Aril 2001 Storage Digest

By Alexander Vorobiev

Today's market of CD-RW drives is much like the one of processors a year ago. The situation has tensed up, and it is difficult to define an unquestioning leader. Although there is a great deal of companies in the field of optical media, which currently participate in the drive speed race, the major competitors are the companies leading in pickup production for CD-RW media: Oak Technology, Sanyo and Ricoh. The month's major tendency is a large-scale promotion of the buffer underrun error prevention technology "JustLink" by Ricoh. Ricoh has taken a steady leading position as an OEM-manufacturer. April was rich in announcements and appearances of devices based on the Ricoh's pickup. Besides, the company has launched a new 20x recorder, which makes us be more serious about their plans and roadmaps. As for other events, I should note that models with 4/4/32 speeds are gradually leaving the market. 8x is in fact the least speed for modern CD-RW drives.

Below is our TOP of the recommended CD-RW drives, which has changed according to the events occurred during this month.

Professional CD-RW drives

This category means high quality and reliability, and, of course, a high price of a recorder.

Plextor PX-W1610A

Today this recorder has not the widest possibilities. There are analog devices from TEAC, TDK, HP and some other companies. Nevertheless, the Plextor drive is one of the leaders in its price niche. Apart from a true 16X record speed and the Burn-Proof technology, a new technology is now supported - "Powerec" (Plextor Optimized Writing Error Reduction Control). It determines a type of a CD-R used and choose an appropriate record speed for it.

It's worth noting that the PX-W1610A has an excellent speed and high quality of sound track extraction. On a well-balanced disc the speed can be as high as 30x! And at such a high read speed the recorder works very quiet. Another thing to be noted here is that the recorder offers high record quality and supports reading/writing in the RAW-DAO mode.

TDK CyClone CDRW161040

The CD-RW drive CyClone is based on the îT Sanyo's pickup, that is why these devices cost much, like its major competitor PlexWriter PX-W1610A. But you should remember that TDK is currently following an aggressive policy of extension of its domain of influence. A release of a budget model VorteX with 12/10/32 speeds proves that the company is interested in entering the market of recorders of middle price level.

That is why if you have decided to purchase a CD-RW drive with high quality recording, stable reading, a pleasant design and capable to replace your favorite Mitsumi, which in the most cases works under the CloneCD program, then go with this high-speed recorder from TDK.

Middle-level CD-RW drives

This category includes relatively high speed devices at an average price and with an optimal ratio of speeds (today it is 12/10/32).

TEAC CD-W512EB

The price of this recorder has dropped much during the last months, and the CD-W512EB is one of the cheapest devices based on the Sanyo's pickup. This device has shown very high results in our tests, similar to the competitor from Plextor. The BLER factor is just a bit higher than that of the PX-W1210TA, the speed results are very high, like those one of the TEAC. An access speed is even higher than that of the brand-name opponent. Its quite low price together will all advantages listed above make this recorder a good competitor on the recorder market.

Entry-level CD-RW drives

This category implies a low price and clear realization of what you are purchasing.

TEAC CD-W58E

This model is one of the bestsellers in its sector. Its popularity is accounted by the well thought-out TEAC's marketing campaign - a moderate price ($120-130), reliability and high quality of the products, both ÎEM and Retail packages.

So, if you really need an 8x speed at the moderate price, then take the CD-W58E.

Mitsumi CR-4805TE

This recorder is primarily interesting for those who like to make backup copies of discs. The CR-4805TE supports all possible read/write RAW formats: RAW-DAO, RAW-DAO Write Simulation, CD+G RAW-DAO, RAW-SAO, RAW-SAO Write Simulation.

Its record quality is excellent for its class. A high and correct read speed and 8x record speed, plus a low price ($115-120) makes this recorder a good purchase for a not very demanding user in respect of CD recording.

Modern technologies and their development

In the end of March/beginning of April a large Taiwanese company, AOpen, has released a CD-RW drive CRW1232Pro with UltraDMA66 interface.

Its basic characteristics are: E-IDE (ATAPI) interface with Ultra-DMA Mode 4 (66.6 Mbps) support, JustLink technology support, 2 MBytes record buffer, 12/10/32 speeds, less than 120 mc access time, a digital (SPDIF) audio-out.

Right after AOpen, Creative started production of their CD-RW Creative Blaster 12x10x32. The speeds are, correspondingly, 12/10/32, the Burn-Proof technology is supported. This solid model, though with a weak software set, is a bit late in the 16x drive epoch.

