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Old 03-15-2013, 08:55 AM   #1
TheOmegaMan
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Question Reverse Engineering (?) Primera Bravo II Disc Publisher?


At work I need to duplicate a large quantity of DVDs and/or CDs for corporate use. To that end, I have access to a Primera Bravo II Disk Publisher (manual can be found here) which is set up to work on Windows 7. Currently, Primera does not offer a GNU/Linux native driver.

Does anyone know if there are any working Free Software programs or drivers for such technology? I have searched for such a program and have yet to find any.

To that end, is it legal in the US to reverse-engineer the hardware/software to achieve compatibility on non-Mac or Windows platforms? If so, is anyone here interested in helping out with this project?

If this is not feasible what disk duplicators with label printing would you recommend for GNU/Linux?

Thanks for taking the time to consider my inquiries.
 
Old 03-15-2013, 09:05 AM   #2
schneidz
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there are command-line programs like cdrecord / dvdrecord that are part of the basic install of most distros (you may need to mkisofs first though). there are also gui's like k3b / brasero that probably call the command-line programs in the background.

about reverse-engineering software: i dont think it is against the law as long as you arent cracking anything encrypted (which is against the patriot act).

can you explain what specific feature primera provides.

edit: i just realized it is hardware. what do you get when you plug it in and run lsusb ?



also, google("Primera Bravo II Disk Publisher linux")[1] = http://www.volny.cz/davidef/linux/index-en.html

according to this you can contact them to get the information you need (nda required):
http://www.primera.com/developer/support/linux.txt

but this page has a linux driver section (no nda required):
http://www.primera.com/developer/supportdeveloper.html

Last edited by schneidz; 03-15-2013 at 09:22 AM.
 
Old 03-15-2013, 09:13 AM   #3
TheOmegaMan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by schneidz View Post
there are command-line programs like cdrecord / dvdrecord that are part of the basic install of most distros (you may need to mkisofs first though). there are also gui's like k3b / brasero that probably call the command-line programs in the background.

about reverse-engineering software: i dont think it is against the law as long as you arent cracking anything encrypted (which is against the patriot act).

can you explain what specific feature primera provides.

I have K3b installed and I love using it for creating ISOs. The Bravo II is a physical device which retrieves CD/DVDs via a robotic arm, inserts them into a dedicated burner and retrieves them for printing labels -- non-sticker type; we use this device for mass producing product demo DVDs.
 
Old 03-15-2013, 09:16 AM   #4
TheOmegaMan
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Originally Posted by schneidz View Post
also, google("Primera Bravo II Disk Publisher linux")[1] = http://www.volny.cz/davidef/linux/index-en.html
Thank you very much. I think I was using the wrong series of keywords/phrases when I was searching.
 
Old 03-15-2013, 10:46 AM   #5
jefro
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Consider asking their tech support. Looks like they would be the place to start. Many companies don't like to share their software. I assume they worry about competition or might be afraid it includes others work.

Do you only need this to print the labels or do you need it to copy with?


Pretty sure it is not legal to reverse engineer this in the US unless their software license states some open license. Their software would contain some clause if you read it.

Did you try "wine"?

Last edited by jefro; 03-15-2013 at 10:47 AM.
 
Old 03-16-2013, 03:20 PM   #6
business_kid
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Reverse engineering is rarely practical. You get assembler. All fine if you're the CIA, otherwise forget it. If you have runs of 1000+ to do, you can get them moulded cheaply enough. Inquire for the companies' BLER (BLock Error Rating).

Reverse engineering hardware is a yes/no situation. If it has programmables (ASICs, FPGAs, PALs Mask Programmed CPUs), and the security bit is set (which is normal practise) it's no. Not even the CIA can get in there.

You can try wine, but I presume it falls over. Get a quote from Crossover office if you're serious about using linux, although I'd be inclined to tolerate one windows 7 install. You could keep it's network limited (e.g. point to point with one box, which has the normal house network access on another nic, and no IP forwarding).
 
  


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