" Hi Mike, I have now heard back from our engineers about the reasons some of the filters in Photoshop CS are slower than in Photoshop 7. The reduced speed is due to fixes and improvements applied to the filters. Smart blur, for example, which takes three times longer than before, used to perform its operation on the composite channel, which could result in artifacts. The filter now runs safely on each individual channel, resulting in the three fold speed decrease.

In some cases, such as with Pointillize and Color Halftone, the filters have had several fixes or improvements applied to them. The problem you see with the PSBench action script is due to the script's use of these improved, and therefore slower, filters.

Filter speed is a standard benchmark for Photoshop, so at first glance it does appear to put Photoshop CS in a bad light. However, when customers understand why the filters are slower, I believe they will accept the slower performance.

Photoshop's speed has increased in other filters, such as Add Noise, De-Interlace, NTSC Colors, Tiles, Diffuse, Shear, and Palette Knife. In some of these filters, performance has increased up to 40%.
Also, many Photoshop operations have become faster, including Scale, Rotate, Undo, blending modes, File > Open, and path and text operations. In some of these features, the speed increase is over 50%.

The testing we perform that compares over 200 Photoshop operations, including filters and other features, shows that Photoshop CS is faster than Photoshop 7.0.1, overall, by approximately 7%.

Even though some filters are slower in Photoshop CS, their accuracy has been improved, and they now can display a larger, more accurate preview. When an action script is based on some of these filters, the script will be slower. On the other hand, many of the features used most commonly by Photoshop users, such as undo, scaling, rotating, and blending, are as fast or faster than in Photoshop 7.
Regards, David Metzger
Technical Support Engineer (Graphics)
Adobe Systems Europe Ltd. "

The 2nd series of filter benchmark tests I ran last November on Photoshop CS vs PS 7.01(G5) helped isolate the functions/filters that made up the bulk (by far) of the difference in total times between the 2 versions for the 21 filter/action test. Initial tests (and shock) with OWC's action script showed a large difference in total time but it doesn't show the performance of each filter. In that script (like PSbench), 3 filters (Accented Edges, Pointillize and infamous Watercolor) make up more than 50% of the total time for the entire benchmark. And these 3 functions showed the largest delta in performance between CS and PS7, due primarily to the improvements/fixes noted above by Adobe.

And of course there's the new features of Photoshop CS which were well worth the upgrade cost to many users.

"What's New in Final Cut Express 2.0.2
This update includes fixes and improvements for Final Cut Express 2. Improvements include changes to the user interface and window displays, documentation, and user preferences.
This update also fixes known issues with audio and video syncing over FireWire, Timeline editing functionality, and capturing long clips. Final Cut Express 2.0.2 is strongly recommended for all users of Final Cut Express 2."

"VGA Silencer
In reference to this cooler. I have been running it now for a week with no ill-effect. The fan hum is virtually (If not toally) hidden by the system fans. This is at the low speed setting. At normal speed its still far better than the stock fan, and is hardly noticable
The stock 9800fan IS horrid.

2 Install notes.
The fan wires were glued to my 9800Pro OEM card (From apple Dec 24th delivery date) I had just unplugged the fan from the board and unscrewed the fan from the heatsink. The size of the replacement cooler is enough to allow the fan to lay on the board with no ill-effect (And dosnt look like I modded it if I restore it)

Second note is the cooler clip on the back. Remove the screws and black rubber washers. Cut one down 1/3 off each screw (I used replacement screws I had laying around). Put the black washer on the screw and attach to the board. This provides the required contact to the GPU without the big plastic clip which really does nothing anyways.
I will provide some snaps upon request.
Stacy P. "

I asked he send some photos for posting here.

"Mike, I too have the ADC Noise issue on my Dual 1.8Ghz G5 with ATI 9800 Pro connected to a 23" cinema display. The problem exists everywhere (not only in OpenGL games). I also believe this to be heat related. On cold boots, this is not a problem. (I suspected an EMI/RFI issue (noise getting picked up on the ADC port video)-Mike)

Interesting to note is that, even on cold boot, open plugging in a 2nd digital display on the DVI port, the noise comes back. (i have a picture of a car as a desktop wallpaper with black regions which show the noise)

Like everyone has said, connecting my 23" cinema display via a DVI-> ADC connector does not show noise. Meaning it's not a problem with the LCD Panel.

Discussions on Apple show that most people with this problem are getting new cards from Apple. But the new cards aren't always fixing the problem. I will be calling Apple soon to see what happens.
Karric"

This report includes a link to one of the apple G5 forum threads on the problem.

