#PhotoCD
24 messages in this thread
On the CD topics, I've seen several comments about the new Kodak
photo-CD format which is not ISO9660 compatible. Does anyone know
anything about this turn of events?
CDROM drives can be made to read the Kodak PhotoCD and regular CD's
as well. Their format is not the same as ISO9660, but drives that
can read ISO9660 can read it. PhotoCD can be single session or
multisession. All drives prior to the most recent ComDex show were
either not compatible or they were single session. (This session
business is brought about by the necessity to write a new directory
each time new material is written to the drive, so multi-session
really means it can read multiple directories.) I believe that the
format is proprietary, so we probably won't be seeing it in a text
file on CIS.
Somewhere I was reading about PhotoCD. I seem to recall reading that
it uses CDROM-XA (like sub-directories) and that Kodak was going to
sell driver packages for IBM & MACs (about $49) so that (I assume)
most CDROM drives could read PhotoCD's.
IF CDTV can read CDROM-XA disks then all we should need is a driver!?
later!
I've been reading messages in the CDROM forum for quite a while, and
they have a great deal of information about Photo CD. They have
several text files about the requirements for reading it, etc. It
does require CDROM-XA, but the XA drives (as best I can recall) can
be single or multi-session. Only the most recent drives can handle
the multiple sessions that will be required for most PhotoCD disks. I
believe that Toshiba's 3301 can have a ROM upgrade that will make it
compatible, but those earlier than the 3301 cannot. Wouldn't you
know that I have a 3201B.
Betty,
That is very close to correct. The Toshiba 3301 series is
single-session Photo-CD ready and can be upgraded to multi-session. For
$100 they install a new rom, new small circuit board (?) and supply a new
device driver for your Mac or PeeCee ( What? You're not using either to
run your CD-Rom?). Oh well, there is no software for Amy that will handle
Photo-CD anyway. Call Kodak and bug them now (1-800-242-2424 ext.77)
Hee-hee.
Goin' AP6
…..Mark Sterling6
Mark,
I called KODAK and asked about software for my C= Amiga MultiMedia
computer. 'No', was their reply no plans to support it, 'as the market is
a very slim one'. However, the person I spoke to did say that all calls
were recorded and that that each one would help to make a decision on
future plans. So, it is in our best interest that we urge everyone to call
and ask for support. So to ALL that read this thread.
Call Kodak and ask them now (1-800-242-2424 ext.77) for software for your
Commodore Amiga Multimedia workstation.
Chris
A fellow I met on another BBS works at Kodak and uses Amigas at home. At
work, he says, all the Kodak tech types are Macinfreaks. He has failed
several times to get his shop to bring in an Amiga for evaluation but
apparently finally succeeded the other day. Meanwhile, he asked about
Photo CD support for Amiga, and got the same "no plans" answer you did. So
everyone phone that 800 Kodak number and let your voices be heard.
Ron,
Let's keep that Kodak number from scrolling off of here for a while. When
you comment on it again, insert the number.<g>
Kodak Photo-CD for Info call 1-800-242-2424 ext.77
Chris
Chris: You must mean that number to call to urge Kodak to offer Photo-CD
for Amiga — 800-242-2424 ext. 77. I'm pretty sure it hasn't scrolled off
yet. <g>
Ron,
Yup! Kodak Photo-CD for Info call 1-800-242-2424 ext.77
That is the correct number to call if you want to ask/urge KODAK to offer
Photo-CD support for the Amiga line of computers.
g>
Chris
Say, what was that number again ?
andy
Ron,
No. I think you mean this number (800) 242-2424 Ext 77.
-mark=
(grin…)
Mark,
Do you think if we get KODAK to support PHOTO CDROM for the Amiga, that
COMMODORE would think about adding their own support for the medium? I
mean CDROM in general? Or do you think the reason they're ignoring its
existence in the X000 series is because their latest and greatest model
can't fit one in it's poorly dimensioned bay? The way things are going
KODAK might write the drivers for PHOTO CD, and C= will ignore the whole
idea. Making KODAK's original decision to ignore the Amiga a valid one.
