Tosh. 3301-upgradebale?
8 messages in this thread
I've got a Toshiba TXM3301E1 CDROM drive and was wondering about
whether this can be upgraded to read XA type disks. It mentions
something about 'embedded XA' something or other in the specs but I
have no idea exactly what this means. I've already placed an order
for the 3401 unit which I know is XA as well as Photo CD compliant.
However, I'm curious as to if the 3301 can be upgraded and if so,
exactly how (hardware or firmware?) Also what sort of caching
programs are available that work best with CDROM drives? I'm using
one called CD Speedway but it doesn't really seem to be having a
noticeable effect.
The Toshiba XM3301 can read XA discs like Kodak PhotoCD, but only in single
session. It cannot read multisession discs because it lacks a way for device
drivers to get a hold of the last session.
The drive is not upgradeable to become an XM3401. I don't know what the
differences are aside from the obvious firmware change. The case was changed
from plastic to aluminum, but I don't think that was necessary.
rp93
Thanks for the info, Roger. The main reason I asked was because I'll soon be
getting my 3401 and I have a friend who's interested in purchasing my 3301 –
he'll be happy to hear it's Photo CD compatible. BTW, have you had the chance
to run stuff like 7th Guest on the 3401? Does the faster performance have any
effect on display performance (as in frame rates, etc.)
Norman
As soon as I get to Costco and buy 7th Guest, then I can reply. Until then, I
can't say.
rp93
Norman…
Just for your friend's peace of mind… while the 3301 is not upgradable to a
3401, the drive -is- upgradable to being multi-session XA capable! You need to
contact Toshiba for this… they'll require you to send the drive in, and I
think it'll cost somewhere around $99. Hope this helps! (Let me know if you
need a contact number for Toshiba…)
Yours,
Bryan
Thanks for the info, Bryan. I'll certainly let my friend know. Kind of
embarrassed about asking but.. just exactly *does* "multi-session" mean? I
thought I knew what it meant but I have a feeling it's not what I think!
Norman…
No sweat… you probably are close <g>. Multi-sessioning refers to the number
of times a CD has been written to. In the past, CDs have been single session,
all the information on them being written in one shot. Now, CD's are gaining
the ability of being written to multiple times, with each new batch of data
being added called a session. Thus, multi-session. Older drives would look
for an end-of-file marker, and would expect that was where the data ended.
Newer drives have the capability to look beyond this. Hope this clears it up a
bit for you! Let me know if there are any other questions I can answer!
Yours,
Bryan
Thanks for clearing that up for me, Bryan. I've been looking all over trying to
find the answer to that one!
Norm