Frequently Asked Questions
This is the DDP-Solution Frequently Asked Questions section. Please click on one of the links below to read about a particular topic.
Need Further Help? Please feel free to contact our product specialist
Minimum System Requirements:
What are the Minimum System Requirements?
- Intel® Pentium® II 200 MHz processor or AMD K7
- 128 MB of free RAM
- 60 MB free hard disc space
- Windows® 98, ME, 2000 or XP
Do I require other software?
Yes, the host software (Steinberg's WaveLab 5.0) is required and must be purchased separately.
Does DDP-Solution 3.0 work in a local network?
Yes.
Is there a Mac version?
No, the DDP-Solution 3.0 software is PC-based only.
Hardware:
What Tape drives can I use with DDP-Solution?
The Exabyte 820/8500/8500 (XL) series is the most common choice of tape drive when working with DDP-Solution images. DDP-Solution also works with any tape drive which can handle the 8500 format. A further possibility is the DLT format. The latest addition to the possible range of Exabyte tape drives is the VXA model.
Can DDP Solution write a DDP Image only to a tape drive?
No, in addition to writing the image on tape drives listed above, the DDP Solution software can also write the DDP files to any location on a PC or network. This is referred to as "File I/O", and is used to produce a DDP image on other media (CD and DVD).
Using DDP-Solution:
How do I work with DDP-Solution?
You will need to have the current version of WaveLab installed.
DDP-Solution 3.0 functions like a 'CD-Recorder' in WaveLab, giving access to available Exabyte tape drives and other DDP image files. This way all the WaveLab CD writing/reading functions are available to the DDP-Solution.
Is it important to monitor the data transfer rate to and from the
drive?
A low transfer rates indicates that the tape or drive is in a "bad" condition. The expected speed for the Exabyte 8505 is 2 x and for the Eliant is 4 x.
What exactly does "Automatic Verify" verify?
The Automatic Verify reads the tape content back after the writing process, to make sure that the data has been written correctly.
Should I use DDP 1.0 specification for CD-Audio (Red Book) premasters?
That depends on which format is requested/preferred by the pressing plant that receives the images. DDP 2.0 has the advantage that the PQ information can be written at the end of the tape. This allows certain details (ISRC, etc) to be changed in retrospect without having to re-write the entire tape.(Option: DDP 2.0 and PQ after Image). DDP can read either 1.0 or 2.0 and will write which ever is chosen in the options dialog.
Is CD-Text included on the Exabyte Tape?
The CD-Text is written to the Exabyte Tape. Exabyte tapes which do contain CD-Text can still be read normally by the DDP-Solution software.
Troubleshooting:
After installation I get an Error Message "Dongle not found".
Try taking off all other dongles and putting the DDP dongle on first.
When using DDP-Solution in WaveLab 5 I get the message "Wrong
WaveLab Version".
If this message appears, then you are using the older DDP-Version 2.x in WaveLab 5. This does not work, you will need to upgrade to DDP-Solution 3.0 or continue using WaveLab 4.
I can't see "File I/O", or other DDP devices (eg. an Exabyte drive)
in the WaveLab write dialog after the installation.
Your computer's ASPI settings may need to be updated. Check our FTP site for the latest version, run the ASPIINST.exe, reboot the computer and try WaveLab again.