Mac Pro SATA Blu-Ray HOWTO

Apple's decision to not offer a Blu-Ray drive as an option on the Mac Pro has been frustrating many users for quite some time. PC users have long enjoyed the expanded storage and high-definition content available on the new format.

This has not stopped enterprising third parties from adding Blu-Ray drives to their systems. The good news is that Apple decided to make the Mac Pro easy to upgrade in the field. The bad news is that Apple chose to use the more traditional (and less expensive) IDE (PATA) interface for it's optical drives. PC motherboard OEMs are cramming more and more SATA ports on their boards, so optical drive makers are switching to SATA as well. This makes it hard to find IDE based Blu-Ray drives.

Enter the gang at Cooldrives.com with their SATA-PATA adaptor board. This little gem plugs into the back of the SATA Blu-Ray drive and allows you to easily install it in the Mac Pro. Apple provides a complete and thorough set of instructions on how to swap out optical drives on the Mac Pro, so I won't cover those here.

SATA and PATA sides of the Cooldrives adaptor board

Here are the steps to prepare any SATA optical drive for installation in the Mac Pro using Apple's instructions.

Tools needed:

• Large paperclip
• Small Phillips screwdriver (or large jeweler's screwdriver)
• Tweezers (optional)

Instructions

1. Take the large paperclip and unfold one side of it.
2. Insert the unfolded end of the paperclip in the front of the optical drive to manually pop out the drive tray. (Please refer to the drive manual to see the exact location of the ejection port.)
3. Turn the drive over and (using your fingers only) pry the front plate off of the drive tray. The plate is usually snapped on the front of the tray, so carefully pry the tabs away from the tray and push down. The front plate should slide off intact.
4. Take the Cooldrives adaptor and peel the cover off of the double-sided tape.
5. Line up the SATA connector with the SATA port on the optical drive.
6. Press the Cooldrives adaptor gently but firmly onto the optical drive.
7. If you are installing the drive as the Mac Pro's primary optical drive (as I did), you have to pull the jumper off of the back of the adaptor board. Use your fingers or the tweezers to pull the jumper. If the drive is going into the secondary slot, you won't have to mess with the jumper. (Apple usually expects optical drives to be set to "Cable Select" but that is not an option on the Cooldrives adaptor.)

Your drive should now look like this:

Front and back views of prepared optical drive

Follow the Apple installation guide and you will be able to mount the drive easily in your Mac Pro. I used an LG GGW-H20L which supports BD writing, HD-DVD reading, multi-layer discs, DVD's, CD's and includes BURN-Proof and Lightscribe. You can purchase this drive from Performance PC's. Tell Hank that I sent you.

Please keep in mind that Blu-Ray/HD-DVD playback is not supported in any Mac OS yet (the jury is still out on Snow Leopard) so you won't be able to play commercial discs. You will be able to burn BD discs for playback on set top players and for data storage. Roxio Toast Titanium 9 offers BD support via an optional plugin.

HP DreamColor LP2480zx followup

As a followup, I have contacted HP and they are sending me a pair of DreamColor HP LP2480zx monitors for testing. Dave Farkas of Dale Photo & Digital will be allowing me to do a side-by-side comparison to Eizo's high end LCD displays. Should prove to be very interesting.

HP Ipaq 310 Review

HP's Ipaq line of products (acquired when they bought Compaq) have always been of the PIM (Personal Information Manager) variety, always sporting some version of Windows Mobile, aimed squarely at the business user. The Ipaq 310 Travel Companion is a departure from this mold, venturing into territories and markets held by Garmin, Magellan and TomTom - portable GPS (Global Positioning System) devices.

From Wikipedia:

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is the only fully functional Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Utilizing a constellation of at least 24 Medium Earth Orbit satellites that transmit precise microwave signals, the system enables a GPS receiver to determine its location, speed, direction, and time. Other similar systems are the Russian GLONASS (incomplete as of 2008), the upcoming European Galileo positioning system, the proposed COMPASS navigation system of China, and IRNSS of India.

Developed by the United States Department of Defense, GPS is officially named NAVSTAR GPS (Contrary to popular belief, NAVSTAR is not an acronym, but simply a name given by John Walsh, a key decision maker when it came to the budget for the GPS program).[1] The satellite constellation is managed by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing. The cost of maintaining the system is approximately US$750 million per year,[2] including the replacement of aging satellites, and research and development.

