" I wanted to pass on some great information concerning the Archos AV320 Video Player and compatibility with Mac OS X. As you can see from various reviews, this device allows video and audio recording either directly into the unit, or encoding on a PC or Mac and then transferring the files to the device over Firewire (optional) or USB (1.1 or 2.0). It supports a variety of files, including AVI,DIVX, XVID, MP3, WMA, JPG, BMP, and WAV. I won't attempt to cover all the formats, just some notes.

The music transfer works perfectly after downloading the iTunes plugin from the Archos website. Photos can be dragged into the PHOTO folder on the device (which appears as a USB hard drive when connected to my PowerBook). Video encoding has always been the sore spot for this device, since it requires that all files be AVI format, 640x480 max resolution, and the audio MUST be interleaved into MP3 format. The documentation indicates this is called MPEG-4 Simple Profile.To make these types of files on the Mac, you can use either FFMPEGX (which includes most of the required software, find it at Versiontracker) or download the DIVX 5.1 codec from http://www.divx.com. The DIVX codec will be available in Quicktime as an export option (Note: This seems to be much slower than FFMPEGX, but it does help with converting Quicktime movies). One great site that illustrates this process is
http://www.shanebrinkmandavis.com/homepage/JBMM/ JBMMVirtualDubTutorial.htm . Just look at the settings for DIVX and you'll be fine.

So the best part of this device, in my opinion, is it provides a great extension to the Digital Hub experience of the Mac. It has a 3.8" LCD screen, it can output any video or photos to a TV screen, record digital or analog audio directly into MP3, built-in voice recorder, and it includes a Video Recorder module (S-video and composite) that ignores video copy protection (use responsibly). There are also quite a few add-on modules, such as an FM Radio recorder and digital camera attachment. If you get bored with all of this, you can still use it for file storage, too. Oh, did I mention that by upgrading the firmware to 2.0, you can pop in ANY 2.5" laptop hard drive and it will automatically format it? I now have a 60 GB MP3/Photo/Video player - that is nearly 120 hours of video! Thanks for the great site, and for the opportunity to share this information with the Mac community.
Jason "

The Archos AV320 product page is here which as of today shows a list price of $549.95

Open the terminal and enter

sudo ln -s /System/Library/Extensions/BootCache.kext/Contents/Resources/BootCacheContro l /usr/sbin/BootCacheControl

The reboot twice and boot times should be reduced. (This helped here on two systems running 10.3.2.) Here's comments on why this helps from one of the apple forum theads:

" Why does it work?
BootCacheControl is called during the startup process to create a cache of files needed to boot (up to the point were the login window is displayed).
In the 10.3.2 version the executable is called from the /etc/rc script twice:
- BootCacheControl
- BootCacheControl tag
both times its called using a shell variable set in /etc/rc which points to /System/Library/Extensions/BootCache.kext/Contents/Resources/BootCacheContro l (and if this would not exist it would point to /usr/sbin/BootCacheControl.)
But there is another important call of the executable from the loginwindow process later:
- /usr/sbin/BootCacheControl autostop 15
Unfortunately the file /usr/sbin/BootCacheControl does not exist on a(ll) updated 10.3.2 system. Thecopy command above takes care of that problem.
Regards, Joachim"

"As an exclusive end of the year special for XLR8YourMac.com readers, we are offering:
250GB 7200RPM OWC Mercury Elite Pro 800/400 + USB 2.0/1.1 8MB Buffer $357.00. Includes FireWire & USB Cables, Dantz Retrospect Express, Intech HD Speedtools, and preformatted with free Mac software installed.

250GB Hitachi Serial ATA w/8MB cache for $317.00. New w/3yr Hitachi Warranty.
Both qualify for FREE UPS Ground Delivery and discounted 2nd day/overnight delivery.
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing"

"Hi Mike, 250 GB FireWire 800(FW/USB 2/1.1 - 7200RPM, 8MB w/Oxford 922 Bridge) External Drive: $359.00, Intech Speed Tools Disk Utlility, Dantz Retrospect Express: Back Up Software.

