Ye Macce Threade

[grawk]

lots of details are different, but overall, it's still os x.

[shipsupt]

Just a quick heads up...

 

There appears to be an issue with the late model iMacs delivering audio through USB.  I just spent several hours on the support line with Apple and have been reading about the issue for a few days.  Apple doesn't have a root cause yet, but they are acknowledging something is up.

 

Symptoms:

A "clicking" or "popping" sound.  It's not hard to spot/hear.  

 

It happens with any audio out and does not appear to be dependent on the software.  I had the issue with anything from Pure Music to iTunes and YouTube...

 

What I read on the support forums:

- It appears to be an issue with very late model iMac's (like in the last 38 days) WITH the fusion drives.  

- Some guys have sent their unit back for replacement and had the same issue.  When they swapped for a replacement with a traditional hard drive the issue seems to go away.

 

I don't want to give up on the Fusion Drive, it's pretty slick, but I am close to my 14 day return window so I need to decide to roll the dice and wait for a fix or consider going back to a traditional drive.

 

Here are a few links discussing the issue... there are more out there.

 

https://discussions.apple.com/message/23352452#23352452

 

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/877537-potential-audio-problem-new-imacs.html

[grawk]

Have you tried splitting the fusion drive and putting the os on the ssd?

[shipsupt]

I have not.  Honestly I was not sure I could do that!  

 

A few guys reported a work around by placing their OS on an external drive/flash drive, so maybe this is a way ahead... I'll do some sniffing around.

 

This seems to be a set of directions a lot of folks are following to split the drive: http://www.macworld.com/article/2015664/how-to-split-up-a-fusion-drive.html

 

I'm assuming the only real downside is that I'd no longer have the automatic optimization of what's on the SSD?  Can I go back once I split?

 

Thanks!

[grawk]

I believe you can go back, yes.  Or you can try it, and if it doesn't work, just return it like you were gonna do anyway...

[Dusty Chalk]

Mavericks destroying data, per WD

[Torpedo]

Mavericks destroying data, per WD

 I have several external WD USB drives, but I've never used their software, so looks like I'm clear. I'm not aware of having lost any data so far. Upgraded to Mavericks the same day it was available here.

[HeadphoneAddict]

I also avoid the included external HD software like the plague.  The one time I installed the Seagate software on my iMac then my external drive would randomly turn "write-only" after just a couple of GB of file transfers.

[Salt Peanuts]

Anyone has an external (USB) Blu-Ray player that they like/recommend? Also, software or two to backup/rip as well as play Blu-Ray discs/files?

[grawk]

I bought: 

 

• Vantec USA NexStar DX External 5.25-Inch Optical Drive Enclosure USB 3.0 External Interface Optical Drives 14700365 (NST-530S3-BK)
  Sold by Amazon.com LLC
• Pioneer Electronics USA 15x SATA Internal BD/DVD/CD Burner with 4 MB Buffer BDR-208DBK

 

I'll have to check what software I use when I get home.  It works reasonably well.

[skullguise]

Haj, I have a Memorex External USB 3.0 writer, unused; it's yours if you want it, PM me.  I had two, thought I'd use both, but haven't.  Mine works fine, though I don't use it daily.....

 

Also, Ashampoo has a free studio app that supports Blu-Ray burning; not sure of movie playing, but I'm sure there are some out there.  I use the free version at work, some ads but easy to ignore.

[blessingx]

We use a Buffalo BRXL-PC6U2 player/burner at work: http://www.buffalotech.com/products/optical-drives/mediastation/mediastation-portable-bdxl-blu-ray-writer . And for software Macgo "Blu-ray Player" (currently $39) http://www.macblurayplayer.com/

[skullguise]

^^ d'oh!  I was thinking PC, not Mac.....ignore my SW recommendation if needed......

[blessingx]

Wonder where this will lead?

Apple reportedly purchases PrimeSense, the Israeli 3D body sensor firm behind Microsoft Kinect for $345M http://9to5mac.com/2013/11/17/apple-reportedly-purchases-primesense-the-israeli-3d-body-sensor-firm-behind-microsoft-kinect-for-345m/

[justin]

What kind of setup would i need to run dual 27" 2560x1440? displays out of my macbook pro retina, if such a thing is even possible. they would not be Apple thunderbolt displays, cant stand the glass screen

[blessingx]

Current model or last years and which size (thus vid card)? Quick search seems possible in all between either two Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapters (though thunderbolt ports) or one and HDMI (resolution options different there). And if you use internal display three... extended or mirror. Or get ambitious and use internal and all three ports and get four displays.

Edited November 21, 2013 by blessingx

[TMoney]

The retina-book can definitely do it. You just need the proper display adapters. If your display takes HDMI just plug one of them into the HDMI port on the retina-book and get one of these: http://store.apple.com/us/product/HA824ZM/A/belkin-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-adapter?fnode=53.

 

If your displays only take D-DVI then get two of these. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571Z/A/mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-adapter?fnode=53

 

I use one of the D-DVI adapters to plug my retina-book into a 30" Korean Monitor at work. It's expensive, but it does the trick. See below.

 

 

 

[justin]

Current model or last years and which size (thus vid card)? Quick search seems possible in all between either two Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapters (though thunderbolt ports) or one and HDMI (resolution options different there). And if you use internal display three... extended or mirror. Or get ambitious and use internal and all three ports and get four displays.

 

march 2013 model. so, inbetween the first model and the latest release

[justin]

30" korean monitor eh? what resolution is that. i could probably get by with 1 monitor if its very high.  i actually like the idea of the Dell ultrawide 27", it's just not really enough extra pixels over my 23" cinema display. i lose 10% vertical, gain about 30% horizontal.

[Knuckledragger]

Having recently gone from 1080p to "1200p" (1920x1200), I must say I vastly prefer 16:10 over 16:9.  Most (all?) good 30 inch monitors are 2560x1600, which is the 16:10 equivalent of a 2560x1440 "1440p" 27 inch monitor.  

[TMoney]

What Knucks said. It's a 2560x1600 which is plent of pixels for the MS office based workload I use it for. And yes, the 16:10 is a much more visually pleasing experience for office-type workflows. Easily enough to have a doc and spreadsheet open at the same time. If you prop the retina-book up on a stand like I did it makes a great companion monitor. I usually have my email app open to full screen on the retina-book while I work on the 30".

I'd give it a shot with just a 30" and the retina-book and see if that works. I like it a lot more than doing two 27"ers.

All the 30" monitors are going to be 16:10 aspect at 2560x1600 and matte(!) which is why I chose on of those over the 27" apple manufactured display. Unless you need the extra inputs/features a "name brand" manufacturer like dell includes on their 30"ers you can save 40% or so by going Korean.

Edited November 21, 2013 by TMoney

[grawk]

(and you don't need a domestic warranty)

[justin]

are you getting these off ebay or is there a better source

[TMoney]

I got mine from eBay. I think monoprice sells rebranded Koreans with a US warranty for those who want the peace of mind.

[justin]

http://www.amazon.com/Seiki-Digital-SE39UY04-39-Inch-Ultra/dp/B00DOPGO2G/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1378730545&sr=8-2&keywords=seiki

 

a bit large for a desk but i wonder how this would be