Today's issue is written by only one our colleague
because others are on leave. Well, let's thank him for it
Optical recording devices (CD-RW)
The largest displays are already closed, and it's
high time for recorders to appear on the market and for official
announcements from manufacturers to start delivering their product.
July is relatively calm as far as announcements of new models are
concerned. Some new products which were launched quite a long time
ago haven't reached consumers yet, because the vendors have unsold
stocks of models which must be pushed off. This fact explains why
the products which were taken out production appear at one or another
place at low prices. The sellers of computer components consider
a summer period unprofitable. Marketing campaigns are conducted
very seldom. A lot of users also put off upgrade of their computer
systems for autumn. But as for me, I prefer purchasing new accessories
exactly in summer because some good devices which can be found today
at a rational sum of money will disappear in autumn because of a
new active period of supplying of computer accessories.
I guess that August will be even more calmer.
As usual, here is our TOP of the recommended CD-RW
drives.
Recorders with the highest speed of CD-R
recording equal to 20X-24X
Price range: $250-280
Ricoh MP7200A
The MP7200A recorder ensures high-quality recording
at high speeds, fast reading, excellent operation with CD-RW
discs and some reserve for the future, until the Multi-SpeedCD-R's
appear on the market. According to the European data, the
CD-RW drive will cost some $270-280, which is not much
for the latest model from Ricoh.
TDK CyClone 24/10/40 (AI-241040)
Of course, not everyone needs 20x or 24x recording
speed of CD-R media,
especially taking into consideration that the Ricoh
MP7200A sells very good and discs which can be recorded at 20-24X
are still absent.
This new CyClone will attract people who likes
everything new and who purchase computer components with some reserve.
The TDK AI-241040 will be interesting for people fond
of recording of Audio CD and rejecting speeds higher than 2X at
that. The track extraction speed is very high at the same time.
So, if you are ready to spend $280, then you won't
be dissapointed in this model.
Recorders with the highest speed of CD-R
recording equal to 16X
Price range: $205-250
Plextor PX-W1610A
TDK CyClone CDRW161040
These two devices are based on the pickup from
Sanyo, that is why they show very close results. But with time their
prices are becoming more and more different in favor of the CyClone.
If you want a nearly Plextor but at the less price, then you should
go with the TDK. But if the highest quality and reliability are
required, then the choice must be done in favor of the PlexWriter.
The PX-W1610A has a true 16X recording
speed. The BURN-Proof technology was supplemented with
the "Powerec" (Plextor Optimized Writing Error Reduction Control).
This technology defines a type of a CD-R used and sets
the optimal recording speed.
Besides, the PlexWriter has an excellent speed
and correctness of sound track extraction from audio CDs. The speed
may be as much as 30x on a well-balanced disc without vivid damages!
At the same time, the recorder doesn't make much noise.
The TDK offers high-quality recording, a stable
reading level, a pleasant design and is able to replace the Mitsumi
which mainly works under control of the CloneCD.
Recorders with the highest speed of CD-R
recording equal to 12x
Price range: $95-165
TEAC CD-W512EB
The CD-W512EB has gone down in price
during the last months, and today it's one of the cheapest recorders
based on the Sanyo's pickup. The CD-W512EB shows excellent
results close to the similar model from Plextor. The BLER factor
is only a bit higher than that of the PX-W1210TA. The speed
is typical to the TEAC devices. The access speed is even
higher than that of the brand-name competitor. Besides, it won't
cost you very dear.
NEC NR-7700A, Ricoh MP7125A,
AOpen CRW-1232A, ASUS CRW-1210R
All these models are based on the Ricoh's pickup
and have similar characteristics. When making a choice you should
take into account your personal preference, prices and a warranty
period. You may like a severe but charming style of the Ricoh MP7125A.
The NEC may attract you with its price, while the AOpen offers an
excellent Retail-package.
Anyway, all these drives work fast with CD-RW
drives, perfectly extract sound tracks from audio CDs and can record
data almost up to the end of the disc on any type of CD with the
minimal CPU utilization. But at the same time, you should buy only
high-quality discs. But if money is tight you should decrease the
recording speed at least to 8X.
Now I want to give some recommendations for people
who bought the NEC NR-7700A and are disappointed in
it. If recording at the speeds higher than 4X is slow and unstable,
JustLink is often activated and the recorder refuses to recognize
newly loaded discs, you should know that this problem is similar
to the bug of the TEAC CD-540E+VIA KT133. The NR-7700A
works correctly on the boards with VIA KT133/KT133A chipset installed
only to the Primary IDE channel (despite the position of slave/master).
The NEC will be able to write discs correctly on the Secondary IDE
only with the DMA disabled. But such solution doesn't work on all
motherboards.
