need to get new cable
adapters, because the Power Macs look for new "sense pin" arrangements. As for
the monitors' sizes, resolutions, and color depths, see message #150202 (which
I just sent to Jerome Holden), for Apple's complete list of supported
configurations.
I hope you like your new 8100/80AV as much as I like mine.
Aaron
P.S. It took Apple, Radius, a dealer, and me two weeks to figure out how to
drive my new Radius PrecisionColor Display/17 from my 8100's AV card. The new
monitor worked on my old Mac, and the new Mac drove my old 14" monitor, but the
new monitor drew a blank with the new Mac. It turned out the AV card was
defective. After it was replaced, everthing worked fine.
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Aaron,
Thanks very much for the info.
I'll check the other message you mention.
Yes, even though the video question isn't cleared up yet I _love_ the way the
8100/80AV zips through stuff !
-Sven
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Aaron-
i saw your message to Sven Grenander about the 8100/AV. I'm contemplating the
purchase of a new Macintosh… to replace my IIci. We've gotten into video
editing with the Mac and a FAST Video Machine NuBus Card system. We don't need
the AV capability for the Video Machine……and have read that the AV features
actually slow the 8100 down slightly…..
Having never owned an "AV" Mac…. I'm wondering how to intelligently make the
decision to go AV or Non-AV. What sorts of things are you doing with yours?
Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks for your help!
–TC–
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Taylor,
>> Having never owned an "AV" Mac…. I'm wondering how to intelligently make
the decision to go AV or Non-AV. What sorts of things are you doing with
yours? <<
I bought the 8100AV, instead of the 8100, mainly because I wanted 16MB of RAM,
a 500MB hard disk, and a built-in CD-ROM drive, and I believe the AV was the
only version configured like that (I bought mine on March 14, when the new
CD-ROM drive wasn't yet available as an add-on, and I didn't want to hassle
with RAM and hard disk upgrades right off the bat). I was also a little curious
about the video features, but I don't plan to do any professional quality work
with those. The only advantages the AV Power Macs have over their non-AV
counterparts are their video input/output capabilities. The AV card doesn't add
any audio capabilities that aren't standard in all the new Power Macs. If I
were planning to do some professional video editing, I'd compare the AV card
with 3rd party video capture cards. I suspect the 3rd party cards might give
better performance (higher capture rates, e.g.), at a higher cost, but I really
don't know.
Aaron
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Aaron-
Thanks for the info…. you confirmed what I suspected…… The audio
capability in the regular 8100 may be of some use at some time…. For video,
I've already bought what I think is the best card available… The FAST Video
Machine. For $6,000 (including the controller box for the video decks… it
had better be the best!<g>)
Thanks for your help!
–TC–
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Sven,
Yes, all AV Power Macs can run two monitors right out of the box.
The AudioVision monitor interface– the big squarish funny looking plug–
uses standard Mac memory instead of video memory. If you don't have a
monitor plugged in here, the memory's available for programs and data, so
nothing's wasted.
>> Now I've been told that the AV should be able to support the SuperMac on
>> the AV's S-Video card and the 16" on the digital AV video port if I just
>> get the right adaptor for the squarish digital connector.
That's correct.
The 8100 _is_ nice.
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