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    toughbook CF29 cd rom to DVD/cd-r swap help

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by frtdrmrose7, Dec 23, 2009.

  1. frtdrmrose7

    frtdrmrose7 Newbie

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    I am new here and just bought a refurbished CF29 and I love it. My question is I currently have only a CD-Rom and am going to buy a CD/DVD drive to upgrade it with. the one Iam going to get is CF-VDR282U and I also called Panasonic to verify compatabilty anf they said it should be fine. what else will I need? do I need to buy WINDVD or is there any other programs i can get and any other instruction would be appreciated. Thanks
     
    frtdrmrose7, Dec 23, 2009
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  2. capt.dogfish

    capt.dogfish The Curmudgeon

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    If you will take a little time to read the first sticky "****READ BEFORE POSTING****" you will find that you don't need to spend all that money and you can have a DVD burner as well.
    CAP
     
    capt.dogfish, Dec 23, 2009
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  3. frtdrmrose7

    frtdrmrose7 Newbie

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    I read that sticky and it says to upgrade your cd/dvd to a cd/dvd rw. I do not have a DVD drive at all mine is just CD. or does that modification turn the CD rom into a DVD rom also? what software will be needed for the CODEC Decoder to operate the DVD? Thanks
     
    frtdrmrose7, Dec 23, 2009
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  4. h3lpmedic

    h3lpmedic Notebook Consultant

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    The mod allows you to put an aftermarket DVD/DVD rw in place of an existing CD or DVD drive. This in turn will save you $$$

    Read the faqs next time. Skimming is not reading. Reading everyother word doesnt help either. :D
     
    h3lpmedic, Dec 23, 2009
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  5. frtdrmrose7

    frtdrmrose7 Newbie

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    ok as for reading maybe I am actually reading because the sentence starts with " the issue with swapping Panasonics CD/DVD blah blah" not to be rude but to me that implies a dual driver being modified to RW. I am not a computer genius and just wanted to know if I buy the drive what software would be needed to operate it. so any info is appreciated and i am going to purchase a drive not tear into my PC
     
    frtdrmrose7, Dec 23, 2009
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  6. h3lpmedic

    h3lpmedic Notebook Consultant

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    You can just google for CODECS such as Shark007 Codec for software to run your DVD's. Again this information is listed in the very thread you mentioned.
     
    h3lpmedic, Dec 23, 2009
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  7. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    Its up to you

    Buy the caddy complete with the drive you want, or change the optical drive in the caddy if you want to save money

    I have power dvd for dvd playback software installed


    Alex
     
    Alex, Dec 23, 2009
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  8. mattpayne

    mattpayne Notebook Consultant

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    the procedure for swapping the CDROM for a DVD, CDRW, DVD/CD-RW, DVDRW, HDDVD, Blue-ray, etc is all the same... the threadmentioneddescribes exchanging the whole optical drive unit inside the caddy to a different type, no amount of modding in the world will transform one sort of drive to another!

    if you have an optical drive in a caddy, then you can remove that and reuse the caddy... that saves money as any slimline optical drive can from a laptop be used.

    If you have lots of cash, you can go the route of buying the drive and caddy complete, it requires no work and will sliot straight in.

    As for playing DVD's you will need a DVD decoder/player, most options are commercial and will cost you, WinDVD/PowerDVD, etc... If you want a free player you can use AVS DVD or VLCPlayer, both thosecome with the necessary codecs and are free - google the names to be taken to the sites :)
     
    mattpayne, Dec 23, 2009
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