Apple Fixes Intel-based iMac Video Problem

Apple has fixed a well-publicized video glitch plaguing Front Row software running on its new Intel-based iMac machines. The fix comes in the form of an update to Apple's Mac OS X (aka Tiger), which revs the OS to version 10.4.5.

"Among other things [10.4.5], fixes video tearing issues on Intel iMacs. It also seems to fix audio echo issues on newer PowerBooks," wrote a blogger on the ConsumerMachine blog, which has been closely tracking the video problem.

The update had been anticipated by many Mac experts, who had said the issue was software related, rather than hardware based.

Apple patched the Front Row issue within two weeks of the problem first surfacing on support forums, blogs, and message threads.

The update includes other changes specific to Intel iMac desktops and the now-shipping MacBook Pro notebook, ranging from search enhancements to a fix for the iMovie HD software.

More information about the update can be found here.

Updates from 10.4.4 -- which was introduced in January along with the first Intel Macs -- can be retrieved using the OS's Software Update or from here as a 16MB file. Macs equipped with earlier editions of 10.4 -- 10.4.1 through 10.4.3, must download a 125MB file from here instead.