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| 08-31-10 / 11:41 PM : Mac mini : internet sharing for iPhone (cjed) |
| By discovering Wifi networks listed in Snow Leopard's menubar, and after verifying on Apple's site, it is confirmed that the mac mini includes an Airport card. Then the mac mini's Ethernet based internet can be shared with an iPhone using Wifi : in Sharing preferences, select Internet Sharing, then choose connection from Ethernet, to computers through Airport, and check the box. |
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| 08-30-10 / 10:25 PM : Echo FireStudio 2 (cjed) |
| Despite the latest MOTU Fastlane's driver version started as Snow Leopard compatible, it doesn't send Midi data over the out port (only manages incoming messages from Midi IN). This problem has been confirmed here and there, however MOTU didn't release an update since early January. So my initial choice of the Apogee Duet (419 euros, audio only) had to be changed to an audio and Midi interface instead, the Echo FireStudio 2 (184 euros). No latency problem has been encountered, a 128 samples buffer works nice, that is (as reported by Logic) 11,4 ms round trip (recording and playback through the mix), in fact 5-6ms latency when using virtual instruments. The sound seems more powerful (better dynamic) and more present for bass than with Echo MIA PCI card (that could achieve 256 samples on the G4), despite the later perhaps sounding clearer and more opened/precise (less mudded, less masking) - to be confirmed however. There is to note that the mac mini's integrated converter sounds very close, and perhaps more pleasant. Finally the Firestudio doesn't require any driver. |
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| 08-25-10 / 11:45 PM : 280 North acquired by Motorola (cjed) |
| The announce isn't official yet (has however been confirmed by 280 North in the forums), Motorola acquired 280 North, for a high amount (reported 20 million $). |
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| 08-22-10 / 08:05 PM : Mac mini 2010 performance (cjed) |
| Under intensive audio work (plugins) the new mac processor load stays very low (a few percents where the MDD G4 was near the limit), and the tasks are well balanced on the cores by Logic. The fan doesn't run faster and the computer doesn't turn hot. The integrated converter sounds warm and with an interesting color, despite probably not being as clear, and not allowing as low latency as a pro audio interface. There is still to compare it with an Apogee Duet to conclude, hoping not experiencing the hiss noise some users did (for most due to a ground loop through the audio wire). Sometimes the Finder quits without reasons (when opening a disk image), and it did many times browsing/opening plist files in user/Library/Preferences (seemed due to two bad preference files whose creation/modification date is 2009 - no hints on their role). Sometimes the system writes data (more than 600 Mb for a basic use) without obvious reason, and is then more disturbing than the very quiet fan. The resident memory is also huge (700 Mb - was only 150 Mb on the G4), in part due to the shared video memory (256 Mb), however it should be less. Performance on games was great : Tomb Raider Anniversary demo, Lego Indiana Jones demo, and even Bioshock demo played very smooth in 1680x1050 (default medium graphics details for the later). The rendering was a huge step from the G4's Radeon 9000 Pro (water textures and effects). Crossover 9.1 allowed to play old Jedi Knight (DF2) demo perfectly in 1680x1050 (through activating the 3D accelerating in the game options), despite 2D option screens (and cutscenes) not rendering correctly (bad colors, and then close to unreadable text) - no problem for in-game (3D). However the half back case was very hot (probably more than any macbook or imac) after playing 45 minutes of the most demanding demo. In fact the fan didn't seem to run faster when playing, and those over-heating could lead to problems. |
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| 08-22-10 / 06:34 PM : iTunes : migrate applications (cjed) |
| To transfer applications (Mobile Applications) from a mac to a new one, two ways are provided : The old disk is available (or has been extracted from the old computer if the later is not working anymore) : - Copy the files iTunes Library, iTunes Library Extras, iTunes Library Genius and iTunes Music Library to the new iTunes folder under user/Music/iTunes. - Copy Mobiles Applications (that was at the root of iTunes folder under Leopard) to iTunes Media (new subfolder in iTunes folder under Snow Leopard). - Launch iTunes while pressing Option key: locate then the new iTunes folder for the library. A message "This computer isn't allowed anymore to use applications installed on the 'iPhone, do you want to authorize this computer..." click on Yes --> n computers on 5 registered message. Applications are now listed on the Applications tab in iTunes (once the iPhone is selected). There isn't anymore an Applications section in the left pane contrary to iTunes under Leopard. The disk isn't accessible (the data are only available on the iPhone ) - Through the Store menu list under iTunes, authorize the new computer. - Right-click on the iPhone (left pane) and choose Transfert purchases. |
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| 08-22-10 / 04:57 PM : Kontakt/PLAY : licenses/libraries transfert (cjed) |
| Here is the procedure to migrate (keep existing samples install) Kontakt 2, EastWest libraries based on Kompakt, BestService libraries based on Kontakt Player 2 or Intakt, and EastWest PLAY libraries. This also work if the old computer isn't accessible/does not work anymore. The samples have to be located in an external disk (or if they were on an internal disk on the old computer, extract the disk and install it in an external disk case). With previous versions of Native Instruments site, a Manage Registrations and Activations link (was also displayed in older Service Center) allowed to deactivate a license for a machine (even if not accessible). Now this option isn't available, however we just have to click on B) Serial Number Registration, and then Register the serial number here to register again. It seems the site now takes care automatically of deregistering the old computer, and allowing the product to be listed from Service Center on the new machine. Kontakt2 migrating - Install Kontakt 2 from the original DVD (Rosetta will launch) : enter the serial (from DVD cover), and do not install the library. - launch the Kontakt 2.2.4 (UB) update - launch