Panther Agents: You will need to download the Xgrid Agent for Panther from Apple’s website: http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/xgridagentformacosx103.html

Once installed, there will be a new Xgrid option in System Preferences. It has a similar window as shown above and should be filled out in the same manner.

Note: VisualHub does not need to be installed on an Agent. All necessary files are sent to the Agent prior to conversion.

Important notes on Xgrid

Number of files

Xgrid jobs are granular to the file-level. Meaning, each file to be converted becomes its own job. If you only convert one video at a time, only one processor of one agent will be working on the video - potentially negating the entire reasoning behind batch processing. Xgrid Encoding is best left for when you are converting multiple videos at a time.

Running the Controller as an Agent

If you have a fast single processor Mac or any dual processor Mac, it will be beneficial to use your Controller computer as an agent as well. Also, a multi-processor Mac with no other Agents will still convert video faster than it would with Xgrid off, since both processors will be utilized up to 100%.

If your Controller is a single-processor Mac and you have a large number of Agents on the network (10 or more), the Controller computer will spend most of its time dealing with organizing the Agents, and very little processing power will be left over for video conversion

Network Throughput

It’s strongly recommended that the Controller and all Agents be connected via a wired network. Each Agent must receive the entire file it’s meant to convert before conversion begins. On a wireless network, throughput can be 1/20th that of a standard wired network. Creating a network bottleneck like that may eliminate any benefit of running Xgrid in the first place. Gigabit ethernet would sure be nice if you had it, but it’s in no way a requirement.

Network Ports

VisualHub needs ports 8264-8267 open for file transport. Ports 4111-4120 are used for regular Xgrid Controller/Agent communication. Make sure your software firewall is off or has these ports open.

Xgrid Management

Apple makes available an Xgrid management program called Xgrid Admin included in the Tiger Server Admin Tools software package. The Admin Tools are a free download from Apple and can be used with a standard Mac OS X computer too. http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/serveradmintools1047.html

Xgrid Admin can be used to monitor the activity of your Xgrid cluster.

What Xgrid can’t do

•Xgrid Encoding in VisualHub can’t convert QuickTime reference movies. Reference movies use video resources from many locations on a hard drive and can’t be transferred.

•Files over 4GB will not be correctly converted.

•The TwoPass option is ignored.

•Any packages for video files, such as .iMovieProject and .eyetv files aren’t supported.

•Conversion from DVD discs or VIDEO_TS folders either won’t work, work slowly, or wear down your DVD drive.

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Apple VisualHub manual Important notes on Xgrid
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VisualHub specifications

Apple VisualHub was a versatile multimedia application designed for Mac OS X, aimed at simplifying the process of converting video files into various formats. Launched by a small developer known as TechSpaghetti, VisualHub quickly gained popularity due to its user-friendly interface and powerful functionality.

One of the main features of VisualHub was its ability to convert videos to a wide range of formats, including MP4, AVI, MPEG, and more. This flexibility allowed users to prepare video content for different devices such as iPhones, iPods, and Apple TV. The drag-and-drop feature enhanced user convenience by enabling users to simply drag video files into the application for immediate conversion.

VisualHub was built on a combination of robust technologies, leveraging FFmpeg, a popular multimedia framework, to handle video processing. This underlying technology empowered the application to support a diverse array of input formats and deliver high-quality output quickly. Additionally, VisualHub utilized a streamlined codebase that optimized performance and improved conversion speed compared to many of its competitors.

Another noteworthy characteristic of VisualHub was its batch processing capability. Users could efficiently convert multiple videos at once, saving valuable time, particularly for those who needed to process large collections of video files. This feature, coupled with its intuitive interface, made it accessible for both casual users and more advanced video enthusiasts.

In addition to conversion, VisualHub also offered basic editing capabilities, including trimming video clips and adjusting audio settings. This provided users with some level of customization before finalizing their videos.

Despite its many strengths, VisualHub faced challenges, particularly as the digital landscape evolved with the rise of cloud-based services and streaming platforms. However, its legacy as a user-friendly and efficient video conversion tool remains recognized among macOS users who sought a straightforward solution for handling their video files.

In conclusion, Apple VisualHub was a significant tool in the realm of multimedia applications for Mac, known for its extensive format support, batch processing, and ease of use. While it is no longer actively maintained or available for purchase, its impact on video conversion software continues to be appreciated by those who utilized it during its prime.
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