Following the shooting down of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 in 1983, President Ronald Reagan issued a directive making the system available for free for civilian use as a common good.[3] Since then, GPS has become a widely used aid to navigation worldwide, and a useful tool for map-making, land surveying, commerce, scientific uses, and hobbies such as geocaching. GPS also provides a precise time reference used in many applications including scientific study of earthquakes, and synchronization of telecommunications networks.

The Ipaq 310 Travel Companion is a stylish device sporting a 4.5" LCD touchscreen display. This keeps the number of individual controls to a minimum (just the Power button on the top and a couple on the side) and allows for UI flexibility via online upgrades. I'm not too keen on the color of the unit, but in the larger scheme of things, that is a very tiny nit to pick.

In this photo you can see the volume control wheel, reset button and (under the rubber cover) the USB, headphone and external antenna connectors.

The UI is a pretty standard bill of fare for GPS devices: touch screen orientation requires large easy-to-hit buttons and clear legible text (although the disclaimer you are forced to agree to every single time you turn the silly thing on is written in one of the tiniest fonts I have ever seen).

The 310 offers a 3D perspective view while driving which makes for easy viewing. However, if you are approaching a complex sequence of rapid turns, you may want to switch to top-down view to get a better idea of what you have to do.

Initially, the 310 comes with 4 different voices of varying gender, pitch and quality. The volume on the system wasn't the greatest and in a noisy vehicle the audible instructions can be missed. After connecting it to the Internet via my wife's PC, the 310 received some major updates and fixes. Several more voices were added including British, Austrailian, and Irish accented voices as well as foreign language voices. Also, the volume controls were reworked and a speed-sensitive volume control was added. Now, the faster you go, the louder it gets. Oddly, the female Austrailian voice is easier to understand than the default US female voice (which cannot translate the standard abbreviation "TPK" into "turnpike" and says "teepeekay").

The maps are reasonably accurate, given GPS's government enforced level of ambiguity. Out-of-the-box, the unit required that you enter the ZIP Code of the destination, which makes things difficult once you leave familiar territory. Heck, I didn't have to go too far as Miami-Dade county has twice the area of Rhode Island. After updating, the entry of destinations became more user-friendly. Remember to connect your unit to your PC to get regular updates to all of the maps and new features.

In practical operation, the unit performed as expected. It was not perfect, however. On two occasions the GPS reported that destinations we had entered were not where they actually were. Still, a batting average like that will earn you an MVP. The mapping software uses a "shortest-route" method by default. "Shortest route" does not necessarily equal "straightest route". Be prepared to take some interesting tours of where you live.

Other features include MP3 player, Bluetooth connectivity (allowing hands-free cell phone operation), an SD card slot, and a stylus for all you fat-fingered types. A set of games are included, in case your vehicle doesn't have an onboard entertainment system for the kiddies.

Specs

Wireless	Integrated Bluetooth® v2.0 with EDR
Operating system	Windows® CE 5.0 with custom HP user interface
Processor	Centrality Titan 600MHz
Display	4.3-inch transmissive TFT 16-bit RGB depth 65,000 color WVGA 800 x 480 pixel touch screen display, antiglare, landscape orientation
Memory	128MB SDRAM main memory for running applications (may vary by country) Up to 2 GB Flash ROM (depending on model/may vary by country) User available persistent storage varies by model
Dimensions	86.8mm x 110.2mm x 18.2mm (3.4 x 4.3 x 0.7 in)
Weight (with battery)	187 g (6.6 oz)
Power	1700 mAh Lithium Ion rechargeable, user changeable battery
Interfaces	Mini-USB connector for sync/data/charge
Storage	High-capacity SD card slot
Audio	Large speaker for navigation volume, integrated microphone with echo cancellation, 3.5mm 3 pin headphone jack
Hardware buttons	Power, scroll wheel, reset
HP exclusive applications	HP designed user interface, Bluetooth hands-free phone application, Bluetooth device pairing (phone, stereo headphones)
GPS software	Navigation engine, text to speech, and maps RDS/TMC traffic data support (EMEA)
Entertainment software	Digital music player (with Windows Media DRM), digital video player, photo viewer, and games
In the box	iPAQ Travel Companion 310 Series, windshield mount with device holder, dashboard mount disc, car charger, standard battery, AC charger, mini-USB cable, carrying case, documentation, HP iPAQ Companion CD.
Warranty	One-year parts and labor in most regions; 90 days technical support for software in most regions. Additional offers may vary by region.
HP Total Care Services	HP services for individual product owners and businesses include service, support and financing options. Visit www.hp.com/services.

