Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2007.01.26
Will the US switch to Daylight Saving Time four weeks early this
year wreak havoc with older computers, operating systems, and
software? Time will tell - DST now begins on the second Sunday in
March in the States. Mac OS X 10.4.6 and later are ready for the
change, but some Mac apps and older versions of OS X
aren't.
Interestingly, we have two products in today's wrap-up for
converting analog audio to digital. The iTTUSB USB Turntable lets
you digitize your vinyl records, and PhonoPreAmp iVinyl lets you
digitize any analog audio source.
On the new tech front, MCE is selling a Blu-ray drive for Macs
and Cinergy has a digital TV receiver.
PowerBook, iBook, MacBook, and other portable computing is
covered in The 'Book Review.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Products
iPod Accessories
Software
News & Opinion
New Daylight Saving Time Could Wreak Havoc with
Computer Systems
The new daylight saving time enacted by the new US Energy
Policy Act of 2005 has some consequences for older computer
systems. Systems that cannot be updated or are no longer supported
will at best have incorrect time; at worst they will no longer
function.
Some of the most widely used software has issues with the new
Daylight Saving Time. Specifically, Sun's Java, Microsoft Exchange,
Microsoft Outlook, and all versions of Microsoft Windows need
updates to correct for the time change.
Steve Wiseman, cofounder of IntelliAdmin, LLC, says, "Each one
of these software components needs to be updated. Simply updating
Windows, or updating Microsoft Outlook is not enough. All
components of a network need to be tested and patched.
Administrators that do not take action now are looking at a Y2K
type scenario."
Sun is providing daylight saving time updates for Java, and
Microsoft is providing updates for Outlook, Exchange, and some
versions of Windows.
"Microsoft is only providing patches for their supported
software. This means that Windows 2000 will not be patched by
Microsoft since they no longer support it. We have created an
unofficial patch that will fix Windows 2000, and NT systems."
"The operating system is a major component of the problem.
Still, administrators need to check with independent software
vendors for other possible problems, and patches to fix them.
Otherwise they risk running into issues when the new daylight
saving time switch occurs"
Daylight Saving Time will now start the second Sunday in March
at 2:00 a.m., and will end the first Sunday in November at 2:00
a.m. A free unofficial patch for Windows 2000/NT can be found at
<http://www.windows-admin-tools.com>.
Mac OS X has been patched to address this issue since version
10.4.6.
Link:
Daylight Saving Time - The Year 2007 Problem
Products
Blu-ray Disc for Mac
Blu-ray Disc (BD) technology, with its ability to record to
25 GB single-layer and 50 GB dual-layer discs, is the next
generation in optical disc storage, and MCE Technologies has
brought it to the Mac. The MCE Technologies Blu-ray Internal
Recordable Drive for Apple Mac Pro
and Power Mac G5 is completely
preconfigured for easy user installation.
In addition to writing to 25 GB single-layer and 50 GB
dual-layer Blu-ray discs, the MCE Technologies Blu-ray Internal
Recordable Drive is compatible with all DVD and CD recordable media
including DVD±R/RW + Dual/Double Layer, DVD-RAM, and CD-R
and CD-RW. The MCE Technologies Blu-ray Internal Recordable Drive
ships with Toast 8 Titanium and includes a 25 GB Blu-ray (BD-RE)
rewritable disc. All for $699
Store up to 12,500 music tracks, 50,000 photos, or 4 hours of HD
video on a single 50 GB Blu-ray Disc. The MCE Blu-ray Disc Internal
Recordable Drive for the Mac Pro and Power Mac G5 incorporates a
state-of-the-art blue-violet laser and ushers in the next
generation of optical disc storage.
The smaller, tighter Blu-ray spot size means more spots (data)
can be recorded to the disc resulting in data capacities of 25 GB
and 50 GB per Blu-ray disc.
Toast 8 Titanium Included
The MCE Blu-ray Internal Recordable Drive for Apple Mac Pro and
Power Mac G5 is bundled with multi-award winning Toast 8 Titanium.
Toast 8 Titanium manages all Blu-ray recording functions for the
drive and incorporates a special feature called Toast Dynamic
Writing. When used with a Blu-ray rewritable disc (BD-RE), Toast
Dynamic Writing lets you use your Blu-ray Disc recorder like a
giant hard disk drive - drag and drop directly onto the disc icon
to add or remove files. Blu-ray burning is here today. Toast 8
Titanium also includes comprehensive backup software which allows
for manual, as well as scheduled backups to your MCE Blu-ray
Internal Recordable Drive. It will even automatically manage disc
spanning should all your data not fit on one disc.
