Ziotek Media Carousel Plus Special Edition
by Ziotek
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Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Ziotek Media Carousel Plus Special Edition
Customer Review: Much better than a shoebox
Summary: 4 Stars
I received this as a gift. It holds 150 CDs or DVDs (or combination of both) in an upright position just like a slide projector. There is a simple interface that allows you to name each disc and then add comments (or key words) about the content of the disc. You can then search the carousel by key word to retrieve the disc you are in need of.
The downside is that I had hoped it would call up the actual disc content and display it on my screen. But it doesn't do that. It simply locates the disc and serves it up to you so that you can take it out of the carousel and put it into your disc drive. Now, for me that is still very necessary and helpful since I have a slew of discs. The only other con is that it is very large - about 14" x 14" and about 6 or 7 inches tall. WAY bigger than I envisioned it to be.
The pros are that you can daisy-chain them together and stack them up to hold a ridiculous amount of information, including movies and music collections. The other pro is that it makes it so much faster for me to find the disc I need. The more key words you add to the description, the better your results will be when searching. There is also a handy management form that you can fill in so you can do a quick disc retrieval from the physical form as opposed to using the search function (and you can print it out from the provided software if you are not interested in writing it out long-hand).
Another pro is that there is a lock on the carousel so that little hands can't access your stuff. VERY GOOD cuz I tell ya, my boys were completed fascinated with this thing. It lights up like a disco when the carousel spins. LOL
So there ya go. If you're thinking you need to get all your discs off your desk and into a handy, searchable database, this is a great solution.
Customer Review: I love this thing
Summary: 3 Stars
This is <almost> the perfect solution for those of us whose CD/DVD collection has grown out of control.
First, though this unit is branded Ziotech, with the exception of the flashy blue lights and black case, it is EXACTLY the same as other similiar units, be that a Dacal DC-300 or BestTradeUSA CD Library II.
The unit is very light, lending to a first impression of cheap manufacturing. Mechanically speaking, mine has been performed splendidly though, so don't be misled by the light weight.
I've seen alot of non-flattering comments on the software, CD Library 4.0. Though certainly no frills, it does a fine job of organizing my media, and provides an adequate interface for searching and retrieving my disks. I see no reason to drop any extra cash on alternate software.
As I mentioned above, this is essentially a Dacal DC-300 rebranded with a black finish. As with the DC-300, this unit is NOT compatible with Intel USB chipsets, though Ziotech tech support is seemingly unaware of this issue. I knew the DC-300 had that problem, so proactively asked Ziotech support prior to purchasing this unit. They indicated I shouldn't have a problem with an intel USB port. They were wrong, as on install I received the Windows error message, "One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it."
Long story short, it will not be recognized by Windows unless your USB ports are of a NEC or Via chipset. Should you have the Intel chipset, you will need a USB hub, or to add a USB PCI card (make sure it is of the correct chipset) to your machine, which is what I did. I scored this a 3 for that reason alone. Otherwise a GREAT device.
Customer Review: Great Carousel.....Horrible Software
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay..first off this is a great carousel even with the flimsy arm...very fast and very quiet. By far, the best storage system out there for people with more than 500 DVD's like myself. However the software is HORRIBLE, especially if you plan to use any other operating system outside of a MAC. The reason is because I couldn't figure out how to eject dvd's through the computer with Windows. The manuel says it only works in Adminsitrator mode in Windows and gives NO direction on how to eject discs using a Windows platform. However, you can search and manually do it. BUT....you can pay an extra $39.95 to get the Collectorz DVD software program available online that works with this unit and it works FANTASTIC!! I mean, this thing sings with this software. I was very upset about this unit until I found this software online and it MAKES this unit what it is. I plan on buying 3 more to daisy chain them up and link them off my laptop. Software will search online for all info, pics, extras for every possible movie, tv series, etc. available and load it automatically. They even have a trial version you can use to see what I am talking about. Search Ziotek on the manuel to see how to hook up the carousel...easy as 1-2-3! And no, I have no affiliation to the software company..but they need to work with Ziotek and this carousel for everyone. Honestly, if you are going to pay $150 for this unit, spend the extra one time 40 bucks for the software package.Customer Review: Works good, but expensive.
Summary: 4 Stars
This disc machine is pretty simple but the supplied manual and online manual leave a lot to be desired. So does the online support at Ziotek so that's why I only gave it 4 stars. And if you have Win 7/Vista then you have to find the software download for that at their website. The CD supplied with it is useless. The machine uses native Windows drivers. But on my HTPC with Win7 64bit it wouldn't recognize the USB device properly. It did install the Windows drivers on another laptop running Win7 64 and another Win7 32 computer so I know it's not the machine. I plan to get another Mother board soon for my HTPC so hopefully the new install will allow the disc machine to install properly.
The only other complaint is that you have to manually open the sliding door first to allow it to insert/remove a disc. Too bad this door isn't motorized. And it took me several minutes to figure out that it was locked and I needed the key to open it. I was pulling pretty hard on the little door and thought something was wrong, they should either ship it unlocked or warn you about that.
I'll use this for awhile and get it filled up and if all goes well get another to hold more. I have over 500 DVD's to organize! But at $150 it may be awhile.
Customer Review: Best for what's out there.
Summary: 5 Stars
I researched media carousels for about a month because I wasn't sure if I wanted to drop this much money on something that does what a shoebox can do. However, I must say I am very pleased and it was worth the money.
I agree with most of the other reviews that the arm appears a bit flimsy. However, it works fine so far. The manufacturer claims that the software doesn't work with Vista, but it does. It just doesn't load all the pretty graphics. I entered in all 150 DVDs in about 20 minutes.
The nice thing about the software is it has a print function. They provide a book so that you can write down all of your movies, or you can click the print button and it prints off a list complete with numbers and titles.
You can use this without a computer by typing in the number on the keypad. I am very glad I purchased this. It finds a movie in about two seconds and is not that loud. It isn't the smallest piece of electronic equipment, mine takes up the top of my printer stand.
Great product and I am planning on buying another for my software and video games. If you are considering buying electronic media storage, consider this as one of your top choices.