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Iomega Predator



Basic specified characteristics of the Iomega Predator:
Firmware version P1.9
Recording modes Disc-At-Once, Track-At-Once, MultiSession, Packet Writing
Recording formats CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD Extra,CD-I, VideoCD, PhotoCD.
Read/write support in Raw-mode RAW-DAO - supported
RAW-DAO Write Simulation - supported
CD+G RAW-DAO - not supported
RAW-SAO - not supported
RAW-SAO Write Simulation - not supported
Average access time up to 125 ms
CD-R recording 1X, 2x, 4X (up to 8x)
CD-RW recording 2X, 4x
Reading 6x max (750 KBytes/s) (optioanlly up to 32x)
Buffer size 2048 KBytes
Production date January 2001
Manufacturer USA
Price as tested up to $300

The device ships in a Retail package.

The box contains:

  • User's Manual.
  • Installation manual.
  • CD with drivers and software for recording: Adaptec EasyCD Creator 4.02 and DirectCD 3.01 for PC-compatible computers and Adaptec Toast 4.1.2 for Macintosh computers.
  • CD-R and CD-RW discs.
  • Power supply unit.
  • Audio cable.
  • USB-cable.

ATIP: 97m 15s 17f
Disc Manufacturer: Ritek Co.
Reflective layer: Dye (Short strategy; e.g. Phtalocyanine)
Media type: CD-Recordable
Recording Speeds: min. unknown - max. unknown
nominal Capacity: 702.83 MBytes (79m 59s 74f / LBA: 359849)

ATIP: 97m 34s 22f
Disc Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Chemicals Corp.
Reflective layer: Phase change
Media type: CD-ReWritable
Recording Speeds: min. unknown - max. 4X
nominal Capacity: 656.40 MBytes (74m 43s 00f / LBA: 336075)

The drivers for this recorder were not easy to install. However, the Predator easily works with the drivers of the ZipCD CD-RW Drive.

When installing the drivers, it is simply not enough to be asked to manually identify the drivers folder on the CD for the new device. You should refuse the suggestion to find another driver on your other disks or media, and start an installation program from the CD a bit later. What if your computer lacks another device capable reading data from CD-ROM discs? Even if you have it, there is another obstacle: if you have EasyCD Creator 4.X or DirectCD 3.X, then delete them. You'll be asked to do so, even if you have the latest version.

You can't refuse the installation of EasyCD Creator and choose only the drivers. I'm sure all this was done to make you install the Iomega versions of EasyCD Creator and DirectCD exactly from Iomega (so that you will see the cheerful image of some abstract disc-writer-creature holding damaged discs :)

Besides, you can get a CD-Guide in the EasyCD Creator with the Iomega logo.

Apart from the programs for recording the CD contains a couple of useful utilities.

MusicMatch Jukebox Plus

A good program combining the majority of functions necessary for music playback and simple burning and management tasks. It can download from the Internet, record, extract sound tracks, put in order and play MP3-files. The prefix "Plus" means that you can burn audio CDs using multimedia data you've got. If desired, you can make a cover for a recorded CD without leaving the program.

Adobe ActiveShare

This interesting application makes possible in a simple way to order and place in folders all your graphics files in the simplest way. After this hard work the program will suggest you recording the result on a CD.

Iomega QuikSync 2 Software

This utility will help you through the process of automatic backup copying of your data. Iomega has limited the utilization of the QuikSync 2 Software for 30 days. At the end of the term you are either to delete the program or to acquire the full version.

MGI PhotoSuite

This program will be useful for Macintosh users. It is similar to the Adobe ActiveShare, but in functional possibilities it is closer to uncomplicated photo image editors.

The recorder's design is very interesting. It looks more like a fashionable game console, a CD player or a console MP3 player, but not a CD recorder, since discs are loaded not in a traditional way, but with the opening upper lid.

The package is also untraditional - a plastic folding box.

Despite the original styling of the front panel, it doesn't sport any new functions.

There are a headphones jack (4), a mechanical volume control (5), a lid open button (3) and two indicators (1 and 2).

The rear panel is even simpler. It has only one connector.

It serves for connection of a special adapter. An interface of your device (USB 1.1, FireWire or USB 2.0) depends on the adapter you are using, so do the speeds. If for USB 1.1 it is 4/4/6, with FireWire and USB 2.0 you can get 8X (record), 4x (rewrite), and 32x (read). Today's market offers models only with USB 1.1 interface support, but in the near future you can get the other two types as well.

The USB 1.1 adapter has 3 connectors on the rear panel: audio-out, a connector for a network cable and a USB-out for connecting a computer.

Note that the power supply unit has a cable with an American variant of the connector.

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