During my break in moving, Remy Davison said: > >There's even MPEG-2 decoding in OS X > > MPEG-2 decoding in OS X (and various versions of Apple's DVD player on > Pismo and later) is in software, not hardware. Apple added DVD player in > OS X 10.0.3 or something (?). In OS 9, QT provides a software MPEG-1 > decoder. > > >but you need to buy the > >MPEG-2 decoder ($20). > > No, you've misconstrued that. It's not a player. It's a QuickTime > add-on.
Actually, it's a 'codec.' it gives QuickTime Player two new functionalities -- both encoding and decoding MPEG-2 in software. What does this mean, exactly? It means QuickTime Player can now play MPEG-2 streams as well as create them. codec is a contraction of "COmpress, DECompress". Calling Apple's DVD Player "software decoding" is slightly misleading. the MPEG-2 decoding is still done in hardware on the graphics card. The part that has been off-loaded into software is decrypting the CSS copy protection. Note that if you replace a G4's graphics card with an inappropriate card, you get a message in DVD Player about "the required hardware could not be found." As long as you install a card with MPEG-2 Support and Mac drivers, DVD Player (generally) continues to work. I watch MPEG-1 movies in OS X all the time. I don't have any VCDs, so I couldn't comment on that. But MPEG-1 is definitely there. (FWIW, "MP3" is really MPEG-1 Layer 3). Most of my anime library is in MPEG-1. -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