250 GB Hitachi-IBM- DeskStar Serial ATA 7K250 8MB Cache Disk Drive: $319.00
Thanks, Ken
Happy Holidays from all of us at Trans Intl."

"This document (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86416) is saying that third-party parallel to serial ATA adapters are not working in the G5... I have a 120Gig IBM parallel ata drive in my system (a g5 1.6Ghz + a ABIT serial to parallel adapter) and it is working perfectly!
Thanks
Samo from Slovenia
(I asked Samo if he had seen any problems after waking the system from sleep.)
Yes, today! I had to shut the machine down.... SAD. I have the newest firmware installed...
Samo"

The first reader report had said:

"...A problem has arisen though: when waking from sleep or spindown, when the hard drive spins back up the system lags to the point of needing to be forced shut down..."

He later wrote he had all OS updates/Firmware update (5.1.4), etc. so they do not help with this issue. Another G5 owner (at least the 2nd to mention this) said he's using an adapter cable on the Optical drive (ATA/100) bus to connect to a standard IDE hard drive in the lower bay. (This would exceed the IDE spec max of 6in spacing between master and slave connectors, although neither G5 ownre using this method has mentioned a problem with it yet.)

(added 12/29/2003)
" Have Norton SystemWorks 3.0 that includes Norton Utilities 8.0. Updated to Norton Utilities 8.01 and Norton Antivirus 9.01 (both Panther updates) on 22' Dec.

Had also my Norton Utilities folder in a separate "Tools" folder inside my Program folder before running LiveUpdate. This resulted in a new Norton Utilities folder on the root level of the Program folder containing new versions of both Norton Utilities 8.01, Norton Antivirus 9.01 and LiveUpdate 3.01. But the Norton Utilities 8.01 and Norton Antivirus 9.01 files were not complete and could not be run.

The fix was to put my original Norton Solutions folder back on on root level of the Program folder were it resides after the original install. (Where I'll leave it now)
After renewed running of LiveUpdate all worked fine, except that i miss Norton in my Tools folder.

I've run Norton on all my disks and partitions now to X-mas, also Speed disk. It often stops the the directory check shortly before the VHB Recheck after taking considerable time seemingly almost stuck at some strange task before. Before it announces that it has to stop its execution because it has run upon some unknown problem. It claimes several time that something is wrong with the clump size of several files (always 11 files before it stops).

This although I've run DiskWarrior 3 on the same disk prior to using Norton Disk Doctor - so there's absolutely no errors in the directory structure present!

I've tried to repeatadly run Norton Disk Doctor several times on the same disk and it finally always makes it after a few times to come through the total check. But is not to recommend to do this as these strange fixes of "clump sizes" may cause damage to other files. I can no longer change startup-disk due to that this prefpane no longer works after Norton! (Will have to restore from backup)

Strangely this errors appear now both if you run Norton from your harddisk and if you boot from the Norton CD !

I have an June 2003 MDD 1x1.25 GHz @ 1.42 GHz, 1.75 GB RAM, ATI 9800, 2x120 GB Seagate on ATA100 + 1x80 GB Seagate on ATA66. System MacOS X 10.3.2 with all updates to present date using software update.
Regards, R. Kroc"

(added 12/29/2003)
" I installed Norton on an external firewire hard drive with Panther 10.3.2 to use the volume as a boot disk. Also installed is TTPro 4.1 and Disk Warrior 3 on the same volume.

Norton's revised Disk Doctor ran more quickly and smoothly than prior to the update. It no longer reported major clump size errors and repaired some minor errors on my G4 17" PB 1 gig with 1 gig of RAM without missing a beat.

Speed Disk also felt a little faster with flawless defragmentation and optimization. In my opinion, Speed Disk is the best and fastest optimizer for OS X on the market.

As a side note, I can confirm that Disk Warrior 3 will not run under Panther as indicated on their web site. It freezes at the file verification step requiring a force quit of the application. DW will run well from the CD ROM. But I hope they get their update out quickly so i can run all of my disk repair programs from the external firewire hard drive.

