No video output from PowerMac G5 (PCI)
I have an entry level PowerMac G5 and cannot get it to play back video through a DeckLink card. What can I do?
All PowerMac G5's with PCI-X or PCI Express (PCIe) slots are compatible with DeckLink cards.
Previous entry level PowerMac G5's, with 33 MHz PCI slots, should not be used with DeckLink cards. This problem affects PCI cards from various manufacturers (e.g. M-Audio) including DeckLink cards. Bug reports have been submitted to Apple, by Blackmagic Design and other card manufacturers, as the problem can only be resolved by Apple. This advisory might be changed in the future if Apple are able to fix problems with the 33 MHz PCI slots in previous entry level G5 models. Current DeckLink documentation specifies that a G5 must have PCI-X or PCI Express (PCIe) slots for use with DeckLink cards.
The following models of PowerMac G5's should not be used with DeckLink cards
• The July 2003 G5/1.6 single-processor. We have never tested the original, entry-level, July 2003 single-processor G5/1.6 with PCI slots but believe it is unlikely to work reliably with DeckLink cards.
• The July 2004 G5/1.8 GHz dual-processor model. The previous generation of dual-processor G5/1.8 PowerMacs work fine with DeckLink cards as they included PCI-X slots.
• The October 2004 G5/1.8 GHz single-processor model. We tested this model which also has PCI-33 slots and it worked fine for standard definition video. Testing was conducted in conjunction with an ATTO UL3D (33 MHz) SCSI card and it worked perfectly. However, given the April 2005 G5/2.0 DP stopped working with DeckLink cards after a subsequent Apple G5 firmware update, we cannot recommend this machine for fear that the same problem may occur in the future. Apple have also posted a support note referring to 'video-intensive tasks' in relation to this G5 model.
• The April 2005 G5/2.0 GHz dual-processor model. The previous two generations of dual-processor G5/2.0 PowerMacs work fine with DeckLink cards as they included PCI-X slots. This machine originally worked fine with standard definition DeckLink cards but a subsequent firmware update for the April 2005 series of G5's stopped video playback in the entry-level, dual-processor G5/2.0 GHz with PCI slots. Accordingly this G5 model should not be used with DeckLink cards. The PCI-X models of the April 2005 G5 lineup work fine with DeckLink cards, even with the firmware update.
In summary, none of the PowerMac G5's, with 33 MHz PCI slots, should be used with DeckLink cards at this time. Hopefully this advisory will change in the future if Apple are able to resolve the issues with the PCI slots.
There is not an obvious way to know if your G5 has PCI-X or PCI slots. One way is to take off the metal door and look for the text label just below the door. If the text contains any mention of PCIX, then the G5 includes PCI-X slots. If there is no mention of PCIX, then it has PCI slots running at 33 MHz.
Alternatively check Apple System Profiler to see if your G5 has 4 or 8 memory slots for RAM. Both PCI-X and PCIe G5's have 8 slots compared with PCI-33 G5's which only have 4 slots for RAM.
If it turns out you have one of the G5's with PCI slots, you may wish to speak with your local Apple office to see what they can do for you and please refer to this support note so that they can fully understand your problem. Currently we require PCI-X or PCIe slots in any G5 for use with DeckLink cards.