service center : click on Activate for Kontakt 2 product - Replace the Content.plist file (located at user/Library/Preferences) by the one provided by on Native Instruments site (contains the list of libraries that will be considered by Kontakt2 - not required when using Kontakt 4). The Kontakt 2 library still cannot be used from Kontakt 4 Player, even after clicking on Add or having added the path in Database tab. We have then to keep Kontakt 2.2.4 also. Some other tricks are provided here. Migrating libraries based on Kompakt or Intakt - Launch the installer on the original DVD (Symphonic Orchestra, Symphonic Choirs, Colossus, Artist Complete, etc.), and force quit it when asking for library destination. - At NI site, once connected, click on B) Serial Number Registration, and then Register the serial number here to enter the serial number again. - Launch Service Center on the mac, the product will then being displayed, and can be activated. - The library is now accessible from Kontakt 2 (direct access to the instruments files, or browsing after a Database rebuild). The provided Content.plist file at NI forums have to be copied into user/Library/Preferences before. - To add the library in Kontakt 4 Player, just click Add and locate the samples library folder. Note : Kompakt also works through Rosetta (have to be launched twice however for the library to be considered registered). Migrate libraries based on Kontakt Player 2 The procedure is the same, except we have to do a custom Install to only install Kontakt Player 2. However the library isn't considered registered from Kontakt Player 2 and Kontakt 2, even after registering on the site and having activated it through Service Center (message about encrypted library - is tied with the previous machine). In fact the library can be loaded from Kontakt 4 Player, by clicking Add (works for Strings Essentials 2 and Ethno World 4). If we prefer using the original Kontakt Player 2 or Kontakt 2, we have to install the whole library again before activating it through Service Center : http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74253. Reuse of PLAY libraries installs Thanks to iLok authorization key, no step is required to transfer an EastWest Play product license from a computer to another : - Install (optional) the Play application from the original DVD by doing a custom Install and uncheking Library. An error appears at the end, it isn't a problem and is known by EastWest. - Install the latest Play update (downloaded at soundsonline.com). By default the update selects the previously installed products (step 1) for the update (if not, choose Custom Install and select the products). - Launch Play, and then open the Browser window, and Ctrl+click on the (empty) area under the Favorites button : through the contextual menu, go to Add Another Product Library, choose the submenu corresponding to the installed product (QL Ministry of Rock, etc.), and locate the library folder. This has to be done for each product. |
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| 08-18-10 / 12:15 AM : Snow Leopard graphics update (cjed) |
| Apple provides a graphics update for Snow Leopard, that brings better performance for games. However it doesn't fix the flickering problem on mac mini 2010 and Samsung 206BW. |
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| 08-14-10 / 05:17 PM : Mac mini 2010 : flickering display (cjed) |
| The mac mini 2010 produces flickering image on my Samsung SyncMaster 206BW monitor (plugged using the provided HDMI to DVI adapter) : it isn't obvious overall, however it really shows on some dark gray colors (left side of this site, up and left panes in Garageband). It's like an old CRT monitor with too low refresh rate. It was ok with the MDD G4 on the same monitor, whatever refresh rate (60 and 70Hz). Snow Leopard only allows 60Hz on the mac mini (should be ok as it isn't CRT), and I'm not confident using 3rd party utilities to try to add 70Hz option (some have experienced stability issues or out of range - that requires rebooting in safe mode). I plugged the power cord on another plug, and also put the LCD display farther, to check for interference problem, however it didn't help. I also put the original 2x1 Gb ram without success. I wonder if this is a defect with the Nvidia 320M chipset. Usually it comes from a voltage tuning problem when manufacturing the display, and can be detected through inversion test. it was also noticed on some mac book pro. The integrated chipset may so enhance an existing problem.s |
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| 08-13-10 / 10:50 PM : G4 MDD to Mac mini 2010 (cjed) |
| The MDD G4 did shut down forever early this week, due to its power supply failure (was just 7 years old). In fact many users experienced this problem since late 2009. I had then to migrate to a mac mini 2010 (upgraded to 4 Gb ram). Here are some first thoughts : -opening the lower panel was difficult (ok later) and removing and putting the memory units not really feeling confident, however all went well. - connecting the power plug to the mac mini slot was hard, however it seems normal for this king of plug. - firewire 800 is really fast (used to connect an external hard disk case that now onboards the old MDD G4"s internal disk). - the black color used for the back panel doesn't make easy identifying of ports. -fan noise is really slight and constant (normal use). - hard disk drive however is louder, and sounds like a high pitched crackling, not really nice. - connecting an external disk with USB2 (waiting for a Firewire400 to 800 wire) works well and is fast. -the display is flickering, really tiring, as with an old CRT using a too low refresh rate. The mac mini only lists 60Hz rate, however it should be ok as it is an LCD (and it was ok with the MDD G4, either at 60 or 70Hz). Annoying as the provided HDMI to DVI adapter should result in the best quality (no conversion required compared with mini display port to DVI). The problem shows most on some gray plain colors areas. |
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| 08-06-10 / 12:22 AM : Safari 5 plugins : Sessions / AutoPagerize (cjed) |
| Two new plugins are available for Safari 5 : Sessions that stores configurations (opened windows and tabs), and AutoPagerize that displays Google serach results in a single page (buffered load). |
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| 08-06-10 / 12:13 AM : Google Wave cancelled (cjed) |
| Google announced that Google Wave service will be closed, due to lack of adoption. |
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