• Interface: EIDE/ATAPI (Ultra DMA 33) 
• Formats supported: 
• DVD-R/RW,DVD-ROM.DVD-Video (read) 
• CD-R,CD-RW,CD-DA, CD-ROM/XA Video-CD, CD-I, Photo CD, Extra CD, CD-Text 
• Write speed: 
• CD-R: 48X ZCLV 
• CD-RW: 24X CLV
• Writing methods:DAO (Disc At Once),TAO (Track At Once),SAO (Session At Once),Multisession,Packet Writing (Variable, Fixed Packet) 
• Write speed: 
• DVD-ROM 16X CLV 
• CD-ROM 48X CLV 
• Data rate: 
• DVD: 21,600 KB/s. 
• CD: 7,200 KB/s
• Access time: 
• DVD 120msec. (typ.) 
• CD: 110msec. (typ.) 
• Data buffer: 8 MBytes 
• Weight: 0.77 kg 

This is one more stage in Samsung's fight for the leading position on the market. As compared to the SM 332, the new-comer has higher DVD and CD read speeds, supports Ultra-Speed CD-RW discs, and can burn CD-R at 48x. Its characteristics are very similar to the LG's competitor. Its exterior reminds the previous combo drive SM 332. The drive supports DVA (Dynamic Vibration Absorber) and A.R.S (Acoustic Noise Reduction System) when working with CD-ROM media at a high speed. 

Now a bit more information on the drive received with some utilities. 

Additional information on the drive

Nero CD-Speed

EAC Configuration Wizard

The installation was flawless. The procedure is standard, like that you go through with a usual CD-ROM drive. The drive requires no special drivers. I used the NeroBurning Rom ver 5.5.10.0 which perfectly recognized it. 

Possibility to make it multizone (RPC-1)

According to www.firmware-flash.com/ it's possible to change the status of the drive from RPC-2 (region locked) to RPC-1 (region free) by flashing in a new firmware version.

Summary

Unfortunately, the drive heats up considerably though it's not clear what causes such effect: either the speeds increased, or the electronic filling  changed. This might affect its service life. In all other respects, it works well. According to DAE, the drive extracts audio tracks more carefully than its predecessors. All in all, this is a modern high-speed combo drive which writes optical media fast and well though the temperature reached is dramatically high.  

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