Re: CDRW suggestion request

[Adam Tauno Williams <adam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>My dad is asking me if there is a suggested brand
>>and model number for a cdrw drive which functions
>>using linux.  I don't have any expierience with
>>them.  Does anyone have any good or bad
>>expieriences with any CDRW peripherals.
>>>No matter what you buy, get a SCSI connection.
>>>I have Yamaha brands at home and work, and have had
>>>very good luck with them.  I'd buy another.
>>>I've also heard Plextor and Ricoh brands are very good.
>I've been anxiously reading these responses as I'm in the
>market for a cdrw drive as well. I'm curious why you say
>get a SCSI connection? Is it because of the drive
>performance and reliability or does Linux work better
>with SCSI drives like this? I was looking at that new
>TDK velocd if anyone has any comments on that.

To burn a CD requires a constant minimum data rate.  IDE requires significant
CPU attention during I/O, so if another task absorbs more that X amount of CPU,
the data rate will fall and the burn will fail.  With SCSI most I/O is simply
DMA and the CPU is much less involved (SCSI devices and controllers have their
own processors), and the data rate is easer to sustain.

Systems and Network Administrator
Morrison Industries
1825 Monroe Ave NW.
Grand Rapids, MI. 49505