To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu.

    -----------------------------------------------

     This story was printed from CdrInfo.com,

     located at http://www.cdrinfo.com.

    -----------------------------------------------

---

1. Introduction

---

Since Memorex burst onto the recording scene more than 30 years ago with "Is it live or is it Memorex?" a lot has changed. But with each generation, Memorex continues to remain one of the most widely recognized names in CD and DVD media, optical drives, flash drives and media accessories.

The Cerritos, California- based company recently expanded its double layer recorder line by introducing the 18x series of Double-Layer, Multi Format DVD recorders. The new MRX-525GE is an external USB 2.0 DVD burner capable of writing DVD±R media at 18X, DVD±R DL at 8X, DVD+RW at 8X, DVD-RW at 6X, DVD-RAM at 12X, CD-RW at 32X and CD-R at 48X.

Memorex has traditionally offered rich retail packages with its optical drives. Our retail package included the following :

• External Memorex Multi-Format DVD Recorder
• Hardware Guide
• Software Guide
• Cables
• Blank DVD Media
• Vertical Stand
• Nero Memorex Software Suite Installation Disc

The Software Suite includes :

• Nero Express 7 Essentials
• Nero ShowTime 3 Essentials
• Nero Vision 4 Essentials
• Nero Cover-Designer 2 Essentials
• Nero Recode 2 Essentials
• Nero InCD Essentials
• Nero PhotoShow Express 4
• Nero PhotoSnap Essentials
• Nero Scout
• Nero MediaHome Essentials
• Nero StartSmart 3 Essentials
• Nero ToolKit

The drive is housed in a stylish black case, and would look good on any desk.

The rear panel includes the USB 2.0 connection and DC power input, as well as a convenient On/Off switch, useful on external portable devices.

Our test sample was manufactured in 2006 in China.

At the "heart" of the DVD burner is the Panasonic MN103SD2GSA chipset, also found in the HLDS GSA-H22N series of drives.

Installation

The MRX-525GE was connected to the PC via a USB 2.0 port and was recognized as "MEMOREX DVD+-RAM 525G".

---

2. CD - DVD Reading

---

For our CD transfer rate tests, we used the Nero CD-Speed utility and a set of pressed CD-ROMs, US-RW and Audio CDs. The drive can read CD media at a maximum speed of 48X. For reference, we present a comparison of the MRX-525GE drive with the Plextor PX-760A, LiteOn LH-20A1P and Samsung SH S182D drives.

Pressed CD

US RW CD

For all the CDSpeed graphs, you can click on the image to see the full CDspeed snapshot.

The MRX-525GE was the fastest in the reading process.

- AudioCD

In the CD Speed Advanced DAE quality test, the drive's average speed was 28.65X with a quality score of 100.

A typical DAE task with an 80min non-protected Audio CD produced a 27.9X average ripping speed.

- 90/99 mins Audio disc

Both the 90min and the 99 min audio CD readings returned an error, as you can see in the screenshots above.

- DVD Format

Now let's have a look at how the drive performs with DVD media. This time, a set of SL and DL DVD media were used. The drive is capable of reading at 16X maximum speed for single layer and at 8X for dual layer media.

DVD-ROM SL media -

PTP DVD-ROM -

The two layers of a PTP DVD-ROM disc are read sequentially with the drive starting reading from the inner part of the disc, which is the beginning of each layer, progressing towards its outer range.

OTP DVD-ROM -

The first layer of an OTP dual layer DVD-ROM is read exactly the same way as the first layer of the PTP disc we tested previously. The difference here is the reading strategy of the second layer of the disc. The beginning of the second layer is located in the outer part of the disc, so the drive starts reading from the outer tracks and progresses towards the inner part of the disc.

- DVD-R /-RW

A 16X CAV reading strategy for DVD-R and DVD-RW media:

- DVD+R /+RW

- DVD+R DL

-DVD-R DL

-DVD-RAM

- DVD Ripping speed.

Average - 7.803 KB/s (5.6x)
Maximum - 11.177 KB/s (8.1x)

---

3. CD Error Correction

---

In the following tests, we check the drive's behavior when reading scratched / defective audio discs. The test discs used were the ABEX series from ALMEDIO.

- ABEX TCD-721R

 

Errors total	Num: 931161
Errors (Loudness)	Num:54495	Avg: -74.6 dB(A)	Max: -25.0 dB(A)
Error Muting Samples	Num:2993	Avg: 1.1 Samples	Max: 89 Samples
Skips Samples	Num: 0	Avg: 0.0 Samples	Max: 0 Samples
Total Test Result	76.7 points (of 100.0 maximum)

A good performance from the Memorex drive in this test. The errors start at around the 20min mark of the disc, where the scratch is located. This shows that the drive is equipped with a high quality optical system and that its error correction capabilities are also quite good. In addition, the majority of the corrected data do not exceed the -60 dB(A) level, which means that the noise will be almost inaudible, especially if it is surrounded by loud music.

