I don't like walking away from material either, but...
You will do yourself an enormous favor by ditching those and buying an encoder from Ultimarc or GroovyGameGear.
Not just in initial setup but also in overall function.
I'm as frugal as anyone- until it comes to wasting my time.
Older I get, the more I realize that the most valuable of resources should not be squandered, and time is the most critical part of the equation.
I can make more money, more children, more of a mess...
But NOone can make more time, yeah?