Recorders with the highest speed of CD-R
recording equal to 8x
Price range: $85-95
TEAC CD-W58E
We have been advising this model for a long time
already. Its popularity is explained by the proprietary distinguishing
features of the marketing policy of TEAC such as a moderate
price, high reliability and quality of the devices, both
OEM and Retail versions.
So, if you really need 8x at the moderate price,
take a look at the CD-W58E.
Mitsumi CR-4805TE
A month ago the Mitsumi model was the cheapest
among 8x recorders, but since that time the TEAC W58E has become
so much cheaper, and now one has to think a lot before making the
choice. The best advantage of the CR-4805TE is support of
all existent read/write RAW formats. But today 90% of the
recorders released in the last 2-3 months have a normal support
of the RAW-Mode.
The recording quality is excellent for this class.
High speed and correctness of disc reading and 8x recording speed
together with a low price ($85-95) makes this recorder a good choice
for a user with average needs as far as CD recording is concerned.
Modern technologies and their development
Last month Maxell promised to release soon new
CD-R discs certified for recording at high speeds up
to 24x.
There must be two versions: 650 MBytes marked as
CD-R74XL-S, and 700 MBytes marked as CD-R
80 XL-S. The guiding price is FF109 ($14.35) for a
10-disc package CD-R74XL-S and FF119 ($15.70) for a
10-disc package CD-R 80 XL-S.
Logitec announced a DVD-R/RW drive
LDR-214AK with an ATAPI interface based on the Pioneer
pickup DVR-A03. The drive works with discs DVD-R
(v2.0) and DVD-RW v1.1. The speeds are:
- DVD-R - 2X
- DVD-RW - 1X;
- CD-R - 8X, 4X;
- CD-RW - 4X.
Playback speed:
- DVD-ROM - up to 4 X;
- CD-ROM - up to 24X.
On the whole, the characteristics are similar
to the base Pioneer model.
The price will be approx $690.
Plextor announced its new flagship - 24/10/40 PlexWriter
PX-W2410A based on the CRD-BP1500P pickup from Sanyo
Electric.
The recorder has the ZoneCLV and PoweRec-II
technologies (adjustment of laser's power depending on the disc
quality). The model is also equipped with the BURN-Proof technology.
The interface is Ultra ATA/33. The buffer measures 4 MBytes. The
PlexWriter PX-W2410A offers a 2-year warranty which
is in force only in Europe, in the Near East and in Africa. The
recommended price is 259 euros (appr. $220). The sales must start
in August.
A not so long ago announced combo drive Ricoh MP9200A
have already appeared on the market, in Japan. It costs only $230.
The characteristics of the product are the following:
- Interface: ATAPI
- Supported technologies: JustLink/JustSpeed
- Buffer size: 2 MBytes
- Data exchange rate: up to 33 MBytes/s, Ultra-DMA
Mode2
- Write speed (CD-R): 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x (CLV), 20x (Z-CLV)
- Rewrite speed (CD-RW): 2x, 4x, 10x (CLV)
- Read speed (CD): 40x (CAV)
- Read speed (DVD): 10x
- Record modes supported: Disc At Once, Session At Once, Track
At Once, Multi-Session, Packet Writing
- Record formats: CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD Extra, CD-I, Mixed-Mode
CD, VideoCD, PhotoCD, CD-TEXT, Bootable CD
- Average access time: 100 ms (40x)
- Weight: 1.2 kg
- Dimensions: 146.0 x 196.5 x 41.3 mm
After the PX-W2410A was announced
Plextor launched a new internal model of a CD-RW drive
PlexWriter 8/8/24A SlimLine. The PlexWriter SlimLine is only 12.7
mm thick and weighs 250 g. The new device has, as you can see, 8/8/24
speeds. The buffer size is 2 MBytes. The model is equipped with
the BURN-Proof technology and an E-IDE
interface (ATAPI-4). At the same time, it is compatible
with Windows 98/2000/NT/ME on the Plug&Play level. The average
access time makes 140 ms, the data rate is up to 16.6 MBytes/s (PIO
Mode 4/DMA Mode 2). The specs of the new device can be found here.
Yamaha announced a new model of an external CD-RW
drive 2100-C. In fact, it is an external Yamaha 2100SX
together with SCSI-PCMCIA converter from RATOC; it
is one of the alternatives to external drives with a USB interface.