- ABEX TCD-726

Errors total	Num: 6
Errors (Loudness)	Num:13	Avg: -86.1 dB(A)	Max :-76.9 dB(A)
Error Muting Samples	Num: 0	Avg: 0 Samples	Max: 0 Samples
Skips Samples	Num: 0	Avg: 0 Samples	Max: 0 Samples
Total Test Result	93.0 points (out of 100.0 maximum)

A very good performance with the ABEX TCD-726 disc, which includes black dots and fingerprints. The specific error reported is most probably not audible.

- CD-Check Audio Test Disc

The CD-Check Test Disc is a very useful tool for evaluating the Sound Reproduction / Error correction capabilities of a CD player. The disc offers a signal combination with disc error patterns to rate the drive's abilities to read music and reproduce it completely. Five tracks on the disc contain a sequence of progressively more difficult tests. These tracks are referred to as Check Level-1 through Check Level-5.

The tracks are reproduced through a software multimedia player (e.g. Windows Media Player). Each level is considered as passed, if the tone is smooth, continuous without interruptions, skipping or looping. The higher the Check Level passed, the more reliable the sound reproduction of the tested drive.

Error Level	1	2	3	4	5
Memorex MRX-525GE	5/5	5/5	5/5	5/5	1/5

The drive achieved flawless reading with the first 4 tracks. Playing the fifth track produced audible sound interruptions and clicks, although the track was reproduced flawlessly once. The test confirms the very strong error corrections of the Memorex drive.

---

4. DVD Error Correction

---

In the following tests, we examine the DVD reading capabilities of the drive with scratched / defective DVD media. For the tests, we used CDVD Benchmark and Nero CDSpeed. The reference test media comes from ALMEDIO.

- Single Layer media

ABEX TDR-821

This is a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM with a 4.7GB capacity, and its surface has an artificial scratch of dimensions varying from 0.4 to 3.0 mm.

The following transfer rate picture comes from the CDVD Benchmark v1.21 transfer rate test.

ABEX TDR-825

This is also a single sided, single layer DVD-ROM of 4.7GB capacity. The data structure of the disc is exactly the same as that of the TDR-821, with the difference that there are no scratches on it but instead, defective areas of dimensions ranging from 0.5 to 1.1 mm.

There are also fingerprints sized between 65 and 75 micrometers.

No issues for the LiteOn LH-2B1S drive, continuing its good performance:

- Dual Layer media

ABEX TDR-841

This is an 8.5GB dual layer, single sided DVD-ROM disc with artificial scratches of dimensions ranging from 0.4 to 3.0mm, on both layers.

ABEX TDR-845

The disc is a single sided, dual layer DVD-ROM disc with a capacity of 8.5GB. The only difference between the TDR-845 and the TDR-841 is that the first includes defective areas and fingerprints.

The dimensions of the defective areas range from 0.5 to 1.1 mm and the fingerprints are sized from 65 to 75 micrometers.

ABEX TDV-541

The TDV-541 is a single sided, dual layer DVD-VIDEO disc, with a capacity of 8.5GB.The disc is based upon the TDV-540 series which is designed for inspection and adjustment of DVD-VIDEO players. The disc checks the layer switch operation from layer 0 to layer 1 and also includes test pictures and test signals for DVD sound files.

The current TDV-541 also checks the error correcting capabilities of the drive and includes scratches from 0.4 to 3.0 mm.

The drive appears to have had some problems in the second layer, reducing speed momentarily at around the 4.8GB mark. The graph indicates that the drive may face some reading issues with scratched DVD Video DL media.

ABEX TDV-545

The TDV-545 disc is based on the TDV-540 series. It is a single sided, dual layer DVD-VIDEO disc with a capacity of 8.5GB.

The TDV-545 includes artificial black dots on the data surface, sized from 0.4 to 1.0 mm. It also has 65 - 75 micrometer fingerprints.

- Summary

Overall, a good error correction mechanism with DVD media.

---

5. Daxon CD-R

---

For this test, each CD-R disc was burned to its maximum capacity and at its maximum speed. Then the same disc is read with the CDSpeed software, and the disc was scanned for digital errors (BLER, C1 and C2) with our system provided by Clover Systems. To simplify the presentation, we present the BLER, E31 and E32 error rates for each disc, which unveil the most serious errors on each disc.

