#CDROMs
16 messages in this thread
>IBM doesn't provide CD ROM to their customers
Just because IBM doesn't do it doesn't mean Commodore can get away
with not doing it either. Also, maybe you haven't seen the latest
Ambra [IBM] ads which offer machines with CD-ROM drives, plus I
believe it is possible to get their ValuePoint machines with them
also. Even ignoring these details, a LARGE number of clone vendors
are now offering configurations with CD-ROM drives. '94 is the year
that CD-ROM is really exploding. The main reasons are that the
number and quality of titles is increasing, the hardware (CD-ROM
drive) price/performance is much better, plus parents are starting to
see the value in either purchasing PC's with CD-ROM drives or adding
one to their existing PC's so that they can use the educational
software that's coming out.
Maybe the reason Commodore won't bring out an A4000 with a CD drive is
because they can't get one to fit in the bay (has anyone ever managed
to fit one in there?).
Paul: Although I haven't tried to mount a CDROM drive in the 5 1/4 bay
of the 4000, I have installed a Tandberg Tape drive. I had to remove
the PS fan cage, reposition the hard drive, and use a shoe horn, but
it finally fit 8^)
I managed to squeeze an 88MB Syquest into a 4000, with about the same
hacking as John. They have since changed the power supply so it's not
as difficult. The Syquest is about the same size as a CD ROM.
Where did IBM get that 'Ambra' name anyway? When I first saw print ads
for them, I figured CBM would file a lawsuit. It's awfully close to
"Amiga" for a trademark in the same industry.
>Where did IBM get that 'Ambra' name anyway? … It's awfully
>close to "Amiga" for a trademark in the same industry.
Well they both start with Am if that's what you mean but I don't find them
close really (but that's something for lawyers to deal with).
> I figured CBM would file a lawsuit.
They should be more interested in a [real] dealer chain in the Mid West called
"CBM". 🙂
>Well they both start with Am if that's what you mean but I don't
find >them close really (but that's something for lawyers to deal
with).
They both have the same number of letters, start with AM and end in A. I
also thought the type font Ambra used in the print ads that I saw bore a
fair resemblance to the Amiga logo. But as you say, that's for the
amusement of legal types to decide. 🙂
>They should be more interested in a [real] dealer chain in the Mid West
>called "CBM". 🙂
Never heard of them. I'm in the midwest, where would these guys be?
>Maybe the reason Commodore won't bring out an A4000 with a CD drive is
>because they can't get one to fit in the bay (has anyone ever managed to
>fit one in there?).
I have, but not without effort. I got my Chinon CD-431 (the one from
Xetec) inside the 5 1/4 bay, and it is real tight, but I suppose this
one must be quite big because it's old. The biggest problem was the
power connectors at the edge of the cable, it works much better with
the ones that are attached in the middle of it. It is quite tight
but works OK, and it's really cool to have it this way! 😎
David,
Good to hear you manged to fit a CD drive in. I have just bought a
4000, waht up to date CD drive would you recommend?
Will a Standard PC drive work, or do I need a SCSI drive.???????????
Regards
William
Hi William,
>Good to hear you manged to fit a CD drive in. I have just bought a
>4000, waht up to date CD drive would you recommend?
If you have the money, go for one with all the extras, double speed
(300K/sec), multisession (for Photo-CD support) and a buffer of at least
64K. For the software, I have Xetec CDROM Filesystem and it's really
great. Toshiba has good drives, and curiosly, the Apple CD300 drive makes
for a really good one, (external or internal). It has all the extras and
it's cheaper than most others, internally is a SONY unit. It also has one
little advantage, it lets (by software) you read digital music data into
the Amiga, so you can play it or process it without sampling hardware with
full 16bit quality. This can be very useful for some people.
If you have a tight budget, double speed is important, multisession not so
much, and for the software, there is AmiCDROM FS which is PD and quite as
good as the commercial ones (getting better each day). You can find it
here in Compuserve I think.
>Will a Standard PC drive work, or do I need a SCSI
>drive.???????????
Definitely a SCSI one. You will have to purchase a SCSI controller for the
A4000, but it is a must these days. I have heard something about a PC IDE
CD being adapted to the A4000/A1200, but knowing the IDE controller in
both machines is not really a full implementation (problems with some hard
drive brands) I prefer always SCSI interfaces, they are more fun to play
with 8-).
David Santamaria.
…from Basque Country with AutoPilot.
David,
Thanks for the info., ther is acouple of small things I forgot to ask:
– Can I use CDTV or CD32 sorftware with the drive
– I already have a SCSI Hard Drive can I use the controller card from
that to interface with the CD ROM drive.
