"Hi Mike,
Just a quick note to let you know we got the Acard ATA-66 yesterday, and so far, so good.

We hooked up and tested a few ATAPI removeables, all fine with no major issues. We've now got four 28GB 7200RPM ATA 'cudas on the card, and since the Mac OS thinks the card is SCSI, they're FWB-striped to a106GB RAID O and all is fast-fast-fast.

Informal benchmarks are blowing the doors off our UltraWide SCSI arrays, and giving our Ultra2 arrays a serious, serious run for the money. Really, $900 for 106GB of space climbing well over 40MB/sec; who can complain?

We're having some weird issues with VM and scratch targets, depending on which drive is hosting the System, but we're confident we can find an acceptable combination.

I'll be writing up a mini-review with details and screenshots of the benchmarks on our SQ website, I'll send the link when ready.
Cheers
Frederico "

In the past with ATA/33 cards, IDE RAID maxed out at under 25MB/sec sustained. A single ATA/66 drive (fast one) with a ATA/66 interface (i.e Sawtooth G4) can peak at 50+ MB/sec and sustain over 22MB/sec read and write speeds. I wonder how much better sustained rates the 4-drive IDE array would offer. IDE cannot write to more than one drive per channel simultaneously and does not have command queuing or other features of SCSI, but for consumers IDE is a bargain and fast ATA/66 IDE drives (7200RPM models) now offer performance better than most SCSI drives.

With busmastering DMA drivers, the old issue of higher IDE CPU usage is a thing of the past. I can't test for CPU cycle usage on the Mac, as no utilities for this exist (and when running ATTO Tools or other disk benchmarks, you can't even switch to another task or the finder), but on a PC I have seen as low as 6% CPU usage for a properly setup IDE based system. (Without DMA enabled the usage would jump to 80-90%, so busmastering drivers are very important).

For serious RAID, SCSI has always been the way to go for performance and flexibility, but maybe the ATA/66 cards can make IDE RAID more attractive.

Reader Request: VPC 3.0 USB Printer Support with OS 8.6? [Update: Chris Wohlsen wrote that if you install Mac drivers for the USB printer in OS 8.6, VPC 3.0 should print fine.] A friend asked if any Virtual PC 3.0 users have ran an HP880C (or any USB printer) in Windows 98 (VPC 3.0) running on a Mac with OS 8.6. He has a B&W G3 with 8.6 and doesn't want to upgrade to OS 9 which seems to be implied as necessary for USB support. If any readers have run a USB printer in Win98/VPC 3.0 with OS 8.6 please contact me. Thanks!

Barney Buoy sent a mail that News.com is reporting Western Digital is exiting the high end hard drive business. Their Expert models are used as many of the 20GB and 27GB drives in the new G4 systems (mine has a WD Expert 20GB).

I've been tied up most of the afternoon posting new reader entries in the Rate Your CPU Upgrade and Video Card Performance databases so news has been light today.

QT 4.1/OS 9 Audio Update 1.2 DVD Audio Sync Feedback: As I had mentioned yesterday, I had hoped these updates would help the DVD audio lip-sync issues seen with the software DVD players (at least on G4 Macs). Since I swapped out the Rage128 with a Voodoo3 AGP, I can't run the Apple software DVD player at the moment (I've been using a Wired4DVD Decoder card which works great, including DVD out to TV). Although two readers said it didn't help, another noted the updates solved his DVD lip-sync problems on a G4/400:

"Well, I downloaded the Quicktime 4.1 update as well as the 1.2 MacOS 9 Audio update and I no longer have the sound problem with my DVD software. Just got done watching Hunt for Red October and the Matrix on My G4/400 AGP and both played flawlessly.

