Success, if you follow the directions in this thread on the Apple Discussions board. I don’t know whether the URL works for sure, but if it doesn’t, try discussions.info.apple.com and go to the board Mac OS X –> DVD Player and look for the thread “Powerbook DVD Playback WORKS!!!!”
Or try this: Shut your Powerbook down. Connect the TV to the video out port (preferably S-Video). Restart and before the screen comes on, close the lid of the Powerbook. The Powerbook should start up and only use the TV as the monitor. After it displays the boot panel, you should be able to open the laptop and use the keyboard and trackpad again. You should be able to play back the DVD now on the TV.
As for why the PowerBook won’t play back the DVD normally with a TV connected, I don’t know and Apple isn’t telling. But my money’s on the MPAA. I don’t know of any other organization that goes so far to make sure that you can’t enjoy its products. Oh yeah, there’s the RIAA too…
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