Read this document completely before attempting to use this software!
Contents
- Introduction
- 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 2.5.3
- ATI Extension version 2.5.1
- ATI Guide version 2.1.1
- ATI Graphics Accelerator version 3.2.2
- ATI 3D Accelerator version 4.2.2
- ATI Video Accelerator version 2.3.4
- ATI Video Memory Manager version 5.9.1
- ATI Video Digitizer version 2.0.3
- ATI Mac2TV™ Startup version 2.0.1
- 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 1.5.4
All ATI multimedia components are Mac OS 8 and 8.1 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.
*** IMPORTANT ***
Before proceeding with the installation, make sure to quit all open applications and disable any virus protection software installed on your computer. Additionally, do not power down your computer during the installation process.
This version of the XCLAIM VR installer includes a utility which updates the ROM (Read Only Memory) on your XCLAIM VR card. The utility automatically updates only RAGE PRO-based XCLAIM VR cards currently installed in your computer. Other devices (SCSI devices, PCI cards, other ATI graphics cards) will not be affected by this process. You may see some flickering lines or other forms of video corruption on your screen during the ROM update process. This is okay—your display will return to normal as the utility completes its function.
Release Notes
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.
TV Out and RAGE PRO-based XCLAIM VR Video Accelerator Cards
With this version of the XCLAIM VR software, RAGE PRO-based XCLAIM VR cards will allow access to TV Out modes directly from the Resolution Control Strip module. If the TV Out modes do not appear in the Control Strip module after the proper connection of a television to the XCLAIM VR card, use the Mac2TV controls found in the ATI Displays control panel.
RAGE PRO-based XCLAIM VR cards do not support the keyboard shortcut command-option-m-o which turns the monitor on simultaneously. To enable both TV Out and a monitor display, choose the mode labeled "simulscan" in the Resolution Control Strip module. Note that simulscan only works with NTSC TV Out.
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.
Quality Setting with some 3D games
Setting the ATI Displays control panel 3D Quality setting to Standard will improve the 3D graphics quality of some 3D games.
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
The video digitizer for XCLAIM VR requires key-color support and the Apple Video Player supports this feature in 256 color mode only. If video disappears when using the Apple Video Player, change the color depth to 256 colors.
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. Prior to recording, you should always verify and adjust the sound gain level as well as the sound input. For best recording results, the gain level meter should not stay red for extended periods.
PowerMac G3 (without Video Capabilities) and Video Capture
Configurations of the PowerMac G3 systems WITHOUT video capabilities are unable to capture sound when recording with the Xclaim Video Player application or other QuickTime capture applications. ATI and Apple Computer are aware of the problem and are working towards a solution.
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 and above, you do not need either of these two files.
Macintosh Performa 6x00 Series Sound Input
When an Xclaim TV sound output 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, RAGE PRO, 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.