I hope that this is because the above mentioned software updates fixed the sound sync problem everyone has seemed to be having with their DVD. I have the Cache settings set to Default and I have allocated 128MB of Ram to the DVD player. I have not tried it with less memory allocation, but luckily I do not need to try it with less, as I would not really be using the machine for anything else while watching a movie. Virtual Memory is of course turned off.
Scott Rudowitz"

That's a massive allocation to the DVD player, I'd check the Finder's 'About this Computer' while it's running to see how much RAM is actually being used during playback, but the software player is so sluggish this may be a frustrating exercise).

After several failed attempts, I was finally able to install the 1.2 Audio update. (Some readers noted they had to boot with Mac OS 9 (all) extensions (set via the extensions manager) or disable the previous audio update extension to get the update to install.) The extensions updated were Apple Audio Extension v1.01, USB Audio Extension v1.01 and Mac OS ROM file v3.2.1

Quicktime 4.1 Sound Manager Causing Game Problems: [Update: on my G4/450 AGP with the QT 4.1 and Audio Update 1.2 installed, I'm not seeing any problems in Quake3 Arena or Unreal during timedemo runs at least. Perhaps the Audio Update 1.2 helps. (Voodoo3 3000 APG card installed)] A reader posted in my 3Dfx/gaming forum the QT 4.1 update causes problems with R6:

"Quicktime 4.1 installs a newer version of Sound Manager (1.6) which if used with Rainbow 6 causes the mac to lock up after a few minutes.
Reverting to an older version of Sound Manager fixes the problem. "

Also in that thread are reports of audio problems with Falcon 4 and Quakeworld. Disabling the extension is another solution noted there.

Audio Update 1.2 Download Link: The update is now available at Apple without needing the (often frustrating) OS 9 software update control panel. Get it here.

Notes on my 9600/350 G4 Upgrade Issues and Fix: Although most G4 upgrades have run fine with most applications in this machine (as noted in my previous G4 articles like the 1MB vs 2MB G4/350 Upgrade review), I recently had two consistent problems with G4 CPUs installed and running OS 9 from a Ultra2 SCSI card and Hard Drive (the OEM onboard SCSI/drive has the original OS 8.1, which I wanted to preserve). The consistent problems were the inability to run SoundJam MP 1.6 (with Altivec support) and any OpenGL game (Quake2, Q3test, etc.). Both would lock up during use (encoding MP3s to disk in SoundJam, and games would lock up while loading levels/maps to start the game).

During the process of reviewing a PowerLogix PowerForce G4, I saw another issue in addition to these - the inability to run Virtual PC 3.0 (it did run however with another brand of G4 card). I tried using XLR8's G4 software and Sonnet's with the card - no help. None of the other standard troubleshooting procedures helped such as:

• A clean install of OS 9
• System had no motherboard cache dimm
• Speculative Processing was always OFF
• Latest G4 control software used
• Running the lowest possible bus speed (40Mhz)
• Running the cpu/cache at lower speeds (280MHz/140MHz)
• Setting Backside Cache mode to 'Write-Through'
• Scanned disk for a virus (it was clean)
• Disabling any 3rd-party extensions
• Verifying SCSI termination
• SCSI card had the latest firmware
• Disk checked fine with Disk First Aid and Diskwarrior
• Apple's OS 9 disk drivers were used

The solution? I moved the ATTO U2 SCSI card to PCI slot 3 (upper bandit controlled PCI bus) instead of slot 4 (since of the lower 3 PCI slots had the same problem). Instantly these problems went away - SoundJam MP 1.6 worked fine and for the first time the PowerLogix G4 card would run VPC 3.0. (I verified the PCI slot location was the fix, by testing again in PCI slots 4 and 6 - the problems reappeared and again went away when the card was put back in slot 3.)

What struck me as odd is that the original CPU card (350Mhz 604) ran these apps fine with the SCSI card in the original slot, but the PF G4, even with the Altivec enabler disabled, didn't. (The XLR8 G4 upgrade would run VPC 3.0 with the SCSI card in slot 4 as well, but SoundJam MP 1.6 and OpenGL games would still hang.) The only downside is that moving the card to the upper slots (which share IO bandwidth with other motherboard IO ports I believe) seems to have reduced disk performance a little bit in benchmarks. However I'm just happy to have things running reliably again.

