Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

[bhoar]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

i know i can only use the Robotic and the enclosure.
Are the control commands different to the (9000 Series) ?

Works the Unit with the Scribe Software from MF?

The Mediatechnics 360x commands should be similar to the later Mediatechnics Scribe units (which the smaller amtren/discmaker robots and larger MFD and MT robots are patterned after). You'll need to probe them to be sure, there might be a one or two command difference.

Regarding compatibility with MFD's software, I'd say definitely no: all the companies' software first asks the robot to report which model it is and won't talk to models that don't match exactly what they are looking for. this is also because they only want their software to work with pre-tested drive models that they know are reliable for duplication purposes. They don't want support calls about unsupported configurations not working 100% correctly.

-brendan

[sonyman]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

For robotic arm type duplicators, drive-tray pickup problems can be caused by:

1. Off-center tray. Fix is to adjust the drive position along the drive rails.
2. Disc-retaining nubs not being shaved off. Fix is to dremel down the four disc-retaining nubs so that the disc doesn't catch on them.
3. Drive tray that doesn't always extend to the same position. Fix is to replace the drive with one that reliably moves the tray the same distance out on every reject.
4. Drive tray disc circle just barely clears the faceplate, but occasionally picks brush against the faceplate and that causes problems. Fix is to remove the faceplate (you must also at least temporarily remove the tray-end trim in order to remove the faceplate without cutting it).

-brendan

Dear Brendan,
i know i can only use the Robotic and the enclosure.
Are the control commands different to the (9000 Series) ?

Works the Unit with the Scribe Software from MF?

Thanks
Bastian

[bhoar]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

It's a pickup issue on the drive I shifted slightly to try to solve the drop off issue from the right stack. Didn't work, not using the right stack so I'll obviously try to shift the drive back and see, worked fine that way for a while...

...in the frustration, went surfing and found those other units. I figured the cube wouldn't work, but good to hear you think the others would. Will keep you posted.

thx

For robotic arm type duplicators, drive-tray pickup problems can be caused by:

1. Off-center tray. Fix is to adjust the drive position along the drive rails.
2. Disc-retaining nubs not being shaved off. Fix is to dremel down the four disc-retaining nubs so that the disc doesn't catch on them.
3. Drive tray that doesn't always extend to the same position. Fix is to replace the drive with one that reliably moves the tray the same distance out on every reject.
4. Drive tray disc circle just barely clears the faceplate, but occasionally picks brush against the faceplate and that causes problems. Fix is to remove the faceplate (you must also at least temporarily remove the tray-end trim in order to remove the faceplate without cutting it).

-brendan

[fphredd]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

It's a pickup issue on the drive I shifted slightly to try to solve the drop off issue from the right stack. Didn't work, not using the right stack so I'll obviously try to shift the drive back and see, worked fine that way for a while...

...in the frustration, went surfing and found those other units. I figured the cube wouldn't work, but good to hear you think the others would. Will keep you posted.

thx

[bhoar]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

OK Brendan, more issues with the MF Digital (not driver related), so the search may continue...

Didn't find any mention of these anywhere, will they work??

http://www.vinpowerdigital.com/Produ...erCategory.asp

The cube is an obvious no because it's neither a PC peripheral nor does it run windows inside it. The rest would probably work with a modification of one of my current drivers.

But let's step back and figure out: what are you looking to be able to do? Perhaps I can give some better suggestions than currently unsupported devices.

-brendan

[bhoar]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

ist the old Mediaform CD 3702 robotic supportet? (serial connected). The best on this unit is the vacuum Picker!

Bastian -

I could slightly change the amtren driver to support these. However all of the ones I am familiar with are not peripherals but instead embedded system types: they have a computer running DOS built into them. And the drives are probably SCSI. It's a big project to get them working the way you'd want (externalize all the interfaces, replace drives, etc.). So I don't recommend it.

-brendan

[fphredd]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

OK Brendan, more issues with the MF Digital (not driver related), so the search may continue...

Didn't find any mention of these anywhere, will they work??

http://www.vinpowerdigital.com/Products/Autoloaders/CatPage/AutoloaderCategory.asp

thnx

[sonyman]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

Hello Brendan,
ist the old Mediaform CD 3702 robotic supportet? (serial connected)
The best on this unit is the vacuum Picker!

Thanks
Thanks BASTIAN

[fphredd]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

Andy,

I'm out of town (in Sicily on vacation) this week

-brendan

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet! Enjoy!
:D

[bhoar]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

Hi Brendan,

We just bought a new Recordex Rx-100PC and would love to try out the test driver. Can you send it to me?

-Andy

P.S. The Recordex RX-100PC has only a USB port on the outside. Is this a problem? Do I need to case hack it to get at an external serial port? Is there a way to use the USB with the driver?

Andy,

I'm out of town (in Sicily on vacation) this week, so responses might be a bit slow.

This USB device presents itself to the host as a USB hub with two child devices (a USB->ATA bridge and a USB->serial adapter). No physical modifications necessary, it works as a standard serial-connected robot.

The driver is not free of charge, I'll contact you via email about specifics.

-brendan

[asayler]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

Anyone have one of the 100-disc Aleratec RoboRacer LS, Recordex RX-100PC, Dexpreso DEX1000, CDBox or "Boozer" devices they'd like to try with the batch ripper? I have a test driver available.

-brendan

Hi Brendan,

We just bought a new Recordex Rx-100PC and would love to try out the test driver. Can you send it to me?

-Andy

P.S. The Recordex RX-100PC has only a USB port on the outside. Is this a problem? Do I need to case hack it to get at an external serial port? Is there a way to use the USB with the driver?

[bhoar]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

Ok, email me your contact info. Perhaps we can pursue that solution.

-brendan

[darkbane]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

@Bhoar

It seems that the main differ ence between the SCSI and FW version of DTPs is the firmware version.

basically, the SCSI one does not seem to output return codes via serial but via SCSI and that's all.

If you could borrow me the two eeproms on your Firewire board, I would dump them so everyone with a scsi dtp could simply burn a newer rom for his DTP and convert it to a serial/FW enabled unit.

I know your units are buried deep in your basement, but if you could find the time (no hurry of course) of bringing out one of them, everyone with a scsi unit would benefit of your effort

I would pay for all expenses of course.

Thanks!

[darkbane]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

Hi Everyone

Regardint the Rimage DTP series, I'm a bit stuck at finding what's the command it uses to query the sensor beneath the picker arm.
It is used to detect if there's disk or not of course.
The calibration tool (scsi) is able to use it but I haven't been able to find any serial command for it.. can someone please help?
I know most of the command set has been dumped monitoring the serial communication of a newer rimage unit, so it should be a know command afterall..

Many thanks!

EDIT: Meanwhile, here's what my unit says at boot:

Cedar V: 4.0a4.00A ids0058
Init steps: 0100
Print steps: 00c1
Cleaner steps: 0609
Reject steps: 073b
Rec4 steps: 1322
Rec3 steps: 1007
Rec2 steps: 0ce9
Rec1 steps: 09f1
Top hop steps: 1599
Bot hop steps: 1a1d
Energ steps: 00a0
10 Disk Hop steps: 19c5
Disk thickness steps: 0058


Cedar Technologies
Copyright 1999
CD-R Publisher
S/W version: 4.00A ids
SCSI ID: 2

Again, thanks!

[fphredd]

Re: Discussion of Automated CD Loaders

Same song for both types?

This MFD is killin' me... :vmad: