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Here's what I'm trying to do. I have dvd duplicators that only duplicate discs from a master disc. I can also install an internal hdd with images stored on them and duplicate from there. These functions work great, however, if I need to change the master files, I have to burn a new disc or load the hdd with a new image; it is time consuming when you have to do it often. What I want as an end result is a duplicator that can get it's master data from another computer, where I can change the master files easily.
Here's what I've come up with while brainstorming:
- I know you can create virtual drives pretty easily with third party software such as MagicISO or PowerISO.
- I know there are plenty of hardware options that convert USB to SATA.
- I know you can specify different hardware to do different things on different ports (though not too familiar with this).
So I am thinking it might be possible to mount an image file through a specific port (or something like that) so that is sends the data by USB, converted to SATA, to another Motherboard, in this case, the duplicator controller. Then the duplicator controller will think that a disc has been inserted into the master drive and I can burn copies.
I would prefer a Windows solution. I do have access to Mac and Linux if necessary.
Does the device have network jack or support wi-fi? If so, windows file sharing maybe an option. – cybernard – 2014-08-06T02:59:15.543
@cybernard No networking. Only interface is SATA. – 287352 – 2014-08-06T04:47:42.277
Refer this question, which possibly could be one of the solutions to your problem!
– jjk_charles – 2014-08-28T21:29:11.527@jjk_charles At first glance that looks like a switch, where computer A and computer B can be quickly interchanged for connectivity for peripheral C. I'm looking for direct, Sata communication between Computer A and Computer B, where Computer B thinks Computer A is a peripheral, specifically, an optical drive with a disc in it. – 287352 – 2014-08-28T21:39:07.570
You'd need special hardware for what you want. Can you please provide the exact device model you're using? – Daniel B – 2014-08-28T21:44:59.267
@DanielB My old receipt says ARS2057P. I think this is it. Here are similar ones.
– 287352 – 2014-08-28T21:54:39.877I see. There's no easy way to do what you want (I'm not aware of any hardware able to do this) and an obvious alternative (eSATA) requires you to change an external disks connection between PC and duplicator. – Daniel B – 2014-08-28T22:03:11.960
Why do you reject the non-hardware solution of keeping the master images on an external disk? – harrymc – 2014-08-29T08:48:22.730
@harrymc If you are referring to installing an hdd and putting images on it, I still have to make a master disc every time I want to change the master image. It does not solve my problem of quickly and easily changing small things on the master. It only solves having to use a master disc when replicating. There's also the issue of being unable to name the images anything useful. They are named "A" "B" and so on. – 287352 – 2014-08-29T15:57:42.717
I'm referring to just using an external portable hd. I don't understand why you can't name the files whatever you like. – harrymc – 2014-08-29T17:34:05.933
@harrymc How familiar are you with the duplicator controller, or any controller, that I linked to above? They are very simple items with a very specific purpose. Very similar to an ASIC. They do one thing and they do it very, very well. – 287352 – 2014-08-29T18:11:18.067
I think the intrinsic problem here is that you are asking to have two computers physically connected to one drive (whether HDD, DVD, or emulated), and drives are slave devices that can only have one master. – Jason – 2014-08-29T18:25:20.573
@Jason Actually, I'm asking if I can trick Computer A into thinking that a sata connection to Computer B is a drive, where Computer B is using an image file to mount a virtual drive to Computer A. It sound like a long shot to me, too, but you never know. – 287352 – 2014-08-29T18:28:08.620
@fredsbend I suppose what you're asking is for Computer B to have a SATA port act like a slave/guest (it's normally always the master/host), and that would allow Computer A to connect to it as the master/host. This reminds me of old technologies like "null modem cables" or "USB link cables". – Jason – 2014-08-29T18:45:10.363
@Jason Yes. I don't know much about ports and getting I/O plugs on your computer to behave in particular ways, but I suspect there is some control over that. – 287352 – 2014-08-29T18:47:02.893
I found that Micron owns a patent for emulating a SATA mass storage device. I searched their website, and it doesn't look like they actually offer a product that uses it.
– Jason – 2014-08-29T19:09:33.127If your duplicator has a USB port, you might find this hardware-based ISO emulator helpful. Very interesting device.
– Jason – 2014-08-29T19:13:29.123