PENTIUM III 300 CPU Or Greater---The Intel Pentium III 300MHz CPU is the minimum processing power required to run DVD. If you are running a high-powered CPU, your system may not need the assistance of either a hardware or software-based decoder.

64MB OF RAM MINIMUM---DVD utilizes your system's main memory to help transfer data. While 64MB is adequate, 128MB will ensure trouble-free performance.

AN OPEN 5.25-INCH DRIVE BAY---If you intend on adding an INTERNAL DVD drive to your system, you will need an open 5.25-inch drive bay. An open drive bay IS NOT REQUIRED if you intend on adding an external DVD drive. However, external DVD drives are substantially more expensive than internal models, and they must be connected via a USB port, FireWire port or SCSI port. If you opt for an external DVD drive, be sure you have one of these ports available, or that you upgrade your system to include one.

ONE PCI SLOT AVAILABLE FOR DECODER CARD---You'll need to add a decoder card to your system, or you can choose a software-based decoder system and you WILL NOT need to add a hardware-based card. IMPORTANT: Check your video card's specifications to determine whether you'll need a hardware or software decoder. Many of today's video cards include the required power tyo eliminate the need for decoding technology.

VIDEO CARD (8MB, 2D MODEL IS RECOMMENDED)---You will achieve the best results with your DVD drive if your video card includes at least 8MB of dedicated memory, of course, more memory is always recommended if possible. A video card that supports 16-bit color would be our recommendation for a minimum requirement. BE CERTAIN to check your video card to see if it is compatible with the particular DVD drive that you buy. As mentioned above, many video cards have enough power to eliminate the need for a hardware or software decoder, check the specifications for details.

A BASIC SOUND CARD---Most of today's sound cards and onboard sound systems will support DVD audio. If you want to take advantage of DVD multi-channel digital sound, your video system must include a digital output jack. And be sure to check your sound system's specifications to see if it supports the DVD drive you buy.

MULTIMEDIA SPEAKERS---Any PC stereo multimedia speakers will give you adequate sound for your DVD movies. If you want a richer audio experience, we recommend you purchase a Surround Sound speaker system, with four satellite speakers and subwoofer.

ADEQUATE HARD DRIVE SPACE---If you purchase a DVD-ROM drive that utilizes software-based encoding, you will need hard drive space to store this program.

DVD requires that you run Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows Me, or Windows XP.

NOTE: It is important not to confuse DVD speeds with CD-ROM speeds. An 8X DVD drive is much faster than a 52X CD-ROM drive, since the information is compressed much more on a DVD disc than it is on a CD-ROM disc, therefore it can be accessed and transferred at a veryt high rate. MPEG-2 compression enables DVD drives to store and deliver information faster than CD-ROM drives. For example, a 1X DVD drive can transfer data at 1250KB per second, which is equivilant to the transfer rate of an 8X CD-ROM drive.

Like CD-ROM drives, access time, seek time and buffer size are important factors in DVD drives as well, and play a crucial role in the speed of the drive. The lower the seek and access times, the faster the drive will retrieve and deliver the data. You will find that the standard buffer size for today's DVD drives is 256KB, however many include more buffer memory. We recommend the highest buffer memory that you can afford. It will make a difference.

Internal DVD drives can be connected by two interface formats: EIDE and SCSI. EIDE is the more mainstream interface (and less expensive). Most of today's motherboards are equipped with EIDE connectors and they are simple to configure.

SCSI interface technology is more complex and offers higher transfer rates than EIDE. If you opt for SCSI, be sure your motherboard supports SCSI hardware. If it does not, you will need to purchase and install a SCSI adapter card, cable and terminator.

HARDWARE DECODING TECHNOLOGY
Hardware-based decoders are recommended for PCs running a Pentium II 300MHz processor or lower. A decoder will minimize the processing power-drain on your CPU on these machines---and they will maximize the DVD performance. A hardware-based decoder will also deliver performance enhancements required to run multiple applications on older PCs.

SOFTWARE DECODING TECHNOLOGY
If you're running a mid-range spoeed CPU, we recommed a software-based decoder, which will reduce the strain on your CPU and improve DVD performance. Also, software-based decoders can be used if you don't have a PCI slot available for a hardware-based decoder card.

Regional coding did reduce bootlegging of copyrighted motion picture properties, however, the concept became extremely complex, since it was nearly impossible to include codes for every region and all spoken languages. Another problem was cencorship, which varies from region to region.

The result is that many DVD manufactrurers have begun to configure their players to work with DVD discs from all six regions. Check the specifications on the DVD playback device you select to see if your player supports all regions.

