Messages in this thread |  | | From | "Magnus Hiie" <> | Date | Wed, 4 Dec 1996 09:48:02 +0200 | Subject | Re: Linux VCR driver? |
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> > "There are controllers available for many PC's that allow a VCR to > > be used as a backup device. This is an inexpensive way to get a > > lot of backup capability on a PC. However, in order to utilize > > such a system, a device driver will have to be written..." > > > There may be such beasts, but I wouldn't trust my data to them. > Better get a "real" computer tape drive.
I have been using an ISA card (its name is Arvid) that does such thing. I'm completely happy with it. It stores about 2GB data on a 240min VHS cassette. Its speed is about 150KB/s. I have found no errors in data restored from the cassettes (not including one which got wet). Compared to my (quite old) HP 2GB DDS tape drive, I find them quite competitive.
> Problems with these video beasts: > - No read-after-write, therefore no decent error control.
Correct, but as I said, I have encountered no errors. Maybe it stores data with a lot of error control (parity) extra data.
> - The additional conversion to an analog video signal means that the > speed > is nothing to speak of.
I'm satisfied.
> - No filemarks, i.e. one backup per tape.
Wrong, I have more than 10 backup sets on each tape.
> - How do you push the rewind/play/record buttons with the computer?
It has a remote control connected to a wire connected to the card (actually a simple infra-red LED)
> - Timing of the signal (usually, parallel-port) is likely to be > rather > critical -> writing a Linux driver is difficult at best.
It is an ISA card as I mentioned.
BTW, it costs only about $50! And it works with about every VCR there is on the market.
********************************* Magnus Hiie Computer Manager Eesti Ekspress E-mail: mgn@ekspress.ee Tel: +372 6408046 GSM: +372 50 57507
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