SCSI DVD? Doublechecking my lineup...

[jeana]

After a long period of research, I'm almost
ready to assemble my new system!

So far, I have in hand or on order:
Celeron 300A PPGA (with hopes to overclock)
ATI all-in-wonder AGP OEM
SB Live! Value OEM
USR faxmodem 57.6K with voice
64 MB pc100 6-layer 8ns DRAM (generic but Micron chips)
IBM Ultrastar 9.1 GB drive: DDRS-9es U2W OEM
Elderly generic keyboard and mouse
antediluvian SoundBlaster SBS38 speakers
CTX PR711 17" Trinitron monitor (does anybody
know how it differs from the PR710? which is
impossible to find these days)
Plextor 8-2-20 SCSI CD rewriter retail
extra 80mm case fans
external Zip Plus! drive

I'm almost sure I'll buy:
Abit bx6v2
msi6905 slot converter
Cpm25603-12 fan/heatsink
a-pro 802 case (dull design, but has a bigger power supply than the Elan Vital T-10 and is not as expensive as that beautiful Yeong Yang black minicube server case: check out www.esc-ca.com and you'll see what I mean)
The incredibly cool Fellowes cordless mousepen: does anybody have one? How are they? (available at www.questecmouse.com)

And I'm looking at, but am not sure about:
Diamond fireport 40, tekram dc-390f?
Panasonic LS-120
Pioneer 303s Ultra scsi DVD-ROM

So here are my questions:
(1) What SCSI card should I get? Do I need to shell out for an Adaptec card?
(2) Given the cost of the SCSI DVD-ROM, I might as well buy a dedicated player for $200. But I've already committed on the All-in-wonder card... so what's wrong with an IDE reader if I want to watch DVD movies (using my snazzy Mousepen instead of a remote control?) I know I've gone SCSI but is it necessary to go all the way?
(3) How likely is the Panasonic LS-120 to poop out on me? I've never liked the quality of their audio equipment but how wrong can you go with a floppy drive? (famous last words eh)
(4) Am I missing anything here? Any potential conflicts? For instance, I'm worried about buying the wrong SCSI cables and adapters.

Thanks for any advice...to think this all started because I needed a new monitor for the 486 I inherited from my father! Be careful, kids, and don't grow up to be like me. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by jeana (edited 04-20-99).]

[Bleeding Edge]

Peculiar combination of average and highend components. Interesting and yet disturbing.

I’d reconsider some items and shuffle the budget around to upgrade key components. Such as; at Least a 19” monitor. Preferably a Sony, NEC or Nanao. A nice monitor makes a world of difference on any computer. Your missing a CD-Rom drive. If your going to be burning CDs it’s easier and faster with a second reader. It should be SCSI. Mixing an IDE reader and a SCSI writer can lend itself to problematic burning. You mentioned the Pioneer. It can double as the reader, but you were wondering about going IDE. The U2 drive needs special cable considerations. These drives are not self-terminating. The termination occurs at the cable end. U2 LVD/SE cables have built on termination. This cable should be of high quality. The braided type is a good start. Typically at a cost of $80+. Adaptec U2W kits (cards with all the different cables included in the box) would be cost-effective solution; however, you won’t get a braided cable. You can wrap the LVD cable that it comes with, with one or two “skins” of tin foil. Then cover the tin foil with wide clear packing tape to cut down on (provide more protection from) the bus noise bouncing around inside the case.

Don’t take this personally (don’t take it anyway at all,) but the idea, in essence, of using a computer as a DVD player to watch movies on, rather than a “real dvd player” doesn’t hold any appeal.

For whatever my six cents is worth, I never owned a Panasonic that lasted.

And once again I applaud you for this unusual combination of choices. Artful! A definite self-statement. I don’t know if you missed some things in your over eagerness to get the ball rolling or that you’re just unique.

Somehow I think it’s the latter.

[augidog]

my PC is my entertainment center (TV/FM/DVD/MP3 w/sblive, 4-point & 19" KDS) and i really enjoy it.

i think you should consider a 19" monitor minimum for viewing, larger if the bucks allow.

augidog

[This message has been edited by augidog (edited 04-21-99).]

[FastEddie]

Just my .02. But with a CD-R/CDRW, you have absolutely no need for an LS-120. CD-RW media is cheaper that 120mb disks, and are alot more versitile.

The difference in cost for the Adaptec AHA2940U2W w/cables is not really enough to be a factor. https://www.hypermicro.com/store/index.htm (http://https://www.hypermicro.com/store/index.htm) has them for $229 w/cables and software.

The pioneer 303S is the dvd I bought, for the same type of application--a home entertainment computer connected to a 50inch Toshiba with external Dolby Digital Surround Sound. I'm very happy with the drive.

FastEddie

[jeana]

Thanks all!

FastEddie, you're absolutely right. I don't know why the hey I'm getting the LS-120. I'll just get a cheap oldstyle 3.5" drive.

Bleeding Edge, thanks for your input. Yes I know the computer will be a mongrel. It's a balance between what I could afford, what I wanted, and what was on sale. There's always the hope that I can gradually upgrade some components as the money crawls in.

Why is the Adaptec U2W kit better than the Tekram U2W kit? (Besides $50)

Yeah, a 19" monitor would be nice, but I imagine I'd do the DVD viewing on a real TV (I'll burn that bridge when I come to it).
17" monitor for now and hope that the LCD screens go down in price someday. The CRT monitors are so big and clunky.

Right now I'm looking at a 15" monitor that has no blue so everything is a sickly yellow-green. The poor resolution is crossing my eyes. Occasionally the cussed thing flashes completely red. And, I have to look at it all day when I work at home. Anything would be an improvement.

'Kay, no more sob stories. Next time I write in it may be on my new machine!