[Brains]

We're looking to expand our VJ rig by adding two or three 12-inch G4 (or fast G3) laptops, but I'm having some troubles finding a definitive list of exactly which models can output to composite video (ye olde yellow RCA socket) either onboard or via a factory dongle. I know there's a "mini DVI to Video" dongle, but will that work on the later iBook G3s and early G4 'Books?

(The plan is to use the 'Books to replace our increasingly-hard-to-manage DVD library and clutch of portable DVD players, and put the video clips onto a NAS, with the 'Books running iVideo, VDMX or Pixelshox into a pair of Edirol V4 composite video mixers. The 'Books don't even need to have working batteries or optical drives or even pristine screens, as long as they can run OSX and talk 100bT and output to composite video, it will do what we want.)

[fompsweeva]

I don't know the definitive answer to this question, but I can tell you that the 1 ghz processor machine I owned can do it.

It was the model just before they added bluetooth.

[sendai]

Every model after the iBook SE Firewire does. Via two different dongles. The one designed for the iBook G3 is a Composite and Stereo-audio cable that you plug into the Head-phone port, while the one designed for the iBook G4 is an S-Video and Composite break-out that plugs into the Mini-VGA port.

[Brains]

Excellent sendai, just the useful infonugget I needed