Why are optical drives only ATA33?

[matrix20109]

Why do optical drives, such as CD-ROM, CD-RW, and DVD-ROM drives run at just ATA33? Is it due to some limitation of how fast the laser can read and pass on information? Any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

[phsstpok]

The simple reason is because faster speed is not needed.

I'm not sure what the current fastest speed is available but Kenwood used to have a 72X CDROM drive. At 72X that's 72 x 0.15 MB/sec (this is 1X speed) or 10.8 MB/sec. Far below the ATA33 spec of 33 MB/sec.

We still have plenty of room to go. Optical drives won't need a faster interface until they reach approximately 220X speed.


<b>99% is great, unless you are talking about system stability</b>

 

[upec]

I agree. CDROM or DVDROM cannot take advantage of faser interface but there are some DVDROM using ATA66 interface.

 

[phsstpok]

DVD doesn't exceed ATA33 requirements either, not yet. 1X speed is just 1.38 MB/sec. The fastest DVD available is 16X which works out to be 22.08 MB/sec. ATA66 on DVDROMs is more of marketing gimmick at this point. It's a marketing gimmick that I don't think works. The 16X thing probably does work though, as a marketing tool, I mean. I don't think anyone will buy a 12X or 8X DVDROM any longer just because 16X sounds like it would be better. This is despite the fact that DVDs always play at 1X.

<b>99% is great, unless you are talking about system stability</b>

 

[upec]

I know DVD drives do not require more than ATA33. Just want to let matrix know there are optical drives that have ATA66 interface.

 

[lhgpoobaa]

Yep. Optical drives dont NEED anything faster than ata33.

why? The fastest cd read or write speed is only around 8Mb/sec, and even the fastest theoretical dvd transfer speed is 21Mb/sec, still well below the ata33 limit.

So optical drives with ata66 or 100 interfaces are really just marketing gimmics.

<b><i>The Very Hungry Caterpillar</i> - George W. Bush's favorite childhood book.
Note: This book was first published a year after Mr Bush graduated from College.</b>

 

[phsstpok]

The fastest cd read or write speed is only around 8Mb/sec, and even the fastest theoretical dvd transfer speed is 21Mb/sec, still well below the ata33 limit.

I said basically the same thing.



<b>99% is great, unless you are talking about system stability</b>

 

[matrix20109]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their posts. The info was very helpful and now that little question won't bug me anymore. Thanks again.

 

[lhgpoobaa]

opps. yeah. so you did
we now he is doubly in the know hehe

<b><i>The Very Hungry Caterpillar</i> - George W. Bush's favorite childhood book.
Note: This book was first published a year after Mr Bush graduated from College.</b>