(original article from spring 2005 follows)
The May 26th, 2005 news page had two reader posts about problems some ATI 8500 owners saw with the Apple DVD Player (v4.6) in OS X 10.4.1/Tiger. (Not an issue with non-Apple players like VLC/Videolan, etc.)
I asked for other 8500/Tiger user feedback to see how common this was. (I asked for them to note their 8500 firmware version (ASP reports this, or you can see it in ATI's Displays app.)

Reader Reports: (most recent first)
(If any other Tiger/8500 users seen this problem (or not), let me know. Just for the record note your 8500 firmware version and if you're running 10.4.1/DVD player 4.6, etc... (From the comments I assume it's not a problem with non-Apple players like VLC, Mplayer, etc.) Also if you see the problem, note if you have installed any 3rd party video related drivers or other addons (in case it's a factor). Thanks.

(added 11/1/2005)
"I also had the problems with my setup. Picture was full of artifacts and was really impossible to watch anything.
Now after upgrading to 10.4.3, the Apple DVD Player works again. Picture and sound are razor sharp and clear.
Ê Here is my system:
ATI Radeon 8500 LE "in reallity PowerColor 8500 LE-PC card"
Ê Rom upgraded to (ROM Revision 113-85710-227)
Power Mac G4 (AGP graphics -ÊSawtooth)
CPU Type PowerPC G4 (11.3)
600 MHz (Procesor modul from Digital Audio 533 MHz, overclocked to 600 MHz)
640ÊMB RAM
Mac OS X 10.4.3
DVD Player 4.5
ATI Displays 4.5.0
ATIRadeon8500.kext 1.4.16.3
I updated the software and the ROM for the ATI card regulary.
David L."

I asked David to double check his DVD player version as the latest tiger DVD player version is 4.6, with framework v4.6.1.

(added 5/27/2005)
"I don't appear to be having any problems with my setup. Sound is fine, and the picture appears as clear as I remember it in previous uses. Here is my system:

ATI Radeon 8500 Mac Edition (ROM Revision 113-85710-123) Power Mac G4 (AGP graphics) (aka sawtooth)
CPU Type PowerPC G4 (3.3)
1.2 Ghz (GigaDesigns Accelerator)
768 MB RAM
Mac OS X 10.4.1
DVD Player 4.6
ATI Displays 3.2
ATI Monitor 3.2
ATIRadeon8500.kext 1.4.2

I haven't updated the software or the ROM for the ATI card since I bought it two and half years ago. Let me know if you want anymore information, or would like me to try something.
-Randall P. "

(added 5/27/2005)
"Mike
I have NO problems with the Radeon 8500 MC playing DVDs on X 10.4.1, w/DVD Player 4.5. No pixelation, no color artifacts, and sound is fine. I have not updated to DVD Player 4.6.

System is a G4/AGP (I asked what model-Mike) 768 MB, OWC Mercury 1.3 GHz processor upgrade. X 10.4 installed via "archive & install", 10.4.1 update via download (I never do "live" installs via software update). Running dual CRT monitors at 1280x1024 each.

System Profiler report:

ATI Radeon 8500:
Chipset Model: ATY,R200
Type: Display
Bus: AGP
Slot: SLOT-A
VRAM (Total): 64 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x514c
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-85710-123

This card is still at the ROM revision it shipped in. I have never updated via any of ATIs available firmware updates (my philosophy: if it ain't broke, don't fix it).
-Sean C. "

(added 5/27/2005)
"Hey Mike,
In response to the reader's request about the bad DVD play back for Radeon 8500 owners under 10.4 and 10.4.1, I can't say I have that problem.
The card I have has a ROM# of 113-85710-123 (under both the Apple System Profiler and ATI's displays program. I am also using it under 10.4.1 on a dual 1.25 GHz Mirror Doors G4 with 2 GB of RAM. I tested it with DVD Player 4.5 and 4.6.
Thanks, Nathan W. "

(added 5/27/2005)
"hi Mike,
I'm also using an ATI Radeon 8500 with Tiger (10.4.1) without the reported probs here.
enclosed there are hopefully the needed infos:
ATIRadeon8500:
Version: 1.4.2
Zuletzt geŠndert: 31.3.2005 6:37 Uhr
Informationen: ATIRadeon8500 1.4.2.9 (2954)
Ort: /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon8500.kext
kext-Version: 4.0.2
(he sent an ati displays screenshot)

Used the latest driver taken from the ATI-site as well. (10.4.1 has the latest ATI drivers so I'm assume he means the latest ATI Displays 4.5.1 app.-Mike) had no artefacts like described.
only a serious prob playing the 2nd DVD from a tv-show named "UFO" (http://ufo.epguides.info/?ASPSESSIONID=6302467)
(he later wrote)
the noted issue with the DVD of the tv-show named "UFO" also appears with the original dvd player app of Tiger as well. But not only the 2nd DVD is influenced also the 1st one hangs shortly before the menue will/should appear!
Panther, installed on a G3 accelerated Daystar clone doesn't show this error.
So I will have to get an idea about this strange error asap. Maybe it's a Tiger specific error.
If I'll find a workaround I'll update my info.
Greetings from Austria
Andreas "

(added 5/27/2005)
"I also have a Sawtooth with an 8500 card, writing this from work so sorry I can't tell you the firmware. However, under 10.3.9 it worked flawlessly, under any varient of (Tiger) .4 it breaks and can bring the whole machine to a halt if you try and view it at full screen.
However VLC works fine.

