#Philips CD ROM writer
18 messages in this thread
Can anyone tell me the phone number of the branch of Philips that deals
with the new $6000 CD ROM writer.
Thanks
Steve
Can't tell you the Philips number, but the Kodak number for our version of
that writer (with some added features) is: 800-242-2424, ext. 52.
Kodak PCD Writer 200 = $5995 (This is a multi-session capable writer)
Kodak PCD Writer DOS software = $1995 (Mac and UNIX software will be
introduced soon)
Kopak Writable CDs = $25 each in single-unit quantities, negotiable in lots
of more than 500.
Paul
Will Kodak (cd writer) software support the Rock Ridge extensions for UNIX?
Are the added features in the hardware or just specific to Kodak's drivers
that is uses with the Writers?
> Will Kodak (cd writer) software support the Rock Ridge extensions for
UNIX?
I don't know. Could you call KIC: 800-242-2424, ext. 52? They can talk
you through this.
I suspect that the answer will be yes, but have not been able to decipher
the multitude of CD-ROM standards, particularly UNIX.
> Are the added features in the hardware …
The primary feature difference is in the hardware. It is the ability to
read the barcode and human-readable unique serial number that we created
for our brand of writable CD discs. An example of this can be seen on our
Photo CD discs, where the index print on the jewel case cover has the
serial number, and the disc itself has the same number. Our home Photo CD
players recognize each Photo CD disc as unique, and can remember (RAM chip)
instructions on how to play the disc back.
In other areas, this serial number may prove useful.
Paul
Paul,
Rock Ridge extension sit on top of ISO-9660. So you can still read any
Rock Ridge disk on any ISO-9660 compliant platform which is almost every
computer platform these days.
The complete spec is free and is in the library for downloading. It gives
you all the capabilities of the UNIX operating system/filesystem while
still remaining compliant with the ISO-9660 specification.
Thanks for the update on the Kodak CD-writers too.
Paul,
We're looking for a writer, for the primary purpose of delivering image
files (that we scan) to our customers for publishing on their CDROM. (So we
don't have to fight with 27 different kinds of tape drive and the odd
Bernoulli drive)
You just mentioned bar code and Kodak branded media. Can I use
Kodak media on a Philips writer? Can I use generic media on a Kodak writer?
Seriously, I'm charging up my flamethrower here. The world does _not_ need
another "enhanced" (meaning almost but not quite) standard.
BTW, when will the photo CD software be available to run on
customer-pre-owned workstations–If I already own a Sun or a 32 meg 486-50,
I'm willing to pay for the software, but I get $%^&* teed off at having to
duplicat $10k worth of hardware I already own.
Frank
>> Can I use Kodak media on a Philips writer?
Yes. It is Orange Book compatible media. We have followed the industry
standards, meaning Orange Book and ISO 9660.
You can also use it with OUR writer <S>.
> BTW, when will the photo CD software be available to run on
customer-pre-owned workstations–If I already own a Sun or a 32 meg 486-50,
I'm willing to pay for the software, but I get $%^&* teed off at having to
duplicat $10k worth of hardware I already own.
The Sun in our Photo CD Imaging Workstation has been heavily modified to
handle the throughput and image processing requirements of our high speed
scanner (which produces five files for *each* image that would be 25 Mb
uncompressed – then compresses them and sends them to the CD writer in
about 5 seconds).
Besides the Sun, the workstation includes the high speed scanner, writer,
and XLT 7720 thermal printer, all "tweaked" to handle the heavy data
throughput and work together.
You can call the Kodak Information Center to inquire if there is some way
to substitute your Sun in the middle of the system. Try the extension 53
choice for 800-242-2424. However, I suspect that once you install the
image processing and acceleration boards, and image processing software,
hook up the scanner, writer, and thermal printer, you will probably have to
dedicate your CPU to this task.
If your interest is in creating Photo CD Portfolio discs or Photo CD
Catalog discs, you will be able to purchase desktop authoring software by
mid-1993. Photo CD Portfolio discs accept up to 800 TV quality (512 x 768
pixel) images, combined with up to one hour of sound, text, graphics,
programmed access, etc. Photo CD Catalog discs conatin up to 6,000 images,
can also contain sound, text, graphics, and programmed access, and also
contain Kodak Browser software for accessing the images.
