#Pinnacle CD_ROM recorder
9 messages in this thread
Mark,
>>"The unit can be used to read and write CDs in a number of formats, including
multisession Photo CDs, Apple HFS and ISO 9660." (NEWMEDIA, p23 March 1993)
Is it REAL or is it Bullshit! (or sloppy writing. . . )>>
Would you believe a little of both? OK lurkers, here's the scoop from
Pinnacle:
The RCD-202 has *no* problem *reading* multisession Photo CDs, but *cannot*
write multisession Photo CDs *without* Kodak's software for writing
multi-session Photo CDs (which is, well, prohibitively expensive for those of
us who make less than say … Ross Perot).
NewMedia's article was accurate in that it said the RCD *can* be used to write
multisession Photo CDs, however it was clearly misleading as so many people
interpreted that to mean that it is able to do so out of the box from Pinnacle.
Phew … if anyone has any ideas on how I could have made that more wordy or
even less comprehensible please let me know <g>.
Sincerely,
Duane Burghard
Mardun Software Ltd.
(a Pinnalce Micro dealer)
Duane,
>> … Kodak's software for writing multi-session Photo CDs (which is, well,
prohibitively expensive for those of us who make less than say … Ross Perot).
We don't sell this software at this time unless it is bundled with the Photo CD
Imaging Workstation at this time.
I don't understand how you can make a statement about the price.
We will sell Photo CD Portfolio authoring software later this year, but we have
not announced the price yet. When it is launched, it will initially run on a
Sun Sparc Station. Later in the year, we will introduce it for Mac, and early
next year, for Windows.
CD-ROM purchasers should take care about investing in a CD-ROM writer now with
the expectation that it will write Photo CD discs later, however.
Regards … Paul
Paul,
>>We don't sell this software at this time unless it is bundled with the Photo
CD Imaging Workstation at this time.
I don't understand how you can make a statement about the price.>>
Welllll, to be *strictly* accurate, I didn't say it … or at least I didn't
say it first. That's what I was told by my Pinnacle dealer rep. I'll be sure
to give him a call this morning and thank him for making me look like such an
idiot. 🙁
In any case, I'm very excited about your proposed plans for the software (and a
93 ship date!).
>>CD-ROM purchasers should take care about investing in a CD-ROM writer now
with the expectation that it will write Photo CD discs later, however.>>
Whoa! Optimism jets on hold, what does that mean? Are there (or will there
be) special requirements of the RCDs which they aren't currently able to meet?
One thing I thought I *did* understand clearly from the folks in Tech Sup was
that it *would* be possible to write multi-session PhotoCDs with Pinnacle's RCD
… what piece to the puzzle are they/I missing?
Sincerely,
Duane Burghard
Mardun SOftware Ltd.
Duane,
>> One thing I thought I *did* understand clearly from the folks in Tech Sup
was that it *would* be possible to write multi-session PhotoCDs with Pinnacle's
RCD … what piece to the puzzle are they/I missing?
The first and most important issue is software and license to write Photo CD
discs.
These two things will come together when we introduce Photo CD Portfolio
authoring software in June for Sun Sparc Stations, in the Fall for Macintosh
systems, and early next year for Windows systems.
The second important issue is multisession capability for any writer you
purchase now.
Beyond that, there will be minimum technical specifications to be met, and
these aren't finalized yet. It would help to have a writer that reads and uses
the bar code that is integral to Photo CD discs, as a start. I am not sure yet
whether we will have an override for writers that don't have this capability.
Also, a double speed writer will be advantageous. Otherwise the minimum time
on a single speed writer to write a full disc will be one hour – a long time to
tie up your computer.
As you probably know, Kodak tests CD-ROM drives for Photo CD compatibility, and
supplies that information free to consumers by an 800 number and in libraries
online here. I would hope that we will perform the same service for CD writer
manufacturers once we introduce the software. However, full Orange Book
compatibility of any writer you decide to purchase now will put you in the
right direction.
When I have more information about all of this, probably as we start selling
the Photo CD Portfolio authoring software in June, I'll post it in the Photo CD
sections and libraries of the PhotoForum and Multimedia forum.
Regards … Paul
Paul,
>>The first and most important issue is software and license to write Photo CD
discs.>>
I'm talking about hardware problems in making it happen. This problem, as you
said, will go away when you offer the Portfolio authoring system.
>>The second important issue is multisession capability for any writer you
purchase now.>>
Ahh, but this, I am told, is not a problem with Pinnacle's system … are you
saying that there's no way they could know whether or not it's a problem?
>>Beyond that, there will be minimum technical specifications to be met, and
these aren't finalized yet.>>
It's very tempting to read this as "we don't want to say yet."
>>Otherwise the minimum time on a single speed writer to write a full disc will
be one hour – a long time to tie up your computer.>>
I think you'd be surprised …..
In any case, thanks for the clarification (info will sit in my brain until
called upon by a client who must know). 🙂
Sincerely,
Duane Burghard
Mardun Software Ltd.
Duane,
>> … are you saying that there's no way they could know whether or not it's a
problem?
They certainly haven't checked compatibility with us (that I am aware of as of
today). Nor have they tested our authoring software on their writer, since the
software hasn't been launched yet. I have to assume that they are making their
claims based on a best guess.
>> This problem, as you said, will go away when you offer the Portfolio
authoring system.
The Photo CD "Portfolio authoring system" you refer to is, I assume, Photo CD
Portfolio authoring *software*. If that software is used with a Kodak PCD
writer 200, then of course there is no hardware problem. I don't know how to
tell if there is a problem with other CD-ROM writers until they have been
tested. I presume that if the other writers are fully Orange Book compatible,
and have bar code reading capability, they will be compatible.
>> It's very tempting to read this as "we don't want to say yet."
You can read it as Orange Book compatibility with bar code reading capability.
>> I think you'd be surprised …..
I guess I was personalizing. I don't like to lose access to *my* computer for
an hour each time I write a disc. If you have lots of computers, or have high
value added from each disc, one hour per disc isn't a problem. Of course if
you have high value added per disc, the extra cost for a 2X writer (about
$2,000), with double the productivity, should make sound economic sense. It is
the difference between producing 8 full discs per 8 hour shift, or 16 discs
during the same time period.
Regards … Paul
Paul,
>>I have to assume that they are making their claims based on a best guess.>>
Oh, I hope not. Guessing is fine as long as you tell people that's what you're
doing, but I don't remember hearing that. I think I'm going to use the big "I
dunno" shield until we can get a little more specific. Thanks for the dialog.
Sincerely,
Duane Burghard
Mardun Software Ltd.
Duane,
This thread has caused me to ask questions here about other CD writers' claims
regarding Photo CD. There are no clearcut answers, but I would recommend
caution with respect to those claims.
When I know more, I will make the information available online.
Regards … Paul
Paul,
Thanks, I'll look for it.
Sincerely,
Duane Burghard
Mardun Software Ltd.