Specifications - Media Write (max) Read (max)
- BD-R (Single Layer/Double Layer) 2x (9 MB/sec) 2x (9
MB/sec)
- BD-RE (Single Layer/Double Layer) 2x (9 MB/sec) 2x (9
MB/sec)
- BD-ROM N/A 2x (9 MB/sec)
- DVD-RAM 5x (6.9 MB/sec) 5x (6.9 MB/sec
- DVD-R (Single Layer/Dual Layer) 8x(SL) (11 MB/sec) / 4x(DL)
(5.5 MB/sec) 8x (11 MB/sec)
- DVD-RW 6x (8.3 MB/sec) 8x (11 MB/sec)
- DVD+R (Single Layer/Double Layer) 8x(SL) (11 MB/sec)/ 4x(DL)
(5.5 MB/sec) 8x (11 MB/sec)
- DVD+RW 8x (11 MB/sec) 8x (11 MB/sec)
- DVD-ROM N/A 8x (11 MB/sec)
- CD-R 24x (3.6 MB/sec) 32x (4.8 MB/sec)
- CD-RW 16x (2.4 MB/sec) 24x (3.6 MB/sec)
- CD-ROM N/A 32x (4.8 MB/sec)
Link: Blu-ray Internal Recordable
Drive
iTTUSB USB Turntable for Archiving Your Records
to MP3
ION has created a revolutionary USB turntable allowing you
to convert your old vinyl collection directly to CD or MP3 with
included recording software. The iTTUSB also features a switchable
phono/line level output for connecting to any home stereo with an
AUX input.
Key Features
- Plug & Play USB - no drivers needed!
- Adjustable Anti-Skate control for increased stereo
balancing
- 33-1/3 and 45 RPM
- Supports the recording of 78 RPM records through the included
software
- Switchable Phono/Line level RCA outputs (with built-in
pre-amp)
- 1/8" stereo line input; digitize music from cassettes or other
sources
Computer Requirements
- PC running Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, XP
- Mac running OS 9 or higher
- One available USB 1.1 port or higher
- Compatible with most standard operating system drivers
Link: iTTUSB USB Turntable
PhonoPreAmp iVinyl Transfers Records and Tapes
to Mac and iPod
The PhonoPreAmp iVinyl lets you digitize analog audio
sources directly and record them on your Mac in real time. Thanks
to the integrated phono preamp, it works equally well with
turntables*, cassette decks, radios, TVs, and even the analog audio
output of DVD players. At last, you can breathe new life into your
vinyl and cassette collection with iTunes and your iPod!
* only with moving-magnet (MM) pickups; not suitable for
moving-coil (MC) pickups
Plug it in and go
Using the PhonoPreAmp iVinyl is simple: just install the Roxio
CD Spin Doctor application and plug the preamp into a USB port on
your Mac - you're now ready to start recording. A highly precise
RIAA filter delivers perfect results when recording directly from
your turntable. Adjustable signal levels, a shielded housing,
carefully selected components and a first-class signal-to-noise
ratio guarantee that your music will arrive on your Mac with the
best possible signal quality.
Three steps to success
First, use
the PhonoPreAmp iVinyl to record analog audio sources such as
records, cassettes, TV audio, or radio to the hard drive of your
Mac in AIFF format. In the second step, remove hissing and other
noise, and edit your tracks with CD Spin Doctor. Play the finished
tracks in iTunes, or convert them to other audio formats such as
MP3, AAC, or Apple Lossless and put them on your iPod. If your Mac
features a CD burner, you can also enjoy your freshly restored
recordings on your stereo or in the car.
Quality degradation is history
Once your records and tapes have been digitized, the recordings
are guaranteed to be immune against audio quality degradation.
Records can get scratched or wear with frequent playing, cassettes
can gradually demagnetize over the years. The result is a loss of
sound quality - and listening pleasure. The digital archive of
analog music media created with the PhonoPreAmp iVinyl will remain
consistent in quality, however, and will always sound superb.
Scope of delivery:
- PhonoPreAmp iVinyl
- Audio Cinchcable
- USB cable
- Manual
- Quick Setup Guide
- Software-CD
MSR: €129 plus shipping
Link: Terratec
Cinergy T2 Digital TV Receiver for Mac
With Cinergy T2, you can receive all free digital
terrestrial TV broadcasts (DVB-T) on your Mac desktop or notebook
using the included antenna. This compact, lightweight receiver
connects directly to your USB 2.0 port, which also serves as its
power supply - a separate AC adapter or batteries are not required!
