CD-RW confusion!

[Audone]

I've been looking at purchasing one of these critters, and have followed the thread at TS faithfully, but I'm so very confused ......what else would be new?? :confused:

My iMac doesn't have Firewire, but I assume that it would be wise to get a burner that has both USB and Firewire......correct? I anticipate upgrading my machine in the next couple years at the latest.

What I truly don't understand is what the numbers stand for.......8x4x32 or 24x10x40. The fact that the higher numbers seem to be on newer units tells me it must have something to do with speed, but is my machine capable of getting that speed? (233, 196mb memory, 4G harddrive)

From all that I've been reading, I think LaCie is the way I'd like to go, but what do you suggest for speed......the bigger the better?? I wouldn't be using it for anything other than backing up and downloading music, so it's not like I need something done in record time. But who knows for down the road?

Sure hope I haven't confused you too much, but any input would be appreciated!

[zipulrich]

The first number is the write speed for CD-R media (write once, and it's done - no going back, i.e. music disks, games, etc.).

The second number is the rewrite speed, i.e. the speed to write to re-writable media (CD-RW). Good for backups, etc. Most CD-RW disks can be written up to 1,000 times.

The third number is my IQ....no, sorry, the 3rd number is the playback speed, i.e. what you usually see on a CD-Rom drive (48X, 52X, etc.).

You'll get those speeds (or awfully close) on your PC the way it is. More to do with the drive capabilities than with processor speed, RAM, etc.

For merely backing up stuff, burning a few (legal :D ) MP3's, etc., a 12X10X32 will do the job wonderfully. Software used is just as important, too. I've been using a Plextor for a long time, but LaCie's a great drive too.

As for your firewire question, I'll stop now. Never owned/used a Mac. My burner is simply an IDE internal, doesn't use USB at all.

[Audone]

Thanks, zipulrich, for the easy-to-comprehend information! Now it's all making a little more sense. Sure do wish you could explain the Firewire/USB confusion too, though! :D

I think I have more research to perform!! :(

[zipulrich]

Well, both FireWire and Universal Serial Bus {USB} are simply ways that you can connect that shiny new CD Burner to your Mac. I believe FireWire is the faster of the two connections, but they've recently come out with USB2, so all bets are off :D This is, of course, assuming you'll be buying an external Burner.

Not sure what interface Apple uses for internal connections, but chances are it's faster - if you have an extra drive bay.
(Can you tell yet that I'm simply a PC-kind-of-guy?)

[Bill]

Audrey hi.
If you saw my thoughts on usb at TS and if that is all you intend on doing with the burner,then I really wouldn't worry to much about the speed thing.
Like I mentioned, the difference between say six to ten minutes/fifteen to twenty to burn a full CD-R ... Big Deal! Don't sweat the speed thing is what i'm saying gal.
I have a firewire burner but a lot of the times, I slow the puppy down anyways just to make sure no data {could} be lost.

BTW .. I saw at costcos (retail store) the other day that they have 256ram sticks that will fit your iMac and my other 'puter [Rev.A] for "I think" $70.

[ 20 November 2001: Message edited by: Bill ]

[zipulrich]

Bill,
Are iMacs those all-in-one plastic Apples? Do they not have accessable internal drive bays.....or is it 'external only'?

[Buzz]

Zip, with an iMac the main option is external. Internal swappign is a pain in the a**. and it has to be a SWAP, you can't just add a drive.

Audrey, to the bes tof my knowledge there are only 2 or 3 CDRW drives that are both USB and Firewire. All are made by Lacie. All have good speeds and all would suit your needs now in addition to a few years in the future.
http://www.lacie.com/products/product.cfm?id=4A8679BF-54C8-11D5-97C60090278D3ED0

You can not go wrong with a Lacie drive. they ae fabulous drives.

[Audone]

Thanks folks.......guess where I'll be this weekend?? Bill, we have Costco here too, so I'll stop by and see if we have the almost-same deal......if I paid $120 here that would be a good deal. I had an Apple tech do my lst upgrade, but I think I'm now willing to tackle the job myself!! :D

[Steven.Bentley]

If you're planning on using it with USB then get one that's Burnproof - I won't go into the technology, but it's a very effective coaster prevention method :)

[Audone]

Hi Steven! Does Burnproof mean different software, or is there a burner that, itself, is burnproof? Or are you trying to see how really little I know about this?? :p I can guarantee you, it's very little!! :D :D

[Buzz]

Burnproof = Buffer UnderRuN prefention

It is a technology inthe drive that prevents the drive from losing the data stream the can fail to write a CD. I believe Lacie drives all come with BurnProof technology.

I personally do not have Burnproof on my burner but as long as I burn at a sensable rate everything is fine. With USB you'll be able to burn at 2x or 4x I would not burn any faster than that anyway on a USb connection.

[Steven.Bentley]

I've had very few Buffer Underrun induced coasters on my 16x (non burnproof) Firewire Yamaha.

Make sure that whatever you get has some decent software, iTunes is great for music CDs but Apple disk burner leaves a lot to be desired for data for me, no multisession support for a start.

[Audone]

Most of the LaCie's ship with Toast. Is that good software?

[Bill]

Thats what I use Audrey .
Never had any problems after I figured it out at first (which was my own dumb thinking).

:) http://palws.8m.com/SmallBrain.jpg :)

[Buzz]

:D :D love the image Bill!

Audrey, Toast is the #1 burning software for the mac. It's great. I use it and never have had a problem. I can't use iTunes becaseu it doesn't recognize my burner.... Oh Well.

And as far as DiscBurner don't even think about that. Unless your iMac comes with an internal CDRW DiscBurner probably won't even run on it. As Steven posted, DiscBuner leaves a great deal to be desired. So you won't be missing out anything.

Go with Toast. It's great. Most burners come with the lite version of Toast. Use it for a while and if you find you want to burn in more formats or more options then just look at upgrading to the full version.

[Steven.Bentley]

If you've upgraded to OSX be aware that most writers are still shipping with Toast v4 - which won't work under X

[Audone]

Thanks so much guys! No OSX here, so no worries on that score.....for awhile anyway!

We've got major freezing rain here today, and expecting almost 5 inches of snow by Sunday, so my shopping may have to wait a few days!!