Hot products, killer prices
Article Abstract:
CD-recorders are available for under $1,000. However, it is not an easy task to choose the appropriate combination of software and hardware to get a user-friendly multimedia recording system. When choosing a recorder prefer fast recording speeds - 4x rather than 1x or 2X - for better quality reproductions, an external rather than internal recording drive for easier transportability, support for audio work and the capability to update the operating software from a floppy or CD. The software should also be user-friendly with prompts for choice of discs to burn and ability to create one or both of ISO or HFS disc and audio and mixed-mode discs. Finally, efficient transfer of data from the computer's hard disc to the CD requires a dedicated defragmented drive, an efficient SCSI path and at least 700MB storage capacity. A product features chart is provided.
Publication Name: Newmedia
Subject: Computers and office automation industries
ISSN: 1060-7188
Year: 1996
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The best CD-ROM drives go under the microscope
Article Abstract:
CD-ROM drives are rapidly coming down in price. The best of the double-speed and quad-speed drives include Chinon's double-speed CDX-535, the Pioneer DRM-604X and Plextor's Double Speed Plus. The Pioneer device is a quad-speed changer that can accomodate six discs. The Pioneer handles SCSI termination efficiently with a switch, others require a terminator block plugged into a SCSI connector. The Pioneer model also has push-button SCSI ID selectors for extra convenience. The Plextor drive has rotary switches, which are less convenient and can get set between IDs. Plextor's digital audio extraction capabilities are superior, allowing users to extract information from the CD across the SCSI bus into the hard drive, converting audio CD tracks into WAV files.
Publication Name: Newmedia
Subject: Computers and office automation industries
ISSN: 1060-7188
Year: 1995
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Fast new CD-ROM drives
Article Abstract:
An evaluation of 16 CD-ROM disk drives reveals that the top three competitors are the NEC MultiSpin 6X, the Plextor 6Plex and 4Plex Plus, and the TEAC 6X CD-56E. The market is mostly occupied by double-speed drives that provide users with 300Kbps of throughput. Quad-optimized discs are enabled to provide 600Kbps throughput and are mostly popular among game users. When upgrading to quad-speed and faster CD-ROM drives, users should consider the 250ms level a minimum threshold for performance; anything slower should be rejected. Seven of the CD-ROM disk drives evaluated are IDE drives while the remaining nine are SCSI systems. Prices for the drives range from $149 for the UMAX Maxmedia 4X to $515 for the Toshiba XM-3701.
Publication Name: Newmedia
Subject: Computers and office automation industries
ISSN: 1060-7188
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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