Scott Sheppard takes a lighthearted look at what's new and exciting in the world of the Macintosh computer in this one-hour weekly radio show. From the digital hub to the den of the Panther operating system, Scott is always on top of what is happening in the world of Macintosh and has his finger on the pulse of the industry. With a tasty serving of news, reviews, information, and interviews, Inside Mac is all Mac, all the time, and one of the unique tech shows on radio today.

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Inside Mac - September 27th 2003

Listen / Download the September 27th, 2003 Show

Bill Tanner - NTI

Dragon Burn enables Mac desktop and PowerBook notebook computer users to quickly and easily begin producing audio, data and mixed-mode CDs and DVDs without poring over the software's user's guide. The new Dragon Burn multi-burning engine allows users to simultaneously write multiple CDs or DVDs. It also fully supports new 4x DVD-R internal and external drives as well as advanced CD writes including recently released 52x CD-R and 24x CD-RW drives.

Using Dragon Burn, Mac and PowerBook users can easily produce their own audio and data CD and DVD discs as well as mixed-mode and CD extra discs. Users can mix and match AIFF, CDDA, MP3 or wave files to produce custom audio CDs. For CD and DVD data mastering applications, Dragon Burn fully supports ISO 9660 MS-DOS and Joliet, HFS (Mac OS) and HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) file systems. For Hybrid CDs and DVDs, users can select Mac OS and ISO 9660 file system combinations including data from previous ISO 9660 sessions.

For complete data protection and recovery, users can burn layouts to a disc or save them as complete disc image files. Using similar creation techniques, users can quickly and easily produce a backup copy of any CD or non-copy protected DVD. To ensure that users always produce quality discs, Dragon Burn supports BurnProof and other buffer-underrun protection technologies. For maximum throughput performance, the mastering software also supports USB 2.0 and FireWire CD and DVD burners.

Key Features

• Full support for Macintosh OS X 10.1.5+ (Jaguar Recommended)
• Burns CDs and DVDs from layout file or saved image file
• Supports multiple, simultaneous CD/DVD burning/erasing
• Create Audio & MP3 CDs from WAV, AIFF, MP3 files and Audio CD Tracks
• Encode MP3 Files from CDDA, AIFF, or WAVE files to create MP3 CDs
• Supports CD-Text in Audio CD copy and mastering
• Dynamic Drive Support(DDS) eliminates the worry about CD drive compatibility by automatically detecting your drive and allowing a basic level of support for your drive even if Dragon Burn does not directly support it.
• ISO 9660 MS-DOS and Joliet, HFS, HFS+ and UDF file system support for CD/DVD data mastering
• Supports internal and external USB 2.0 and FireWire CD, DVD burners including BURN-Proof, buffer underrun protection
• Supports track-at-once(TAO), session-at-once(SAO), disc-at-once(DAO) writing
• Intuitive user interface
• Trust Smart Decision to help you choose the best writing method and speed for each based on the specific layout, interface, burner and media

Andy Marken - Verbatim

Since its beginning in 1969, Verbatim Corporation helped start the industry and has been at the forefront of the evolution in data storage technology. Today, more than three decades later, Verbatim remains one of the most recognizable names in the data storage industry. Verbatim is known for adding considerable product value--above and beyond its competitors--to established media technology. An industry pioneer, Verbatim is also recognized for the roll it plays in early product development and commercial product introduction of new technologies. Verbatim's leadership role is especially apparent in the evolution of optical media, including MO and the CD/DVD family of products.

To maintain its leadership position, Verbatim and its parent company, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) invest heavily in R&D efforts to further and enhance the technologies for the consumer.

Verbatim's DataLifePlus 4x DVD-R General Use discs and 2x DVD-RW discs. With Verbatim write-once 4x DVD-R media, users can achieve data transfer rates of up to 5.54 MB/sec. and can write a complete 4.7GB disc in about 15 minutes. When Verbatim 2x re-recordable DVD-RW discs are utilized, users can record and rewrite the media over 1,000 times at 2.77 MB/s. To produce discs that are 100 percent faster while ensuring exceptional reliability and compatibility, the new media incorporates revolutionary recording layer technologies and ultra-precise molding (UPM) technology developed by Verbatim and its parent company, Mitsubishi(R) Chemical Corporation (MCC). With these technologies, the Verbatim discs not only support the high-speed lasers and drive speeds of today's newest DVD drives, they maximize drive performance.

Verbatim's DataLifePlus 52x- certified CD-R discsthe fastest recording speed for the CD-R format. In addition to supporting the 7.8 MB/sec write speeds of new 52x drives, Verbatim CD-R media can also be used with existing CD drives at speeds ranging from 1x to 48x. At 52x, the discs can record 80 minutes of music, 700MB of data, or 30 minutes of video in 2 minutes or less. Certified by the leading 52x drive manufacturers, it provides end users with the assurance that Verbatim 52x media offers optimum recording at the full rated speed and that Verbatim's Super Azo recording dye technology not only withstands the high-speed lasers and drive speeds of the new drives, it maximizes their performance. Media stability is further enhanced during manufacturing by using ultra-precise molding techniques developed by Verbatim to keep the discs flat.

