Fast and easy to install...
Written: Jun 04 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to install
Cons: Requires one open IRQ and one open IDE drive on secondary channel
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| kurt_h's Full Review: Creative Labs PC-DVD ROM kit |
I recently purchased the Creative Labs PC-DVD ROM (2x) with Dxr2 decoder card for a couple of reasons. The first is that as the next level of read-only media for distribution, the DVD looks to be a good alternative for the CD-ROM. I would not be surprised if a number of next generation games will come out on multiple CDs or on a single DVD, depending on what the user prefers. Thus I would like to not face CD-ROM disk swapping to install programs. The second reason I got this kit is that DVD-ROM is being used for distribution of some movies and other entertainment and there are times when I don't want to tie up the TV set for this sort of thing and a 17" monitor will do for viewing a movie.
This kit has the Creative Dxr2 decoder card with it, which is simple to install in an empty PCI slot on your computer's motherboard. In addition, there is extra cabling for IDE and audio connectors as the Dxr2 card will take precedence in audio processing for movies. Otherwise the card just passes the audio signal straight through to your audio card. The IDE cable is in the kit for putting in the DVD-ROM drive. I found this most necessary as the IDE cable I was using had a short amount of cable between IDE connections and had to be replaced. Saved me a trip to the store to buy cable! Finally there are mounting screws included with the kit for those who don't have a ton of screws left over from other computer projects.
In addition there is external VGA cable to pass your computer's video signal through the Dxr2 decoder card. I found that this made my viewing a little fuzzy and shifted the color hue for my desktop environment. Luckily, you don't have to use the Dxr2 out signal and I've plugged my monitor straight back into my graphics card. When I need to view movies I'll have to switch things around, but that is not a major concern at this point.
If you are running Windows2000 you'll need to visit the Creative website to download the latest package of software and drivers. Again, a bit of a hassle, but if you are running Win9x or WinNT4.0 you'll find everything you need right in the box.
My total hardware install time (including removal of my previous CD-ROM drive) was under 15 minutes. Software installation was under 10 minutes with one reboot. Just a bit longer than it took to write this review.
Works great with no incompatibilities on my system. Now all I have to do is get a couple of movies on DVD and I'll be set...
This kit was installed on an Asus P-6/5UP5-C-PKND motherboard with 128 MB RAM and a pre-existing ZIP drive on the secondary IDE channel, there is an S3 GX/DX compatible card with 8 MB of RAM, LinkSys 10/100 EtherFast card, Asus Soundblaster/SCSI card.
Basically if you have an open space on your secondary IDE channel and one open IRQ or one that can be shared, this system is a "no-brainer" install for anyone who has cracked their computer case to do simple installations. I do wish that I could have found a SCSI version of this kit, but I did get it on consignment... Happy with what I got.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
kurt_h
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Location: Sterling, VA
Reviews written: 967
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About Me:
A reader of SF and fantasy, and an enjoyer of liquid refreshment now and again.
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