CompuServe Thread

#NEC 84-1 Bundle ?

4 messages in this thread
#49941From: Todd D. FladenJun 5, 1993 3:55 PM
I am interested in purchasing a NEC CD ROM, model 84-1. I would prefer to purchase this product as a bundle which would include a high end sound board (either the Sound blaster 16 or Pro Audio Spectrum 16), CD ROM software including Compton's Encyclopedia and interface card. I understand such a bundle is available with the older model NEC 84, however this model is not SCSI-2 nor Kodak Multisession compatible. Please advise. Thanks in advance. –tdf
#49980From: Jack L. ChalkerJun 6, 1993 6:11 AM
The older 84 is SCSI-2, but does not support Kodak multisession and NEC has indicated no plans to provide a firmware upgrade for it. As far as I know, that's the one that's in the bundle, and will be until they run out of them and package more (alas, probably not saying so on the packages). While an upgrade bundle is generally a nice deal, it's not the only alternative. Purchasing a good SCSI-2 XA Multisession CD ROM by NEC, Texel, or Toshiba, the three most reliable from all reports, can net you a good deal with a fair amount of bundled CDs (or even choices of CD bundle packs, which is not the case with MM bundles), and sound cards are relatively cheap. I suspect, in fact, that I could put together a bundle using any issue of Computer Shopper or PC Sources, probably from a single vendor, that was better and cheaper than the average bundle out there. Figure about $530 for a top of the line CDR, with bundled CDs thrown in, $200 for a good 16 bit sound card, and maybe $50 for cabling, and maybe another $200 for a really good high quality 16 bit SCSI card that can also run other devices if need be (if you don't already have one) and you're no worse off than buying a top of the line bundle, only you've made the choices and you've picked the best price/performance equipment in each category.
#50002From: Todd D. FladenJun 6, 1993 3:47 PM
Thanks for your reply. I am curious. Where can I purchase a "top-of-the-line" CDR player( ie. the new NEC-84-1 or equivalent Toshiba, Sony or Texel) WITH BUNDLED CD SOFTWARE for $540 ? –tdf
#50031From: edward welchJun 7, 1993 2:09 AM
Dirt Cheap Drives was running a special last week. The Texel drive, Pro Audio Spectrum sound board, and bundled software, for $559.00. Ed