#NEC CD74 Buffer Size
8 messages in this thread
Recently, I read that the CD74's buffersize has changed from 64k to 256k.
(In an ad by Tiger Software)
I was wondering, How do I tell what the buffer size on my CD74 is?
Also, is their a diagnostic utility that will tell me about my CD74?
Thanx for any help!!!!!!
C.S.
Charles,
Only NEC's latest drive the CDR-74-1 has a 256k buffer in it. This drive
is also SCSI-2 and XA Multisession capable.
If you do not have this model number or see some mention of these SCSI-2,
XA Multisession capabilities then you have the 64k buffer.
As far as diagnostics utilities what capabilities were you looking for?
If you have your CDR-74 hooked up to an independent SCSI card using an
ASPI manager there are some interesting utilities around. If you are using
NEC's proprietary SCSI card then I don't know of any, other than the ones
supplied with your drive by NEC.
Jay Cahow
Cahow Consulting
Thanx for the help Jay!
I have the CD74 (no "-1") … Oh well.. Do u think there's a way to upgrade?
Is there a big timing difference. I have a Compaq 486/66mHz, 24mb RAM.
>>If you have your CDR-74 hooked up to an independent SCSI card using an
>>ASPI manager there are some interesting utilities around
I use the Mediavision PAS card tat came w/ the NEC Multimedia gallery. Would
this fir in the ASPI manager category?
Thanx for ur help, C.S.
Charles,
There is no UPGRADE plan offered by NEC but there is an EXCHANGE program
you can partake in although its fairly expensive.
For $249 you can send your entire drive back to NEC (including cables,
manuals, terminator, etc…) and they will send you a brand new CDR-74-1
if you want its features.
Its a high price and I doubt they will get alot of takers. The exchange
price is almost 50% of a new drive. SCSI-2 does not buy you much at best
(things like software volume control) on a CD ROM and I don't know what
tangible effect the larger buffer size will show. You might be better off
selling your old drive and buying a new one with the money you make. There
are some new drives that have equaled or bypassed the NEC now from other
vendors for the same or less money.
If you need Multisession XA (Photo CD) support maybe an exchange is worth
while. Your current drive should handle single session Photo CDs without
problems asumming your software drivers support the funtion. If you have
trouble reading a single session Photo CD be aware that some early CDR-74
drives (like mine) had bad memory chips which caused image display problems.
NEC DOES have an UPGRADE program (for free) in these cases to replace the
bad memory chip but you will get the exact same drive returned. I had to
send my drive to have this problem corrected.
I don't have a PAS sound card so I leave it for someone else to jump in and
say for sure whether it has an ASPI manager. My gut feeling is that it does
not as ASPI is usually found with a dedicated SCSI controller. If you
cannot add other devices to your SCSI chain then I doubt its ASPI based
either.
You can have SCSI-1 and SCSI-2 devices on the same SCSI chain so even if you
add a dedicated SCSI controller later and buy other SCSI-2 devices you can
still use your current drive.
Let me know if you need further information on Upgrade or Exchange details.
Jay Cahow
Cahow Consulting
Jay, Charles —
Just to clarify — Yes, ASPI drivers are available for the PAS16 card. You
have to buy them separately from Trantor, though, for something like $89(?).
— Samuel
All the NEC supplied SCSI cards for CD-ROM drives have ASPI Managers. They are
available from the Trantor BBS at 510-656-5159.
NEC has distributed the CDXT002 – T128 (MA120.SYS is the ASPI Manager)
CDXT003 – T130b (MA13b.SYS)
CDPS002 – T228 (MA120.SYS)
CDINT338 – T338 (MA338.SYS)
The ASPI Managers are free, but the ASPI drivers are not. You can purchase them
from Trantor though, at 1-800-TRANTOR 510-770-1400.
I'd been led to believe that the port off the PAS16 wasn't efficient for
chaining with or without a manager. Are you saying that it's a fully compliant
SCSI port that would accept the usual chain with the right manager and drivers?
There's no good way to find out, but it's likely that if it's an older
version it does not. One key indicator is if it states that it is Kodak photo
multisession (not single session) compatible.
NEC has offered upgrades to the firmware on the 74 and 83, although you do
have to send them the drive and pay a fee for the upgrade. You might call NEC
and find out if your drive qualifies.