[hamei]

For a starter SGI where the focus is SD video I'd go for an O2.

Me too. All the multimedia stuff is so much better integrated and documented and cheaper and more available on an O2.

The Octane is better for other stuff, but even figuring out the video options on an Octane will give you brain damage.

I like the r5's, myself. Extra disk, quieter, lower power, less heat, and if you go nuts you can scrounge up a 600 mhz one.

Imo, getting the faster cpu's into an O2 would be a better use of effort than Yet Another Toolchain Project ... just sayin' .... 900 mhz, mmmmm :-)