[kansir]

I saw a new technology called "Burn-Proof" in PC. It said that it can prevent the CD-RW burn-out.
Does Mac need it?
Will CD-RW burn-out in Mac?

[joe]

Mac already has burn-proof with the new Plextor 12x10x32 CD-RW drive. It's a new feature that is suppose to prevent buffer underuns (ruined discs) during the write process....joe

[kansir]

I have visited http://www.plextor.com/ ,I just find four CD-RW. However, all of them are windows only.
Which model do you mention about?

[exa]

They say it's windows only when in reality it works with really, any computer (that has the drivers). It works on macs, just unsupported, but it works (Toast has drivers for the cdrw use). I don't think you can boot cds off the drive...

I would think "burn-proof" technology is only useful if you have a slower computer that can't transfer the data to the burner fast enough.

"Burn-proof" has been touted as a useful feature because it allows you to multi-task as you burn a disc (i.e., surf the web, type up a letter, or even open up a QuickTime clip) without having to worry about buffer-underruns. However, I've noticed that the latest versions of Toast won't let you leave the application while a disc is burning anyways, so it's almost useless.

Personally, I don't use the feature, since I figure a dual-450 G4 with 192MB of RAM wouldn't pose any thoroughput problems.

Anyway, just thought I'd put in my two cents.

[vmarks]

Originally posted by JGrGnt:
I would think "burn-proof" technology is only useful if you have a slower computer that can't transfer the data to the burner fast enough.

"Burn-proof" has been touted as a useful feature because it allows you to multi-task as you burn a disc (i.e., surf the web, type up a letter, or even open up a QuickTime clip) without having to worry about buffer-underruns. However, I've noticed that the latest versions of Toast won't let you leave the application while a disc is burning anyways, so it's almost useless.

Personally, I don't use the feature, since I figure a dual-450 G4 with 192MB of RAM wouldn't pose any thoroughput problems.

Anyway, just thought I'd put in my two cents.

Processor speed isn't what determines the need (lack of) for burn-proof.

Buffer underruns are caused by hiccups in the data being made available to the cd-rw drive. These can be caused by programs that grab all resources while they display their splash screen, other apps making demands on the source drive (could be hard drive, could be dvd/cd drive) virtual memory being paged to/from hard drive...

Processor speed is only related in that it can alleviate some of the problems with resources being seized.

In Windows, nothing restricts you from looking at web pages, playing quakeIII and playing mp3s all while burning. Before burn-proof, you;d make coasters all the time. Since I bought my burn-proof drive, burning cd's in Windows is now stable and fool-proof. Burning cd's in linux is good too.
I haven't hooked that drive up to my G4 yet, but I bet with burn-proof, I could even burn over my network now, it's that good of a technology.

Besides, in a years time, you won't be able to buy a new drive without it. and you won't want one, either.

Regards,
Victor
proud owner of a brand-new G4