Finally, we recommend a DVD drive (over a CD-ROM drive) because they support multiple formats, including CD-ROM. In addition, the huge capacity of DVD discs means more information can be accessed than CD-ROM discs. DVD discs can include more text, more photos and multimedia clips. DVD movies often include multiple languages, trailers, soundtracks, alternate scenes and other matrerials.

Why not just upgrade your CD-ROM drive? Well, a faster CD drive will transfer data more quickly, resulting in smoother video displays---but there's more to just smooth video displays and faster data transfers to consider before you upgrade. This is a great opportunity to consider upgrading to a complete mass storage solution with a CD-RW. CD-RW drives can read regular CD-ROMs and they can create archives of data---up to 650MB each.

A CD-RW will give you the following benefits:

• Read CD, CD-R and CD-RW media formats
   (older CD-ROM drives cannot read CD-R and CD-RW)
• Increase Software Performance
• Playback Music CDs
• Play Games With Full Motion
• Create And Customize Your Own Music and Data CDs
• Create Long-Term, Low-Cost Data Storage Archives And Backups
• Store Up To 650MB Of Data
• Share Data With Friends, Family And Associates
• Distribute And Update Works In Progress.

Installing a CD drive into your PC can be as complex or as simple as you make it. If you purchase a Plug And Play Kit, theprocess will be extremely easy. These kits include an interface cable, a power cable and software that helps automate in installation process. We suggest that first-time upgraders go with a Plug And Play Kit when selecting a new CD-RW. And be sure to review the product information carefully so you know exactly what is included with the drive.

Internal CD-RW drives mount in your 5.25-inch, "half-height" drive bay. The new CD-RW can replace the old CD-ROM drive---they will be the same size. A drive bay is basically a "shelf" inside your PC that is about six inches wide and allows only the face of the drive to show.

Begin The Installation...
First, open the PC case. This is done by removing the screws from the rear of the case. Check the manufacturer's information, case designs may vary. Then unscrew the old drive's brackets and gently slide it out of the bay. Note how the cables are connected to the old drive (perhaps mark them) so you can easily connect them to the new drive. Disconnect the old drive's power supply (typically located on the right side), the interface (a flat, ribbon-like cable) and audio cables (which are connected to your sound card). Again, it is a good idea to mark the cables for easy connection to the new drive.

You're ready to insert the new drive. Before sliding the drive into the bay, connect the cables exactly as they were connected to the old drive (CD-ROM and CD-RW cables are exactly the same). When the cables are connected, slide the drive into the bay and secure it by screwing it into the brackets, where you unscrewed the old drive. The CD-RW drive will come with software drivers, and you must install them onto your system before you can run the drive. If your CD-RW drive does not include software, drivers are available via the Internet on the manufacturer's web site.

Once the drivers are properly installed, you will then reboot your PC.

External drives are simple: just connect the interface between the drive and the computer.

First, you'll need to decide whether you want to install an internal CD-RW or go with an external model. You'll also need to determine which interface you'd like to use. And finally, you'll need to consider the speed of the drive, which controls the amount of data it can transfer.

The Interface.
The interface is the connection between your CD-RW drive and the computer. Your CD-RW drive uses this link to send and receive data.

Internal drives use a SCSI or EIDE interface. EIDE is the mainstream interface, and is the more prevalent format. Most of today's consumer motherboards are equipped with EIDE. EIDE is inexpensive and simple to configure. EIDE features Plug And Play convenience (meaning that Windows 95 or greater will automatically recognize your new CD-RW, making the installation process fast and easy). SCSI interfaces are faster than EIDE, but are also more expensive and more complex to install. You must have a SCSI card installed in your PC to use a SCSI device.

External drives use a parallel port, PCMCIA (PC Card), USB or FireWire interface:

Parallel Port
Parallel ports connect to your computer's printer port and usually include a printer "pass-through." which allows you to connect both your CD-RW drive---and a printer---simultaneously. Parallel port connectors are typically more convenient than PC Cards, but offer slower data transfer rates.

PCMCIA (PC Cards)
A PCMCIA card, also known as a PC Card, is a credit card-sized device that slides into a PC Card slot. This interface is common to notebook PC users and is known more for its convenience than its pereformance.

USB (Universal Serial Bus)
USB Interfaces are much faster than parallel ports, but slower than PCMCIA interfaces. Your PC will automatically recognize any USB device as soon as it is plugged in (with Windows 98 or greater) and up to 127 devices can be added to a USB port.

FireWire or IEEE1394
This is an ultra-fast connector that can transfer data at up to 400Mbps. A single FireWire port can connect up to 63 external devices.

If you don't mind installing the CD-RW, internal is the best way to go.

12-speed write rating,
10-speed re-write rating,
32-speed read rating.

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