Choosing the Correct Recording Speed

	Factor	Recording Speed	Minimum Input Device Speed*
	1x	1200 KB/Sec	1300 KB/Sec
	2x	2400 KB/Sec	2500 KB/Sec
	1x	150 KB/Sec	250 KB/Sec
	2x	300 KB/Sec	400 KB/Sec
	4x	600 KB/Sec	700 KB/Sec
	6x	900 KB/Sec	1000 KB/Sec
	8x	1200 KB/Sec	1300 KB/Sec
	12x	1800 KB/Sec	1900 KB/Sec
	16x	2400 KB/Sec	2500 KB/Sec
	40x	6000 KB/Sec	6100 KB/Sec

*	Higher Input Device Speeds Are Recommended to Ensure the System is Capable of Sustaining the Required Recording Speed

Recording Factors

• How fast Data/Audio tracks can be read from the input device to the host systems memory.
• How well the mastering software buffers or manages the Data/Audio tracks to minimize streaming pauses or interruptions due to system resource bottlenecks.
• How well the recording device manages its buffer to self-adjust or throttle the system Data/Audio track transfer rate for the selected recording speed.

Mastering Software Performance Utilities

• Check and measure the reading speed of the source CD, JAZ, ZIP, or Hard Disk input device.   Sometimes the results are given separately for small and large input files with data and audio extraction rates.

NOTE: Most mastering software packages provide a way to simulate higher recording speeds.  This tool helps predict the maximum recording speed that the system and its input devices are capable of operating.

• Check and measure the optimal writing speed of the recording device.

When an image is to be copied, the correct recording speed must be chosen based on the above measurements by the mastering software utilities.

FACTS

• When copying a source image for the first time, it is best to test & verify that the input device can read the source image fast enough to keep the writer operating at the desired recording speed.
• If the chosen recording speed is faster than the reading speed of the input device, a buffer under-run condition will occur. 
• Input devices typically read audio tracks slower than data tracks.
• If a SCSI recording device shares a common bus with the input device, CD, JAZ, ZIP, or Hard Disk, the system's ability to keep the writer operating is unpredictable.