CompuServe Thread

CD ROM with ANI PRO

22 messages in this thread
#54918From: Judy WellerAug 26, 1993 6:39 AM
Hi — Ani Pro came with a CD ROM of pics, Cels, etc. I do not have a CD ROM drive. Is it possible to get these on a diskette, or do you have a BBS that has them? Thanks Judy
#54944From: David RhotenAug 26, 1993 10:58 AM
Judy — Get a CD ROM drive! NOW! Really, you're missing all the great stuff on the 3DS CD, too. (Not to mention the new one that'll come with r3!) You can get a TEXEL internal 3054 from DC Drives [800-473-0960] for $419 w/ kit (or $519 w/ sound card and speakers). There are even cheaper drives (cheaper=slower) if you never want to use them for multimedia/game type apps. The abaove Texel has the double-speed capacity (called Multi-spin by NEC), which I would insist on, but that adds cost. Dave
#55008From: charles jamesonAug 26, 1993 5:47 PM
Since we are passing out free advice, I'd say go for a cheap drive for starters. I think you _should_ get the "Photo-CD multi-session" capability if you do much "take a picture put it in a computer work" – it's better than a scanning service bureau for straight photos. Get an external one if your kids have a separate computer, to start with you won't use it so much that you can't share with them. Chuck Jameson Silver Tongue Software
#55084From: Judy WellerAug 27, 1993 7:11 AM
Well It sure needs to be cheap! I just added another hard drive — so funds are low. Also I use SCSI and it need to be a SCSI drive. This is the first time I have ever missed not having CD-ROM. The games are mostly "shovelware" and are available on diskette. I will consider it, but I do need a cheap drive! — esp. if I end up getting 3DS v.3!! Judy
#55107From: David RhotenAug 27, 1993 11:10 AM
DC Drives has a Sony internal (model CDU-31A) for $229, and that includes a controller — if you already have a SCSI controller, you could probably get it for less — and, as James S. suggested, it is multi-sessionPhotoCD/XA compatible. It is SLOW, though: 490ms access vs 265ms on the Texel. Dave
#55324From: Ana Francisca GervasAug 29, 1993 1:58 PM
I have seen the Toshiba 3401 external for $500 without the SCSI card. Also doblespin. Hey Judy, you are really missing a lot without a CD. If you don't have the money, just go out there and steal one! <g> Or if you have kids, convice them to lend you the money 🙂 The amount and quality of CDROM justifies the buy (including the finnest and funniest cartoon style game I've seen DONE with Animator Pro: Day of the Tentacle on CD, by LucasArts -everybody: BUY THIS ONE!. After it, you really have to start to think that the 24bits are not really necessary in Animator Pro-just kidding- Seriously, it's really GOOD). Anyway, if you decide to go for a CD-ROM drive, get a double speed one. Ana
#55424From: Judy WellerAug 30, 1993 7:19 AM
Hi Ana, Didn't know you were an ANI PRO person<g>. Glad to see a familiar name from GAMAPUB. My problem with CD-ROM ( besides the price) is that there really isn't that much out there for it. I prefer diskette based games, and they usually come out first in disks before port to CD-ROM. ALso I can't help but notice the threads in GAMAPUB from the folks who can't get T7G to work, and over in GAMERS about Jutland. Just getting the ANI PROV v. 1.3 is the first time I have really thought I needed CD-ROM. Judy
#55501From: James M. MurphyAug 30, 1993 4:04 PM
Judy, I'll probably here from SEVERAL other Dealers about this but… Just call Hard Drives International also know as Insight Development. They are located in Tempe, Arizona at 800-488-0004. They sell a very good Talon CD-Rom drive that is billed as a starter type of CD-ROM. Model TA-100 Basic Internal drive with 380ms access time 32k buffer and 150KB transfer rate, adapter, A line in the sand and Nat'l Parks Cuide CD's their part number is ODTA100BK It's a Best Buy at $199.O0 If ya talk real nice you might even get a few dollars more off. Tell em' James Murphy Sent Ya. James M. Murphy
#54953From: John SchmidtAug 26, 1993 11:35 AM
Judy, You really ought to think about getting an inexpensive CD ROM drive; I've seen them for under $200, and you don't really need a very fast one for what you want to do. It will save the incredible amount of time you would have to deal with floppies, not to mention the amount of floppies themselves. I think you would find it a really worthwhile investment. John
#55085From: Judy WellerAug 27, 1993 7:11 AM
