Questions and Answers about the Pioneer DRM-604X (Specifications at end) Q: What is the Pioneer DRM-604X? A: The DRM-604X is a quadruple speed (600 KB/s) six disc CD-ROM minichanger. The discs are contained in a removable magazine. The magazine is a ruggedized version of the Pioneer-patented six- disc magazines used in audio CD changers. Q: How is the 600 KB/s data transfer rate achieved? A: Pioneer's Quadraspin(tm) technology spins the disc at four times the normal CD rotation speed of 200-500 rpm. Quadraspin is made possible by Pioneer-proprietary VLSI error correction chips, a new optical head and servo system, and a high-torque spindle motor. Q: Does the drive support Kodak's PhotoCD? A: Single session PhotoCD discs are currently supported. Kodak is presently (Mid Jan 93) testing the drive for Multisession compliance. Q: Will an upgrade be available for current DRM-604X owners? A: Yes. Pioneer will make the upgrade drive PROMs available at a nominal cost. Q: Will the drive work with OS/2? A: Yes. The DRM-604X works with the OS2CDROM.DMD BaseDev. (Users must add "/ET" as the first parameter to the SCSI adapter .ADD line in CONFIG.SYS to enable LUN support.) Q: What comes with the drive? A: DOS device drivers for Future Domain and IBM SCSI/A host adapters, an ASPI driver, Microsoft CD ROM Extensions (MSCDEX), Macintosh drivers, audio and power cables, one magazine, installation software, manuals. Q: What is the drive interface? A: SCSI. The DRM-604X has two 50 pin Centronics connectors. Q: Is it SCSI-2 compatible? A: Yes, but SCSI-2 audio functions are not yet supported. The DRM- 604X currently emulates a DRM-600A (Pioneer's single speed six disc changer). Upgrades for SCSI-2 audio functions will be available 2Q93. Q: Can the the DRM-604X be daisy-chained with other drives? A: Yes. The DRM-604X has switchable termination and push-button SCSI ID setting for easy daisy-chaining. Q: Will it work with my "XXXX" SCSI host adapter? A: Using the ASPI driver supplied with the drive, the DRM-604X can be used on Adaptec, Buslogic, Trantor, Ultrastor and other cards that have ASPI managers. Contact the adapter vendor for ASPI manager availability. Q: How do you switch discs? A: Under OS/2 and DOS, each disc is a drive letter. The drive switches discs as necessary when a drive letter is accessed. No user intervention is required. On the Mac, six disc icons appear on the desktop, and the drive switches as necessary. Q: Can you use it on a network server? A: Many customers are using the DRM-604X on servers, although Pioneer does not generally recommend this. The drive is, of course, a changer, and only one disc may be read at any one time. When multiple users are accessing multiple discs simultaneously, the drive will switch discs to satisfy read requests as they arrive. Because of the time needed to switch discs, performance will suffer. The drive may be suitable for low-load situations (no more than one user at a time), or in special applications where requests are queued by the server. You may wish to investigate several packages that allow network access: Access CD(Appleshare) Optical Access Intl 1.617.937.3910 Map Assist Fresh Technology 1.602.497.4200 Optinet Online Systems 1.301.428.3700 SCSI Express Micro Design Intl 1.407.677.8333 NOTE: Pioneer makes no recommendations regarding these packages. The user is responsible for determining the suitability for his/her needs. Q: What is the disc exchange time? A: Five seconds, maximum. Q: Does the DRM-604X meet the MPC specifications? A: Easily! Q: How does the drive handle audio discs? A: The drive recognizes audio tracks and slows to normal speed for audio functions. Q: Does it support XA? A: Yes, the drive supports all XA data formats. Q: Will the drive play XA (compressed) audio? A: No. The drive transfers the data to the host for decompression and conversion. Q: What if my disc will only work at "normal" speed? A: Although we have not encountered such a disc, DIP switch and software commands allow the drive to be set to "normal" (150KB/s) speed. Q: Does the drive handle split audio, such as National Geographic Mammals? A: Yes. Q: WIll the DRM-604X read CD-R (CD-WO) discs? A: Yes. Q: Does Pioneer maintain a BBS? A: Yes, 408.748.2105 (USR-DS N81) Q: Can the DRM-604X be used on computers other than PCs and Macs? A: Yes. The drive is being used on Sun, Silicon Graphics, VAX, Amiga, and others. Q: Will the drive work with Windows NT? A: Yes. The DRM-600A is currently certified for Win NT. The DRM- 604X has not yet been certified, but is compatible with the DRM- 600A. Certification is expected in 1Q93. DRM-604X Specifications Media Type CD-Audio, CD-ROM, XA Mode 2 Forms 1 & 2 Disc Diameter 120mm Capacity 680MB/disc, 4.1 GB/magazine Interface SCSI-2 Block Size 2048 / 512 byte selectable Access Time 300 mSec Buffer Size 128 KB Data Transfer Rate 612 / 153 kilobyte/sec (continuous) 4.2 MB/s (burst) Disc Exchange Time 5 seconds maximum MTBF 20,000 Hours Regulatory Approvals UL, CSA, FCC B, VDE, TUV, SEMKO, BEAB, NEMKO, DEMKO, FIMKO, SEV Audio Frequency Response 4-20000 Hz +/- 2dB THD < 0.1% Audio Output (Line Out) 1.7 v rms +/- 0.5 v (10k ohms) Dimensions (WxHxD) 210 x 104.7 x 370.5 mm Weight (net) 4.1 Kg Weight (shipping) 6.0 Kg Operating Voltage 100 - 240 V 50/60 Hz Rated Current Comsumption 120V 0.4A 240V 0.2A Maximum Current Consumption 120V 0.5A 240V 0.25A Operating Temperature 5 ~ 40 C Storage Temperature -20 ~ 60 C Humidity (Non-Condensing) 5 ~ 85% RH List Price $1795.00 Pioneer Communications of America, Inc Optical Memory Systems Division 3255-1 Scott Blvd Santa Clara, CA 95054-3013 408.988.1702 FAX: 408.988.1848 Pioneer and Quadraspin are trademarks of Pioneer Electronic Corporation. All other product names are trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective companies. (1/7/93)