In any case, NUM continues to lead the market with the best overall disk repair and optimization program for OS X. TTPro is now in catch up mode and has been for a year now. And of course, Disk Warrior is the best, but Alsoft seems to take longer than most to update their software.
Best, Ted G. "

(added 12/29/2003)
" I am running 10.3.2 on a G3 600 iBook, two G4 800 iMacs, and a G4 1250 iMac all with current Mac OS Updates and with Norton System Works 3 updated with the last updates. Norton Antivirus works fine as does the Live Update feature. However, no aspect of Norton Utilities works because it will not mount the respective disk on which its services are desired, partitioned or not, except if the whole target disc is in Target Disk Mode. I have not attempted to make a bootable disc that will start up all my computers to see if it would function. Any ideas?

---

(reports from Dec. 23rd follow)

" Mike, .... Symantec came through after all. This evening (last night - available via their live update feature), I noticed the promised updates and they installed nicely on my G5 dual. I mention that since many reports noted problems.
Later, I found one too. Although Disk Doctor appears to work, it first gives me notice:

"Norton Disk Doctor has come upon an unexpected problem and is unable to continue scanning the disk.
Error found: unexpected end of file.
Please try examining the disk again."

Before I can try again, Disk Doctor's regular drive screen is on and checking the drive. The notice appears to be bogus. Odd.
B. Keart "

Another reader wrote:

" Updated Norton Utilities to 8.0.1 on G4 1.25 MDD with OS X 10.3.2.
Running NU from startup disk.
Disk Doctor will ultimately work but takes a long time to get past VHB Recheck.

Speed Disk, under Show Fragmented Files, will not defrag any files. It will list the files that are not open and are availbable for defragmentation, but when one attempts to defrag them it fails with a dialog box that it cannot optimize.

If I start up from the CD, which has 10.2, it works fine.
Ken "

This reader notes moving the install location caused update problems:

" 1. PM9600 c/w G4/800, 864MB RAM, Radeon 7000, U160 controller, USB, Firewire etc.
2. G4/400 upgraded to G4/1000, 1GB RAM, Radeon 8500, ATA133 controller, USB2 card
3. Ibook G4/1000, 384MB RAM
Tried to install update on all three machines. Multitude of problems thereafter. Live Update would not see updaters, Norton Launcher could not see any applications after updating (reported not installed), Uninstaller would not uninstall on Ibook (reported unknown error). I did not attempt to run any utilities at this point as things were messed up.

Upon studying what had happened I realized one crucial thing. I had relocated my Norton folder to the ćutilities* folder in ćapplications*. For some reason this confused the hell out of the updater. It knew that it should update (as it was running) but could not find the folder so it created a new folder in ćapplications* with the new versions (generic icons). The presence of two Norton folders caused havoc. The only solution seemed to be a complete uninstall. Even this was bizarre as the ćunknown error* prevented an uninstall on the Ibook.

The point is that users should not relocate the Norton folder. The SW3 installer is demented as there is no folder selection possible during install. I guess Symantec assumes that nobody will move it but forgets that we are not running Windows. This has been a major stall for me & I am not impressed. Thanks for the great site Mike.
Regards, Andy "

I don't own NU 8 but if any other readers have seen fixes or problems with the 8.0.1 update let me know (include OS and system details in reports - thanks.)

• Giga Designs G4/1.2GHz in (sawtooth) G4/AGP (didn't select a rating)
• Other World Computing G4/700MHz in (sawtooth) G4/AGP (rated 9)
• Other World Computing G4/1.2GHz in (sawtooth) G4/AGP (rated 10)
• Powerlogix G4/1.2GHz in (Gigabit ethernet) G4/AGP (rated 7)
• Sonnet G4/1.4GHz in (QS) G4/AGP (rated 10)
• XLR8 CarrierZIF w/PL G3/900 ZIF in Umax S900 (rated 10)
• XLR8 G4/550 in Beige G3 (rated 10)
  (My reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked here. OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

(Warning - Overclocking may not be reliable and could lead to hardware failure or corrupted data.) You can find the full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, please post an entry in the database. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)