" Just saw the reader comments on this issue. I've had this problem for some time now and am still waiting on a resolution from Apple. So far, I've had just about everything replaced without success.
Several others are experiencing this problem and as far as I know, replacement cards do not help. One workaround (albeit an expensive one) is to use a DVI- ADC adapter to bypass the problematic ADC port. (mentioned previously) The only hope at this stage is that the new Radeon 9800 Pro Special Edition will resolve this problem once and for all. (I'd hope that people would not have to spend $469 to fix this)

The Apple discussion thread on this issue can be found here:
(there may be more than one thread on this problem there since last fall)
http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?128@30.DC9LaH5pa2x.2@.5999fc13
-J. "

Another report from earlier today:

" Not quite what you're asking for, but I've got the retail 9800 Pro connected to a 20" Cinema Display via Apple ADC-to-DVI adapter and frequently see noise artifacts, but only in certain, specific situations. It so far only appears in Halo and then only if I use the Pixel Shaders feature. (Past reports mentioned it in non-game use also, for example seeing noise in some black backgrounds as I remember.)
I'm beginning to suspect that it's related to heat as if I shut down my Mac, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then try again, there will be no noise for a good 20 minutes or so. Then it'll slowly start appearing again. It's most prominent in the rocks of Timberland (red artifacts in the dark areas), or the bright white icy areas of Ice Fields (black artifacts). If I switch to Vertex Shaders Only or No Shaders, there are no artifacts ever. And I never see any artifacts in UT 2003 or the Finder or any apps or screensavers.
(9800 Pro) ROM Revision: 113-A07525-114
Mark T. "

I think this issue has also been mentioned in the past at Apple's discussion forums. If any other 9800 Pro/ADC display owner has seen this (or not) even in non-game apps, let me know. (I can't find the previous email on this right now.)

"Here's a tip - don't expect new G5's before 3/26/2004. Apple Oz (Australia) have just introduced a trade up program - they give buyers A$1000.00 (appx. $775 US, varies by exch. rate) tradein for a G4 (no specific model mentioned) on a new G5, The program starts today and ends 3/26/2004 so I'm guessing the new G5's are released 3/27/2004 or soon thereafter. "

I've not yet seen this trade-in/trade-up offer at Apple's USA website as of early Friday morning (Eastern Time). He later said that even B&W G3s are being taken in trade there but you get about 1/2 the trade-in value of a G4. I hope that offer is done for the USA (It's not April Fools day either, I know this person.)
Update: Two other readers sent notes on a similar tradein/Tradeup offer in other countries like Hong Kong and Japan (see Feb. 2nd news page and Feb. 3rd news page). (Nothing in the USA though.)

" Hi Mike, i ordered the actual Retrospect 6.0 for Mac OS X as download version. First i installed it on a stock PM G5 2 GHz Dual running OS 10.3 (10.3.2?) (2.5 GB RAM, Adaptec Power Domain 39160, Sony SDT 11000 DDS4 DAT Streamer). Could run the software but in the event of accessing the tape Retrospect says: "...internal consistency check failed. Assertion check at dat.c-1582" and shows a "Quit" button. Tried a couple of things to fix this with no result (repair permissions and so on). After that i installed Retro 6 on a stock PM G4 1 GHz Dual with a slightly different setup, running OS 10.3 as well to see whats happened (1.5 GB RAM, Adaptec Power Domain 39160, Sony SDT 10000 DDS4 DAT Streamer). Could also run the software but in the event of accessing the tape Retrospect ejects every tape i want to work with and says: "Trouble writing Media: error 102...).

I searched the Dantz knowledgebase with no result. Send two mails to Dantz Support but no answer (up to now).
Interestingly enough i could run "immediate" backups with Retrospect 5.1.167 and Driver Update 4.1.109 with NO problems on both machines. Maybe there are some exceptions which are shown here:
http://www.dantz.com/index.php3?SCREEN=kbase&ACTION=KBASE&id=28093
but these facts are not so important for my work, because i always use "Immediate Backup". Maybe this is a hint for someone before he trashes his old (5.X) Retrospect.
Thanks for the great Page
Niko "

I asked Niko if he had installed the Adaptec 39160 driver update (1.3beta) listed here in the Jan. 9th news page and if the 39160 had the latest firmware (I suspect it does - v1.2 was posted on June 2001). That driver and past firmware updates, etc. for the 39160 are available at Adaptec's 39160 downloads page. (He later said he was running 10.3.2, firmware 1.2 in the 39160 but not running the 1.3beta drivers since he had less than 4GB of ram, although some readers noted a performance gain with them regardless.)
I think dantz in the past has mentioned some problems with adaptec scsi card drivers for OS X - but that was about a year or so ago as I remember and may not apply anymore. I don't use any SCSI cards with OS X personally. (BTW - The G5 tech info/compat. page here (PCI compatibility section) has notes on nvram mods (from Adaptec) that enable booting from Adaptec 29/39160 card connected hard drives with MDD and later macs.)

