Time to upgrade from Efika to Mac
  • Butterfly
    Butterfly
    Posts: 80 from 2009/1/19
    So I evaluated MorphOS 2.0 on an Efika at one point. I never registered however. With the advent of MAC hardware support, it is time to get a machine, get a registered MorphOS 2.7, etc...

    I have been looking at MAC G4 models and need a little help in deciphering everything. I am interested in the MDD model, single 1.26Ghz CPU, 167Mhz FSB. I am assuming this is on the good list for MorphOS support. Some questions:

    1 - I have a RV280 based Radeon 9200 w/ 128MB. It is an AGP MAC edition video card I used to use in an oldworld mac. Good enough?

    2 - What is max RAM for MorphOS? The proposed MDD machine takes up to 2GB. What is sensible here?

    3 - I am assuming that FW400, Airport, and Modem on proposed machine is not supported in MorphOS. Correct?

    4 - I am confused on audio cards. I have an older SB Live! w/ correct EMU chip in it. But it was from a PC I had. It is a decent little card and has the optional daughterboard. Work in a MAC MDD? Work OK in MorphOS? I do not know if I need to be using MAC version audio cards or not. Sorry if this question seems dumb :)

    5 - I see new audio drivers for MorphOS. Like M-Audio. But it looks like some reports are in that maybe say this is not a good route to take in MorphOS. Any comments on audio cards would be greatly appreciated. Especially in an MDD MAC.

    So I basically plan on diving into the production of children educational type materials via Hollywood/Hollywood Designer in MorphOS. I would also like to play around with musical composition via something like Audio Evolution 4, hence my sound card questions. I look forward to making the MorphOS leap officially and appreciate any assistance in getting a decent hardware setup.

    ---Rodomoc
  • »27.04.11 - 15:55
    Profile
  • Butterfly
    Butterfly
    Posts: 80 from 2009/1/19
    .....
    I was also wondering if anyone had experience in the MorphOS version of ProStation Audio program for post production type of audio work. Any comments welcome. Thanks!
  • »27.04.11 - 15:58
    Profile
  • Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Tcheko
    Posts: 538 from 2003/2/25
    From: France
    Rodomoc,
    Quote:

    So I evaluated MorphOS 2.0 on an Efika at one point. I never registered however. With the advent of MAC hardware support, it is time to get a machine, get a registered MorphOS 2.7, etc...

    I have been looking at MAC G4 models and need a little help in deciphering everything. I am interested in the MDD model, single 1.26Ghz CPU, 167Mhz FSB. I am assuming this is on the good list for MorphOS support. Some questions:

    1 - I have a RV280 based Radeon 9200 w/ 128MB. It is an AGP MAC edition video card I used to use in an oldworld mac. Good enough?



    Good enough.

    Quote:


    2 - What is max RAM for MorphOS? The proposed MDD machine takes up to 2GB. What is sensible here?



    Afaik, 1.5GB is the max. Anyway, 1GB is plentyfull already.

    Quote:


    3 - I am assuming that FW400, Airport, and Modem on proposed machine is not supported in MorphOS. Correct?



    No airport, no modem.

    For FW, there is an external component available: Helios.

    Quote:


    4 - I am confused on audio cards. I have an older SB Live! w/ correct EMU chip in it. But it was from a PC I had. It is a decent little card and has the optional daughterboard. Work in a MAC MDD? Work OK in MorphOS? I do not know if I need to be using MAC version audio cards or not. Sorry if this question seems dumb :)



    Quote:


    So I basically plan on diving into the production of children educational type materials via Hollywood/Hollywood Designer in MorphOS. I would also like to play around with musical composition via something like Audio Evolution 4, hence my sound card questions. I look forward to making the MorphOS leap officially and appreciate any assistance in getting a decent hardware setup.



    MDD is fairly decent. Currently the best option to run MorphOS.

