external devices

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Guest

I have been asked to recommend a standard interface for external CDRW drives.
Cost is not a factor, but speed and reliability should be of the utmost
concern. The external devices will need to operate with a broad range of
operating systems from Windows 98 to Windows XP. What would be the
recommendations and why?
 
Various interfaces are available:

USB2.0
IEEE-1394A and B
SCSI

Speed should not be a concern; all the above interfaces are way above in
speed compared to read/write speeds of CDs.

Interoperability with various OSes dictates you choose USB over others.
 
SCSI is also available across the various versions of Windows. However, the
cost of the host adapter interface (SCSI card) makes this not an option
(usually). One interface per PC.

USB 2.0 is not officially supported in Windows other than XP. Some USB 2.0
will not work at USB 1.1 speeds.

IEEE-1394a/b (aka Firewire 1/2) requires an interface for each PC and few
motherboards come with Firewire built-in.

USB 1.1 is generally available in Windows 98/98se/ME/2000/XP and 2003. Most
modern PCs all have USB 1.1 ports but most external CD-RW drives have gone
to USB 2.0. Some drives may work in USB 1.1.


As of Parallel based CD-RW drives, steer clear. Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 do
not allow direct access to parallel port and the drive will have problems
with the access.


NOTE: With the price of DVD drives coming down, it would be better in
getting a DVD _+ RW drive. Can now store up to 8.7 GB on a Dual-Layered DVD
media disk.
 
Thanks

Yves Leclerc said:
SCSI is also available across the various versions of Windows. However, the
cost of the host adapter interface (SCSI card) makes this not an option
(usually). One interface per PC.

USB 2.0 is not officially supported in Windows other than XP. Some USB 2.0
will not work at USB 1.1 speeds.

IEEE-1394a/b (aka Firewire 1/2) requires an interface for each PC and few
motherboards come with Firewire built-in.

USB 1.1 is generally available in Windows 98/98se/ME/2000/XP and 2003. Most
modern PCs all have USB 1.1 ports but most external CD-RW drives have gone
to USB 2.0. Some drives may work in USB 1.1.


As of Parallel based CD-RW drives, steer clear. Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 do
not allow direct access to parallel port and the drive will have problems
with the access.


NOTE: With the price of DVD drives coming down, it would be better in
getting a DVD _+ RW drive. Can now store up to 8.7 GB on a Dual-Layered DVD
media disk.
Click to expand...
 
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