In the beginning of the month Iomega started shipping its new model Predator - an external CD-RW drive which is coming now with a FireWire interface. The speeds are 8/4/32, the BURN-Proof technology is supported. An advantage of the new device lies in a possibility of hot connection of other interfaces - USB 1.1, PC Card and USB 2.0 (optionally) via special adapters. The Iomega Predator FireWire is already shipping at the retail price equal to $329.95. A set of interface adapters costs $79.95.

A Japanese company, Logitec, is getting more and more active. In the beginning of April the company announced the CD-R/W drive with 16/10/40 speeds and BURN-Proof support. All models are based on the TEAC's mechanic system and equipped with 2 MBytes record buffer.

Besides, two new models will soon appear - the LCW-T1610BSU with the Ultra SCSI/USB dual interface (the last decade of April, $350), the LCW-T1610BFU with the IEEE 1394/USB dual interface (the middle of May, $358). The performance of both models when working via a USB interface is unfortunately low (the speeds are 8/8/8) - only the 1.1 standard is used. An internal model LCW-T1610BAK with the ATAPI interface will appear in the middle of April at a much lower price - $252.

As we have already mentioned, Ricoh has taken an active position on this market. Ricoh Europe has published a full specification of its 20X speed CD-RW drive MP7200A-DP. The speeds are 20/10/40, an interface is ATAPI (Ultra-DMA33). The device supports JustLink and JustSpeed technologies, a new laser controller, 1.5 times more accurate ray focusing, 100 ms access time, less than 1 V power consumption in the standby mode. The JustSpeed works the following way: when transmitting to high record speeds (16x - 20x) the drive tests a type of a disc for the ATIP information (a manufacturer, a disc model number etc.) and according to the data obtained adjusts the record speed within the range of 12x - 20x. The drive is equipped with a S/PDIF output. Note that the MP7200A-DP has been selling since the second half of April.

LaCie company has introduced its new model - the 8x4x32x LaCie PocketCD-RW. The device is so small that it perfectly fits your palm. The drive supports two interfaces - USB 1.1 and FireWire. When connected to a computer, the LaCie PocketCD-RW automatically defines the connection way and configures the system in a hot mode so that you can start working with the recorder right away. I don't know when the device is due to appear, but its price will reportedly be $399.

Another famous company, Fantom Drives, has announced on April 17 a new FireWire 16/10/40 CD-RW drive. Like Logitec recorders, this drive is based on the TEAC's mechanic system. Apart from the drive, the Retail-package contains an interface cable of the IEEE-1394 standard, a blank CD-R disc, Roxio software for Mac and PC platforms (Toast and EasyCD Creator). For today its price is defined as $349 and the first lots will be intended only for Internet-shops.

In the middle of April Ritek and Philips settled their problems and decided that it would be better to partner. So, Ritek will restart (by authority of Philips) to produce CD-R media assigning a significant sum of money to the European giant. In is interesting if this reconciliation is connected with closing of the Philips's patent for CD-R this year? ;-)

On 28 April TDK Japan will start selling two new external CD-RW drives: the GCD1610FU with FireWire/USB 1.1 interface and the GCD888UJ with USB interface.

The GCD1610FU is in fact an internal 16x TDK's model enclosed in the external case with a FireWire/USB controller. The drive has 16/10/40 speeds in case of the FireWire and 8/8/6 in case of the USB. The buffer underrun error prevention technology is BURN-Proof. The case measures 164 X 258 X 51 mm and weighs 1.9 kg.

The GCD888UJ has 8/8/6 speeds and supports JustLink technology. The dimensions and weight of the model is the same as of the previous drive. The price is still unknown.

Along with announcing the new drives, TDK Corp, while complaining about a decrease of sales volumes in the USA and due to a growing Taiwanese and Thai competitors, stopped production of video and audio cassettes, diskettes and CDs on two factories in Georgia and California. The factories will soon be closed and 330 people discharged. The main media production facilities are now concentrated in Taiwan and Thailand. According to the representative, their output is enough to satisfy the demand. The media will be produced mainly in Germany and Thailand. The remaining 220 workers will be sent to the distribution centers on the USA territory.

And now again LaCie... In the end of the month the company has announced to start production of 24/10/40 CD-RW drives. The device has a 2 MBytes buffer and a 150 ms access time. In the press-release they said: "...When quality 16x CD-R media is used, it will be checked by the drive and burned at 24x, when possible. If media is not 24x-capable, the drive will automatically downshift to 16X. All LaCie-branded 16x media is 24x compatible...". It means that there is no need in an immediate production of 24X media. It is only necessary to make sure that the CD-R you are using is LaCie-branded. The only slippery issue is a lack of the final version of the specification even for 16x discs. Now the version of this document is considered 0.92.

In the end of the month another brand company, ASUS, announced the CRW-1210R model with 12/10/32 speeds and JustLink support. No other information concerning an access time, a buffer size or a price has been received.

