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Date:	Mon, 10 Nov 2003 09:39:31 PST8
From:	Steve Carter <scarter@vcnet.com >
Reply-To:	scoug-help@scoug.com
To:	scoug-help@scoug.com
Subject:	SCOUG-Help: Need recommendation for drive for TP 600X: read DVD and write CD in eCS

Content Type: text/plain

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Jeffrey Race:

There is only one OS/2 CD-burning software game in town: RSJ

http://www.rsj.de

RSJ also makes a windows version. Mine is not up-to-date,
but the RSJ folks do update their software regularly and
they are responsive. Many new features are now available,
although it never seems quite as current at Nero or Roxio.
Not a problem for me.

Another HW possibility is an external USB CD writer. You
will need external power for this approach, but it is more
flexible, and possibly less expensive although bulkier.
My TP 600E is limited to USB 1 speeds, but for CD writing
that is not much of a problem. Based on USB bus speed alone,
USB 1.x should be adequate for DVD playback, but I've not
tried.

Perhaps someone else can advise about USB under OS/2,
as I do not have it working on that machine.

Because of limited battery life, I've chosen NOT to write
CD's with a laptop writer. Nevertheless, it could be a useful
function for someone who travels a lot, especially if the
writer is reasonably speedy. Even an 8X CD writer will finish
a CD in around 10 minutes. On the desktop, I've stopped climbing
the escalating CD writer speed ladder at 16x-20X; the time reduction
is minimal for the faster writing speeds and my occasional use.

I have a DVD player for the laptop bay, but playing a long movie may
well exhaust one battery. Auto/Air 12V laptop adapters regularly
appear on eBay, and I use one when traveling in a motorhome,
giving me virtually inexhaustible battery. My 2x laptop DVD drive
cost about $80 2 years ago, as NIB surplus (centrix-intl.com).

The main advantage of the 16X CD writer Bruce mentions below,
is that it writes the newer 10X CD re-writable media at 10X.
Otherwise, your MUST use the older 4X re-writable media in
a 4X drive. They are not compatible. Re-writable media is
not nearly as popular as write-once media. I once though I
would use a lot of re-writables, but it just hasn't worked
out that way. I have a box full of old unused 2x-4x RW disks,
and no 10X re-writable disks at all. YMMV

--Steve

++++++++++++++++
On 11/10/03, Dr. Jeffrey Race wrote, in part:
>
>Bruce Markowitz (of TP list fame) writes me:
>
> "I do have CD-R combo drives (write CD,CD-RW and read DVD)
>
> I have 8X4X24/8X DVD, 16X10X24/8X (official IBM) and 24X as above.
>
> The 16X is 08K9820, the others don't have FRU numbers as they are
> not "official" IBM. Note that the official drive is for the T series,
> IBM never made a combo drive officially for the 600 series.
>
> I can convert the plugs, but there will be the notch for the T series
> on the faceplate.
>
> I think the best bet is the 8X, it has an appropriate looking
> faceplate, and it is a normal IDE drive, made by Toshiba. I can get
> the Toshiba model [#] if needed, it is "old" enough that it should
> work with most any burning software."
>
>As this is completely out of my experience, I'd appreciate comment
>as to what my options are and what I should get. (Also: what OS/2
>CD-burning s/w to go with what drive.) How much should I pay and
>what are sources of good used or NIB devices if Bruce doesn't have
>what I really need?
>
>Bruce mentions in another message (5 months ago, my queue is rather long):
>
> "There are even 8X4X24/8XDVD combo drives available for that unit.
> A DVD drive would cost $100 plus shipping, a combo drive ready to
> plug and play (with Nero software) would be $175 plus shipping.
> It would play DVD and burn CD."
>
>Bruce has always sold me good parts so anyone needing bits and pieces,
>or entire machines, may reach him as "Bruce Markowitz" at
>.
>
>Thanks for all help.
>Jeffrey Race

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