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DESCRIPTION
Activate Front Row will allow you to use Front Row with any Mac without a infrared sensor. We included an application that will launch Front Row from the Dock. Enhances the trailers by allowing HD in ether 720p or 480p by default it's deactivated and not in HD. If you don't like Leopards Front Row Version 2. It will allow you to have the older 1.3.1.
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WHAT'S NEW
Version 0.2: Now it downloads and modifies the updater from apple.com Works on leopard. If you do not like Front Row 2.
REQUIREMENTS
Macs OS X 10.4.5 or later.

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SCREENSHOT

Developer:Mr. Gecko
Downloads:9,122
  - Version d/l:7,387
Utilities:Desktop
License:Free
Date:03 Feb 2008
Platform:PPC/Intel
RATING
*****

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    Activate Front Row User Reviews (9 posts)Write A Review
    sort: smiles | time
    Sep 11 2008

    HOLYPOLY  On my system (Leo 10.5.4), it even works smoothly with Front Row 2.1.6 - no need to d/l and install old version.   
    (Version 0.2)

    praisebury
    0
    [ Reply ]
    Aug 17 2008

    IMAC G3  This application did what it says, but I have a strange issue with it - the writing "Music" "Movies" "Photos" and the playlist information is all mirror writing and so not user friendly (!).

    Anyone have any idea why that might happen for me?

    This is on an iMac G3 slot loader running 10.4.11.

    Thanks for any help. Anyone else have this issue?  
    (Version 0.2)

    praisebury
    0
    [ 2 Replies - Reply ]
    Replies:
    Oct 9 2008

    CRIMSON  I have exactly the same problem with iMac G3 and Mac OS X 10.4.11. All the texts are mirrored! Is there anyone who could help me with this?  
    (Version 0.2)

    praisebury
    0
    Jul 26 2009

    MBRICE  Mirror writing in Front Row was an issue I found when I tried it on a system without Quartz Extreme support. Whenever I ran it on a pre-Quartz Extreme card (ATI Rage 128 in both Power Mac G4 and iMac G3 for example) the writing was mirrored. When I tried it on a Power Mac G4 with a Quartz Extreme capable card (such as the GeForce2 MX) the writing was normal. I'm guessing Front Row makes use of the GPU in these later Macs to draw the text, something the older iMac G3's and other similar era systems can't handle.  
    (Version 0.2)

    praisebury
    0

    Mar 17 2008
    *****

    RUMPLESTILTSKIN  Wow! Does exactly what it claims to do. I'm running a 1.25GHz G4 mini with Tiger fully updated. Next step is to program my Keyspan remote for Front Row and I've got an ersatz AppleTV (which I already own).

    Many thanks to the developer for this extremely useful utility!  
    (Version 0.2)

    praisebury
    0
    [ Reply ]
    Feb 4 2008

    MR. GECKO  Here is the Read Me

    How to Activate Front Row on 10.4.5-10.5.11.

    Before you start Activate Front Row run install.

    Install will download front row 1.3.1 from apple.com, modify it and than install it.

    You have to be patient because I don't have an indicator to tell you that it is working but it is.

    Now that you've done that. If you want to be able to run Front Row from the keyboard. Start Activate Front Row and click one Activate Front Row. It will install a kernel extension from http://www.brandon-holland.com/ and a program to Start Front Row from the Dock.

    Restart your system and your done.

    To Deactivate just click Deactivate and Front Row will not be on your system.

    How to Activate Front Row on 10.5 or later.

    Start Activate Front Row click on Deactivate Front Row to remove the newer version 2.

    Run install.

    Install will download front row 1.3.1 from apple.com, modify it and than install it.

    You have to be patient because I don't have an indicator to tell you that it is working but it is.

    Now that you've done that. If you want to be able to run Front Row from the keyboard. Start Activate Front Row and click one Activate Front Row. It will install a kernel extension from http://www.brandon-holland.com/ and a program to Start Front Row from the Dock.

    Restart your system when Front Row starts just stop close it by escape and your done.

    To Deactivate just click Deactivate and Front Row will not be on your system.  
    (Version 0.2)

    praisebury
    0
    [ Reply ]
    Feb 4 2008

    CLARUSAD  Hi,

    Does it run on an old PPC mac with 10.4.11 ? Thanx  
    (Version 0.2)

    praisebury
    0
    [ 1 Reply - Reply ]
    Replies:
    Feb 4 2008

    STRIDER72  Runs on my G4 laptop on 10.4.11  
    (Version 0.2)

    praisebury
    0

    Jan 1 2008

    RORO01  The only benefit is: "Enhances the trailers by allowing HD in either 720p or 480p". I have an iMac Intel 10.4.11 and it is very easy to access Front Row via the keyboard - Command+Esc to activate, arrows and Return to navigate, Esc to go back, any key to exit. For a full list go to Finder>Help.  
    (Version 0.1)

    praisebury
    0
    [ 3 Replies - Reply ]
    Replies:
    Jan 1 2008

    HILBO60  To RORO01; FYI, for owners of machines without Infra Red such as mine, 'Front Row' will not even run! So the method of control of this program is not the issue here. 'The only benefit' is that we are able to use the App.

    As already stated, 'Front Row Enabler' used to do the job until 10.4.11 broke it. That is why this little program is so invaluable to so many!  
    (Version 0.1)

    praisebury
    0
    Aug 15 2008

    SIMEN  Front Row works on my Mac Pro which has no infrared. I have 10.5 though.  
    (Version 0.2)

    praisebury
    0
    Aug 15 2008

    HILBO60  Yes, Front Row does indeed work with leopard installed, I have since upgraded to 10.5 and as such, no longer need this App.

    My earlier comments on the usefulness of this little hack are still entirely valid for Tiger users though!  
    (Version 0.2)

    praisebury
    0

    Jan 1 2008
    *****

    SECTION8  hmmm...

    free: check

    easy: check

    HD video enabler: check

    does not suck: check

    whats not to love?!  
    (Version 0.1)

    praisebury
    0
    [ Reply ]
    Dec 31 2007

    HILBO60  I have a PowerMac G5 (no IR), have tried 'Media Central' but it won't play DRM video from iTunes Music Store, so resorted to 'Front Row Enabler', which fitted the bill perfectly until 10.4.11, which broke it!.

    I'm not ready yet to go with 'Leopard', due to the fact that I have too many apps and hardware that will not work with it, so tried this little hack and have to say, after the first trial, it works, beautifully! I particularly like the simplified installation process, (compared to 'Front Row Enabler). Power to the Gecko!!  
    (Version 0.1)

    praisebury
    0
    [ Reply ]
    Dec 31 2007

    DOUG S.  Technically any Mac with Front Row installed (anyone with Leopard, I think) can access it without a remote by using the key command Command+Esc. Then just navigate via arrows and the enter key, pressing Esc to back out a level.

    Though, it is nice to see this in a free app to make things easier for people.  
    (Version 0.1)

    praisebury
    0
    [ 3 Replies - Reply ]
    Replies:
    Dec 31 2007

    MR. GECKO  This program was made because I think http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/19947/front-row-enabler is hard so I made it easy and added hd trailers, and a Launcher as a bonus  
    (Version 0.1)

    praisebury
    0
    Dec 31 2007

    DOUG S.  Nice! I have a friend with an old iMac whom this would be perfect for. Like I said, it's something that can be done anyway (technically) but your little app has indeed made it easy. :D  
    (Version 0.1)

    praisebury
    0
    Dec 31 2007

    IGAUCHO  Or you can just run Front Row from your Applications folder (in Leopard). :)  
    (Version 0.1)

    praisebury
    0