Hardware alternative to Front Row for pre-iSight G5 iMac?

Hey there, I know I've asked previously if there was a version of Front Row available for G5 iMacs that didn't come w/ the iSight built-in. Since I'm considering replacing my PC altogether with this machine (and getting a MacBook for mobile use), I'm really only missing one thing... We use the PC for pushing video out to our TV for edited TV shows or movies. We have an ATI Remote Wonder which uses a USB-connected RF remote to play, pause, skip, etc. Does such a device exist for the pre-isight model imacs? Essentially I'd like to be able to play a DVD or a movie in VLC and be able to pause, skip back, etc. without going to the machine. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!
-Mike

As it turns out the Remote Wonder software for Mac did just about everything I needed it to! Anyone looking for a somewhat close match to front row (or at least remote control) should look for a used Remote Wonder RF remote - so far it's working great. (Already had it so no extra dough either!) I like this Mac more and more every day.
-Mike

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How do I install Front Row for my MacBook Air with Lion OS

I need to know how to simply install Front Row onto my MacBook Air with Lion OX 10.7.4. Please help.

Front Row is indeed "gone." There are alternatives, but first look at these links:
How to Install Front Row on Mac OS X Lion 10.7
Front Row Enabler for Lion - Mac-Hatter Consulting, LLC.
Get Front Row for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
Plex - A Complete Media Solution

Front row for ipad

is there anyway to get Front Row for iPad?

varjak paw wrote:
Depending on what you wish to do...
It would be interesting to know why you want Front Row on your iPad. Can you describe that a little bit more in detail? Even if your question seems to be solved?

Front Row for pictures is useless to me!

I bought my mac mini to use as a media center, to stream and play eveything from my iMac G5 through the mini connected to my 32" LCD TV. Everything streams fine except photos. Most of the time the slideshow won't work, or after a long hesitation it shows one picture and then just keeps playing the Minuet in G. If I quit out of Front Row and go to iPhoto on the mini, many of the shared pics from the iMac only appear as empty spces with a grey dotted line around them. Sometimes if I click on a space, the pic will fill in, sometimes not.
And that **** music! WHYYYYY can't Front Row do as my iPod does, and go with the option to use music from iPhoto, so that once I have set up an album's slideshow music on my iMac, that carries over to both my iPod as well as through Front Row? I don't want to have to reset music choices everytime I wanna show friends some photos on the TV. iPhoto does not stream the music from the shared photo albums, so if you don't have any music stored on the mini, I am left with Garage Band samples or the Minuet in G.
Finally, Front Row does not seem to be able to read and hold the slideshow preferences for a shared album. Even if I take the time to go into iPhoto and make settings, it will still eventually revert back to the Ken Burns effect.
And here's a thought..what if I just wanna look at a picture through Front Row? I have to start and then pause a slideshow just to look at one pic?
With all this, it's just too frustrating to use for photos.

Although I do all of my picture imports to iPhoto on my MacBook, once a week I connect my MacBook in FireWire Target Disk Mode to my iMac and I copy the whole library over to the iMac. I do the same thing with iTunes. Although I only use my portable computer to manage everything, I copy all of my files over to the iMac. My iMac is connected to the TV and I use Front Row on the iMac to display the picture and music libraries directly from there.
So, your statement shouldn't be "Front Row for pictures is useless to me!", rather it should be "Front Row for shared pictures is useless to me!". This might be a valid statement and there may be things we can help to tweak your settings, but you're right. For the most part shared libraries (pictures or music) are not ideal in Front Row. I would recommend you get a FireWire cable and use your Mac mini as a backup for your iMac's libraries.
Since Front Row will be included with Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) when it's released later this year, you probably want your Front Row to work now. So, waiting for an update to Front Row probably is not a good option right now.
-Doug

Is there an alternative to Front Row in lion?

I understand Front Row is no longer available in Lion. Is ther an appropriate alternative? I find Front Row a much better interface for playing music than iTunes, as it matches the interface on the ATV.

You are not alone with FrontRow, however if you copy the following back from your SL installation it seems to work
/System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app
/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/BackRow.framework
/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iPhotoAccess.framework
/System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.RemoteUI.plist
/Applications/Front Row.app
(Caveat installer - YMMV )
Regards,
Shawn

Front Row For iBook G4?