But as a consolation prize ASUS is displaying its three new models - 12/10/32, 16/10/40 and 20/20/40. All of them are based on the Ricoh's pickup and use the JustLink technology.

Sanyo announced its CRD-BP-1500P and CRD-BP5 drives with 24/10/40 speeds. Both use 24-X Zone CLV recording technology which lowers the load on a mechanic system, and the FlexSS-BP technology which automatically defines an optimal recording speed for each CD-R/CD-RW disc.

The 24X ZoneCLV is really pulling our leg - 24X speed is reached only on external tracks, the disc is rotating at the speed not higher than 8000 rpm, which corresponds to 16X speed. On the middle tracks the speed reached by the Sanyo drives is 20X. Here you can see a comparison of the new ZoneCLV drives with the CRD-BP1400P 16x drive:

Such a speed benefit is peculiar not to all discs, however. That is why the FlexSS-BP was developed. Both new drives support the BURN-Proof technology.

Memorex company has announced that since 1 June 2001 they will increase the price of blank CD-R media due to a more severe control over the patent deductions. Another reason is a consolidation of CD-R media manufacturers all over the world. Since many small and middle-level firms had to abandon the market during 2000 selling their products sometimes even lower than the prime cost, discs became cheaper on the whole. Now the situation is getting more stable, and the products will be priced as before. The last several months showed that the patent owners didn't like to play with the manufacturers, and would make all of them pay their debts by any means. That is why I think that not only Memorex discs will get a raise in a price.

Let's draw a conclusion and make a small forecast:

In summer or autumn recorders with 20/10/40 speeds will be standard for the high price range.
CD-RW drives based on the Ricoh's pickup will seriously beat analog solutions from Sanyo and Oak Technology.
Due to the Philips' pressure upon all CD-R media manufacturers these discs will likely get more expensive.

Part III: A new CD standard - who wins?

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By Roman Shelepov

A year ago Sony announced they were planning to develop a new CD-RW standard of twice higher density than the current discs. The project's name is "Double Density CD-ROM/-R/-RW ", their density is 1.3 GBytes. The project was developed for an almost painless migration from the old CD standard to a new one without changing a technological process of drive production. Philips was also invited to participate in it because of their rich developments and patents. In the shortest possible time DD CD specifications were developed on a base of the current CD format. In order to increase the density the following changes have been made: an information pit length was reduced, a track density was increased. Besides, a new error correction algorithm was used here, the CIRC7, and the ATIP address format was extended.

You may ask why this new standard was developed, if there is DVD? DVD devices are more expensive in production. The CD standard is not going to kick the bucket. Moreover, this year we will witness a real war in this field.

Sony and Philips' competitor in this sphere is TDK, which has introduced its own CD variant with a high density. TDK has also formed its alliance supported by Sanyo Semiconductor, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Plextor. The TDK devices are based on the ML technology of Calimetrics. Let's look closer at this technology. Data on a standard CD are coded by the information pits as "1" and "0". It means that data are recorded in a flat from.

Calimetrics offers a recording technique when pits can have several values in the range of "0" to "7" depending on a depth.

A reflected laser ray creates different signals depending on a depth. The protocol used in a chipset allows distinguishing the signals and data processing the corresponding way. So, now a higher density can be recorded and a read/write speed can be increased. It's now not only the density that increases three times, but also a read speed. Special ECC algorithms were developed for correct data reading. All this is under control of the microcontroller developed by Calimetrics. Manufacturers have only to install this chip in a ready CD drive to make it compatible with the new standard. At the CEBIT TDK displayed a new prototype of a drive and discs.

Let's compare both standards to find out what they can offer.

Capacity

TDK 2 GBytes
SONY 1.3 GBytes

Read speed

TDK: up to 32X for standard discs, three times increase in speed for ML discs.
SONY: up to 32x for standard and DD discs.

Record speed

TDK: for standard CD-R/RW discs it is 12x/8x, for ML discs it is up to 36X.
SONY: for standard CD-R/RW and DD-R/RW discs it is 12x/8x.

Compatibility of new standards with current drives

TDK: it is necessary to add a Calimetrics' chip into the scheme of the drive. According to the TDK engineers, there is no need to change anything else. CD manufacturers say that it may be required to rework an optical part.
SONY: it is necessary to change an optical part.

Price

TDK: The drive's price mustn't exceed 20% over the price of a usual drive. ML discs will cost around $2 (R) and $3 (RW).
SONY: The drive will cost $249, discs - $2.5 (R) and $3.5 (RW).

Availability

TDK: in the end of 2001
SONY: available today

It is difficult to say now who will win, but it will be interesting to follow the situation.