" hello mike, have you see this?
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0401/04012802nikoncoolwalker.asp
(2.5" color LCD, 30GB HD)
this is very good for photographers and better than belkin's media reader for iPod. I wish apple had done something similar
sam "

Speaking of Nikon, PCworld has an article on some new Nikon Digital Cameras and accessories including an 8MP Coolpix 8700, D70 Digital SLR.

" Pod Manager, a $7.95 Shareware aimed at extracting music files from an iPod, has been updated to version 2.2. This application can be used to retrieve songs losts after reformatting a Mac hard drive, or to move music files from an iPod to another Mac.
This new version improves support for ".m4a"/AAC files and fixes an issue with very long ID3 tags.
http://podmanager.brunoblondeau.com/podmanager.sit "

" GameRanger has been provided as a completely free service for four years. However, it became clear that the costs of development and maintenance would no longer be sustainable. GameRanger would be forced to close down unless a different approach were taken.
This change began in 2003 with the introduction of a new Premium membership offering loads of extras for a modest yearly fee. Unlike many other services, the existing free membership was not removed. I hope this will be enough to keep GameRanger and the Mac online gaming community alive and thriving, but it needs your help...
Premium membership has been available for almost a year now with new features added throughout that year. The most significant Premium benefits are described here.
Even more exciting than that, the next major feature is close to completion.. ladders, rankings, and ratings for competitive play! As a Premium member, you will be able to see how you compare to other players and experience the electrifying rivalry among friends and foes. With the exception of a few that are cooperative-only, all GameRanger games will be supported. There will also be multiple ladders per game to cater for the different styles of gameplay that each game has.

This has been an extremely popular request, and a lot of design and thought has gone into its creation. Before it is completely released, it will be publically trialled just to make sure everything is running smoothly, but of course, you will need to be a Premium member to participate. You can sign up for the fun here.
Scott Kevill.
GameRanger - the Macintosh multiplayer online gaming service
- over 100 game titles
- around 150,000 subscribed members "

• Apple OEM G3/400 (at 450MHz) in B&W G3
• Other World Computing G4/450 ZIF (at 500MHz) in B&W G3 (rated 8)
• Sonnet G4 1GHz in B&W G3 (rated 1)
  (noted problems with sonnet's cache control software)
  (My reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked here. 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:
• Firewire (cased) LG GCE 8523B (didn't note speed rating) used w/G4 AGP (OS X 10.3) (using patchburn II for burn support)
• IDE Aopen 48x12x50x in Beige G3 (OS 9.2)
  (listed under 'other' brands. didn't test for booting from CD, no native burn support)
• IDE Khypermedia boxed 48x24x48x in Beige G3 (OS X)
  (listed under 'other' brands, not bootable from CD, used patchburn 1.1 for 10.2.x burn support)
• IDE Liteon LTR-52327S (52x32x52x) in B&W G3 (OS X)
  (native burn support in 10.2.8 and later)
• IDE Teac CD-W552E (52x24x52x) in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (using Patchburn II for Panther burn support.)
  
  Combo DVD-CDR Drives:
• Firewire (Cased) Sony CRX300A (48x24x48x + 16x DVD-ROM) used w/iBook 2001 (OS X) (using patchburn 1.1 for 10.2.8 burn support)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• IDE LG GSA-4040B in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (using patchburn II for burn support)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106DB in G4/AGP (OS X)
  (bought non-standard firmware ID model - reflashed via PC to standard firmware ID for burn support.)
  (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:
• Firewire Lacie 40GB used w/iBook G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (said it shipped formatted for PCs)
• IDE Western Digital WD800BB 80GB in iMac (OS X)
• IDE Western Digital WD400BB 40GB in Beige G3 (OS 8.6)
  (Beige G3 MT illustrated HD upgrade guide here)

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.)