The Cinergy T2 receives its signals from an antenna as always. Use
your rooftop antenna at home or the included rod antenna while on
the move.
Time shifting
This function liberates you from the TV stations' rigid
programming schedule. If you still have something to take care of,
simply tune in ten minutes after your favorite program has actually
started. The elapsed part of the program has been recorded to your
hard drive, letting you rewind, fast-forward or pause the show at
any time. Simply press a button to skip annoying commercial
breaks.
Electronic program guide (EPG)
An integrated electronic program guide (free one-year
subscription included) helps you keep a clear overview of the
wealth of available digital stations. You therefore have a
complete, current program guide for the next one to two weeks at
your fingertips. The programs currently running on all stations are
conveniently grouped on a single page, and information on the
content, actors, production year, etc. is also available from that
page.
Powerful hard-drive video recorder
Record programs manually or set up timer-controlled recordings
without quality losses and edit out unwanted content such as
commercial breaks with ease. To manage your recordings, simply drag
and drop them to organize them in playlists. Sort recordings
according to series and seasons, artists, genres, etc. You can
create as many playlists as you like for convenient searching and
perfect organization.
Teletext and digital radio
The convenient teletext function provides useful information
related to the TV program and more. Teletext can be displayed on a
black background or transparently superimposed on the current
program. Navigating teletext is as simple as on a conventional TV
set. If radio stations are available via DVB-T in your service
area, you can not only listen to them, but also record them to your
hard drive and export them to iTunes or your iPod.
Support for iPods with video functionality
Transfer music videos, TV shows and other recordings to your
iPod with a single click. Connect it to your TV and enjoy the
recordings not only on the iPod's display, but also on your TV
screen. The iPod export is fully automatic - as soon as the
recordings are complete, they are automatically converted to iPod
format and transferred to iTunes for synchronization with your
iPod.
Perfect Mac integration
EyeTV is a universal application that delivers its full
performance on PowerPC and Intel Core platforms. The management and
organization of recordings has also been optimized for Mac: each
recording is stored in a separate file that you can rename, copy,
move or launch in the Finder. The appearance fits, too: all program
windows and the elegant onscreen remote control are perfectly
matched to the Mac OS design.
Convenient remote control
Thanks to the Cinergy remote control and the full-screen menu of
the EyeTV application, you can now enjoy TV on your Mac from the
comfort of your sofa. All important functions are literally in the
palm of your hand--there's no need to get up continually to use the
keyboard. The Apple Front Row media center is fully integrated and
only a click away. Naturally, the full-screen menu will also work
if your Mac does not have Front Row and an Apple Remote.
Scope of Delivery:
- TerraTec Cinergy T2
- USB 2.0 cable (0.6m)
- Portable aerial with magnetic base
- Remote Control incl. batteries
- Software CD-ROM: Elgato EyeTV (Mac), TerraTec Home Cinema
(PC)
- Manual on CD-ROM
MSR: €129 plus shipping
Link: Terratec
Gibson Introduces Line of Computer
Peripherals
If you're at all into guitars, or a serious rock, pop, country,
folk music, to jazz fan, then you will probably be familiar with
the Gibson Guitar Corporation.
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada Gibson
introduced a wide range of new consumer electronics products,
including the Gibson Les Paul Standard 512 MB USB 2.0 Flash Drive,
the Gibson External USB 2.0 500 GB Hard Drive, the Signature Series
Les Paul Standard 1 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive, Gibson Pure Gold
Digital Audio Fiber Optic Cable, Gibson Pure Gold USB Cable, Gibson
Pure Gold HDMI Cable, Gibson Pure DVD-R & DL Media, Gibson Pure
CD-R Media, Gibson Pure Gold External USB 2.0 Triple Format DVD
Recorder, Gibson Pure Surge Protectors 10 Outlet, and the Gibson
Pure Surge Protector 4 Outlet.
Being a longtime guitar freak and music fan, I think this sort
of "convergence" is pretty cool. Take a look.
One of the most unique of the products is the Signature
Series Les Paul Standard 1 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive - the first
in a collector series of flash drives that are miniature replicas
of iconic Gibson guitars. Each drive comes with a miniature case
and USB cable for connecting the drive to a USB port. The 1959
Gibson Les Paul is the first edition to be offered. The Signature
Series 1 GB USB 2.0 specs include read speed up to 14 Mbps,
write speed up to 6 Mbps, data retention up to nine years and an
LED indicator with read/write status. The USB extension cable is
included.