    For Audio Evolution 4, I played a bit with it. I am not an audio guy but the software looked powerfull enough to me for handling common audio task : cut, paste, mix, filter etc... It is a multitrack audio editor and aimed at sample edition. For music composition, a tracker might be more suitable : have a look at digibooster 3 for example. Still in developement stage but should reach production step soon.
    Quelque soit le chemin que tu prendras dans la vie, sache que tu auras des ampoules aux pieds.
    -------
    I need to practice my Kung Fu.
  • »27.04.11 - 16:16
    Profile Visit Website
  • Yokemate of Keyboards
    Yokemate of Keyboards
    Andreas_Wolf
    Posts: 12269 from 2003/5/22
    From: Germany
    > Work in a MAC MDD? Work OK in MorphOS?

    Yes and yes.

    > I do not know if I need to be using MAC version audio cards or not.

    Not needed.
  • »27.04.11 - 16:30
    Profile
  • Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    stephen_robinson
    Posts: 746 from 2007/4/22
    Does the onboard sound on MDD work in MorphOS?
  • »27.04.11 - 17:20
    Profile
  • Butterfly
    Butterfly
    Posts: 80 from 2009/1/19
    Wow, great comments. Thank you. So the machine is shaping up better than I thought. (PC version Soundblaster Live! + Mac Radeon 9200 AGP + 1.5GB RAM). Coupled with the MDD machine, this is a real decent hardware setup.

    I am not really a firewire person but found it interesting that there was some kind of option for it.

    So I am excited to get moving on all of this. Time to shop the MDD now. I have the 2 cards already. I am looking forward to becoming full time MorphOS user and doing my little development projects on this platform. I basically sat on the fence for a long time trying to decide what direction to go. It finally dawned on me that it would be MorphOS. Seems like a very efficient OS, clean, and now running on good affordable hardware. Count me in.
  • »27.04.11 - 17:23
    Profile
  • Butterfly
    Butterfly
    Posts: 80 from 2009/1/19
    In looking at the Envy24HT driver and its supported audio cards, some of them are a hell of a lot better than my SB Live! I wonder to what level they are supported as far as specific features? I am still researching....
  • »27.04.11 - 17:29
    Profile
  • Yokemate of Keyboards
    Yokemate of Keyboards
    Andreas_Wolf
    Posts: 12269 from 2003/5/22
    From: Germany
    > I wonder to what level they are supported as far as specific features?

    There are some (sparse) information on the website linked there:

    https://morph.zone/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1788
  • »27.04.11 - 18:00
    Profile
  • Butterfly
    Butterfly
    Posts: 80 from 2009/1/19
    Yes. I went to these places too. There just isn't a lot of detail. Maybe some people will surface with first hand reports on how the 24HT drivers work for them. I have one report where the M-Audio 7.1 would only work in a limited fashion (digital only i think it was)And maybe contacting the developer would be prudent too.
  • »27.04.11 - 18:14
    Profile
  • ME
  • Just looking around
    ME
    Posts: 10 from 2009/12/28
    Wouldn't it be better to get a G5 Powermac with X800 video card? That should be the ultimate MorphOS machine.

    Yes, I know it's not yet supported and yes, I know people claim it might never be supported... but that's what the MorphOS developers are aiming for, isn't it?
  • »27.04.11 - 18:17
    Profile
  • Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Tcheko
    Posts: 538 from 2003/2/25
    From: France
    @ME

    Waiting for something which isn't officially anounced is a pure waste of time. Enjoy with current supported hardware.

    @Rodomoc

    Start with SB Live. You can still use another audio card later. Also AHI with its mixing algorithm 'lower' sound quality to 15 bits...

    Build you MDD setup, install MorphOS and enjoy. You have all the puzzle pieces.

    ++
    Quelque soit le chemin que tu prendras dans la vie, sache que tu auras des ampoules aux pieds.
    -------
    I need to practice my Kung Fu.
  • »27.04.11 - 18:25
    Profile Visit Website
  • ME
  • Just looking around
    ME
    Posts: 10 from 2009/12/28
    @Tcheko

    Paying for something which will soon be replaced by something much better is a pure waste of money.
  • »27.04.11 - 18:34
    Profile
  • Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    analogkid
    Posts: 680 from 2004/11/3
    From: near myself
    @ME:

    "soon" is a matter of definition... You don't know when or even if a Powermac G5 will ever be supported. And his MDD is a rather powerful MorphOS machine.
  • »27.04.11 - 18:43
    Profile
  • Yokemate of Keyboards
    Yokemate of Keyboards
    Andreas_Wolf
    Posts: 12269 from 2003/5/22
    From: Germany
    > something which will soon be replaced by something much better

    Could you specify "soon" please?
  • »27.04.11 - 18:44
    Profile
  • Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Tcheko
    Posts: 538 from 2003/2/25
    From: France
    @ME

    Buying currently unsupported hardware is also a pure waste of money (and time).

    And I second Andreas. Define 'soon'.

    For example, powerbook teasing were shown maybe two years ago. Still, nothing released today. I hope you didn't wasted a bunch of dollars buying a powerbook two years ago...
    Quelque soit le chemin que tu prendras dans la vie, sache que tu auras des ampoules aux pieds.
    -------
    I need to practice my Kung Fu.
  • »27.04.11 - 18:55
    Profile Visit Website
  • Yokemate of Keyboards
    Yokemate of Keyboards
    Andreas_Wolf
    Posts: 12269 from 2003/5/22
    From: Germany
    > powerbook teasing were shown maybe two years ago.

    Not quite, "only" 1.5 years ;-)

    https://morph.zone/modules/newbb_plus/viewtopic.php?topic_id=6603&forum=11
  • »27.04.11 - 19:00
    Profile
  • ME
  • Just looking around
    ME
    Posts: 10 from 2009/12/28
    Andreas_Wolf

    I define "soon" as "sometime this year". Why do you ask?

    I bought a G5 with X800 to eventually run MorphOS. Even if it takes until next year, I can use OSX on it for now. If MorphOS never runs on G5, then too bad. You might want to be running a pathetic G4 in 2013, but I certainly don't.
  • »27.04.11 - 19:08
    Profile
  • Butterfly
    Butterfly
    Posts: 80 from 2009/1/19
    Tcheko,
    Quote:

    Start with SB Live. You can still use another audio card later. Also AHI with its mixing algorithm 'lower' sound quality to 15 bits...


    15bits fine for what I plan on doing. My aim was to do some basic recording and use these clips within Hollywood based learning presentations I create. So good enough for me.

    ---------------------

    On a tangent subject. I would absolutely love a G5 machine or a nice 15" Powerbook. But I will not wait. I need to get running soon. If Powerbook support comes out, I will buy one and get another MorphOS license. Last I heard, there were still some issues to be sorted out for Powerbooks. These developers will get it figured out I'm sure. No complaints from me on this. I'll just wait like everyone else.

    [ Edited by Rodomoc 27.04.2011 - 14:39 ]
  • »27.04.11 - 19:09
    Profile
  • Yokemate of Keyboards
    Yokemate of Keyboards
    Andreas_Wolf
    Posts: 12269 from 2003/5/22
    From: Germany
    > I define "soon" as "sometime this year".

    Interesting. So this makes your statement this: "something which will sometime this year be replaced by something much better". You really believe that MorphOS for G5 Macs will come this year?

    > Why do you ask?

    Because I wanted to know when you expect MorphOS for G5 Macs to come.

    > Even if it takes until next year

    So much for "sometime this year" ;-)

    > I can use OSX on it for now. [...] You might want to be
    > running a pathetic G4 in 2013

    First and foremost, I want to run MorphOS. If it's not available for G5 but only for "pathetic" G4 then I'll continue to run it on "pathetic" G4, simple.
  • »27.04.11 - 19:17
    Profile
  • ME
  • Just looking around
    ME
    Posts: 10 from 2009/12/28
    So, MorphOS developers are working hard on a G5 version (as seen in videos and screenshots) and yet people here keep saying it's unlikely that MorphOS will ever be available for G5. Wow. Do you people really have so little faith in the MorphOS developers? You automatically think they'll fail?