Multi-Format Card Reader
• PCMCIA slot Sandisk SDDR-65 used w/Powerbook G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (SD card from Trio600 not recognized he said)
• USB Inland 6 in 1 card reader used w/Dual G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (comments on system specific shutdown/startup issue)
  
  Removable Media Drives
• SCSI Castlewood Orb 2.2GB in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (noted deleting the driver for the OEM 2930 card fixed the drive support problem)
  
  CDRW Drives:
• Exp. bay Matshita UJDA 360 (8x4x24x) in Powerbook G3 2000 (OS X 10.3)
• Firewire Lacie Pocket CD-RW 16x10x24 used w/iBook 2002 (OS X 10.3) (drive not recognized even w/Toast after 10.3 update, was supported in 10.2.8.)
• USB "Mad Dog" (didn't note drive speed rating) CDRW used w/Beige G3 (OS X) (listed under "other" brands, no burn support)
• IDE Liteon LTR-52327S (52x32x52x) in Beige G3 using IDE PCI card (OS X 10.3)
  
  Combo DVD-CDR Drives:
• IDE Toshiba SD-R2412 (24x10x24 +8x DVD rom) in iBook 2001 (OS 9.1)
  (includes comments on 10.2.8 burn support - no burn support in OS 9.1)
  
  DVD-R Drives:
• IDE Pioneer DVR-105 in B&W G3 (OS X 10.3)
• IDE Toshiba SD-R5112 in Dual G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (native burn support in Panther, but not 10.2.8)
  
  DVD-R + DVD RAM Drives:
• Firewire (IDE drive in FW case) LG GMA-4020B used w/iBook 2002 (OS X 10.3) (no native db/itunes burn support)
• IDE Panasonic LF-D301/311 in B&W G3 (OS 9.2)
  (problems noted, no burn support)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106D in Dual G4 DDR (OS X)
  (native burn support in 10.2.8 and later)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106D in Dual G4 DDR (OS X 10.3)
  (noted unable to write to DVD+RW media in finder and Toast 6.0.3)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106D in Single G4 DDR (OS X 10.3)
• IDE Sony DRU-510A in Dual G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (no native burn support - problems noted burning DVDs in Toast 6.0.3)
• IDE Sony DWU-14A in Single G4 DDR (OS X 10.3)
  (no native burn support)
  (Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT and B&W G3 Macs)
  
  Hard Drives:
• IDE Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 60GB in Powerbook G4 (17in) (OS X 10.3)
• IDE Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 60GB in Powerbook G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (review of this drive on the IDE topics page HD section.
  PowerBook G4 Ti 15in. LCD illustrated Hard Drive install guide here
  Alum. PB G4 15in take-apart guide here.
  Powerbook G4 12in LCD illustrated Hard Drive install guide here)
• IDE IBM (didn't note series/model) 120GB in B&W G3 using IDE PCI Card RAID (OS X 10.3)
  (Illustrated guide to adding a 2nd HD here in B&W G3 rev2 and G4 towers up to the QuickSilver models.
  IDE articles page RAID section has an illustrated guide for adding 2 more drives in the side bays.)
• IDE Western Digital WD400BB 40GB in Beige G3 (OS 9.2)
  (Beige G3 MT illustrated HD upgrade guide here)
• IDE Western Digital WD1200PB 120GB in iMac (OS X 10.3)
  (problems noted)
• IDE (serial ATA PCI Card connected) Western Digital Raptor 36GB in Single G4 DDR (OS X)
• IDE Western Digital WD1600JB 160GB in eMac (OS X 10.3)
  (noted native big drive support)

You can find full owner reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). For guides to installing CD/CDRW/DVD drives or Hard drives in many mac models, see the IDE Articles page. The Firewire articles page also has guides on case kits, installing drives, etc.
If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database. (If you post an updated entry - make sure you use the same name, etc. as you did before so I can find your past entry. Thanks.)
(Incomplete entries are deleted. Do not post questions in the database, it's for drive reports not questions on what drive to buy - for that try searching the database for reports from owners of your mac model on the drive type/brand/interface, etc. you're interested in.)

• 1 year ago today
• 2 years ago today
• 3 years ago today