Also SCSI appears to be broken under .4, I have a adaptec 2930 card and what will happen is that if you minimise an app or document to the dock it will freeze, this is a fresh install of .4,.4.1 and no difference. I have removed all the adaptec files except for the last one dated 2002 and the only differences it makes is in sys info, it lists my scanner only once instead of 6 scanners, and the machine will not sleep. Adaptec apparently are not providing support so I guess its good bye SCSI for me. Cheers Thanks for a great site
Mike "

(added 5/27/2005)
"Yes, I have this problem too. I have a Sawtooth with a DVD RAM drive with an ATI 8500.
Same problem with 10.4 and 10.4.1 and with DVD player 4.5 or 4.6.
Hope they fix this soon; our computer is our only dvd player.
Rom revision 113-85719-123,
Thanks, Arthur O. "

One option is to use a non-apple DVD/media player like VLC/Videolan. (See older article here on Non-Apple OS X DVD Players which has info and links on VLC, Mplayer and Xine.)

(added 5/27/2005)
"I'm running 10.4.1 on a Sawtooth (or a Gigabit Ethernet?) (500 Mhz upgraded to a Sonnet Encore 1.7Ghz ) PowerMac. Radeon 8500 Mac Edition. 1.5GB RAM. DVD Player 4.6.
Radeon ROM Revision 113-85710-227. ATI DISPLAYS 4.2.2
Having no problems whatsoever.
-Daniel P. "

(added 5/27/2005)
"I popped in a DVD the other day and noticed this. I figured it was the disc, but it played fine in my girlfriend's PowerBook and in my Xbox. On my 450 Sawtooth, the image was heavily pixelated with green artifacts that flickered on the screen during playback- there were only a few moments where the picture was correct.

Anyway, I'm running 10.4.1, DVD Player 4.6, and it's ROM Revision is 113-85710-126. I don't know if that's the same as the firmware, but I'm assuming it is. (yes-Mike)
Hope this helps out. Thanks for an awesome website. :)
-Ben "

I suggested he try a non-apple player like VLC until the root cause and a fix can be found.

(added 5/27/2005)
"Same problem here, 400mhz Sawtooth with an 8500 card running 10.4.1. DVD player 4.6 has green noise all over it when playing. VLC runs dvds without the noise, but runs like a dog on my machine. I'm not sure where the firmware version is so I cut and pasted this from the System profiler. Hope it's helpful.
-Chris H.

Chipset Model: ATY,R200
Type: Display
Bus: AGP
Slot: SLOT-A
VRAM (Total): 64 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x514c
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-85711-113 "

(added 5/27/2005)
"OS 10.4.1, DVD Player 4.6, 8500 ATI
Normal Playback, no problems except for (M-Audio) Revolution 5.1 digital output is distorted from the DVD player (same with 10.4 as well) , pending upgraded driver from m-audio. I contacted them about the problem a few days ago and here is their reply:

"Thank you for contacting M-Audio Tech Support. Sorry for the delay. We have released Tiger-compatible drivers for many of our audio and MIDI devices already, and drivers for the rest of our product line will be out ASAP. This is our top priority at the moment, however we cannot rush the testing process."

Thanks for your wonderful web site.
-Jerry
Hardware Overview:
Machine Name: Power Mac G4
Machine Model: PowerMac3,5
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.0)
CPU Speed: 733MHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 256KB
Memory: 1.12 GB
Bus Speed: 133MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.2.1f2
ATI Radeon 8500:
Chipset Model: ATY,R200
Bus: AGP
Slot: SLOT-1
VRAM (Total): 64 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x514c
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-85710-227 "

(added 5/27/2005)
"All is OK for me....just checked (with Finding Nemo).
G4/400 (AGP gigabit, Sonnet 1Ghz card) 10.4.1/DVD Player 4.6 with recent ATI 8500 card using current romÊ113-85710-227.
-Bob "

(added 5/27/2005)
"Hate to be one of those "that's not happening on mine...." but it isnÕt!
I had bought a AGP graphics 450 for my son. I upgraded it with the 8500 card, a new DVR-107, and upgraded the processor card to the 1.0 GHz sonnet tech card, also 1.12 GB SDRAM.
I have not exhibit any of the problems you have posted. Let me know if you need anything else!
-Kit A. "

(added 5/27/2005)
"I have a gigabit ethernet G4 Upgraded with a OWC Extreme 1.2mhz, 768mb Ram ATI 8500 ROM Revision: 113-85710-227 running Tiger 10.4.1
I am experiencing the same green and red artifact problem using Apples DVD Player (happens in both 4.5 & 4.6)
VLC player will play DVD's fine. I tried doing a clean install of Tiger thinking the ATI retail driver may have corrupted during the upgrade but that didn't help.
Thanks, Hugh "

(added 5/27/2005)
"Hi Mike,
No problems here at all. Played several DVDs to test. Full screen/Windowed both worked great. Sound was fine (no sync problems). Video was very clean and clear.