Regards
William Smith
Hi William,
>Can I use CDTV or CD32 sorftware with the drive
Yes… and no… (?)
There is a lot of CDTV software that works, I personally have not
tested a lot, but Xetec's filesystem has CDTV emulation capability
and some titles I have tried (mainly PD compilations) work perfectly.
CD32 software will not run if it uses AGA, Chunky graphics, FMV… If
you want to run CD32 software buy a CD32, it will run ALL of its
discs! 😎
>I already have a SCSI Hard Drive can I use the controller card from that
>to interface with the CD ROM drive.
Of course, every SCSI host adaptor I know allow to connect at least 6
devices. You need a special cable to attach both devices to the
controller, the only special consideration is the termination resistors of
each device, but with only 2, it should not be much trouble.
David Santamaria.
…from Basque Country with AutoPilot.
David,
Recently I saw MACwarehouse advertising Apple's PowerCD for $199. I was
wondering if you know if it works on the Amiga? It priced right and it
comes with a remote control and three connector ports. A 50 pin SCSI, TV
(Photo CD player) and audio (stereo or headphone) outs. I got these specs
from the FAXFACTS line.
o SCSI burst rate 2.1 MB per second, 256k buffer
o Average data access time 550 milliseconds
o Ports. Video/audio-output port, 50-pin SCSI connector, sound-output
jack (stereo), headphone jack
o Dimensions (HWl); 6.5 by 8" by 4.9 inches (16.5 by 22.1 by 12.5cm)
o Weight 3.1 lb. (1.4kg)
o Remote control for Photo CD and audio CD playback
o SCSI & video cables included. NTSC and PAL versions.
o Supports multiple CDROM formats including CD-ROM XA, and multisession
Kodak Photo CD
o Provides CD digital audio data via SCSI port.
So other than the slow access time this sounds pretty good for the price.
Have you any experience with this drive? Anyone using it on an Amiga? It's
priced $200 less than the AppleCD 300 from 'warehouse.
Thanks,
Christopher
I've already ordered this drive from MacWarehouse, and should be getting it end
of this week(backordered!) Some of the Mac users on CIS have said that the
$199 version doesn't include the base that gives you video out and the remote
control, but I'll see when the drive arrives. According to Internet sources,
the PowerCD has been successfully used with the AmiCDROM PD drivers. When I
get the drive, I'll post a report to CI$!
Hi Christopher,
>Recently I saw MACwarehouse advertising Apple's PowerCD for $199. I was
>wondering if you know if it works on the Amiga? It priced right and it
>comes with a remote control and three connector ports. A 50 pin SCSI, TV
>(Photo CD player) and audio (stereo or headphone) outs. I got these
>specs from the FAXFACTS line.
It looks REAL good! I can't think of a reason why it shouldn't work with
the Amiga, at least for average use.
>SCSI burst rate 2.1 MB per second, 256k buffer
This point usually doesn't show real world figures…
>Average data access time 550 milliseconds
This is a bit slow, but it should be enough for most reference, PD,
and archive applications…
>o Supports multiple CDROM formats including CD-ROM XA, and multisession
Kodak Photo CD
>o Provides CD digital audio data via SCSI port.
These are very interesting features…
>Have you any experience with this drive?
No, but maybe someone in his forum knows something more…
David Santamaria.
…from Basque Country with AutoPilot.
David,
You won't experience problems getting the Apple PowerCD to work with your
Amiga. However check MacWarehouse for the price of the CD-300 before
ordering a PowerCD, according to their price list (1 week old) here in the
UK (from MACWarehouse UK office) they are selling the Apple CD-300 for UK
149 pounds, which equates to around your $200.
You'd be better off getting the CD-300 than the PowerCD if you can afford
it, unless you need either the PhotoCD playback on a TV, or the remote…
Kevin 68030/40 A1200…
Flying AutoPilot from Surrey in the UK
Kevin,
I like the idea of the portable unit. Could use the PhotoCD for family
album. Once my sister sees it she'll want one to archive all her new baby
photos. 🙂
According to my latest US MACwarehouse, the CD-300 is $399. Too bad the
PowerCD is single-speed. Other than that it sounds like a good deal. I
called them and you get everything for $199. Someone was saying you didnt'
get the base or remote control. That info is incorrect.
Christopher
Chris,
Yeah, it's a nice unit isn't it, and I know how you feel about your sister
wanting to store all her new baby pics on PhotoCD, she'll probably keep
Kodac in business on her own <g>. I must admit portability can be useful
for some people, especially those with new borns 😉
I'm sure that the US version of the CD-300 will come down soon, it's
unusual for it to drop in price over here first.
Kevin 68030/40 A1200…
Flying AutoPilot from Surrey in the UK