1) Q: What is the NTSC video-out module, and what video-out functionality does it provide?
A: The NTSC video-out module provides standard S-video and RCA jacks for NTSC video mirroring only. These ports represent the external portions of a printed circuit board assembly that is itself connected by ribbon cable to a smaller PCBA installed into a single dedicated, proprietary slot on the logic board. This module is not to be confused with the Avid Cinema card (a PCI card) and is not available in, or compatible with, configurations of these computers that include the Avid Cinema card except where the Avid Cinema card is first removed.
2) Q: Is there any software required to enable NTSC video-out with this module?
A: No. It is designed to be entirely plug-and-play; that is, it is sufficient to simply interface the appropriate video cable between the computer and the NTSC device (VCR or television, for example).
3) Q: The video-out to my attached television appears black, snowy, or distorted. What things should I check for?
A: Try any of the following:
- Ensure that the resolution and scan rate of the computer monitor are set correctly in the Monitors & Sound control panel or the Monitor Resolution module of the Control Strip. Monitor resolutions equal to or less than 640 x 480 are required, at scan rates of 60Hz to match the video scan rate of most NTSC devices. This scan rate is more typical of televisions and VCR's than computer monitors, so enabling it may result in a slight flickering effect on the computer monitor. This is normal.
- Ensure that the television or VCR is set up correctly for video-in. Televisions and VCR's may need to be set to channel 3 or 4, for example, or may require a "line-in" or "video-in" switch or equivalent (even an on-screen display option) to be enabled before they will look to their video-in ports for incoming video. Try confirming a television's setup by testing it, using the same video cables, with a VCR or camcorder instead of the computer.
- Reset the Parameter RAM and retry.
- Ensure that the video-out module is securely inserted into its slot on the logic board.
- If a PCI card has been added to the computer, remove it and retry.
- If contact is made between the PCI card and the video-out module's PCBA, electrical grounding may occur that can affect its functionality. Thin strips of mylar tape or the like may be affixed between the two as a preventive measure.
4) Q: How is this module different from the External Video Connector?
A: The External Video Connector, designed primarily for use in the 580, 630, 5200, 5300, 6200, 6300, and 6400 models, provides a standard DB-15 port for computer video-out, not NTSC video out. In order to obtain NTSC video-out with the External Video Connector, an external NTSC converter box is required.
5) Q: Can I use this module in earlier computers that have the necessary video-out card slot, such as the 580, 630, 5200, 5300, 6200, 6300, and 6400 models? Conversely, can the External Video Connector be used in the 5500 and 6500 models?
A: Though the NTSC video-out module has not officially been qualified for use in the earlier computers, limited testing and customer reports indicate that it functions well and Apple has no reason to believe that using it in these models poses any risk to the hardware.
Similarly, the External Video Connector appears to function well in the newer units specified, but because the video circuitry unique to the 5500 and 6500 models was not optimized for use with the External Video Connector, some limited reduction in compatibility has been observed to occur when video mirroring to some computer displays. For example, video cropping along the right and bottom margins may occur at some resolutions, requiring compensation by selecting a lower resolution.
6) Q: My Power Macintosh 5500 or 6500 does not include the NTSC video-out assembly. Is it available for sale separately?
A: No, it is only available as a service part. The External Video Connector, however, is available as a retail item and may be used instead, but will require the addition of an external converter if NTSC video-out is required, models of which are commonly available from a variety of Macintosh storefront and catalog resellers (AverMedia and Focus Enhancements are two vendors of such converters, for example). Alternatively, there are a variety of PCI video cards available from 3rd parties that offer NTSC video out.