In conclusion, the Ipaq 310 offers a competent package with a decent set of added-on features. The unit performs as advertised. HP offers CarePack service for an additional charge. That alone makes this unit worth buying. The Ipaq 310 retails for $449.99 but can be gotten for as low as $227.00 (new). Competetively priced models include the Garmin nuvi 260W, the Magellan Maestro 4040 and the TomTom ONE XL-S.

ATI Radeon™ HD 3870 for Mac® & PC Edition offers amazing graphics processing for work and play

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- June 12, 2008 --AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced the new ATI Radeon™ HD 3870 for Mac® & PC Edition, delivering the power to go beyond high-definition visual computing for work and play(1). Optimized exclusively for Apple Mac® Pro systems, the ATI Radeon HD 3870 Mac & PC edition can help drive productivity with built-in 256-bit 512MB GDDR4 frame buffer memory and 320 stream processors to deliver maximum performance for graphics-intensive applications such as 3D modeling, animation and games. Users also can expand visual workspace using twin dual-link DVI ports to connect two 30” Apple Cinema HD displays®.

“AMD is introducing the ATI Radeon HD 3870 Mac & PC Edition to enhance the Mac experience to maximum levels of 3D gaming and HD performance,” said Matt Skynner, vice president of marketing, Graphics Products Group, AMD. “Mac users demand the best when it comes to HD graphics performance, and the ATI Radeon 3870 Mac & PC Edition is designed to meet and exceed that need by delivering The Ultimate Visual Experience™ to our customers’ displays.”

Delivers More Power for Professional Applications

Superior performance and visual quality make the ATI Radeon HD 3870 Mac & PC Edition ideal for creative and professional applications on Apple Mac Pro systems, including Aperture™, Motion and Final Cut Studio®. Users can take advantage of the latest graphics features and drive productivity at an extraordinary price.

Advance to the Next Generation of HD Gaming

ATI Radeon HD 3870 Mac & PC Edition takes HD gaming to a whole new level by delivering a superior immersive gaming environment while enhancing overall image quality. The Unified Shader Architecture provides the ultimate in realistic game play experience. With PCI Express® 2.0 support, users are now ready for games that demand blisteringly fast throughput. Ultimately, with ATI Radeon HD 3870 Mac & PC Edition, Mac users can enjoy a more complete next-generation gaming experience.

Experience Break-through Efficiency 

ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series graphics processors have break-through efficiency, with up to twice the processing performance-per-watt compared to previous generations of high-end AMD graphics processors(2). AMD also has added its patented ATI PowerPlay™ technology to the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series to provide increased control over the graphics processor in multiple power states. With PowerPlay technology, users benefit from dynamic adjustment of clocks and voltages depending on their usage scenario, which allows for a cool and quiet user experience.

With a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of USD $219, the ATI Radeon HD 3870 Mac & PC Edition is scheduled to be available late June at leading Mac retailers world-wide.

About AMD 

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) is a leading global provider of innovative processing solutions in the computing, graphics and consumer electronics markets. AMD is dedicated to driving open innovation, choice and industry growth by delivering superior customer-centric solutions that empower consumers and businesses worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.amd.com.

1. HD monitor required for full HD enjoyment
2. 2x processing performance-per-watt results based on AMD internal testing comparing ATI Radeon™ HD 3870 to ATI Radeon™ HD 2900 XT

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, ATI . the ATI logo, PowerPlay, Radeon, The Ultimate Visual Experience, and combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Mac is a trademark of Apple Inc. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. The inclusion of third party trademarks in this release does not imply an endorsement by the trademark owners.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: 'BOUT FRICKIN' TIME!]

HP Introduces World’s First Affordable Color-critical Display

HP today introduced its new color-critical computer professional display, available for less than a quarter of the cost of competing offerings.

The HP DreamColor Display features a new liquid crystal display (LCD) that provides a range of more than 1 billion colors in a 30-bit, LED-backlit display. The display is now shipping worldwide for a U.S. list price of $3,499.⁽¹⁾

The display is the result of an unprecedented technology collaboration with DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. (NYSE: DWA) and addresses an increasingly critical need for affordable and consistent color accuracy in the animation, game development, film/video post, broadcast, product design and graphic arts categories.

