• Support for Variable Bit Rate (VBR) MP3 files
• AppleScript support for the QuickTime Player (Mac OS only)
• Improved streaming for corporate clients through better HTTP navigation
• Multiple movie playback support via SMIL

Get the update at www.apple.com/quicktime. Existing users of QT 4 can use the QT updater. I assumed the OS 9 Software Update control panel would also work, but all it listed with my G4 was the OS 9 Audio Update v1.2, which didn't install ('some software selected was not installed' was reported after several minutes). I've not seen any sign of the 1.2 Audio Update at Apple otherwise (v1.1 was recently released). Even though I was running QT Pro 4.03, the QT updater still shows a 6+ MB download is needed. I'm wondering if the update improves the audio latency and other sound issues such as lip-sync with the software DVD player.

Canvas 7 G4/Altivec Update: Dan Reding wrote that Deneba has a 'Velocity Engine Tool' for their Canvas graphics program. I've not used Canvas for many years, but I remember it as a great hybrid painting/vector graphics program with many of the features of Photoshop and Illustrator combined.

More news tomorrow on Firewire Analog Video adapters, a fix for some G4 upgrade issues I've been having with Soundjam MP 1.6, Virtual PC 3.0 and OpenGL games in my 9600/350 and much more. Since the news page is already heavy I'll add those in tomorrow's news.

If things go as planned, next month I'll be moving the site to a dedicated Mac (B&W G3/500) running Webstar 4.x that will have a new search engine (based on V-twin/Sherlock technology), more forums and other new features. This will hopefully solve the problems accessing the site that have been more frequent lately. It should also improve performance of the forums.xlr8yourmac.com database server for the FAQ and reader ratings databases.

Free BeOS Not Apple G3/G4 System Compatible [updated]: [Update on the BeOS compatibility]

"Hi Mike,
Just a small clarification about the BeOS and G3's. The BeOS runs just fine on 7300/7500/7600/8500/9500 boxes that have been upgraded to G3 processors. Although officially unsupported, some of the 8600's and 9600's will run the BeOS, some won't. The Beige and later machines will not run the BeOS. The problem is not with the G3 itself, but with the glue chipsets.

As far as Darwin or LinuxPPC providing the info needed for the new machines, this has been discussed ad nauseam in the newsgroups and mailing lists. Be's official stance on the subject can be found here:

www-classic.be.com/support/qandas/faqs/faq-0501.html

Note esp. the legal section:

"There's also two legal issues, one, would Apple let us do this (who cares if legally it's OK, they have a lot more lawyers than we do), and two, could we use the Linux sources and still keep the BeOS proprietary (which we intend to do, see the FAQ on that)."
- Steve Axthelm "

In reply to an earlier post regarding Be releasing their OS for free, Kevin Billingsley sent a reminder that the current BeOS is not compatible with G3 (or G4) CPU Macs. This is noted in the BeOS PowerMac FAQ.

"According to a FAQ at the Be web page, The Windows and Mac versions will be made available at the same time. However, Be doesn't run on a G3 or later, only earlier PowerMacs. They give a lack of Tech Specs as a reason. One would assume, however, that the source code to Darwin would contain the specs that they need.
Kevin "

G4/450 RC5 Results Verified - Faster than 1GHz Athlon: Several readers replied to the earlier post comparing 1GHz Athlon RC5 performance to the G4. This verifies the previous reports of amazing G4 performance with Altivec enabled:

"My score is 3.4 MKey/s. Mac is a G4/450 Sawtooth, delivered before speed dump. So it's a 450 mid-range config, not a 450 high end like the one they sell now. RC5 version is the latest possible, which is 2.8x [I think it's 2.8, but I know I have the altivec compatible latest version.] Also, My old beige G3/266 did 850 KKey/s. The G4 is a HUGE speed jump....
Abe J"

Another report shows similar performance:

"I just got started with the RC5-64 challenge and have only 1 full day of results, but my G4 450 running version 2.8005-454 of the distributed.net client achieved the following:

993 blocks were completed yesterday (0.00000145% of the keyspace) at a sustained rate of 3,085 KKeys/sec! Ranked 6,758 for the day...
Kurt "

As noted in today's earlier post, the 1GHz Athlon scored just over 3Mkeys/Sec. As a side note, my G4 upgrade reviews also noted a 600MHz Althon trailed any G4 I've tested with Photoshop 5.5 w/Altivec extension (there is no Athlon 3Dnow support in PS 5.5 however).

RamDoubler File Mapping Performance Impacts: Larry Kelly replied to the earlier post on the RD File Mapping feature with a note of dramatic impacts on main event loop performance.

"Regarding your reader's use of Ram Doubler 9 to reduce System Memory usage by enabling the file mapping feature only: In my case this approach reduced system memory requirements about 9 MB but a check with Speed Tester showed that GetNextEvent() increased from 750 to 2675 milliseconds. I consider this an unacceptable performance hit. "

Previous reader reports had noted large reductions in MacBench 5 CPU scores as well and I'd asked for some real world applications performance tests (with and without RD9 enabled compared to OS 9's Virtual Memory). For examples of some good applications to use for tests (sample files/apps that have their own timing feature) see the Applications tests page of my CPU upgrade reviews (i.e. Bryce, After Effects, Infini-D etc. can report total times to complete tasks which eliminate any human error possible with stopwatch timing).

Firewire PCI Cards w/G3 Upgrade/QT4/OS 9 Report: In reply to an earlier reader's post regarding potential issues with PCI Firewire cards, CPU (G4) upgrades and OS 9 a reader reports he's running an XLR8 G3 upgrade with an Adaptec Firewire card under OS 9 with Quicktime 4 just fine:

"Mike:
I have an 8600 with an XLR8 400 G3 processor and an Adaptec Firewire/USB card running OS9 with the latest version of Quicktime. The Adaptec card uses 3 Adaptec Firewire extensions plus the 2 Apple Firewire extensions. I capture digital video from a Canon Elura via firewire using Adobe Premiere 5.1c and it works beautifully. No problems at all.
Sam "

Sony Analog Video to Firewire Adapter Feedback: Talk about fast response; a reader just replied to the earlier post for feedback on Analog to Firewire video adapters:

"Mike,
My Dad picked up an iMac DV SE and also got the Sony DVMC Firewire to analog convertor. He picked up it up for about $325 online.. I dont remember where, but I will contact him and find out.

So far the convertor has worked excellent. He used it to transfer all his vacation footage that he shot while in the Galapagos Islands. The Sony unit actually does analog to DV (3.7meg/sec) on the fly so it keep the quality good and the file size down.

I think he had some problems going back to video from the iMac but he is not good at tracking down problems like that. That is the my next job when I go over to his house again.
-John Olsen"

I welcome other reader comments from users of Analog video/Firewire converters.

Advantages of RD9 vs OS 9 VM: Although recent reports here on Ram Doubler 9 have noted some issues in the first release, this reader sent a reminder of RD's File Mapping feature as one advantage over the standard OS's Virtual Memory. (His comments reminded me of past RD user's mentioning this feature, which I had forgotten.)

"Mike-
There are two main advantages I see to running RAM Doubler over VM... First, virtual memory doesn't take up any space on your hard drive (192mb in my case). Second, is "file mapping" I believe they call it. You enable RAM Doubler, but don't increase your RAM amount at all, but programs still use reduced memory chucks as if VM were on. My system, with virtual memory (and RD) off runs about 40mb, while with virtual memory on, only 28mb or so. The file mapping feature of RAM Doubler merely lets me run my system on 28mb, without having any virtual memory.

Of course, it is still much better to just get more RAM if you can... Unfortunately for me, the 6500 won't take over 128mb (which I have), so I have to use some form of VM if I want to run either Q3 or UT (or a VERY limited extension set).

I was quite disappointed with the frequent crashes from RD9, but oh well. Good thing I have a large hard drive... Like you said, hopefully it's just bugs in the first RD9 release (Connectix did update earlier versions quite often). On the bright side, I'm at a week now with my G3/L2 500 card and the only crashing came with RD9 installed!
-Jarod Wilson "

Hopefully a patch to RD9 will address the issues owners have reported in the news recently, but I still say there's no real substitute for real ram if you can afford it. The file mapping option does sound like a nice feature however. See the past news summary for previous news pages that have RD9 owner reports.

Firewire PCI Cards/QT 4/G4 Upgrades Issue?: A reader copied me on a long mail to Orange Micro describing some potential issues with Firewire PCI cards, Quicktime 4 and G4 upgrades. I've used G4 upgrades with OS 9/QT 4 here (noted in reviews) but do not have a Firewire PCI card to test.

"Mike, the following is a copy of letter just sent to OrangeMicro, which best explains my question. Appreciate your reply.
Sincerely,
Dirk Gidney
Producer
Multimedia, Music & Video Productions

[His email to Orange Micro follows:]

The following issue now confronts potential Powermac "upgrade customers" who wish to utilize the most current versions of popular DV editing programs, such as Premiere 5.1c and Final Cut Pro 1.2, which require the use of the latest Quicktime Software (4.03+) , which in turn rely on the new Quicktime Fire Wire DV Enabler, and Firewire Support Extensions.

These new Quicktime Extensions are essential to the way that the video editing suites now capture, display and play back Digital Video on Macs. In fact ,they do a fantastic job of it.

The current versions of the most popular Video Editing Programs are designed to be compatible with the onboard firewire ports on the newer Macs, which work fine with the latest Quicktime Firewire Extensions. But an "upgrade customer" who must add a PCI type Firewire card, such as the Adaptec (the 8940-8945 etc), will find that they currently only work with Adaptec's own Firewire Extensions, which only work with the older versions of Quicktime ending with Quicktime version 3.02. That cuts out the use of the newer Video programs features, and in some cases cuts them off from working with/ sharing projects created on newer macs.

My question to you is, does ORANGE MICRO's line of Firewire PCI cards work with the newest versions of Quicktime 4.03, Premiere 5.1c and Final Cut Pro 1.2, using the latest Quicktime drivers & support extensions? Or do the "latest versions" of these programs also work using your own extensions without a loss in performance or features?

Another issue arises with the G4 processors, and the new features incorporated into Apples OS9. For example, if you want to "Upgrade" your Power PC to a G4-400 processor, such as the newertech MaxPower G4-400, you will most likely need OS9 to operate it fully. And in order to run certain applications with a G4 and OS9, you will need to be sure to upgrade certain applications to their latest versions. BUT, in the case of FIRWIRE, some cards (such as the Adaptec), will cease to function properly, if at all, as soon as an "Upgrade Customer" installs a G4 Processor, and / or OS9, with it's current version of Quicktime..

If such a solution already exists with OrangeMicro, I would appreciate knowing about it right away. If not, it would certainly be worth looking into as there are a large number of Mac "Upgrade Customers" out there who will soon be looking for a solution to this issue.
Sincerely,
Dirk Gidney
Producer
Multimedia, Music & Video Productions "

I welcome any Firewire PCI card owner's comments on this issue, especially OS 9 and G4 upgrade card owners.

Analog Video to Firewire Converters: Any readers using any of these devices that can comment on them? This reader is considering a Sony or Wired product but I have no feedback on either (or if they are actually available - but I'm asking my Wiredinc.com contact now)

"Hey Mike,
I emailed Newer Technologies today to find out when they were finally going to release their Firestorm products, which convert analog video to digital video and vice versa. In the reply I got back from them, it says that they won't be releasing them after all!(?) Here's what they said:

"Development on FireStorm has ceased. There are already a couple of products from Sony and Wired that are similar to the FireStorm concept that are currently available."

I guess this means that I'll have to go with the Sony or Wired versions. I checked out Wired Inc.'s website, (www.wiredinc.com), and they don't seem to have any pricings yet; I think I saw $400 somewhere. Sony has one that runs for $500. I wonder if it is better? I've only heard a few reports about Sony's converter box, and it wasn't exactly praised. They said the quality was not as good as was expected for half a grand.

Has anyone heard anything about Wired's FireWired box? I'd love to find out more about it...
Ryan Mantle"

I welcome any reader comments from users of Analog video/Firewire converters.

RC5 Performance of G4 450 vs 1GHz Athlon: A reader sent a comment that a G4/450 with the Altivec-enabled client is generating more Keys/Sec than a 1GHz Athlon according to one report:

"Mike,
Thought you might find this interesting. CPUReview has a bunch of benchmarks on the new Athlon 1 GHz. Among them the RC5-64 benchmark. According to them this is the result :

Athlon@1GHz 3,031,516.24 keys/second

Looking through your old news - I found that one of the readers sent a benchmark for his G4 at:

Sawtooth 450 (With Altivec) 3.85 MKey/s

Not too bad for less than half the Ghz speed of the Athlon. :)

You can view the complete Athlon benchmarks at: http://www.cpureview.com/rev_k7ghz2_e.html

Ps. I am not sure if both of these tests were done using RC5-64 - the Mac user didn't specify it exactly, it only says RC5.
xelvis"

[See the later updates above for verification of G4 results.] The latest Mac RC5 client (Jan 12th 2000) is available at http://www.distributed.net/download/clients.html. I assume that has the Altivec support included (previous reports were with a beta version if I remember correctly). If any G4 owners running RC5-64 can send their scores I'd appreciate it (include your mac model/cpu speed and RC5 version). Thanks!

Turbomax IDE Card A/V OK in 9600/350: Although as noted on my Turbomax review last spring (and verified by several reader reports since then) the card generally has Audio/Video capture/playback issues (dropped frames or stuttering audio) when used in pre-G3 Apple systems. (This is probably due to the better/faster PCI/Memory controller in Beige G3 and later Macs.) However this 9600/350 owner reports he's seen no such problems in his 9600/350:

" ... let me tell you I got a rather pleasant surprise. I recently bought the TurboMax ide pci card (from CDW for $109--Thanks for the tip) and the Maxtor 7200rpm 20gig drive for my 9600/350 knowing full well that it would be useless for video capture with my Xclaim 128 VR. Well I don't know if I'm just living a charmed life or what, but so far it's working nearly flawlessly. I played a QT video off the drive and noticed no skips or stutters so I decided to try capture. Using ATI's software set at 320x240 @ 30fps I have yet to drop a frame. I am seeing a small artifact at the bottom of the captured movies, but since I have seen those with scsi drives before, I'm not sure the ProMax has anything to do with it.

[I asked him for more info to which he replied:]
Here's the info you requested:

What OS version?   OS 9
What disk drivers are you using?   8.1.4 [Drive Setup from OS 9]
What Quicktime version?   4.0.1

So, am I the only one that has reported success with this configuration? --Kelly"

I've also asked him what PCI slot the Turbomax card is using.

News.com is reported that the BeOS operating system will be offered for free again as Be tries to survive in the alternative Windows OS market. Fighting Windows and Linux must be hard on the PC platform. I assume MacOS versions will also be available for free but it's not specifically mentioned in the News.com story other than to say Be has shifted their focus to the PC. [See the later update that notes that the Mac version of BeOS will not run on G3 CPU (or later) machines.]

I added more entries to the Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game/Video Card Performance databases yesterday.

For a blast from the past see what was on the front page news here one year ago.

Tuesday's News Summary

• Speed Doubler 9 Requests (write Connectix request)
• Jam-Packed J700
• Recommended Reading: Apple Confidential
• Caution Note on 8500 RAM/Cache Upgrades
• Ram Doubler 9 Feedback
• Softraid Cache Tweak Tip
• Wired4DVD Card in Apple G4 Macs
• More Pioneer DVD SCSI Drive Feedback
• More on E100 Firmware Bug/G3 Upgrade Cards
• Incorrect Shared Volumes Size
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game/Video Card Performance searchable databases updated
• Forum Topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.

• Comments on Wired4DVD card in Apple G4
• Pioneer DVD 303S SCSI Drive Control Panel
• Problems with DVDs on Pioneer 303S
• Ram Doubler 9 Performance Impact?
• Interview with Dan Phillips of Korg USA (Audio Column Issue #52)
• Report on FireWire Enclosure/Adapter for IDE Drives
• $207 28GB Barracuda IDE Hard drives
• More Toshiba SM-1212 DVD Drive Reports
• Frontier's Smart Copy (Folder Sync)
• Reader Request: Modem Country Code for Israel?
• More Umax E100 Card Feedback
• Powerlogix working on fix for E100 firmware bug
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game/Video Card Performance searchable databases updated
• Reader posts gallery of MWSF 2000 photos
• Forum Topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.

• Another Toshiba 6X DVD/Beige G3 Report (more in FAQ DVD section)
• E100 Ethernet/G3 Upgrade Issues? (See Umax E100 compat. page)
• Still Hope For SpeedDoubler 9?
• How Do I... (see FAQ How-To articles section)
• HP 4M Tips page for G3/G4 Macs
• More info on USB Microscopes
• F/A 18 Korea GL Beta Update, how to test FPS in UT at Game News page
• AMPradio 1.5 released
• Still More Cachedoubler Compatibility Reports
• GV Fax Update Installer Warning
• Forum Topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.
• Other Net News

Thursday's News Summary

• Fix for my Kodak DC280/iMac DV USB Errors
• G4/HP 4M Solutions (Thanks Readers!):
• Gates Resigns as CEO
• Mac USB Microscope Info (Scalar Scopes Web Site)
• Reader Request: G4/HP 4M Printer Feedback Wanted
• Cries for Speed Doubler 9
• iTools Update
• Kodak DC-280 Firmware Update
• More AIWA USB Tape/USB PCI Card Reports
• FireNet - TCP/IP over Firewire?
• Umax E100 NIC/SCSI Card and Turbomax Issues
• PowerLogic Comments on Dynamic Pwr Mgmt
• 3dfx Glide Still Alive (Developer comments at MWSF)
• OWC Selling Games
• More CacheDoubler Compatibility Issues
• Distant Suns updated for Seti@home
• Today's Forum Topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.

For links to older news pages see the Archives page.

The recent features page has a lists reviews/articles you may have missed.

For a guide to finding answers to questions - see my Site Guide page.

Considering a CPU Upgrade? Check the CPU Upgrade Owner's Survey results and search for owner reports by Mac model and/or card brand. Readers post new entries daily and the database is updated several times a week. The current database has more than 2,800 reports and growing.

-Freq Asked Questions