" Toby C should check out the Apple supplied "Audio / Midi Setup" utility. It's normally located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder. I think he'll find that the left USB port on his PowerBook is set to 8-bit 2-channel rather than 16-bit 2-channel. Resetting it to 16-bit 2-channel should "fix" the problem he's experiencing.

I discovered this because I use a (wonderful) USB sound output device (Stereo-Link.com) on my dual G4 tower, and the sound went "scratchy" on me one day. The only thing that I could do to fix it (at the time), was to move the Stereo-Link to another USB port. Then it "went bad" on this port one day too. This repeated itself for each port I moved it to. When I finally read about this somewhere, I discovered the "real" problem, and the fix.

He'll need to plug in his iMic to each USB port, at which point it will show up in the "Audio Midi Setup" application, where he can check the settings. Apparently a different setting is stored for every USB port, and every different device that's plugged into every USB port. This setting sometimes gets set to 8-bit (though I haven't figured out which applications are responsible, I think that VLC or maybe MPlayer does it in my case).
Bill S. "

I don't own an iMic but I ran the Audio/Midi Setup utility on my PB G4 and both ports were set to 16bit/2-channel by default, but I asked Toby to check his configuration.

"I have added the Miglia AlchemyTV DVR card to a PPC 9500 with 1.25GB interlaced memory, an XLR8 SSE G4/450/1M, running 10.2.8.

The card is recognized, the software seems to be operating and seems to be handling audio input. I am still wiring the Video feeds from my TiVo, so I can't say how well it will grab frames on my slowest, of slow G4s.
Kevin M. "

I've added this report to the previous page of Feedback/Tips on Miglia TV Tuner/DVR PCI Card.

"Moving pictures. Moving sound. Moving the industry," says the invitation Apple sent today. "Please join Apple for a special presentation at NAB 2004 to see the latest Apple technology."
NAB is April 17-22 (in Las Vegas) my bet is something like the pippin ie: a tv set box player interchanger thingy...
RTmac "

Hopefully this is something new and not just a presentation of their existing products/Pro Apps.

" Beenox, Inc., a rapidly growing game development studio and leading porting house, announced today the launch of a brand new web site, introducing two new labels for the company: Beenox Score and Beenox Shift, representing respectively its original gaming division and its game porting division responsible for such titles as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 and the upcoming Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (for Macs). Furthermore, Beenox is proud to announce new upcoming products in development for both divisions.

1. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Mac)
2. Codename "Machoman" (Win/Mac)
3. Codename "Deadly Jacket" (Win/Mac)
4. Codename "High Hopes" (Win simultaneous development)
5. Codename "LightPunk" (Mac)
6. Codename "FatMustard" (Mac)

Beenox Score Division - Stunning 3D title based on an original IP!
Beenox, a licensed developer for the Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation 2 console systems, is currently working at its first 3D title based on an original IP. After a year of development, the game codenamed "ShapeShifter" has reached Beta status and is entering intensive testing process. More details will be made available on our web site from time to time....
Beenox Score is devoted to the creation of original games either based on its own intellectual properties or on well-known licenses. The Score team is working exclusively with its proprietary technology, a 3D game engine able to create virtually any type of game for personal computers and console systems...

Beenox Studios is committed to bring the best of the best in computer entertainment. Our improved web site is offering up-to-date information on our upcoming titles - you can even subscribe to our newsletter to be among the first to know when a new title is announced! You will also find relevant links and files including one single page where you can find all the demos and patches for our projects. "

• Other World Computing G4/450 (at 500MHz) in B&W G3 (rated 8)
• PowerLogix Dual G4 1.4GHz (7457) in (Digital Audio) G4/AGP (rated 9)
• Sonnet G4/1GHz ZIF in (yikes) G4 No AGP (rated 6)
• Sonnet Harmoni G3/600 in iMac (rated 2)
  
  (My reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked on the CPU upgrades page. 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.)

CDRW Drives:
• IDE Mad Dog Dominator MD-52XCDR (52x32x52x) in B&W G3 (OS X)
  (listed under "other" brands, using hand modified OS X 10.2.8 and OS 9.x burn support files, using the info on our burn support mods page for OS X 10.1-10.2.x and OS 9. Artec mechanism in the box.)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• Firewire Lacie d2 (4x DVD-/+R) used w/Powerbook G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (using trick/tip from Mar. 9th news page here to burn using iDVD)
• Firewire (cased) NEC ND-2500A (8x DVD+R/DVD-R) used w/G4 Cube (OS X 10.3) (no native burn support - using either Lacie profile or Patchburn II I assume. - both downloads link in the FAQ and Patchburn II for Panther page here. )
• Firewire (cased) NEC ND-2500A (8x DVD+R/DVD-R) used w/Powerbook G4 (OS X 10.3) (using Lacie profile for panther burn support)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106D in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (noted tip to set Energy Saver to not allow drive sleep helped, but still noted problems when waking from sleep with a disc in the drive.)
  (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 80GB 5K80 (5400 rpm) in Powerbook G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (Reader FYI - 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 Maxtor 160GB in eMac (OS X 10.3)
  (FAQ's iMac section has link to eMac take-apart/drive upgrade guide.)

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.)