CD Winbench99
Nero CD Speed
Nero DVD Speed
ARTEC DHI-G40
The drive excellently copes with playing of DVD-Video,
however it doesn't shine when it reads both usual CD and CD-R/RW
discs. No complains about audio track capture. The drive's front
panel has buttons for Audio CD playback control.
The drive is rather noisy even at a lowered speed.
The noise can be reduced with the external programs, though there
are only two speeds available - the maximum one and 4x.
Vibration is noticeable, but the drive reads discs
well. RPC-1 support can be provided by changing the firmware version.
ASUS DVD-E616
This drive is an extension of the ASUSTeK line.
It excellently reads both CD and DVD, and copes well with audio
tracks capture. The front panel comes with buttons for Audio CD
playback. A noise level is high but it can be reduced with the help
of external programs. The device vibrates a little but it doesn't
affect reading. The drive can be turned into the RPC-1 with a loophole
left by ASUS.
BTC BDV 316B
In appearance this model is similar to the SONY
DDU1621. The front panel comes with buttons for Audio CD playback.
It excellently reads both CD and DVD. A noise level is not high,
and when reduced with the help of external programs it is almost
unnoticed. As this model is shorter than usual it can be installed
in those cases where standard drives do not fit. Vibration is not
considerable. And the RPC-1 support can be provided by changing
the firmware version.
NEC DV-5800A
This is an average drive. It copes quite well with
playing DVD-Video discs and reads rather well standard CD-ROM and
CD-R/RW discs. No problems appear also when the drive captures audio
tracks. Unfortunately, it failed to finish reading of a 780 MBytes
disc. Besides, it made quite a lot of noise even at a lower speed
while working with CDs. However, noise can be reduced with exterior
programs. The drive noticeably vibrates when it works with badly
balanced discs, but reading is still successful. The drive can become
a pseudo-RPC-1 by changing its firmware version.
LG DRD-8160B
The main thing the drive differs from other models
is its light weight and small dimensions. It plays DVD-Video and
reads standard CD-ROM and CD-R/RW discs quite well. Operations of
audio track capture are flawless. The drive is rather noisy even
at a lowered speed. The noise can be reduced with the external programs,
though there are not many speeds available. The drive noticeably
vibrates when it works with badly balanced discs, but reading is
still successful. One small utility can help clear the region counter.
PANASONIC SR-8586B
You should go with this drive if you are going
to work only with DVD discs as it doesn't cope with CDs, especially
low-quality ones. It doesn't excel in capturing audio tracks, that
is why professionals should be careful. A noise level is not low,
though it can be reduced with exterior programs. The drive noticeably
vibrates when it works with badly balanced discs, but reading is
still successful. The drive can become a RPC-1 by changing its firmware
version.
PANASONIC SR-8587
Like Model 8586, it doesn't cope well with CD and
CD-R discs. But unlike the previous model, it excellently captures
audio tracks. A noise level is high even at a low speed though it
can be reduced with exterior programs. The drive noticeably vibrates
when it works with badly balanced discs, but reading is still successful.
The RPC-1 can be provided by changing the firmware version.
PIONEER DVD-116
This drive is a good choice. It reads all types
of CD and DVD discs well, excellently captures audio tracks, though
it failed to finish reading the 780 MBytes disc. A high noise level
can be reduced with some external programs. Unfortunately, a range
of speeds is rather scarce. Vibration is noticeable but it doesn't
affect disc reading. The RPC-1 support can be provided by changing
the firmware version.
PIONEER DVD-500M
Characteristics of this drive are very close to
the PIONEER DVD-116, but there are some differences in test results.
It plays DVD-Video nicely, reads standard CD-ROM and CD-R/RW discs
well and captures audio tracks without problems, but it has weaker
capabilities than the PIONEER DVD-116. Unlike the PIONEER DVD-116,
the drive copied the 780 MBytes disc successfully. A noise level
is not high even at the highest speed. However, you can't reduce
its speed. The drive doesn't vibrate much when working with badly
balanced discs. And at last, the RPC-1 support can't be currently
provided.
SONY DDU1621
This is an attractive drive for a home user. It
excellently reads all types of CDs and DVDs. No problems appear
also when the drive captures audio tracks. A noise level is low,
and the only negative impression is when the spindle starts. As
this drive is shorter than usual ones it can be used in system blocks
where normal drives do not fit. The drive noticeably vibrates when
it works with badly balanced discs, but reading is still successful.
It can become a RPC-1 by changing its firmware version.
TOSHIBA SD-M1612
It's not a bad drive. It excellently reads all
types of CDs and DVDs. Besides, it is able to read DVD-RAM. No problems
appear also when the drive captures audio tracks. Unfortunately,
its noise level worsens the impression, but it can be reduced with
exterior programs. The device noticeably vibrates when it works
with badly balanced discs, but reading is still successful. The
drive can't become a RPC-1.
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