Where. where where — for under $200. If I could find one that cheap I would buy it!! Most stuff I see is $400+. ALso I need SCSi as that is the controller I use. Judy
#55106From: John SchmidtAug 27, 1993 11:02 AM
Well, Judy, For instance, I've seen those Mitsumi drives someone else mentioned in the local software stores for under $200, and even saw a review of it in a magazine that said it wasn't too bad. Also, looking in the latest DAK catalogue, I see an external BSR drive for $199, including its own interface card, (assuming you have a spare slot). Quoting them; "If you're not 100% thrilled with the CD ROM, return the drive (with the interface and bonus software) to DAK in its original box within 30 days for a courteous refund." It will even play audio CD's in the background while you use other programs. It also has a headphone jack and volume control if you want those features. I'm not necessarily recommending this unit, but you asked <g>. At least your satisfaction is guaranteed by DAK. They can be reached at 1-800-325-0800. The deal no. is 3232A. John
#54965From: MARTIN G FOSTERAug 26, 1993 1:17 PM
Judy, I bought a cheap, but effective Mitsumi cd-rom drive for $185 (available all-over, but I got it at the Price Club). My Texel cd-rom crapped out on me 10 days after the 1-year warranty had expired.<sob> Hey, you are up early! Or did you ever go to sleep? Your message shows a time of 04:39….
#55086From: Judy WellerAug 27, 1993 7:11 AM
No — I put these messages up at about 7;00 am (EDT). You must be on the west coast. I think the times you see are adjusted to your time zone. I don't belong to Price Club. I wonder if they cheap SCSI CD-ROM drives? Judy
#55127From: MARTIN G FOSTERAug 27, 1993 1:51 PM
Judy, other places sell the cheap Mitsumi drives for a similar price. Others do these annoying bundles only (cd-rom, 5 titles, speakers, sound card) which may be of dubious value. The cheap drives like Mitsumi are not SCSI – they use some kind of proprietary interface and supply the controller with the drive. Mine works fine, so far, and I can't complain at that price.
#55192From: Judy WellerAug 28, 1993 7:11 AM
This proprietary interface that so many makers are putting it something that I have noticed and do not think it is a great idea. I will not buy a CD-ROM drive with a proprietary interface since I think that it could mean problems down the road. Also I am sure not going to pay for bundled speakers, software etc. I will see what I can turn up in Computer Shopper, but for now I am going to go over to a friend and copy the stuff from the CD-ROM on to diskettes! Thanks Judy
#55236From: MARTIN G FOSTERAug 28, 1993 12:19 PM
Judy, I would have ideally bought SCSI also, BUT, the SCSI drives were _a lot_ more money which I didn't have….
#55425From: Judy WellerAug 30, 1993 7:19 AM
You are right there — SCSI does raise the price. I just added a new SCSI external hard drive and it cost me $450. IDE internal drives the same size were less than 1/2 the price of what I bought. Judy
#55155From: John TissavaryAug 27, 1993 6:42 PM
I got a Toshiba SCSI CD-ROM with 350ms access time for $170 at NCR, a very reputable peripherals company in Sunnyvale, Ca. This was an OEM special deal, not a regular stock item, so there may not be any more available, but you can call them: (408) 739-9010. They have other drives for around the same price, but most of those use proprietary controllers. Good luck, John Tissavary (La Luna cie)
#55193From: Judy WellerAug 28, 1993 7:11 AM
I will give them a call and see how I make out. I also will look through Computer Shopper and see if they have any sort of inexpensive SCSI external CD-ROM drive. Thanks for the info. Judy
#55255From: John TissavaryAug 28, 1993 3:47 PM
Any time. John Tissavary (La Luna cie)
#55170From: David StinnettAug 27, 1993 9:22 PM
Judy, I have a Sony internal drive I've been looking to sell. It comes with its own interface card (psuedo-scsi, I think) and its speed was pretty much average, at least it was average when I first got it. It did me well until I started to play CD-games, at which point I went out and got the fastest thing I could find. It's also on Kodaks list of drives that will read photo CDs, although only single session. I'm asking $200, shipping included. If your interested, let me know, and I'll dig out the model # and specs for you. David
#55191From: Judy WellerAug 28, 1993 7:11 AM
Thanks for the offer, but I don't have the extra slot for the drive, so I need an external SCSI drive. Judy