Alfred Bantug - ADS Technologies

ADS Tech, was one of the first to deliver a successful solution in the multimedia/PC arena. The company,s PYRO 1394/FireWire product line was the first consumer-priced digital video editing solution in the PC marketplace. A year later, the brand name "PYRO" was synonymous with FireWire for the PC and Macintosh. Since then ADS has been a driving force in moving USB 1.0 and now 2.0 connectivity products in the mainstream home user environment. They are now leading into broader personal and home multimedia entertainment solutions including products which will accelerate the adoption and acceptance of high definition television as well as personal and video entertainment/multimedia solutions.

Regarding ADS TECH -- ADS Technologies is a world leader in Universal Serial Bus and IEEE-1394/FireWire solutions. Since 1992, the company has introduced high-quality multimedia, networking and presentation products at consumer-friendly prices. The company,s award-winning USB product line includes eleven complimentary peripherals and its USB Port for Desktops is the world,s best-selling USB PCI host card. PYRO 1394DV, the first consumer-priced digital video editing solution on the PC market, has been widely adopted by owners of digital video camcorders for its ease-of-use for first time DV editors, its functionality and its low cost.

PYRO A/V Link

PYRO A/V Link is a 1394/Firewire-based universal video capture device designed for both analog and digital video. With PYRO A/V Link, video projects are no longer limited by incompatible video formats. With the PYRO A/V Link, users can now combine their older analog collections with newer digital videos, then output to either analog or digital format.

The external 1394/FireWire device captures analog video through either RCA, S-VHS or Component Video to the DV video format. Video can then be transferred to a computer where it can be edited and then output to DV or analog tape or saved as MPEG2 then burned in DVD format. PYRO A/V Link includes Ulead VideoStudio 6 DVD (Full Version) for editing, adding video filters, transition effects, video overlays, narration, background music and more.

PYRO A/V Link also enables users to connect analog and digital devices without a computer. Users can record from a digital video camera to a VHS recorder and tape to make distributing and sharing video simple. Users can convert between devices (from DV to Analog or Analog to DV) without using a computer.

Features:

• External FireWire/1394 device
• Converts analog (RCA, S-VHS or Component Video) to DV video format
• Export DV Video to analog video tape recorders (RCA, S-VHS)
• Convert between devices (from DV to Analog or Analog to DV) without using a computer
• Capture from DV camcorder with full device control
• Edit with powerful editing software, Ulead VideoStudio 6 SE DVD
• Create VCD, SVCD, DVD disks

Scott Sheppard - Executive Producer / Host

Scott Sheppard is the founder and editor of the popular Macintosh Web Site, http://www.OSXFAQ.com He is also a monthly Contributing Editor to Macworld UK magazine and produces a daily audio broadcast of Mac news and information Inside Mac Radio.

Scott Sheppard previously hosted the Inside Mac Show broadcast by CNET radio.

Scott has been using Apple computers for more than 25 years, as well as spending many years as a Wintel user, giving him the unique perspective of having spent a lot of time on both sides of the computer fence.

Sam Levin - Co Host & Senior Mac Technologist

Sam Co-Founded the Stanford Mac Users' Group in 1985, and has worked with leading Macintosh developers on business development, licensing, and strategic market development. Sam Directed licensing initiatives for leading entertainment companies such as Virgin Interactive, Broderbund, and Mattel.

Sam has worked with numerous Mac companies such as: Aladdin, Apple, Broderbund, Connectix, IBM Multimedia, IXLA, Jiiva, Keyspan, Microsoft, MYOB, Meilenstein, Fathom Pictures, LandWare, Mattel, Nova Development, Totally Hip Software, Y-E Data and more.

Christian Pickman - Producer

Christian Pickman is the producer of Inside Mac and he brings 5 years of radio experience to the show. He is the guy you talk to when you call in, so be nice to him !!!!

Greg Douglas - Director of Network Operations

Gregory Douglas has fifteen years of experience in the radio, television and computer- related areas. He was the Director of Network Operations for Personal Achievement Radio, which included responsibilities for the production, operation and distribution of the "PAR" format. As the primary individual in charge of the on-air sound for "PAR", Mr. Douglas interacted with the motivational authors, Nightingale-Conant, ABC Radio Networks, PAR O & O's and affiliates and the broadcast talent. He pioneered the transition to digital for the flagship PAR studios. In addition, Mr. Douglas was M.I.S. Manager for Douglas Broadcasting Inc. where he was responsible for the traffic and business computer functions as well as the computer networking of DBI/PAR radio outlets.

Previously, he was the General Manager of DBI's Seattle operation and Station Manager at WBPS-AM in Boston. Also, Mr. Douglas has been involved in almost all areas of broadcasting, including traffic, business, engineering, production and sales.