    I think they'll succeed. My G5 is waiting.
  • »27.04.11 - 19:49
    Profile
  • Butterfly
    Butterfly
    Posts: 80 from 2009/1/19
    Not finding much on users of MorphOS + Envy 24HT audio cards. So SB Live it is and without expense. This card served me well in the past where I used it in a PC environment with Cakewalk Sonar, and a variety of Native Instruments software. And it looks like ProAudioStation has quite decent post production editing abilities. I am waiting to hear back from them with a quote.
  • »27.04.11 - 19:52
    Profile
  • Yokemate of Keyboards
    Yokemate of Keyboards
    Andreas_Wolf
    Posts: 12269 from 2003/5/22
    From: Germany
    > people here keep saying it's unlikely that MorphOS
    > will ever be available for G5.

    I think you're making things up now. What people are saying here (including me) is that a release for G5 Macs *sometime this year* (i.e. 8 months remaining) seems unlikely. That's why you were asked to specify what you meant by "soon" before. So please, stop making false claims about the "people here".
  • »27.04.11 - 20:05
    Profile
  • Butterfly
    Butterfly
    Posts: 80 from 2009/1/19
    OK, so a bit of a discussion going on here about G5. That's fine. I myself am confident that this and the powerbook will serve MorphOS one day. The developers are plenty smart and capable. What I like about them is that they seem to delay a release if necessary in order to properly do something to a high quality level. Which for me is paramount. So for my official plunge into registered MorphOS land, my situation is different. I need to get running soon. I already waited a little long to get my software project started. And for the specialized things I will be doing, an MDD machine will work just fine. So even if G5 support comes out the day after I register to the MDD machine, I won't lose too much sleep because my needs are still met. It would just mean if I wanted a G5, I would have to sell the garage full of 68K stuff in order to get another Morph machine. That's all. The 68K stuff needs a more useful home anyway :) It is the 15" powerbook I wait for....
  • »27.04.11 - 20:05
    Profile
  • Jim
  • Yokemate of Keyboards
    Yokemate of Keyboards
    Jim
    Posts: 4977 from 2009/1/28
    From: Delaware, USA
    @ME

    I purchased a similar video card, but put it away (after taping pin 3 and 11 and testing it in a G4). I've moved back to my 9100.
    A fast G4 is entirely adequate for MorphOS.
    Andreas isn't kidding when he mentions that this year is very unlikely.
    We'll be lucky to see Powerbook support (and I can switch over to a Radeon9700/9800).
    By next year the price of G5 Macs is likely to be lower, so you've just cost yourself more then necessary.

    [ Edited by Jim 27.04.2011 - 21:11 ]
    "Never attribute to malice what can more readily explained by incompetence"
  • »27.04.11 - 20:07
    Profile
  • Order of the Butterfly
    Order of the Butterfly
    Dreamcast270mhz
    Posts: 152 from 2009/12/9
    From: Virginia,USA
    @ME

    While I have unwavering faith in MOS devs, we must be realistic: It could be until 2014 that they are supported, or even later. A g4 is definitely not pathetic, and you are being a troll and a prick for attempting to pick a fight.

    Andreas and Tcheko are not at all doubting the team, but be realistic yet again, you have no right to call any machine pathetic.
    My Macs:
    Powerbook G4 ALU 1.5GHZ 15" 1.5GB OSX.5.8
    Powermac G4 MDD 1.5GHZ OSX.5.8 MOS2.7

    Want a part for a Mac? Let me know, I'll see what I can do.

    Amithlon is amazing, questions and help I can provide.
  • »28.04.11 - 01:38
    Profile