" here's a pic of the copper heatsink:
http://duxbury.la/images/142.jpg

here's some tests. stock DP 1.42GHz, 512MB, etc, plus a gf4ti.
reference system: Quicksilver Dual 1GHz, 768 cl2, gf4ti.
both systems used 10.2.4; in fact, they both booted from the same physical drive on the same day for these tests.

encode 1min (1815 frames) dv to .m2v via bitvice 1.2.51:
249 sec;   300sec.

encode 1min .m2v to dv via diva 1.03:
48sec;   59sec.

encode 10+min, 148MB .aif to .mp3 via itunes (hq):
31sec;   44sec.

dnetc 1081:
27.7Mkps; 19.6MKps.

altivec fractal: 9890GFlops;   7068GFlops.

quake3 1.32 (fresh config + s_chunksize 4096):
640x480 - 218FPS   150FPS
1024x768 - 195FPS   145FPS

quake3 1.32 (boli's config):
640x480 - 461FPS   367FPS
1024x768 - 388FPS   326FPS

cinebench2003:
r1 135;   96
r2 242;   175
mp+ 1.79;   1.82
c4d 165;   121
osw 456;   341
ohw 884;   751
o+ 5.34;   6.21

memperf
(coming).
the (dual 1.42GHz) is quieter than my QS DP 1GHz.
brett. "

"Just to let you know: Vidi outshines the software that Formac is delivering as part of their Formac Studio DV device. Vidi is lightweight, allows you to continue to watch TV while recording (which Formac's s/w doesn't), (noted in past reader comments), is much snappier, has a clean interface. In general it is everything one would expect when buying such a expensive device as the Formac Studio DV/TV but which Formac failed to deliver with the product. According to the email exchange I had with the author it seems Vidi is using direct Firewire DV Quicktime API calls to handle the Formac Studio device, while Formac's software uses Quicktime Seuquence Grabber API calls. Don't know what it means but it sure shows a difference....

And b.t.w., Vidi now comes with a control palette which allows you to control the Studio device from other application that recognize it (e.g. iMovie, QuickTime Broadcaster, FCP, BTV (Pro), etc.). The one thing missing (as mentionde earlier) is FM radio capability. Mitz Pettel is not to blame for this; Formac sold the Studio device as a analog/digital converter with TV and FM radio capabilities but never delivered OS X software to get access to the FM radio capabilities. I hope Mitz will be able to uncover this hidden treasure in my Formac Studio device... :).
cheers,
- Rob In der Maur"

Previous comments/tips on Vidi are in the Feb. 14th, Feb. 17th and Feb 18th news pages. (the Feb 18th news page has comments from the Author of Vidi.)

• Giga Designs G4/1GHz in Dual 450 AGP (rated 9)
• Giga Designs G4/1GHz in G4/533 AGP (rated 10)
• Sonnet Harmoni G3/500 in iMac 233 (rated 9)
• B&W G3/300 OC report
• B&W G3/350 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.)

DVD-ROM Drives:
• IDE Artec DHS-G40 in G4 no AGP (OS 9.2)
  (listed under "other" brands, no speed rating given)
  
  Expansion Bay CDRW Drives:
• Sony CRX700E (8x4x24x) in PowerBook G3 2000 (OS X)
  
  IDE CDRW Drives:
• Lite-On LTR-32125W (didn't note rating) in G4/AGP (OS X)
  (no itunes support - I suggested he try some of the editing tips in the prev. article on modifying support files here.)
• Lite-On LTR - 52246S (52x24x52x) in Beige G3 (OS 8.6)
  (FAQ here has older OS burn support files for this drive)
• Lite-On LTR - 52246S (52x24x52x) in Beige G3 (OS X)
• Plextor (40x12x40x) in Dual G4 DDR (OS X)
  (problems noted)
• Teac CD-W552E (52x24x52x) in Dual G4 DDR (OS X)
  (using modified device plugin file)
  (FYI - Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT, B&W G3 and 8600/9600 Macs.)
  
  Firewire CDRW Drives:
• BUSlink RW5252 (52x24x52x) in FW case used w/G4/AGP (OS X)
  (filed under "other" brands, unknown mechanism not supported by iTunes, etc.)
  
  Firewire to SCSI adapted CDRW Drives:
• Philips Omniwriter 26 used w/PowerBook G4 (OS X)
  (using modified burn support plugin - didn't note drive speed rating)
  
  IDE Hard Drives:
• Seagate ST320014 20GB in iMac (OS 9.1)

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