[log in to unmask] wrote:
> Mark,
>
> You are entering the confusing realm I entered about a month ago. As
> far as I can tell, the ability to re-write requires the purchase of a
> re-writable CD and most likely will be readable only on the machine
> it was written on, not on any CD-ROM. If you use a CD-R disk (write
> once), it should be able to be read on MOST NEW CD-ROM drives
> if you correctly record the CD and "close" the disk. If you do
> something wrong, the CD may still be readable on the CD-RW, but not
> other CD-ROM drives.

Alnost all CDROM drives within the last 4 or 5 years should be able to read CD-R
just fine. However, to read CD-RW, it needs to conform to CD-UDF (variable
packet writing). Only the newer drives within the last year are likely to have
this feature. My Plextor 12/20plex supports reading CD-RW.

>
> > I am looking at IDE CD writers and I need a clarification. I realize that
> > you can purchase read / write only CDs that can only be recorded once for
> > anywhere from 1 to 5 dollars apiece and that you can purchase CDs that are
> > read re writeable that cost around 15 dollars apiece. It appears to me that
> >  all CD writers started out as CD read / write only machines and now have
> > evolved to CD read / re writeable machines.
>
> I was trying to decide the SCSI/IDE interface problem. Depending on
> you needs and wants, IDE may work for you, and then again, it may
> not. I read in a recent review that you should place the CD-RW on the
> same channel as your hard drive if you wish to copy files from the
> hard drive to the CD-RW (or CD-R) because IDE (or in this case EIDE)
> does not do a good job shuttling date between the channels. This
> could theoretically slow your hard drive access speed.
>
> Secondly, it seems that copying audio disks is much more difficult
> with EIDE CD-R(W) as well as using an EIDE CD-ROM as the source. The
> recommendation is a SCSI CD-R(W) and a SCSI CD-ROM.
>

SCSI's ability to multi-task multiple devices makes it superior when working
with CD-R and CD-RW drives.

> Visit http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/features/cd-rw/index.html
> for a very informative article and review of many popular CD-Rs and
> CD-RWs. It seems there is no PERFECT product. There are always
> trade-offs in performance, ability, function, or price.
>
> >
> > When I look at CD write machines there seems to be one write only machine
> > to 4 re- writeable machines. Am I correct in thinking  that all  CD read /
> > re writeable machines can operate and perform  just like any Cd read /
> > write machine. Is it  the CD you put in a  CD read / re writeable machine
> > that determines how it will work or are they completely different machines.
>
> I believe that the CD-RW actually uses a different type of laser, but
> the end result CD-R is the same regardless of whether it was written
> on a CD-RW or a CD-R.
>

In other words, most CD-RW drives can write CD-R disks as well.


--
Russ Poffenberger               Engineering Specialist
Schlumberger Technologies ATE   DOMAIN: [log in to unmask]
1601 Technology Drive           CIS:    72401,276
San Jose, Ca. 95110             Voice: (408)437-5254  FAX: (408)437-5246