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Top stories of 7/31/2001: |
| iDVD 1.01 Updater: |
One of Barney's Software Updates links tonight included an iDVD 1.01 updater. (If OS 9's software updates doesn't list it, a direct download link is here as of tonight at 9 PM EST at least.)
The readme file in the installer didn't have any info on what the 1.01 update changes/fixes/improves, but perhaps those that have had problems with burns in iDVD can report if that's improved. [Note - One reader noted he had no problems with the 1.01 update and a retail drive. Several other readers were concerned the update may not support retail Pioneer DVR-A03 drives.]
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| Creative's Surround Station Speaker Stands: |
I keep forgetting to mention the Creative Labs "Surround Station" $79.99 speaker stand that was used at MWNY. (The "Creative One" noted here recently they were actually a product for sale and not just a show prop.) The product page notes they fit all Cambridge SoundWorks® satellite speakers; not sure if other speaker models would attach. (I also keep forgetting to order one of their Mac Soundblaster Live cards at the MWNY expo special's $79 price, which reportedly is valid for about 2 weeks after the expo.).
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| Using a PC Combo DVD-CDRW Drive in a PowerBook G3 Pismo: |
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The iBook Combo drive (and the only notebook DVD/CDRW drive I know of) is the Toshiba R2002 model, however there's no real source I know of for the Toshiba Combo drive from Mac dealers. Ed Lai noted he ordered a Combo drive from Dell for use in his Pismo expansion bay. (The Dell is just an OEM Toshiba R2002 drive I suspect, but with a CD tray sideplate matched to their notebook computer.)
"
I picked up a combo drive from Dell. I wasn't sure it was going to work, but I took a shot. Their model number is 6C044. It can be found here: here. [Current price $349-Mike]
It arrived today. I took it apart to get at the bare drive then took apart my Pismo's DVD-ROM to get at the adaptor. Put everything back together and it works! It's not very pretty because I couldn't get the faceplate of the original Pismo DVD-ROM fitted on the combo drive, it didn't fit. But everything works, DVDs, burning CD-Rs, and booting (must hold down the option key on boot). I'm happy! The following are a few pictures.
combo1.jpg
combo2.jpg
combo3.jpg
Edmund Lai"
(Update - a reader sent a note that MCE notes an Expansion Bay DVD/CDRW drive - I checked their site and they list it on this page as due August 10th, for $479. For PB G3 firewire and 1999/Lombard models.)
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| G4/733 Quicksilver - 1 Clipped Resistor Sets 800MHz Speeds: |
A new Quicksilver G4/733 owner reported he used the Overclocking page linked last week here to run his machine at 800MHz. (The prev. G4/733-&>867MHz article shows the same info.) The 800MHz (6x ratio) setting is enabled by removing a single resistor (done by this reader by clipping/cutting the solder joints rather than unsoldering). He also commented on the noise factor with the new systems.
Of course remember this voids your warranty, may not be reliable and a 66.x MHz boost (less than 10%) isn't exactly going to be a night and day "seat of the pants" (noticeable) improvement. Details.
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| Latest Info On ATI Radeon FSAA Driver Support: |
"
Ok I talked to Chris, who heads up our 3D team and this is what he told me: Essentially, FSAA support has been in place
for some time now but was never enabled because it broke on certain apps. He's recently come up with what he thinks is a
solution around the problematic apps and is looking into that currently. That's not a guarantee that it will solve the problem, but it
looks like it will be a viable solution. That's all I can say about this right now. And no, I have no idea when he'll be done or when
this will be available, sorry.
(ATI guy's name withheld. ;-)
" |
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| Sonnet G4/400 in 8500 - FCP/QT 5.02 Issues: |
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(From one of today's Rate Your CPU Upgrade database reports)
8600/250
Sonnet G4/400 CPU upgrade card
Comments:
"I upgraded this old 8600/250 again. I previously had put in a Powerlogix G3 375 which I had OC's to 400 MHz. I thought this would be my last upgrade untill a brand new G4. but alas.. the dough is not here and I have too many peripherals to go half a$$ on an upgrade.
Anyways a project using Final Cut Pro, called for some AltiVec. so I upgraded to the Sonnet. I saw no need to have something adjustable given i'm near the edge of this computers max Mhz.
Anyways, popped in the card and installed the software (Not in that order) and fired up my FCP project. Well, what is this? Video artifacts on my TV monitor. NOt good. Apparently all Apple DV compressed video show artifacts. Stressed and NOT happy. I reinstalled FCP ( 1.25) and downgraded QT from 5.02 to 4.0 and artifacts disapeared. No sooner had I uprgraded QT back to 5.02 Then the artifacts came back. I'm not sure If I'll keep the card. The relatively small increase in speed ( which I figured would happen) does not seem to be worth killing QT, Expecially when QT 5.02 works fine on my DP 533 at work and I want to use the sorenson 3 compressor for the final product.
What to do what to do. I have searched to see if anyone else has seen this problem or if perhaps upgrading to FCP 2.0 would fix the problem.
The Next problem came with Photoshop 5.5. Which showed artifacts when I scaled the image and used the clone tool.
Anyways. The temps are lower than my G3. The G3 would stay at 51-55 degrees and spike at 59. The G4 idles at 46 and spikes at 51. So I'm happy about that.
There is a overal snappiness to the system, which I'll attribute to the cache.
If anyone else has seen these problems and can suggest fixes. I'd appreciate it.
"
[Update - he later wrote that he had a PCI ATI graphics card but still had the artifacts on all monitors.] It may not be the reason for your problems (since your comments seem to indicate that QT 5.02 is a factor), but just a FYI that since the first G3 CPU upgrade cards in late 1997, there have been cases where there are artifacts with the onboard Video of Macs like the 7x00-8600 series. A PCI card does not have this issue. Not sure if that is what you're seeing, but it's a fairly commonly seen issue. (The bus speed and even the speed of the mac's vram dimms might also be a factor I think - but the sonnet cards are not adjustable to try lower bus speeds). One old tip was to try a different color depth (If you don't have a PCI Graphics card to use.) I think there were some reports also on disabling the graphics accelerator extension (but that may affect performance of course).
I'd write Sonnet's tech support to see what they have to say about this issue also.
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| CPU Upgrades Owner Ratings Database Updated: |
| The Rate Your CPU Upgrade database has been updated with 5 new reports today (total to date: 5,996). [Entries after midnight eastern time are added the following day.]
- Sonnet G4/400 in 8600/250 (rated 7)
- Sonnet G4/400 in 7600/120 (rated 10)
- Sonnet G3/300 in Performa 6360/160 (rated 9)
- Sonnet G3/400 in 8100/110 (rated 1)
[another report of Ebay purchase not working]
- Beige G3/266 OC report
(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.)
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| CDRW/CD/DVD/Hard Drive Compatibility Database Updates: |
The Drive Compatibility searchable database had 6 new reports added this morning. The database has reports on Combo DVD-CDRW, CDROMs, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, CDRW, Hard Drives and Removables (tape drive, ORB, ZIP, MO drives, etc.) in all interface types (IDE, IDE RAID cards, Firewire, SCSI, adapters). Current total 4,318 reports. [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.]
You can find full owner reports by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches).
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.
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