The HP DreamColor display is expected to disrupt the economics of color management, making it possible, for the first time, to have a color-critical LCD display on every desk to make color checks, redesigns and multiple proofs a thing of the past.

“With the new DreamColor display, HP has broken through barriers that have existed in display technology for the past decade,” said Ed Leonard, chief technology officer, DreamWorks Animation. “The new DreamColor display packs a list of significant advances into one amazingly powerful display, enabling an unprecedented level of color management and fidelity in our production process. It’s a digital filmmaker’s dream.”

Designed for professionals for whom accurate color management is essential and consumers who seek to use only the best in technology innovations, the HP DreamColor display achieves more than 64 times the colors available on mainstream LCDs. Reds, blues and greens are visibly deeper, blacks are four times darker and whites are adjustable.

The DreamColor display is designed to match the requirements of professional industry standards and includes one-button access to seven pre-sets covering all the important color space standards. The display also includes a night vision interface for darkroom working conditions.

“Until now, accurate and standout color has been out of reach for the majority of digital content creators,” said Jun Kim, vice president and general manager, Displays, Personal Systems Group, HP. “Our DreamColor display advances color accuracy for the world’s storytellers – our most demanding of customers of performance technologies.”

The new HP DreamColor display includes the HP DreamColor engine software, which manages the display to deliver reliable, accurate, easy color, every time, and the DreamColor calibration kit for precision calibration.

The HP DreamColor LP2480xz is the first display to be introduced under the HP DreamColor Technology initiative, a two-year technology collaboration between HP and DreamWorks Animation that aims to deliver accurate color that remains consistent from application to application, device to device, and medium to medium. HP introduced the first printers built on the DreamColor engine in March 2007.

The DreamColor display was announced at the HP Connecting Your World event in Berlin. More information about the display and other products announced at the event is available in an online press kit at www.hp.com/go/connectingyourworld2008.

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $110.4 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

Apple Previews Mac OS X Snow Leopard to Developers

SAN FRANCISCO, June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) today previewed Mac OS(R) X Snow Leopard, which builds on the incredible success of OS X Leopard and is the next major version of the world's most advanced operating system. Rather than focusing primarily on new features, Snow Leopard will enhance the performance of OS X, set a new standard for quality and lay the foundation for future OS X innovation. Snow Leopard is optimized for multi-core processors, taps into the vast computing power of graphic processing units (GPUs), enables breakthrough amounts of RAM and features a new, modern media platform with QuickTime(R) X. Snow Leopard includes out-of-the-box support for Microsoft Exchange 2007 and is scheduled to ship in about a year.

"We have delivered more than a thousand new features to OS X in just seven years and Snow Leopard lays the foundation for thousands more," said Bertrand Serlet, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering. "In our continued effort to deliver the best user experience, we hit the pause button on new features to focus on perfecting the world's most advanced operating system."

    

Snow Leopard delivers unrivaled support for multi-core processors with a new technology code-named "Grand Central," making it easy for developers to create programs that take full advantage of the power of multi-core Macs. Snow Leopard further extends support for modern hardware with Open Computing Language (OpenCL), which lets any application tap into the vast gigaflops of GPU computing power previously available only to graphics applications. OpenCL is based on the C programming language and has been proposed as an open standard. Furthering OS X's lead in 64-bit technology, Snow Leopard raises the software limit on system memory up to a theoretical 16TB of RAM.

    

Using media technology pioneered in OS X iPhone(TM), Snow Leopard introduces QuickTime X, which optimizes support for modern audio and video formats resulting in extremely efficient media playback. Snow Leopard also includes Safari(R) with the fastest implementation of JavaScript ever, increasing performance by 53 percent, making Web 2.0 applications feel more responsive.*

    

For the first time, OS X includes native support for Microsoft Exchange 2007 in OS X applications Mail, iCal(R) and Address Book, making it even easier to integrate Macs into organizations of any size.

*Performance will vary based on system configuration, network connection and other factors. Benchmark based on the SunSpider JavaScript Performance test on an iMac(R) 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo system running Mac OS X Snow Leopard, with 2GB of RAM.

 

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

(C) 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, QuickTime, iPhone, Safari and iCal are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners