Now what does color depth have to do with CD-RW's?
Written: Nov 27 '99
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good hardware, great speed, easy install
Cons: Can't use virus protection while using the HotBurn software, and if you're not using 16bit color or better, you'll be rebooting.
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| diversityink's Full Review: Sony Spressa CD-RW (4X/2X/24X) |
If you have been following my reviews (and I know some of you have... I check. Thanks!) You will have gathered by now that I do a lot of work with various facets of the computer/internet world.
One of my customers wanted an automatic backup system. One that she could just leave on, and it would back up all the files to the CD all by itself, nice and neat...
So, I went with the Sony CRH-100E... It's a pretty good drive as far as hardware goes, great speed, good specs... Installed easily...
However when I went to USE it, the Sony HotBurn software caused the computer to lockup. I couldn't explain this by any of the normal methods, so I called tech support... Unfortunately, as is the case with most computer companies these days (sigh) tech support was mostly useless... I DID manage to glean that you should'nt use any anti-virus software while planning to write CD's... Wonder what they were thinking...
So, I turned off the virus protection, and rebooted the computer... Nope, that wasn't it... It was still locking up. So I called tech support again... The guy I got on the phone this time was completely clueless... I guess looking back on it, it was kinda rude, but I hung up on him, and redialed...
This time, a lady answered the phone, and asked me what kind of video card I had...
"A Trident", I answered, "but what's that got to do with it?"
And she proceeded to tell me how we needed to be in 16bit or better colors. Now I've really gotta wonder about that... Sony writes software that won't work, locks up the entire computer, forcing a reboot because we're using 256 colors?
The bottom line: The hardware is good. The software that actually writes to the CD blows chunks. I'd rather have a slower CD-RW that just uses windows or dos to copy files just like every other drive...
Besides the obvious, the software really isn't that user friendly... In fact, it's downright hostile in my opinion...
If Sony were to write and release a completely different interface program (or just make it work with Windows) this would be an outstanding drive... The HotBurn software just kills it though.
If you buy one of these, be prepared to shut off your virus protection and use 16 bit color or better... Or you'll be rebooting.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
diversityink
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Member: Bill Morgan
Location: Republic, Missouri
Reviews written: 66
Trusted by: 71 members
About Me:
Currently, I'm a contract firefighter serving in Iraq!
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