Does anyone know if it's possible to put front row on an iBook G4 and be able to use the remote?

Front Row is included for all Macs if you install Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard). Note that Mac OS X 10.5 requires an 867MHz or faster G4 processor. It's possible, if you have the first model iBook G4, that you only have an 800MHz processor. If that's the case, then Leopard is not compatible with your iBook. But, if you have any other newer model iBook, you should be fine. I would be sure to max our your RAM for the best performance.
Since your iBook doesn't have an IR receiver, you'd have to buy a third party remote control. The Keyspan RF Remote for Front Row is specifically designed for use with Front Row. It's "radio" frequency rather than infrared so you don't need any line of sight between the remote and the computer. But, it does have a USB dongle.
-Doug

Front Row for Lion works with Movies, Photos, but not with Music!

Hi guys,
what do i do wrong? i installed front row and everything works fine, just no music. i always get the message...
FRONT ROW CANNOT FIND ANY SONGS!
so at first i thought there is something wrong with this app, but then i realized, movies and photos are working perfectly!
maybe someone has a simple solution for that problem?

Hi guys,
what do i do wrong? i installed front row and everything works fine, just no music. i always get the message...
FRONT ROW CANNOT FIND ANY SONGS!
so at first i thought there is something wrong with this app, but then i realized, movies and photos are working perfectly!
maybe someone has a simple solution for that problem?

Front Row for Tiger

I have a friend who has a 17 inch MacBook Pro running OS 10.4.11. She doesn't seem to have Front Row among the applications. Is there any way of downloading FR for this computer?
Thanks,
Norris

All Tiger has it. i am running Leopard, yet I still answer questions regarding Tiger. This is why I cannot test my solution. I am sure it's escape, you just have to press it for a few seconds. Did you try all the upper row keys, from escape, F1-F12? Do you have your remote? If yes, press menu, this will bring you right to front row.
Ray

Front row for G4 powerbook 17

All this hype about G5 and front row......I have been trying to find links to see if this software and remote can be run on my PB17 G4....or do I have to wait to buy next years Intel G5 powerbook 17??......
Razz

Gien
Haven't you looked on the internet?
Front Row was already hacked and you can download a copy that bypasses the search for the remote control at start-up. Those versions of the software are not reviewed, released or authorized by Apple, which means you undertake their use at your OWN risk.
This being said, you can then use a Bluetooth-enabled phone with your Mac and/ or the keyboard to operate Front Row.
I can't post a link (well, I can but I should not) but just know that people are running Front Row on their Mac mini, a Video Projector and a bluetooth keyboard, mouse and Phone as a remote. Can you picture the set-up? Now that's Apple in the living room isn't it?
Good luck.

Can't use my screen saver while using front row for music?

When I work I have my computer on the desk next to me, usually I have music playing and my very large image library running through my screen saver. I used to be able to start up my music using the remote, going through front row. I'd start up the music and back out. It would just return to my screen saver at that point.
Now when I try to do that, I can't back out of front row without also backing out of my music. It's kind of annoying... I mean, I can just start up itunes and go from there, but it was a nice function that I really got used to.
Does anyone know of a setting that I can adjust that would allow me to do this again?
Thanks

The way it used to work, I'd already have my screen saver running, I'd open front row from my remote, and just start up itunes through that. I'd never actually see the itunes app because it would just open on the toolbar. As soon as I backed out of front row it would automatically go right back to the screen saver while still playing my music. All from across the room.
Now I have to go over to my computer, open up itunes, start that up, windowshade it to the dock, then hot corner my screen saver again. All sitting right at the desk.
It was a nice convenience. I don't understand the loss. At least give us the option to open it in the background in preferences. I've always appreciated the fact that Apple let us use our computers the way we like. This just seems counterintuitive.

Add on iSight camera for pre-iSight iMac.

I have added an iSight camera to my iMac. I was a little uneasy about attaching a magnet to the top of it. It appears that when it boots up the area below the magnet (top center of display) is noticeably darker than the rest of the screen. Can this magnet actually harm the LCD? Thanks.

I have an iMac G5, 1.8 GHz, with a magnet iSight thing sat on top in the middle. Haven't noticed any darkening, and I'm pretty sure there's no reason to be worried.
One thing I'll check for interest is whether there is also a magnet on the inside. If a non-magnetic piece of iron sticks to that part of the monitor it would suggest that there are two magnets involved, and so there's always a magnet by the LCD. That ought to prove that the darkening isn't due to the external magnet. I'll check when I get home.

ISight, Front Row and Apple remote problems

I've been using my iMac G5 with the built in iSight for a month now with no problems, however a few days ago I tried to pause iTunes with the remote and nothing happend.
I have since tried to use Front Row and cannot launch it with the keyboard shortcuts, or indeed, find it anywhere on my hard drive. Very strange as I have certainly not deleted it and only updated it to 1.01 recently.
I have also tried to use my iSight to test the remote using an Apple help sheet but when I launch iChat AV it tells me I have no camera installed! I know it did work as I took a photo of myself when I first set the Mac up.
Apple's advice on deselcting the 'Disable remote control infrared receiver' checkbox in 'system preferences>scurity' confuses me further as I cannot find this checkbox anywhere.
I have performed all the updates with Software Updat, repaired permissions and checked the disk with no problems found.
Any advice?
Thanks in advance. Jon
iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Front Row will be included with the next version of Mac OS X to come out next year, version 10.5 (Leopard). Until it's released, there is no legal way for you to use Front Row. Also, until it's released, we won't know what hardware will work with it (as far as remote controls). If history is any indication, it will be a $129 upgrade for your current Mac mini.
There are a couple of options for you right now, though. There's a shareware program called Media Central that will work similar to Front Row for you.
-Doug

Front Row alternative

Hey all,
For anyone interested, Equinux has an alternative to Front Row called Media Central. Click here to download.
Jrsy

TY Jersey man.
It works nice and smoothly espc. when connected to a tv as 2nd monitor it just needs a few more channels.
Tried the http://tv4all.com/portal.htm?http://tv4all.com/television/index.html?http://tv4a ll.com/television/13.htm and there is much more and most works with VLC instead of Windows media player.

Front Row Alternatives?

Any recommendations? Not unhappy with Front Row but would like TV integration (formy EyeTV DTT), better format support, weather and RSS intagration. Somthing like XBMC plus TV.
-CenterStage / Backstage
-iTheater
-MediaCentral
-mMedia
-any others??

I find the AppleTV a great alternative to Front Row. Its ability to catalog TV shows alphabetically by series title is better than Front Row, which only gives you an alphabetical list by show title. Also with AppleTV you can change the listing to be by order modified.
Of course you have to connect it to an HD-TV, but as such it really presents itself well.
MediaCentral is nice, but it isn't as forgiving of your data being an external hard drive as the AppleTV or Front Row, and can result in slow display.
The Mac Mini you almost have to have videos on an external hard drive as you are limited by the size of the 2.5" hard drive that comes with it.
Edit: Elgato has just released a Turbo H.264 external USB dongle that encodes video into AppleTV compatible format up to 4 times faster than a typical Intel Core 2 Duo machine. I'm getting one in the mail soon. Can't wait to see the speeds it gets!

ATV or Front Row support for SIP client

Hi,
Does anyone have any visability of the roadmap for the inclusion of a SIP client in either FR or ATV. FR and ATV now brings powerful CPU's connected to High Def plasma's, and It would be really cool to enable a SIP client that could run in parallel with home SIP phone and present accept/reject call onscreen and enable escalation to a video call.

I have just grokked the Discussions Terms of Use and I agree that there is a clear statement "Speculations/rumors about unannounced products." are not welcome.
However, I feel the balancing statement "Feedback about new feature requests or product enhancements are welcome too" permits some latitude for discussion.
Pedantically, Front Row is released and to add it to the Mac Mini would be a major product enhancement and a new feature!
I think many Mac Mini users (and I own 3) would like to try an "officially released" Front Row for the Mac Mini. I think this extremely cool interface would be an ideal product enhancement for operating from the Sofa/Divan with output to a large LCD display. I think a good new feature request would be permitting Bluetooth Keyboard Front Row functionality on older systems that do not have the remote control necessary interfaces.

Hardware alternative to Front Row for pre-iSight G5 iMac?

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