External parallel CD-RW?

[hijukal]

I've been looking for an external CD-RW which has a parallel interface (primarily to connect to PCs without USB).

The burner:
* must be new (i.e. no second-hand ones)
* must have buffer underrun protection
* can be any speed (even 1x is fine)

Looking in Melbourne (pref Eastern suburbs but CBD is OK) -- can anyone suggest where to look?

[sperm]

hmmm, parallel CD-RW are rare, there are a few around like
the backpacker or microsolutions
http://www.superwarehouse.com/Micro_Solutions_Backpack_48X_24X_48X_USB_2.0_Paral lel_CD-RW/222010/p/203162
http://www.guardian.com.au/Freecom/freecomindex.htm
note that these stores arent in melbourne

mostly external CDs are only for CD-ROM.
There are external IDE boxs that you can buy that you can put anything in....
So personally I wouldnt go near external CD-RW, they might just be a dodgy drive wacked in a box that 'sorta' works.

My best solution for you is to use a proper USB external drive, and buy an add-on card usd card to connect it with. so much better functionality (parallel locks-up your computer during use, and is _slow_ transfer speeds) and its modern tech.

I suggest trying a store like www.scorptec.com.au or www.tecs.com.au they usually have a big range of solutions and they are in melb.

cheers !

[hijukal]

The device must be external due to the fact it is to be used on multiple PCs.

I did consider USB cards, but unfortunately, I'm not sure if we can open up the boxes and install more physical hardware, as the systems have a very specific use and have software installed that likes certain hardware.

I wonder if a parallel -> USB convertor would work at all. As I said, it doesn't have to be fast but it must be reliable.

The files that are burned to CD-R are too large for email. USB drives obviously won't work, though possibly ZIP drives may be of use (but then we'd have to go from the PC, to ZIP, to another PC, to CD-R, which is a lot of effort for computer illiterate security guards).

[Tintin]

I would say get a parallel Zip drive from cash converters. I use these quite often with an old OS/2 computer and it is rather good.

[Colonel Kurtz]

One can only assume this is being used for laptops, or portability as a burner for a desktop now only costs $40 or so.

Have you considered USB Flash drives? Extreme portability, and cheap cost.

ZIp drives also come in USB format now, not sure if they're availble in 250MB, but I'm looking at a ZIP100 USB right now.

[mrwest]

I got the impression he can't use USB...

How about a cheap laptop with a null modem or parallel cable?

[hijukal]

There are half a dozen computers at one of our sites. They are running security cameras.

Basically, when people do naughty things (i.e. steal something, attack someone, etc), the cameras capture it and output the video in (IIRC) AVI format. It's generally 50-60MB per minute and because the hardware/software is specialised I don't want to do too much to it.

AFAIK they're all running Win98 (so USB may run), but they are all pre-USB systems.

A null modem cable I hadn't considered, but due to the large filesize may be a bit slow. I can't make it too complicated; it needs to be as simple as "plug n click an icon" as the users aren't particularly experienced with PCs.

[Colonel Kurtz]

6 * $50 CDRW = $300.

Compare that to the price of an external CD-RW

And you can set up events burning or whatever, without fucking with the security program.

[RASPUTIN]

As a consideration for the null cable idea. I used to use a program called laplink which as well as using a null modem cable could also use a specially wired parallel cable. This program would copy it as fast as an external cd/rw plugged into the // port.

[Tintin]

Alternatively, tell your boss you need to put in PCI -> USB cards in the machines or the whole system needs to be scrapped and a new one purchased. These cards would be an easy, cheap (<$20 each) and very low risk addition, even in a specialised comp. Just make sure you have admin privileges on the comps. This can potentially extend the life of this system quite considerably and result in big savings. Then you could add whatever you wanted, CDRW, Zip drives, flash drives, networking, whatever, and get reasonably quick tranfers. With the file sizes you are talking about, speed would be important. With parallel devices, the comp has to be rebooted before it will recognise the device, usually (that's if it doesn't crash).

[dogwomble]

I don't see why adding PCI->USB cards would be a problem, even in specialised systems. Unless there is some sort of conflict that I haven't seen, I don't see any reason why the software would complain? If it does, it's probably time to consider upgrading or replacing the software because chances are even if you can solve the problem now, you are going to get this problem coming up more and more as the system gets older and older and hardware and software gets better and better.

Basically, external CDRW drives that run off parallell ports are extremely rare and wouldn't be that much faster than the serial laplink idea suggested.

I hate to say it, but teh only realistic option is to go to USB. Or buy new computers. If it requires a machine upgrade, then do it - by trying to go with parallel devices you really are only delaying the inevitable so you may as well upgrade.