Paul
Any more info on the Photo CD Catalog? What picture resolution? How much
sound, graphics, text, etc.? What kind of sound?
I've read several pieces on Photo CD, even got a packet from Kodak, and
haven't seen the Catalog mentioned.
800 pages with images at 512 x 768 pixel resolution, and the ability to put
up to about 8 images per page. Up to 1 hour sound, full audio CD stereo
(uncompuressed). The more sound, the less images. Eg., 3200 pictures (400
pages x 8 images) plus 30 minutes of audio.
Photo CD Catalog, Photo CD Portfolio, Professional Photo CD Master, and
Photo CD Medical are all new formats announced August 25. Press releases
for these can be found in Library 1, in the Photoforum (GO:PHOTOF).
Paul
Paul,
Whew. I just spent Friday eve discovering that contrary to my
previous understanding, an Exabyte is not always an Exabyte. (no smile)
Actually, my response was based on not liking the last two things
I'd heard out of Kodak–the implication of proprietary media, and
discovering that while the writer was being advertised with borrowed
Photo-CD "sizzle" it actually had nothing to do with PhotoCD.
I don't know if the folks at your 800 line were avoiding vaporware
or if they simply didn't know about the desktop authoring software, but
there was no mention of such a thing. All I heard was a direct Philips
competitor.
Thanks for the additional info.
Frank
>> … writer was being advertised with borrowed Photo-CD "sizzle" it
actually had nothing to do with PhotoCD.
I am not aware of any PCD Writer 200 advertising.
I wrote the press release, and we were careful not to relate the writer to
Photo CD at this time, except to say that it is "…an outgrowth of the new
Kodak Photo CD system." This is true, because it is the same writer that
is used in the Photo CD Imaging Workstation.
The writer's only connection to Photo CD will be when we introduce desktop
authoring software mid-1993 for the creation of Photo CD Portfolio and
Photo CD Catalog discs. This software will work with our writer and with
other ISO 9660/Orange Book-compatible writers.
> I don't know if the folks at your 800 line were avoiding vaporware or if
they simply didn't know about the desktop authoring software…
A little of both. We will probably not have anything definitive to say
about the desktop authoring software until next year, when it is ready for
shipment.
Paul
> that writer (with some added features) is: 800-242-2424, ext. 52.
Have you got a non 800 number, we can't dial that from the UK.
Better still, do you know if there is a UK number we could call?
Thanx
Steve
Call our switchboard in Rochester, New York: 716-724-4000. Tell them you
want to talk to the technical support/sales staff at the Kodak Information
Center, for Writable CD. They can switch you through.
Or, call your local Kodak company. I don't have the numbers for the non-US
Kodak operations. Sorry. If you can find a Kodak dealer near you, they
would have the Kodak office phone number.
Paul
Paul-
Does the Kodak PCD writer create standard ISO 9600 formatted CDROMS, that
can be read on cheapo readers?
Steve
> Does the Kodak PCD writer create standard ISO 9600 formatted CDROMS, that
can be read on cheapo readers?
Yes.
Paul
Steve,
From PC Magazine October 27: 800-835-3506
Frank
Steve,
We're Philips CDD-521 dealers, and also carry Optical Media International's
formatting software. If you ~send me an address, or call our toll-free
phone number (1-800-387-1633), we can send you a brochure with prices on
those products and our services. We also sell the CD-R blank discs. Oops,
just noticed from your PIN that you're not in the US. My phone is
205-534-3050 if you'd like to talk about it, or you could call the Calgary
office at 403-263-1370.
~OMI has announced that their formatting software will be available for Sun
and Silicon Graphics workstations (supporting Rocky Ridge) in Feb. '93.
The PC Windows ~version is available now, and the Mac package is due out
next month. OMI also has a good track record for actually delivering s/w
when they say they will — very unusual in this business. You can make CDs
for UNIX or Mac with the PC s/w (and all other combinations when the other
versions are out), by formatting the data as a bit-for-bit image.
Naturally, you can't test the disc on the PC, since it probably won't run
the UNIX programs (there are so many flavors of UNIX, after all), but you
can validate that what you put in is what went onto the disc.
I hope this helps!
Kathy <<– The One-Off CD Shop MidSouth, Inc.
Steve-
You can contact Phillips at 800-328-2347. Good luck.
-> Eric