Another flash drive, the Gibson Les Paul Standard 512 MB
USB 2.0 Flash Drive offers consumers the convenience of
transferring and storing data, digital video, audio, and multimedia
files in a flip housing that eliminates the need for caps and
protects the USB connector. In addition, the Flash Drives offer the
uniqueness of the Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar design which is
recognized the world over as an icon of rock-n-roll. The Les Paul
Standard 512 MB USB 2.0 specs include read speed up to 14 Mbps,
write speed up to 6 Mbps, data retention up to nine years, and an
LED indicator with read/write status.
The Gibson Pure External USB 2.0 500 GB Hard Drive is
packaged in unique Gibson designs, and is a large 3.5" 500 GB hard
drive with 7,200 RPM. It has an 8 MB cache size, supports USB
2.0 high-speed data transfer (480 Mbps), backward compatible with
USB 1.1. The universal adapter is included and has an aluminum-case
body for optimal heat dissipation with a unique Gibson glow. Gibson
Pure Gold USB cable helps achieve maximum performance from a USB
device enabling clear, error-free data transmissions. This cable
allows connection directly to a computer, providing quick and easy
operation with a printer, scanner, external enclosure, USB hub,
cell phone, digital camera, camcorder, PDA, and MP3 player. The USB
2.0 cable (backward compatible with USB 1) supports speeds up to
480 Mbps and has 24K hardened, gold-plated contacts. It has maximum
data-signal integrity and features unique Gibson packaging with the
company's trademark Gibson headstock.
The Gibson Pure Gold HDMI Cable has the most advanced interface
available, providing high-resolution sound and picture quality. Its
specs include silver plated pure copper conductors to provide
excellent signal and bandwidth, quad-layer high density shielding
for quality protection against RF1 and EMI, nitrogen-injected
dielectric insulator, 24K hardened gold contacts, stabilized
impedance, and the highest uncompressed digital video signal
transfer. Available lengths are 6.5'/2M and 13.1'/4M. It has the
Gibson signature glow emblem on it also and comes in Gibson
designed headstock packaging.
Gibson also introduced the External USB 2.0 Triple Format DVD
Recorder emblazoned with the signature Gibson logo. The recorder is
manufactured to connect easily to any computer and allows the
consumer to burn to DVD+/-R Double Layer or DVD-RAM. It
conveniently drags and drops files onto DVD-TAM repeatedly like a
flash drive and stores up to 8.3 GB per DVD DL disc. It has a
built-in universal power adapter and aluminum-case body for optimal
heat dissipation. It is plug-and-play and hot swappable. The Gibson
Pure Gold Digital Audio Fiber optic Cable has advanced construction
and ultrahigh quality materials, raising the standard for high
performance interconnection by reducing jitter and maintaining
superior digital signal fidelity. Spring-load connectors ensure
proper alignment and protective mesh exterior provides maximum
durability and flexibility. With an 8'/2.4mm cable and durable
metal connector, it is perfect for DVD/CD players, DACs, S/PDIF,
and Dolby Digital Audio Devices.
Gibson also introduced the Gibson Pure Surge Protector series.
The Gibson Pure Surge Protector 10 and 4 Outlet offerings have
specifically designed power connections for home theatre and media
center protection. Both come with a lifetime warranty, 24K Gold
Plated coaxial cable connects and line protection. The 10-outlet
surge protector features a built-in circuit breaker, coaxial cable
protection, LED indicators, grounded outlets and labeled outlets.
The 4-outlet surge protector features a power switch and audible
alarm. Both come in Gibson designed packaging.
Gibson Pure Audio offers both DVD-R and DL Media and CD-R Media
for the first time at this year's CES show. Gibson Pure Video DVD-R
& DL Media is best for archiving large volume data, digital
video and multimedia files. Specs include 4.75 GB/120 min 1x-16x
and 8.5 GB/215 min 1x-8x, along with reusable high-gloss metal tins
and movie-prop style DVDs. The Gibson Pure CD-R Media is best for
archiving music and multimedia files. Specs of the CD-R Media
include 700 MB/80 min 1x-52x with reusable black high gloss metal
tins and retro vinyl record style CDs.
Gibson Signature Series Les Paul Standard 1 GB USB 2.0
Flash Drive
A unit themed on the all-time quintessential Gibson Model, the
Les Paul Standard, recognized the world over as an icon for rock
and roll 1959 addition is the first of Gibson's Signature Series
flash drives.
