DRU500A Questions

[DVD Enthusiast]

How do folks here have the DRU500A hooked up to their PCs, in terms of the audio cable? Are you using one? Is it even needed? If so, are you using an Analog or Digital cable? And are you using it alone, or with other CD/DVD drives?

Apparently the pin on the Dru500A that is generally used to connect a digital cable to the sound card (like I am currently doing with my Sony CRX195A) is "reserved," according to the supplied documentation, whatever that means. It also states that you don't need to connect an audio cable if your PC supports "digital playback," which I really don't understand.

I just want to set up my Dru500A for optimal sound and performance. I'm just thrown off by the lack of digital output, and the comment about not needing to connect the sound cable with a PC supporting "digital playback."

Thanks!

[VEFF]

To answer your question:
I have two dedicated DVD ROM drives in my PC, so I do not have the audio cable for the DRU-500A hooked up.

But, as you state, if you check the checkbox 'use digital audio on thos device', then you shouldn't need a cable anyway...

[cfitz]

It also states that you don't need to connect an audio cable if your PC supports "digital playback," which I really don't understand.

That means that the audio is sent (digitally, of course) through the same flat ribbon cable that all the other data goes through.

cfitz

[DVD Enthusiast]

Thanks for the replies!

That means that the audio is sent (digitally, of course) through the same flat ribbon cable that all the other data goes through.

cfitz

Is there a performance hit for doing this? Is it better to use an audio cable?

And lastly, I forgot to ask earlier... Should I even bother taking out my Sony CRX195A (40x cd burner) to use the DRU500A exclusively, or would there be any added benefit to having both drives in my PC?

[cfitz]

Is there a performance hit for doing this? Is it better to use an audio cable?

No significant hit, assuming you have a reasonably modern computer. I've got three drives (one DVD-ROM and two CD-RW) in my computer right now, and I have all configured to use digital playback. I've not experienced any performance issues (800 MHz Pentium III, but a friend's old Celeron 500 MHz (???) doesn't have any issues either). One drawback of not enabling digital playback is that if you don't enable it, you can't view the cool visualizations in Windows Media Player.

And lastly, I forgot to ask earlier... Should I even bother taking out my Sony CRX195A (40x cd burner) to use the DRU500A exclusively, or would there be any added benefit to having both drives in my PC?

I'd say that's just a judgment call for you to make. It probably doesn't make much difference one way or the other. Are you low on power or cooling capacity? Then maybe take out the old CRX195A. Are you happy with the CRX195A's performance and comfortable with using it? Then leave it in and use it for all your CD burning needs - from others' posts it looks like you may have enough of a learning curve to go through for burning DVD's without tossing in CD burning on the DRU500A as another variable.

cfitz

[DVD Enthusiast]

Thanks for your help, cfitz. Much appreciated!

[cfitz]

You are welcome. Please enjoy your new DRU500A!

And don't forget to thank VEFF too. It looks like he is going to be an execellent DRU500A resource around here.

cfitz

[BuddhaTB]

How can you tell if you have digital playback enabled on your DVD & CD-RW drives?

[cfitz]

How can you tell if you have digital playback enabled on your DVD & CD-RW drives?

Right-click "My Computer", select "Manage", pick "Device Manager", expand "DVD/CD-ROM drives", right-click the desired drive, select "Properties", select the "Properties" tab, and then check "Enable digtial CD audio for this CD-ROM device" in the "Digital CD Playback" portion of the dialog. This will enable digital playback system-wide for all applications that play CD audio.

Some applications, like Windows Media Player, will use digital playback even if it isn't enabled as a system option. Select "Tools"->"Options"->"CD Audio" tab, then check "Digital playback" under "Playback Settings". You will probably find that this box is already checked. As I mentioned, if you can see the visualizations in WMP, you've got digtial playback enabled (at least at the WMP layer).

cfitz

[VEFF]

Thanks for the replies!

That means that the audio is sent (digitally, of course) through the same flat ribbon cable that all the other data goes through.

cfitz

Is there a performance hit for doing this? Is it better to use an audio cable?

And lastly, I forgot to ask earlier... Should I even bother taking out my Sony CRX195A (40x cd burner) to use the DRU500A exclusively, or would there be any added benefit to having both drives in my PC?

There are two main reasons why I would keep my high speed CD burner hooked up if I were you (and actually I DO still have two internal [40X and 48X] and one external CD burner [40X] hooked up):

1) Your DVD burner will last longer in terms of not being subjected to
as much use (and I don't necessarily mean just the laser - other parts of the DVD burner like the drive tray motor and motors to make the disc rotate will be used less and last longer).

2) Your CD burner has a 40X max CD-R write speed, whereas the DRU-500A 'only' writes CD-Rs at 24X max.

[VEFF]

You are welcome. Please enjoy your new DRU500A!

And don't forget to thank VEFF too. It looks like he is going to be an execellent DRU500A resource around here.

cfitz

Thanks cfitz

I bought some (i.e. a 5 pack) of Philips 2.4X DVD+R discs today to try with it.
In addition the shipment of the 30 Princo 2X DVD-Rs I ordered (only burned one 2X sample of those so far) went out late today; should have them tomorrow or Wednesday.

I'll post my results.

[coolestnitish]

Hey guys, thanks a lot for the digital playback enabling feature. I never payed attention to it, and it was on all the time As cfitz said about Veff, I would like to add my two cents too. I never forget to read his experience with different media and software using the DRU500A. Its really two thumbs up to people like him who go in the market and buy the latest technology and come on forums and tell us about their experiences. You're doing an awesome job Veff, continue the good work!!!

[VEFF]

Hey guys, thanks a lot for the digital playback enabling feature. I never payed attention to it, and it was on all the time As cfitz said about Veff, I would like to add my two cents too. I never forget to read his experience with different media and software using the DRU500A. Its really two thumbs up to people like him who go in the market and buy the latest technology and come on forums and tell us about their experiences. You're doing an awesome job Veff, continue the good work!!!

Thanks for appreciating our efforts.

It is my pleasure to share my experiences with everyone here.
There are many posters on cdrlabs and other web sites' forums, who all form a great community, and who have given me a lot of valuable help and information too

[hoxlund]

where can i get a digital audio cable for my 12x LG BD Burner?