From: rwm@cup.portal.com (Richard DARYL Millett)
Newsgroups: alt.cd-rom
Subject: Pioneer DRM-604X FAQ
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 93 20:48:22 PST
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Distribution: world

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)