Hardware:
1999 G4 450 Sawtooth. Upgraded with an OWC 1.1Ghz processor. 1GB RAM.
Radeon 8500, ROM RevÊ113-85710-227. Fcode version 1.94. NDVR version 1.0.1f31.
Display set to 1024x768, Millions of colors.
DVD hardware is the original DVD-RAM (MATSHITAPD-2 LF-D110 A105).

Software:
Tiger v10.4.1
DVD Player v4.5 and v4.6 (tested with both)
-Brian "

(added 5/27/2005)
"No problem
Tiger 10.4.1, Apple DVD player 4.6
ATI 8500
No : 109-85700-00
Model : ATY,R200i_A
Rom no : 113-85710-227
Version FCode : 1.94
NDRV version : 1.0.1f53
VRAM : 64 MB

Dual 533 mhz AGP, 1.25GB RAM
-Robert G. "

(added 5/27/2005)
"Everything looks fine on mine:
G4 AGP (I asked what model-Mike), 1.2 ghz upgrade card, 10.4.1, DVD 4.6, Radeon 8500 (ATY,R200) ROM # 113-85710-227, FCode Version: 1.94, NDRV Version: 1.0.1f53
-Jon I. "

(added 5/27/2005)
"Hi Mike...
I have a (Gigabit) Dual 450 with 1GB RAM and a Radeon 8500. ASP says the firmware is 113-85710-126.
Running 10.4.1 and DVD Player 4.6.
No sound or video problems with any of the half-dozen DVDs I have played on it. Also works fine with VLC.
FWIW.- Daevad "

(added 5/27/2005)
"I don't know if this'll help, but DVDs play fine for me.
My setup:
867 DP MDD
Tiger 10.4.1, DVD player 4.6
Radeon 8500 with ROM 113-85710-227
ATI Displays 4.5.0
-Corey G. "

(added 5/27/2005)
"Hello Mike,
I have the same problem.
-Alexandre L.
Here is my profile: (too long to list it completely here)
Mac OS X 10.4.1 (8B15)
Power Mac G4 (carte AGP)
PowerMac3,1
PowerPC G4 (2.8) (400 MHz)
1.5 GB RAM
Boot Rom v4.2.8f1

ATI Radeon 8500:
ATY,R200
Bus : AGP
SLOT-A
ROM : 113-85710-227 "

(added 5/27/2005 from a reader that reported the problem)
"See this apple forum thread for a more or less workable work-around for the problem. (Deleting /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon8500VADriver.bundle, at the cost of image quality. I'd not personally do this.-Mike)
I sent the link to Bruno too. So, hopefully, ATI *may* be able to find a solution.
Regards, Ronald L.
(he had also written)
"Addendum 2
My friend Marcel has tried DVD Player 4.6 without success. VLC and MPlayer did not work for him. Xined Player http://xineplayer.berlios.de/ is able to play 'commercial' DVDs, but not those made with iMovie or iDVD.
-Ronald L. "

Here's a copy of the original posts from the May 26th news page.

" Would you please run a feedback request for Radeon 8500 owners trying to use Tiger's DVD Player. I have read about 5 owners of such cards for whom it is impossible to use Apple' DVD Player. (I know one owner personally.) The picture is heavily pixelated and the sound is scratchy. Using an alternate player help.
The problem could be in the driver or the firmware of the card. I have mentioned the problem to Bruno at ATI. The problem occurs with 10.4.0 and 10.4.1.
Thanks, Ronald L.
(he later sent more details)
the (8500 ROM) version is : 109-85700-99
aty, r200, rom aty,r200i A
fcode: 1.94, ndrv version 1.0.1f3A "

Another mail from yesterday noted the same thing (missed it then as it had a subject line of "advertising").

" PowerMac G4 500 AGP, 1GB RAM, ATI Radeon 8500 Mac Edition and PowerMac G4 400 AGP, 500 MB RAM, ATI Radeon 8500 Mac Edition
Many users have the same problem:
green and red artifacts in the place of the movie, unreadable!
The last updates (ATI ROM upd 10/04, ATI displays 4.5.1, DVD.app 4.6, OsX 10.4.1) do not regulate the problem.
With the old card ATI Rage Pro 128, DVD Playing is perfect, but it is not a solution (Warcraft is better with radeon 8500 !!)
Apparently the bug exists only on G4 AGP 400 450 500 or Cube, and only with card ATI Radeon 8500 Mac Ed.
-Xavier "