That is why its characteristics are the same as of the base model:
- 16/10/40 speeds
- CD-DA, CD-G, CD-TEXT,
CD-ROM, CD-ROM+CD-DA, CD-ROM
XA, Photo-CD, Video-CD, CD-I,
CD-EXTRA formats supported
- CD-R recording: 1X, 2X, 4X, 8X, 12X, 16X (12X - 16X -
CAV)
- CD-RW recording: 2X, 4X, 8X, 10X (4X - 10X - CAV)
- Disc reading: 40X (CAV)
- Buffer size: 8 MBytes
- Access time: 160 ms
- Drive interface: SCSI-3(Ultra SCSI)
- Dimensions: 193.2 X 61.9 X 265.1 mm
- Weight: 2.4 kg
Mitsumi started sales of its new CD-RW
drive CR-4808TE equipped with the buffer protection technology
ExacLink. In fact, the ExacLink was developed by Oak
Technology, whose OTI-9796 controller is used in the
new drive. But the drives of the Yamaha CRW2200 series are also
based on this controller. However here this technology is called
SafeBurn.
The CR-4808TE offers 16/8/40 speeds,
is equipped with a 2 MBytes buffer and ATAPI (UDMA/33) interface.
The access time is 110 ms. In Japan the drive costs $125.
The external CD-RW drive Acer MiniRW
6424MU will soon appear on the shelves. It has a unique design and
supports 3 interfaces: USB 1.1, PCMCIA, Firewire.
The drive's specs are:
- Rewriting - 4x, recording - 6x, reading
- 24x
- Seamless Link technology support (Buffer UnderRun Error Prevention
tech.)
- Due to the USB interface the device is easy to connect to PC/notebook
- Possible connection via Firewire and PCMCIA (optional)
- Read speed (max): USB 1.1 - 6x, PCMCIA -
12x, Firewire/IEEE1394 - 24x
- Data exchange rate (max): reading - 3600 KBytes/s
(24x), recording (CD-R) - 900 KBytes/s (6x), rewriting
(CD-RW) - 600 KBytes/s (4x)
- Average access time - 120 ms
- Buffer size - 2 MBytes
- Readable disc size - 120 mm/4.72" and 80mm/3.15"
- Disc formats supported: CD-R, CD-RW,
CD-ROM (mode 1 and mode 2), CD-ROM XA
(mode 2, form 1 and form 2), CD-DA, CD-I
(mode 2, form 1 and form 2), Photo CD (single- and multi-sessions),
Video CD, CD-Extra, Mixed Mode CD
- Dimensions - 146 x 42x 198 mm
- Weight - 0.52 kg
At present, the device is supplied together with
a USB cable. PCMCIA and Firewire adapters are additional accessories.
PCMCIA is to be supplied
from the end of July, Firewire - from
September.
Freecom
announced two new CD-RW drives from Classic with 16/10/40
speeds. The drives are equipped with the BURN-Proof
technology and SCSI interface.
The internal version Classic 16x10x40x CD Writer
is meant for operation with PCs, while the external one is
intended both for PCs and Mac's. The models have different
software and accessories. Shortly before it Freecom launched the
CD-RW drive Traveller II - one of the
smallest recorders in the world. But it has decent speeds: 8x
for CD-R recording, 4x for CD-RW rewriting,
24x for reading. The drive has the Multi Connect system
which means support of both parallel and USB ports.
Another new product from Plextor was an external
drive PlexWriter PX-S88TU with a USB 2.0 interface,
8/8/24 speeds, 2 MBytes buffer and the BURN-Proof technology.
The new model is based on the PX-W88TA, works with
discs of 8cm and 12 cm in diameter and is supplied with drivers
for Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP. The drive measures 141 X 171 X 22 mm
and weighs 500 g. The price is $280.
Oak Technology announced a first on the market:
a controller which provides for recording at 24X with the constant
angular velocity. But the constant angular velocity of disc rotation
means constant activation of the buffer underrun error prevention
technology (here it is ExacLink), that is why true 24X will obviously
be reached only on the edge. The controller provides a possibility
to transfer to 32X in future. The mass sales will start in September
with the wholesale price equal to $10.
AOpen introduced a new CD-RW drive
AOpen CRW1632.
The specs are:
- 10x rewriting, 16x writing, 32x reading
- JustLink and JustSpeed supported.
- E-IDE/ATAPI ATA-33 interface
- Average access time - 120 ms
- 2 MBytes buffer
Memorex started production of new CD-R/CD-RW
185 Má/21 min discs of the Pocket series. 185 MBytes discs with
the maximum recording speed 16X will be available in boxes of 10
and 50 pcs. Besides, Memorex offers 10-disc packages Pocket CD-RW,
with the FileCD 2.0 utility from NTI (NewTech InfoSystems) for formatting
a CD-RW disc at 4X during 8 min. A 10-disc Pocket CD-R
package costs $14.99, a 10-disc set of CD-RW discs
costs $19.99, and a 50-disc set Pocket CD-R is available at
$39.99.
Personal Media Corporation announced a completely
new device PMC CD-shredder (for CD/DVD media). The
device
costs $1111. Isn't it too expensive for a disc damager, when one
can easily do it himself?
The review is based on the materials from the following
sites:
and from the sites of the following manufacturers:
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