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1. How much information can a CD hold?

21 min x (60 sec) x (75 sectors) x (2 kbytes) = 189,000 kilobytes = 184 megabytes

74 min x (60 sec) x (75 sectors) x (2 kbytes) = 660,000 kilobytes = 650 megabytes

Session Lead-In and Lead-Out. The first lead-in and lead-out on a disc are not usually taken into consideration when calculating space available on disc; they are considered to be outside the usable disc area. If you make a multisession disc, you will need to consider the space used for subsequent lead-ins and lead-outs.

[(2 sec) x (75 sectors) x (2 kilobytes)] = 300 kilobytes

Furthermore, the ISO 9660 file structure needs space for its structures, and the first 16 sectors are also reserved for system use. More sectors may be needed to store the path tables, or the root directory if its size exceeds one sector as files are added.

2.Why Do Some Recordable Discs Appear to Hold More Data?


Some disc manufacturers advertise disc capacities such as 700 megabytes, larger than the capacities mentioned above. How is this possible? They are probably calculating the number of bytes which are stored on a disc when it is recorded in audio format. The number of bytes of user data you can record in a sector depends on the type of data you're recording. For CD-ROM data it's 2048 bytes (2 kilobytes), for audio it's 2352 bytes.

74 min x (60 sec) x (75 sectors) x (2352 bytes) = 783,216,000 bytes !
1024 = 764,859 kilobytes !1024 = 747 megabytes

3.How many files can I put on a CD?

The ISO 9660 standard does not limit the number of files you can put on CD. But there are practical limits to what you will be able to get onto a disc and then read back comfortably. As a rule of thumb, it's best to organize large numbers of files by spreading them among many directories. Otherwise your user may end up waiting several minutes just for a directory to load from CD.

4.What is a "Buffer Underrun", and how can I avoid them?

CD writing is a real-time process which must run constantly at the selected recording speed, without interruptions. Most of the time your computer actually passes data to the CD recorder faster than it is needed. The CD recorder's buffer is constantly filled with a reserve of data waiting to be written, so that small slowdowns or interruptions in the flow of data from the computer do not interrupt writing. The CD recorder's buffer memory stores some of this extra data as it arrives, to help maintain a steady flow of data to the writing laser. The size of the buffer is critical to trouble-free writing: a slow-down or interruption in the transfer of data from the computer will not stop writing so long as the buffer is not completely emptied. The larger the buffer, the more safety margin you have in case of interruptions. A buffer underrun error means that for some reason the flow of data from hard disk to CD recorder was interrupted long enough for the CD recorder's buffer to be emptied, and writing was halted. If this occurs during an actual write operation rather than a test, your recordable disc may be ruined.

Possible Causes of Buffer Underruns

Hard Disk -- "Dumb" thermal recalibration. -- Fragmented hard drive. -- Not enough space in temporary directory.

Hardware -- Slow source devices. -- Source devices that transfer data in bursts. -- Inability of the devices to sync properly. -- Overall system configuration. -- Computer unable to allow fast enough data transfer. -- Old drivers.

Extensions and Control Panels -- Any program that may activate on its own -- Anti-virus software -- Screen savers -- Networks -- System sounds -- Animated icons

Networks -- Recording across the network (usually too slow to maintain adequate throughput speed). -- Incoming e-mail or faxes. -- Other people accessing your computer.

Files to Be Recorded -- Recording many small files. -- Damaged source files (data loss). -- Trying to record files in use by the system or other applications.

Other -- Copying from a CD that is scratched, dirty, or damaged. -- Recorder malfunction.

Checks / Prevention -- Disable or remove everything in the computer EXCEPT the operating system, the recording software, and the drivers for your source devices. -- Defragment your hard drives at least once a week to prevent files from scattered across the hard drive. -- Do not record across a network. Copy the desired files to your local hard drive. -- Log out of any networks if possible Network. -- For best results use SCSI 2 source devices. -- Disc to disc copying, requires a SCSI 2, fully ASPI-compliant CD-ROM drive. We recommend at least a 4x. Copying audio requires a source CD-ROM drive which supports digital audio extraction. -- Make sure your hard drive does Smart Thermal Recalibration. (that is, that it won't recalibrate if the CPU is being used). -- Record at a slower speed. -- Write an ISO image to the hard disk first, if you have enough hard drive space -- Always set audio to write at 1x. -- Do not try to copy empty directories, zero byte files, or files that may be in use by the system at the time. -- More than 10,000 very small files should be written to an ISO image first or recorded at 1x if possible. -- The temporary directory should always have space free at least twice the size of the largest file you are recording. -- Try a different hard disk and /or gold recordable disc.

5.What is a "Servo Tracking Error", and how can I avoid them?

A "Servo Tracking Error" message is generated by the drive when it is unable to record to the media. It is similar to when a needle skips on a record. There is a microscopic groove printed on the surface of each piece of CDR media which guides the laser when burning the data. There are a number of reasons why a Servo Tracking Error might occur: most commonly dust, defective media, overheating, or trying to exceed the limit (edge) of the disc.

Defective media can either be a bad disc, a bad lot of discs, or an unsupported brand of media (not all CDR media works the same on all CDR drives at this time). Pinnacle Micro supports the following brands of media for the RCD-1000/5020/5040 series: DOT, Taiyo Yuden, Mitsubishi, Sony, 3M, TDK, Verbatim, & Kodak Infoguard. The RCD-4x12 supports as of this writing: Mitsui Toatsu, Kodak, Taiyo Yuden.

Verify that the amount of data you are trying to record does not exceed the capacity of the disc. Most of the time, your recording software will prevent you from making that mistake, but the calculations are purely theoretical when estimating the space available. It has no way of adjusting for previously-failed sessions or bad blocks on the media. These factors can cause the software to incorrectly calculate the remaining free space which will differ from what is actuallyfree. Check by looking at the recording side of the media. Where the drive writes to the media, a visible color change to a lighter shade occurs on the disc. It begins on the inside edge and works its way towards the outside edge. Look at the outside edge of the disc and guesstimate how far from the edge the lighter shade stops. If it goes right up to the edge of the disc, you attempted to records too much data.

The next most common cause is a dirty lens within the drive which prevents the laser from focusing on the surface of the media. Pinnacle Micro recommends using a can of compressed air to blow out the inside of the drive through the front access door or tray.

A servo tracking error may also occur if the ambient temperature inside the mechanism itself is too high. If your drive is external, remove the filter from the back of the drive and if clogged with dust, use compressed air to clean it out. With the filter still removed, confirm that the fan works when the unit is powered on. If not, contact Pinnacle Micro's Technical Support.

6.What's the difference between "Mode 1" and "Mode 2"?

There are two recording modes for compact discs. In Mode 1, used with CD-ROM, 288 bytes of each sector are used for storing error correction code, and the remaining 2048 bytes per

sector are available for user data. Mode 2, used in CD-I and CD-ROM XA, has two forms: Form 1 is similar to Mode 1, as it is also used to record data that requires error correction; Form 2 is used for recording information such as sound or images which do not require such extreme precision. Since less error correction is needed, more bytes in the sector can be freed for information storage, resulting in a data area of 2336 bytes per sector.

7.What's the difference between "single-session" and "multisession"?

A single session CD has been written to only once. A multisession CD contains data which is added incrementally in more than one recording session. If data is linked between session, all data on a multisession disc, when read on a multisession CD-ROM drive, may be seen as part of a single logical structure. Closing a session takes some extra space on the disc for the session lead-out, about thirteen megabytes.

Uses for multisession include periodically backing up quantities of data less than the full capacity of a disc, or distributing data which is periodically updated. Because only multisession CD-ROM drives can access all the data on a multisession disc, it's best to consider such discs for use only where you have some certainty or control over what system will be used to read them. If you have a strong need to distribute data on multisession discs -- you send discs out to clients or colleagues, they send them back to be updated, and then you send them out again -- you should ensure that all the interested parties will be able to read your multisession discs. A simple test would be to make a multisession disc (as described below) with directories A through M in the first session, and directories N through Z in a second session. Send that disc to whoever will need to read your data; if they can see all the way to directory Z, you're all right.

When you record the first session of a disc and close the session, the directory structure and the addresses of the files on disc are recorded within the data area of the session in the ISO 9660 format. When you want to add data in a subsequent session, the filename and directory structure for the new session can include references to files and directories which were actually recorded in the previous session -- this is known as linked multisession. The files already on disk are not re-recorded in the new session; only their addresses are included in the new session's logical structure. These addresses can be carried forward in additional sessions, so that all files recorded on the disc are shown as if they were part of one file system, even though they may have been recorded in many different sessions.

You can even overwrite files already recorded on disc. Because CD is a write-once medium, you cannot really delete or replace files on disc, but you can virtually do so by writing a newer version of the same file (with an identical filename and directory path) into a new session on the disc.

8.Why do I have problems reading multisession CD's on CD-ROM drives?

Multisession discs are recorded according to the Orange Book Part II standard, which states that they can be written in either the CD-ROM or CD-ROM XA format. A multisession CD-ROM drive should always look at the LAST session on a disc, regardless of its format.

There have been misunderstandings and misinterpretations of the standard, largely for historical reasons. Multisession recording was first used by Kodak for Photo CD, because one roll of film does not fill up a Photo CD disc. When you take your disc and a new roll of film to be Photo CD'd, the new photos are added in a new session, which is linked to previous sessions so that you can see all the photos on the disc, no matter how many sessions they are recorded in.

Kodak chose CD-ROM XA for its disc format for reasons which had nothing to do with the Orange Book standard. But because Photo CD was the first reason that CD-ROM drive manufacturers had to create multisession drives, some assumed that the Kodak way to do multisession, (CD-ROM XA), was the ONLY way. They accordingly wrote software drivers which assume that, to be multisession, a disc must also be XA. When one of these drivers sees a disc which is not XA, it assumes that the disc is also NOT multisession, and it tells the CD-ROM drive to read only the first session on the disc. The result is that a multisession disc is read as if it were a single-session disc, and you see only the data in the first session.

The drive manufacturers have largely resolved the problem in newer drives and drivers, but if you record a multisession disc in CD-ROM format you run the risk that some older drives, even if multisession, may not read beyond the first session on the disc. If you need to share multisession discs with others, you should test to see which format their CD-ROM drives can handle, or, to be on the safe side, write your disc in the CD-ROM XA format.

You also need to have at least System 7.5.3 installed. Make sure that the extension called 'Apple CD-ROM' is at least version 5.1.2.

WARNING: You cannot mix formats on the same disc; a disc containing both CD-ROM and CD-ROM XA sessions would be unreadable on most drives.

9.Are there known incompatibilities with normal CD-ROM drives and Recordable CD discs?

It sometimes happens that you write a disc apparently without trouble, and can even read it on your CD recorder, but when you put it in a normal CD-ROM drive, the disc is ejected, or you get error messages such as "no CD-ROM" or "unreadable," or you have random problems accessing some files or directories. You may find that the problems vanish completely when reading the disc on another CD-ROM drive.

Unfortunately, there are compatibility problems with some CD-ROM drives, especially older ones, and CD-Recordable discs. Some CD-ROM drives' lasers were not calibrated to read recordable discs, whose surface is different from that of factory-pressed discs. If your CD- ROM drive reads mass-produced (silver) CDs but not recordable CDs, check with the CD-ROM drive manufacturer to determine whether this is the problem. In some cases an upgrade is available which will resolve the problem.

The combination of disc brand and CD recorder can also make a difference. The recordable CD media we support as of this date is (DOT, Taiyo Yuden, Mitsubishi, Sony, 3M, TDK, Verbatim).

10.Why wasn't an audio cable included with my drive to connect to my sound system?

We have no way of knowing what kind of sound equipment you will be attaching your RCD drive to, therefore we would not know what kind of connectors to supply on the cables.

11.What causes the sometimes frequent "pops" between written CD Digital Audio tracks?

"Pops" or "clicks" heard between tracks on Digital Audio discs are caused when recording without using the feature "Disc-At-Once". We recommend writing audio discs using "Disc-At- Once" as the laser will remain powered on between each track and run-in/run-out blocks are written. This is especially preferable when an audio disc will be replicated in a disc factory. The "Disc-At-Once" feature is NOT currently available on some software packages. Please check the manual of your CD-Recording software to see if there is a "Disc-At-Once" feature. If not, you may have an outdated or "lite" version which will require an upgrade.

The "Disc-At-Once" feature is selectable through the preferences menu. Another reason you may hear pop's between tracks, is because the AIFF file was created improperly, or it is corrupt. Some early shareware audio editing software had problems saving AIFF files properly, that caused pop's to appear between tracks, and at other various points throughout the songs. These files were corrupted by the editing software. This particular cause rarely happens any more.

12.I set my home stereo CD-Player to repeat playback after the last track, but after the last track is played, it stops. Why?

Some audio CD players cannot play back a burned audio disc properly if there are B0 and C0 pointers in the Table Of Contents. B0 and C0 pointers are used to point to the next session and are created on discs written using Track-At-Once (multi-session). CD's written using Disc-At- Once do not contain these pointers because there is no second session. If you would like to have a disc compatible to audio CD, use the Disc-At-Once mode (see above).

13.What about different brands of media? Is there a difference?

There are many different brands of recordable CDs available. Quality varies from brand to brand, and sometimes even from batch to batch within a brand. To make matters still more confusing, some discs work better with certain recorders than other discs do. If you are going to record at high speed (4x or 6x), it is wise to use discs certified for high-speed recording. If you have repeated problems in recording or in reading back a successfully-recorded disc that can be traced to the discs you are using, try using a different brand or even a different batch of the same brand.

14.Will my CD recorder work under Mac OS 8?

Yes, it will. The RCD-1000/5040 and 4x12 have all been tested on a Power Mac 8100/80 operating on Mac OS 8 with HFS, ISO 9660 and Audio formats. You might need to change your Extensions Manager configuration in the following manner to make it work: Set it up for 'Mac OS 8.0 Base'. Make a duplicate of this and give it a name. Add your appropriate CD Burner Driver to it and any other external drive drivers you need for burning. Restart. The first time I burned with this config, the Mac froze without damaging the CD. I restarted and proceeded to burn each format without a problem.

15.What other things could be causing problems with CD recording?

If you can't eliminate all drives but the RCD from your SCSI line, at least turn off/disconnect any Zip drives and any scanners and disable their respective drivers from the Extension/Control Panel Folders. You may want to try resetting your PRAM and rebuilding your desktop: Go into your Extensions Manager and turn off 'Macintosh Easy Open' or any Control Panel with a similar name. Restart your Mac while holding down the Command-Option-Shift-Delete keys and wait for at least 4 chimes. Release those keys and hold down the Shift key until asked if you want to rebuild your Desktop. Do it. This procedure may clear up some more obscure problems. Another thing to try is check for viruses.

Feature Comparisons

1.What is the difference between the RCD-5020 and the RCD-5040?

The differences between the drives are strictly hardware related. The RCD-5020 is the third generation CD-R System, with a 2X CD Writer and a 2X CD Reader. It is a caddy based system, using a standard CD Caddy (included). The RCD-5040 is the fourth generation CD-R System, with a 2X CD Writer and up to a 4X CD reader. It uses a caddyless loading system for fast and easy CD swapping. Both systems come with a complete interface kit including all the software & hardware needed to get the consumer up and running immediately.

2.What is the speed at which an RCD-5040 writes data to the CDR media?

At single speed, the RCD-5040 transfers roughly 176k/second, or, 10 MB/minute. At double speed it records at roughly 352k/second or 20 MB/minute. A 650 MB disk can be written in approximately 35 minutes (not included file fix-ups and prepping).

Firmware

1.Where can I find the latest firmware upgrades for my RCD drive?

Pinnacle Micro RCD drives feature flash upgradable firmware. In other words, you can update the controller board of the drive by merely running some software. The latest firmware for our RCD drives can always be found on our web site and BBS. Pinnacle Micro's Web site is located at: "http://www.pinnaclemicro.com" or call our BBS at (714) 789-3048 (14,400 baud, N-8-1).

2.Now that I have the firmware, how do I download it to my RCD drive?

Once extracted, the downloaded file should create a README file which will walk you through the installation of the firmware. Make absolutely sure that you perform the download process to the drive with a NON-Power Mac preferably with all extensions turned off (start-up with Shift key down).

Software

1.What is the difference between CD Burner 2.1 and 2.21?

The main difference is that the 2.21 version supports our RCD-4x12. It also includes a menu to provide audio extraction if your RCD drive supports it. There are some minor differences to be aware of. 2.21 has a problem with recording 'Disk Images'. Don't use this format. It also introduced a problem with audio recording. If you select a '0' second recording gap between tracks, it will create pops about 2 secs in on each track. If you select any other delay other than '2', it will default to 2 secs.