Features:
- 1 GB of storage capacity lets you safely store data, digital
video, music, photos, and multimedia files
- USB 2.0 provides you with high speed data transfer rates up to
480 Mbps
Specifications:
- Read speed up to 14 Mbps
- Write speed up to 6 Mbps
- Data retention up to 9 years
- LED indicator - read/write status
- USB Extension Cable Included
Gibson Les Paul Standard 512 MB USB 2.0 Flash Drive
Gibson Pure USB 2.0 flip out flash drive offer's user's the
convenience of transferring and storing data, digital video,
photos, and multimedia files. The flip out housing eliminates the
need for caps and protects the USB connector.
Features:
- 512 MB of storage capacity lets you safely store data, digital
video, music, photos, and multimedia files
- USB 2.0 provides you with high speed data transfer rates up to
480 Mbps
Specifications
- Read speed up to 14 Mbps
- Write speed up to 6 Mbps
- Data retention up to 9 years
- LED indicator - read/write status
Gibson Pure Audio 500 GB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive
Gibson's External USB 2.0
500 GB Hard Drive connects easily to any computer and lets you
safely back-up your system, store business files, movies and
pictures of family and friends, the latest computer games, and your
favorite music.
Features:
- Large 3.5" 500 GB Drive
- 7,200 RPM
- 8 MB Cache Size
- Supports USB 2.0 High Speed Data Transfer (480 Mbps) Backwards
Compatible with USB 1.1
- Universal Power Adapter Included
- Aluminum Case Body for Optimal Heat Dissipation
- Plug & Play and Hot Swappable
- Unique Gibson Glow
Links
Quicky USB Transceiver for iMacs Now Sports LED
Status Indicators
QuickerTek announces the introduction of a new Quicky USB
Transceiver for wireless iMac networking. This powerful device
provides up to ten times the wireless performance of any USB iMac
with 500 milliwatts of RF power. The SRP of $225 makes this a
no-brainer for adding maximum wireless power.
Other wireless networking enhancements require the disassembly
of the computer to attach to the AirPort card or other connection
inside. Quicky easily attaches to the USB port only - and can even
be powered from USB. Of course, an AC adapter is included for
maximum flexibility.
New updates to Quicky design include four high-visibility LEDs
for transmit, receive, power and link. The new external case design
also distinguishes this new Quicky USB Transceiver. In addition to
the 500mW of RF power, Quicky includes a 5dBi antenna which is not
only more powerful than the internal antenna, but it also is
positioned up and out of the confines of the iMac case.
Quicky temporarily clips to the top of the iMac case. The Quicky
is a unique combination of the wireless networking power of the
Transceiver and a more powerful external antenna. It requires no
skills to either set up or use. Once Quicky is clipped on and the
short cable is connected to the USB port, users experience ten
times more RF power than a stock iMac. This additional wireless
power delivers greater operating distances from the AirPort Base
Station or wireless access point, and more available networks to
choose from.
Quicky works with all 802.11/b/g WiFi equipment including Apple
AirPort and AirPort Extreme - even the new one just announced at
Macworld Expo. Quicky works with all AirPort-equipped iMacs and
requires no software drivers.
Like most QuickerTek products, Quicky is backed with a one-year
warranty on parts and labor.
QuickerTek has been a recognized leading innovator of antennas
and RF products for Apple Power Macintosh, Mac Pro, iMac PPC and
Intel, PowerBook, MacBook and MacBook Pro computers. QuickerTek
products can be purchased online and from authorized dealers.
Link: Quicky
Software
iStat pro System Monitoring Widget
iStat pro is
the ultimate system monitoring widget, consisting of nine sections
which can be minimized, expanded, or closed. It features detailed
information on CPU, memory, hard drives, IP and external IP,
bandwidth, CPU temperature, battery, uptime, temperatures, and
fans. You'll know exactly what's going on inside your Mac!Not for
the faint-hearted or anyone with a small screen.
Features
- 9 Sections that can be show or hidden
- Anti-aliased graphs
- Filtering of CDs and DVDs in drives section
- Ability to control which drives, network interfaces,
temperature and fan sensors are displayed
- Built in update checker
- 3 designs with a total of 10 skins
New features in iStat pro 3.3:
- Added module to read temperature and fan speeds on Intel based
Macs (speedit no longer required for temps)
- Added airport signal quality readings. AirPort icon in network
sections contain 4 bars which represent the signal quality.
- Fixed a bug that caused issues with dividers not showing on
wide skin in some cases
- Various minor improvements
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
System Support: PPC/Intel
Free
For more information, visit:
Link: iStat pro
Desktop Mac
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