Aqua Kaleidoscope Theme: Josh Lewis wrote that there's a OS X Aqua-like theme at www.maurym.com/pages/kaleidoscope.html

GameSprockets 1.7.3 Available: David Miller wrote that the update is now available to those who don't have OS 9 (previously it was only available via the software update control panel). [The download links didn't work earlier today, but at 3PM eastern time they are working.] My Game News page has some info on the update posted a few days back.

Analog Video to Firewire Tip: In reply to yesterday's thread on Analog Video to Firewire converters, a reader sent a reminder that some Firewire Camcorders may have analog A/V inputs and eliminate the need for a separate converter:

"Mike, regarding Analog/Firewire conversion:
Another option is to use a Sony Digital8 camcorder. These record Digital Video (DV) format onto standard 8mm or Hi8 tapes (albeit at 2X tape speed). They have analog video in/out (both composite and S-video) capabilities as well DV in/out through the firewire port. Although they can convert analog tapes to DV on the fly (ie: during playback) if you want to convert from the analog video in connections you must first record onto the tape, rewind, then play the tape back. The resulting recording will be in DV format rather than analog.

I brought my TRV103 from one of the (notorious) New York camera outfits back in October 1999 for $652. The TR7000 model, which does not have an LCD screen, was even less. Obviously this is a more expensive and cumbersome solution than a dedicated conversion box. However, you get a camcorder as well as something to store your edited video on thrown in to the bargain. Storage is important at 12.7 Gigs per hour of video. Back in October MiniDV camcorders with analog record capabilities were many more $$ than D8. I assume this is still true. It seems to me that Sony doesn't promote this advantage of their D8 models as much as they should.
Brent Robinson"

My Panasonic PV-DV910 has analog out, but no A/V inputs.

More Analog Video/Firewire Converter Feedback: More reader replies in response to the posts in yesterday's news:

"More notes on my B&W G3 & Sony Media Converter experience:

Got Final Cut Pro to print to video thru the MC, by one of the following:

1) Reinstalling FC 1.0 with the 'using DV Card' option
2) Installing the FW 2.2.2 drivers
3) Selecting Apple FW Basic as the FW protocol

Note that FCP 1.2.1 also installs the FW 2.2.2 drivers.

Working from a macrovision-protected source tape, the path VCR-> MC->Mac->HD->Mac->MC->TV results in a beautiful picture with no artifacting.
[Name withheld by request]"

The Sony converter is available at the Apple store, with a discount for students according readers say.

WiredInc Firewire Products: Several readers asked about Wiredinc's (coming soon) line of Firewire products. Here's the comments I received from Gordon Bell of Wiredinc:

"Hi Mike,
Here's a brief video that shows off the unique case design that we have for the FireWired product [1.3MB MPEG movie file-Mike]. Please note that there are two different products, both of which should be available by late March.

FireWired DV - This goes head-to-head with the Sony DVMC product. The biggest advantage that FireWired has is that is does both NTSC and PAL in the same box. This is key for overseas customers. Also, we've had many of our beta testers say that they were not happy with the quality of the Sony product and that they were pleasantly surprised with the high quality that FireWired provides.

FireWired AV - This is also a FireWire device, but instead of converting to and from DV format, it captures uncompressed video for use with editing and encoding systems. It can be used with the Video Mirroring feature of the Mac to display the computer data on an analog TV monitor.
Gordon Bell
National Sales Manager
Wired, Inc.
www.wiredinc.com "

Odd DVD Audio Sync Fix Tip: Although I believe there may be side-effects to doing this (I seem to remember a reader report on problems without the MP libs enabled) - this reader notes disabling them solved his DVD playback issues:

"I'm using the Apple's DVD software [patched-Mike] with my Orion on a G3/266DT rev 1 under OS9. I originally saw sync problems when I originally ran it under OS9; however, removing the multiprocessing folder seemed to fix the problem. I'm guessing is that since those libraries seem tied to a majority of OS9's multitasking, that the since problems might be due to background OS tasks like drive checks.
Ben Schucker "

As noted here previously, some owners have reported with VM off that they see no lip-sync issues, but many do (regardless of system). This is why I prefer the Wired4DVD card, it puts all these issues to rest (granted at $180 extra cost, but provides TV/DVD out, AC3 audio out and doesn't require a Rage128 card to run). The FAQ's DVD section has a link to the DVD hacks and utils page if anyone missed it previously.

More on G4 vs 1GHz Althon RC5 Benchmarks: Jim Tourtouras wrote that 'Benchmark' scores with RC5 will be higher than actual results, since the benchmark 'hogs' the CPU he said. Therefore the Athlon 1GHz scores (benchmarked) would possibly be lower in actual RC5 cracking performance.

"Mike,
I just wanted you to know that the guy who benchmarked the 1Ghz Athlon, did exactly that 'A Benchmark'. If you do a benchmark on a G4 -which is a different thing from crunching through the packets you receive- you always get much higher results than if you leave the client to crunch keys for even just one RC5 pack. It's because doing the benchmark hogs the CPU.. Having said that, I would suggest that you 'upgrade' the benchmark figures for the G4. The 400Mhz G4 (regardless on a Yikes or Sawtooth -the results are the same) the figure is actually 3.550.000 kkeys/sec, that being 3.55Mkeys/sec!!! Now, we are talking pure speed right? I get these results on my overclocked Yikes 400 and on a Sawtooth 400 both running OS 8.6.
Regards,
Jim Tourtouras "

Another G4/400 owner sent similar results:

"Did a benchmark using 2.8005-454 with my Yikes G4 400 mhz.
Got 3,581,858.26 keys/sec with the crunch-vec.
Not bad!!
--Groetjes Reinier "

As noted in yesterday's news, a 1GHz AMD Athlon benched at 3,031,516.24 keys/second (3.03MKeys/Sec).

Another Competitor for Intel? As if Intel didn't have enough competition from AMD with their Athlon, Transmeta is set today to preview their (reportedly) revolutionary 'Crusoe' CPU design that even has notebook applications. The 128Bit CPU is said to be the first microprocessor with an instruction set implemented entirely with software (surely a performance issue, but translated instructions can be reused reportedly). If you're interested in that sort of thing, ZD/TV has the 'unveiling' today. The streaming movie will only be available in Windows media and Realmedia formats (no Quicktime). [News.com is also reporting that Diamond is planning on using the chip in a 'web-tablet' device. They also have a story noting IBM will make the chips and that the 700MHz part with 256K of L2 cache will consume 1 Watt of power.]

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

Wednesday's News Summary

• Quicktime 4.1 Released/OS 9 Audio Update 1.2
• Canvas 7 G4/Altivec Update
• Free BeOS Not Apple G3/G4 System Compatible [updated]:
• G4/450 RC5 Results Verified - Faster than 1GHz Athlon
• RamDoubler File Mapping Performance Impacts
• Firewire PCI Cards w/G3 Upgrade/QT4/OS 9 Report
• Sony Analog Video to Firewire Adapter Feedback
• Advantages of RD9 vs OS 9 VM
• Firewire PCI Cards/QT 4/G4 Upgrades Issue?:
• Analog Video to Firewire Converters
• RC5 Performance of G4 450 vs 1GHz Athlon
• Turbomax IDE Card A/V OK in 9600/350
• BeoS for Mac and PC to be released for free
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game/Video Card Performance searchable databases updated
• Today's Forum Topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.

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.

Monday's News Summary

• 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.

Friday's News Summary

• 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

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