But still I'd call KODAK at (800) 242-2424 Ext 77 and ask for the drivers.
Too bad we can't do the same thing with C=, but they REALLY tend to ignore
us.
Chris
I am definately going to call:
Kodak PhotoCD at 1-800-242-2424 ext. 77
I called them during the summer and I am very glad to see that PhotoCD
is getting some attention in the Amiga forums. Been thinking of getting
a Kodak player but I would MUCH rather be able to import to my Amiga.
Question to all:
I've been thinking why not use something like CrossPC on the amiga to
run PCAcess s/w from Kadak to read PhotoCD disks then convert to amiga
useable format ?
Problem:
I think Kodak only has Windows vers. and Mac (no DOS vers.) so far.
I have no doubt at all that Kodak would love to see PhotoCD implemented on
as wide a range of systems as possible … and that includes Amiga CDTV.
But, PhotoCD is a combined project between Kodak and Philips … and
Philips own CD-I … and, although I'd love to see it happen, I can't see
Philips being too keen to let Commodore have a licence to support PhotoCD
on their main rival system. Certainly not at this stage anyway.
Mike-
You hit the nail right on the head. I've talked with Amiga reps and that
is indeed the problem. So pressure on Kodak is the only possability
because they have a terrific investment in PhotoCD.
Carl
That's the number I called. I too registered my vote for a port to the
Amiga. They sent a developer's info pack. $795 for full developer
support.
Goin' AP6
…..Mark Sterling6
When CDTV first came out C= did show CDTV reading PHOTO CD.
I wonder whether Kodak is more interested in selling software, or Photo
CD's?
If it were me, I'd almost give the reader software away, or make the specs
public knowledge. After all, a person will probably only buy one driver,
but plenty of Photo CD's.
Their attitude sounds somewhat like saying they won't sell, or let you
sell, a 10 cent plastic adapter so that you can use their film in your
camera.
The money is in the CD's not the software. Razor companies sell the razors
cheap, so you'll buy the blades. – Alex
If I read between the lines, it means that when you want to put new
pictures on the disk, they actually burn them on the same disk instead
of doing a new disk. Hence the need for multiple directories. Is
this correct?
Yes, that's correct…you don't need to put all 100 pictures
on the disk at once. You can put them on any number of times up to
the point where you finally end up with 100 on the disk.
Is it that expensive for the CD's? I would have thought that just
copying to a new CD would have been the way to go. Does the effect
of actually writing to the disk in a second/third/… pass do
anything to lessen the lifetime of the disk?
I'm not sure of the end pricing of the blank CD's themselves,
I'd guess that retail pricing is in the few dollars category. One
local dealer is charging anywhere from $1.25/picture to $0.85/picture
to add pictures to a Photo-CD, depends on how many you want to add at
one time. I seem to recall they said that throw the CD in for free
if you put at least 10 on it the first time (at $1.25 ea.). But,
figure a typical roll of film taken by Joe(Jane) Average. Out of the
24 shots, they will only want to put about 5 or 10 on at a time. They
won't want to wait until they have 100 ready to go…that could take
quite a while for most folks.
So at best…they'd need 10 CD's and at worst 20 CDs if the
dealer simply created a new CD each time. While individually they're
not that much, at 10 to 20 intermediate CD's used to get to the final
product…not very cost effective I'd say.
Professionals, or serious amature photographers are a
different story, in several ways. They may only like one out of a
roll of 36 shots, but by the same token…they may be able to come up
with 100 shots they want put on a Cd fairly quickly…say less than a
week. So they'd more than likely save up and get all 100 put on at
once…since their per picture cost is lower if they're all done at
once, and the blank CD would be throw in at no additional cost.
That's the way I understand it, John. You can have pictures put on
the disk in as many different sessions as you like, but there must be
a new directory each time, because they cannot add items to the
directories already on the disk. For this reason, the disk format
must allow for the reading of multiple directories. Most CDROM
drives currently in use read a single directory only. You might want
to read a few of the files from the CDROM forum, such as KODAK.TXT.
It tells a great deal about what is required for reading the disks,
and was placed there by a representative from Kodak.