Read this document completely before attempting to use this software!
Contents
- Introduction
- Software Installation
- Installation Notes
- Release Notes
Introduction
This document contains last-minute updates that are not found in the User's Guide or in any addendum accompanying the ATI graphics accelerator. Please finish reading this file before proceeding with the installation.
Installation Notes
XCLAIM™ VR installs the following items:
- ATI Displays control panel version 2.5
- ATI Extension version 2.5
- ATI Guide version 2.1.1
- ATI Graphics Accelerator version 3.0.7
- ATI 3D Accelerator version 4.1.3
- ATI Video Accelerator version 2.2.7
- ATI Video Memory Manager version 5.0
- ATI Video Digitizer version 2.0.1
- ATI Mac2TV™ Startup version 2.0
- ATI Mac2TV™ Monitor version 2.0
- ATI Desktop Video Extension version 1.0
- ATI Desktop Video control strip module version 1.0
- Xclaim™ Video Player version 1.5.3
All ATI multimedia components are Mac OS 8 compatible. This software release is also compatible with other current retail ATI products and the Power Macintosh 9500 display card. If you own other ATI display cards, use this software to update the older ATI components.
Release Notes
Uninstalling XCLAIM™ VR software
The process of uninstalling only removes the active ATI multimedia components. Other ATI multimedia components, not located in the Extensions and Control Panel folders must be removed manually. You must restart your computer after uninstalling components in order to clean up the Trash and clear any active ATI extensions.
ATI Displays 3D Settings
If you change the 3D Quality, 3D Compression, or 3D Sync settings in the ATI Displays control panel, the change is not saved when you restart your computer. Any change you make goes back to the default setting when you restart or power on your computer.
Desktop Video Control Strip Input
Desktop Video uses NTSC (60 Hz) as the input frequency in XCLAIM™ VR cards designed for North America and Japan, and PAL (50 Hz) for XCLAIM™ VR cards designed for countries with the PAL standard, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
Desktop Video Control Strip Channel Display
To show the channel the desktop is displaying, turn on Balloon help and point to either the Channel up or Channel Down icon.
Xclaim Video Player Prefs
If you were using a version of Xclaim Video Player prior to 1.5.1, you must remove the Xclaim Video Player preferences before launching the latest version of Xclaim Video Player. To remove the Xclaim Video Player preferences, follow the steps listed below.
1) Open the System folder.
2) Open the Preferences folder.
3) Move the Xclaim VP Preferences file to the Trash.
4) Empty the Trash.
QuickDraw™ 3D Applications Performance
QuickDraw™ 3D performance varies from application to application. To ensure optimal performance, look for applications that have been optimized for QuickDraw™ 3D version 1.5.1 or later.
Changing Color Depth in QuickDraw™ 3D Applications
Before launching any QuickDraw™ 3D application, in Mac OS 8, you should be in either Thousands (16-bit) or Millions (32-bit) of colors. If you launch a QuickDraw™ 3D application in 256 colors, and switch into 16- or 32-bit colors, you may experience some corruption when menus are displayed, or icons on your desktop redrawing properly. If this happens, you should quit all applications, restart your computer, and change into 16- or 32-bit color before launching any QuickDraw™ 3D application.
Quality Setting with some 3D games
You should set the ATI Displays control panel Quality setting to Standard, when using some 3D games, to improve the graphic quality .
Computer Graphics and Mac2TV™
The display quality of computer graphics on NTSC/PAL capable monitors or televisions can vary greatly from model to model. Adjustments to screen size, brightness and contrast (using the Mac2TV™ Controls found in the ATI Displays Control Panel) can improve the display.
Saturation Controls with Mac2TV™
The saturation slider in the Mac2TV™ control panel (as part of ATI Displays Version 2.x) may produce unexpected results when moved to extreme settings. The attached display, for example, may produce a black and white display with certain types of NTSC capable televisions or monitors when the slider is moved to the far right. This is normal and will not harm the television or monitor. Move the slider to a position that restores the desired color.
Apple Video Player
Video can disappear when using the Apple Video Player. The video digitizer for XCLAIM™ VR requires key-color support and the Apple Video Player supports this feature in 256 color mode only.
Sound On After Improper Shut Down
If your Mac OS computer is not properly shut down while running the Xclaim Video Player or Desktop Video and the Listen option in the Monitors & Sound control panel is enabled, the audio may continue during the restart process at a higher audio level. The audio is turned off when the ATI Video Digitizer loads at startup.
Reduce Sound Gain to Prevent Sound Clipping in Xclaim Video Player
The default gain level, when recording, varies depending on your computer and Mac OS version being used. You should always verify and adjust the sound gain level prior to recording. For best recording results, the gain level LED should not stay red for extended periods.
Using the QuickTime™ Extras
To use the QuickTime™ Extras found on the Xclaim™ VR Extras CD, drag the contents of the QuickTime™ Extras folder to the QuickTime™ Folder on your hard disk (the folder that holds the Apple MoviePlayer).
The procedure, To check the format of a video, in the Xclaim™ VR User's Guide requires the QuickTime™ Extras plug-ins to be located in the same folder as the MoviePlayer application.
QuickTime™ MPEG
In order to view any type of MPEG content, you must have the QuickTime™ MPEG Extension installed in the Extensions folder on your computer. In Mac OS 7.6 and earlier you must also have the Thread Manager v2.1.5 OR ThreadsLib installed. With Mac OS 8.0, you do not need either of these two files.
For Users Experiencing Sound Corruption in 3D Applications
Disabling Virtual Memory in the Memory Control Panel may resolve this problem.
Certain Macintosh computers and compatibles may experience sound corruption while using QuickDraw™ 3D accelerated applications even with Virtual Memory turned off. In this case, you should download and install the ATI Sound Catalyst system extension. You can download the ATI Sound Catalyst extension from the ATI Technologies, Inc. web site located at:
<http://www.atitech.com>
For other Mac OS Licensee systems, contact your respective vendor.
Macintosh Performa 6x00 Series Sound Input
When an Xclaim™ TV pod is connected to a PCI-based Mac OS computer, the source input in the Monitors & Sound control panel is normally set to External Microphone. However, with the Macintosh Performa 6400 and Power Macintosh 6500 computers, the setting should be Direct Line Input. The Macintosh Performa 6400 and Power Macintosh 6500 contain a new sound chip, which is more sensitive to the input source and needs a different setting than other PCI-based Mac OS computers.
Cinepak Acceleration
When the MoviePlayer window is positioned in certain screen locations while playing a Cinepak QuickTime™ movie, acceleration may turn off. To restore acceleration re-position the MoviePlayer Window, set the window size to Normal, then rescale the window.
Popup Menu and Hot Keys Availability
Popup Menu and Hot Keys remain inactive during the display of a dialog window. For example, while using the Monitors & Sound control panel, the Popup Menu and Hot Keys are displayed, but disabled.
ATI Popup Menu Mode Display
The ATI Popup Menu only displays the valid and safe modes available for the monitor(s) attached to ATI accelerator cards. Additional modes may be accessed through the Monitors & Sound control panel or the Control Strip.
Screen Sizing and Positioning
If the screen positioning is incorrect after changing monitor resolutions or refresh rates, you must manually adjust the controls on your monitor. Please consult the user's guide for instructions on how to do this for your monitor.
ATI, XCLAIM, ImpacTV, and Mac2TV are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ATI Technologies, Inc.
QuickTime, QuickDraw, Mac, and Macintosh are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
All other company and/or registered trademarks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers.
