Newsgroups: alt.cd-rom Path: cdrom.com!barrnet.net!sgiblab!pacbell.com!att-out!oucsace!sun!malgudi.oar.net!chemabs!brh54 From: brh54@cas.org (Brooks Haderlie) Subject: Re: Soundcards and CD-ROM's - what is the connection? Message-ID: <1994Mar29.160919.9771@chemabs.uucp> Sender: usenet@chemabs.uucp Reply-To: brh54@cas.org Organization: Chemical Abstracts Service References: Date: Tue, 29 Mar 1994 16:09:19 GMT Lines: 41 In article IyL@tigadmin.ml.com, tewr@fat8.merrill (Robin Tew, FatCats LDN 4921) writes: >What is the connection between soundcards and cd-roms? >Why is computer shopper full of 'multi-media packages' consisting of a >cd-rom and soundcard? > >Could someone explain this to me please! > >ie. What is a 'compatible soundcard and cdrom' - surelly if the soundcard >works with your system, and the cdrom works with you system then they _are_ >compatible? Robin, I tried to send you email so I didn't get flamed if I'm all washed up here, but the email bounced back. Here's my understanding of the situation: I'm no expert on CD-ROM, although I plan on buying one this week. However, I believe I can answer your question. First of all not all sound cards are even designed to work with CD-ROM drives. And even sound cards that do have a CD-ROM interface won't work with just any old drive. There is a special interface that links the two items. Most current 16-bit sound cards can connect to a CD-ROM machine, but you need to be careful there. The lower priced cards will probably only connect to certain brands of CD-ROM drives. For example, the SoundBlaster 16 card has a proprietary interface that will only work with a Creative Labs CD-ROM. Other cards might only work with Mitsumi, Panasonic, or Sony drives. As far as I can tell, if the card has a SCSI ("skuzzy") interface, which usually runs $60-100 more, it can interface with any brand of CD-ROM drive. There is a very nice table of sound cards and CD-ROM drives in the April 1994 issue of PC World. Hope that helps. Brooks ************************************************************************* * Brooks Haderlie (brh54@cas.org) * If at first you don't succeed, * * Columbus, OH by way of Ucon, ID * change the definition of success. * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- * * These opinions do not necessarily reflect those of my employer. * ***********************************************************************