Yes. The 7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update extension works in conjunction with the PrimeTime II/III chip on your logic board to handle audio streaming. For more detailed information about the PrimeTime II/III chip, see the Apple Developer Notes for the Power Macintosh 5200/6200 computers at:
ftp://ftp.apple.com/devworld/Technical_Documentation/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs_-_PPC_Desktop/PowerMac_5200_6200.sit.hqx
or the Apple Developer Notes for the Power Macintosh 5260 computers at:
ftp://ftp.apple.com/devworld/Technical_Documentation/Developer_Notes/Macintosh_CPUs_-_PPC_Desktop/PowerMac_5260.sit.hqx
The Power Macintosh/Performa 5200, 5300, 6200 and 6300 depend on the PrimeTime II/III for most of the I/O on the logic board including:
- data bus buffers for the internal I/O bus
- address decoding for I/O devices
- dynamic bus sizing and data routing for the I/O bus
- interface adapters VIA1 and VIA2
- interrupt controls
- a SWIM II floppy disk controller
- sound control logic and buffers
Most Power Macintosh/Performa 5200, 5300, 6200 and 6300 computers have the PrimeTime III on the logic board because only a limited number of Power Macintosh 5200/75 LC and Performa 5200 computers ever shipped with PrimeTime II. PrimeTime III added 16-Bit audio capabilities while PrimeTime II was only 8-Bit.
An easy way to tell which PrimeTime chip you have without opening up the computer is to check the sound out capabilities in the Sound control panel. If 16-Bit can be chosen, you have PrimeTime III. If only 8-Bit can be chosen, you have Primetime II. Note: The newer Monitors & Sound control panel will not show you 8-Bit or 16-Bit. Under Mac OS 7.6.x and 8.0, the older Sound Control panel is usually installed in the Apple Extras folder on the hard drive in case you would like to use this control panel.
To identify the PrimeTime chip visually, the Power Macintosh/Performa User's Manual shows how to properly open the computer in the "Installing an Expansion Card" section. PrimeTime is located right next to the LC PDS slot on the logic board. It is one of the larger square chips that is closest to the red or black reset button. It should have a tiny U6 next to it. The manufacturer of the chip does not matter because several suppliers make the same identical chip. The part# for PrimeTime III should be either 343S1189-a, 343S1189-B, 343S1189-C, 343S1189-01 or 343S1189-03. If you have some other number, you most likely have a PrimeTime II.
With the above understood, over the life cycle of the Power Macintosh/Performa 5200, 5300, 6200 and 6300 computers with the 75 Mhz (52xx/62xx) or 100 Mhz (53xx/63xx) 603e processor, there were minor revisions to the PrimeTime III chip. This is normal for any computer manufacturer to revise various chips as long as the chips meet Apple engineering specifications. Additionally, fixes that were previously in system software are typically rolled into the newer revisions of the chip. With the revisions to PrimeTime III, it was necessary for sound fixes in system software to check which revision is installed. Based on what revision is found, some sound fixes load and some do not. The 7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update extension simply ensures that the correct fixes are loaded for all revisions of PrimeTime III to ensure optimal performance for audio streaming applications.
For reference, the Read Me from the 7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update extension 1.0b2 appears below in quotes:
"Important information about the 7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update extension, beta release.
This document provides information about the 7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update extension version 1.0b2. This extension has not been fully qualified, and it is considered 'unsupported'. It may be used at your own risk. Apple Computer, Inc. cannot provide support for this extension by telephone, fax or email.
The 7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update extension alleviates one cause of poor performance when using internet streaming media applications on certain Macintosh computers. Internet streaming media can also be adversely affected by poor connections or poor latency to a server.
The 7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update extension can be installed on Mac OS 7.6.1, 7.6, or 7.5.5. The extension will not load on earlier system releases. The streaming audio improvement delivered in this extension will be included in future releases of Mac OS, and the extension will not load on releases after 7.6.1.
This extension addresses one problem specific to the following Apple products:
Power Macintosh 5200
Power Macintosh 5260
Power Macintosh 5300
Macintosh Performa 5200CD
Macintosh Performa 5210CD
Macintosh Performa 5215CD
Macintosh Performa 5220CD
Macintosh Performa 5260CD
Macintosh Performa 5260/120
Macintosh Performa 5270CD
Macintosh Performa 5280
Macintosh Performa 5300CD
Macintosh Performa 5320CD
Power Macintosh 6200
Power Macintosh 6300
Macintosh Performa 6200CD
Macintosh Performa 6205CD
Macintosh Performa 6210CD
Macintosh Performa 6214CD
Macintosh Performa 6216CD
Macintosh Performa 6218CD
Macintosh Performa 6220CD
Macintosh Performa 6230CD
Macintosh Performa 6260CD
Macintosh Performa 6290CD
Macintosh Performa 6300CD
Macintosh Performa 6310CD
Macintosh Performa 6320CD
How to Install the 7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update extension
To install the 7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update extension follow these steps:
1. Locate the System Folder on the computer's hard disk. Don't open the System Folder.
2. Drag the file named "7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update" to the System Folder.
3. A message appears asking if you want to put the "7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update" into the Extensions folder. Click OK. If a second message appears stating that "7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update" already exists and asks you if you would like to replace it, click OK.
4. Open the Special menu and choose Restart.
Technical Details
Poor streaming audio performance can occur from slow internet connections, slow servers, or while the computer is engaged in other work concurrently. On some specific revisions of the listed computer models, an additional cause of poor streaming audio performance was an interaction with the serial driver software, sound driver software, and serial hardware.
The 7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update extension changes the behavior of the serial and sound driver software to better support the demanding, real time nature of streaming audio. At times when the sound driver is busy servicing the sound hardware, extra checks are made to ensure that the serial driver can properly service the serial hardware. For some computers this results in a significant improvement in streaming audio performance.
June 12th, 1997
Copyright 1997 Apple Computer. Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, Mac OS, Performa, and Power Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Mention of non-Apple products is for informational purposes and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of these products."