Disc Info

Writing strategy - 16.08X Average
Writing time - 5:21 min

 

Although the drive recognized it as a 48X compatible disc, the burning process was done at 16X.

Reading strategy - 15.27X Average

Writing Quality - Clover Systems

Low E31 and zero E32 (uncorrectable) errors.

- About Clover Systems

The Clover Systems CDX Compact Disc Analyzer is a tool to quantitatively measure the quality of a CD. It will analyze CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-I, CD-R, Photo-CD, Enhanced CD and CD-RW discs at 4X, 8X, 24X, 32X or 40X speed. It effectively measures disc quality by examining the quantity and severity of CIRC errors generated during playback. It also provides the capability to measure signal parameters related to pit geometry, such as asymmetry and reflectivity. Together, all these bits of information provide a thorough analysis of disc quality. The Clover Systems Analyzers can also perform various format-checking tests on data discs, and do bit-for-bit data comparison on all types of CDs. All tests are carried out at the speed of 4X.

CIRC error correction uses two principles to detect and correct errors. The first is redundancy (extra information is added, which gives an extra chance to read the disc), and the second is interleaving (data is distributed over a relatively large physical area). The CIRC error correction used in CD players uses two stages of error correction, the well known C1 and C2, with de-interleaving of the data between the stages.

The error type E11 means one bad symbol was corrected in the C1 stage. E21means two bad symbols were corrected in the C1 stage. E31 means that there were three or more bad symbols at the C1 stage. This block is uncorrectable at the C1 stage, and is passed to the C2 stage. Respectively, E12 means one bad symbol was corrected in the C2 stage and E22 means two bad symbols were corrected in the C2 stage. E32 means that there were three or more bad symbols in one block at the C2 stage, and therefore this error is not correctable.

BLER (Block Error Rate) is defined as the number of data blocks per second that contain detectable errors, at the input of the C1 decoder. Since this is the most general measurement of the quality of a disc, you will find BLER graphs for all media tested below. If you click on the images you can see a more detailed table, indicating error levels. The Red Book specification (IEC 908) calls for a maximum BLER of 220 per second averaged over ten seconds. Discs with higher BLER are likely to produce uncorrectable errors. Al low BLER shows that the system as a whole is performing well, and the pit geometry is good. However, BLER only tells us how many errors were generated per second, and it does not tell us anything about the severity of those errors.

---

6. MMM&M CD-R

---

Disc Info

Writing strategy - 16.08X Average
Writing time - 5:25 min

Although the drive recognized it as a 48X compatible disc, the burning process was done at 16X.

Reading strategy - 15.27X Average

Writing Quality - Clover Systems

There are no uncorrectable errors.

---

7. Taiyo Yuden CD-R

---

Disc info

Writing strategy - 36.70X Average
Writing time - 2:42 mins

Reading strategy - 36.48X Average

Writing Quality - Clover Systems

All the test results are within limits. A near perfect burn for the MRX-525GE.

---

8. TDK CD-R

---

Disc Info

We weren't able to retrieve information about the inserted media,

so we checked the disc using another drive and we got the following results:

Manufacturer	TDK
MID	97m15s05f
Capacity	79:59.74 703 MB

Writing strategy - 30.75X Average
Writing time - 3:06 mins

Reading strategy 36.70X Average

Writing Quality - Clover Systems

Another very good burn from the Memorex drive.

---

9. Verbatim CD-R

---

Disc Info

Writing strategy - 36.83X Average
Writing time - 2:45 mins

Reading strategy 36.62X Average

Writing Quality - Clover Systems

Many results are over the limit, including the uncorrectable E32 errors.

---

10. Verbatim CD-RW

---

Disc Info

We weren't able to retrieve information about the inserted media,

so we checked the disc using another drive and we got the following output:

Disc type:	CD-RW
Manufacturer	Verbatim
MID	97m34s25f
Capacity	74:13.00 656 MB

The drive was also unable to erase the disc.

Writing strategy - 25.92X Average
Writing time - 3:31 mins

Reading strategy 32.04X Average

Writing Quality - Clover Systems

---

11. The DaTARIUS DVD Analyzer R 2x

---

The DaTARIUS DVD Analyzer R 2x is one of the cornerstones in DVD quality control equipment, and is truly unique in the industry. It allows checking of replicated DVDs with single and dual layer structure (DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, DVD-14, DVD-18) and written DVD recordable, at 1X and 2X speed. It is based on the Pulstec Reference Pickup and Drive, developed in close co-operation with Pulstec and according to the standards of the DVD Forum.

In short, the device's features include:

• Analysis of pre-recorded DVDs, single and dual layer, and written DVD Recordable
• Analysis of pre-recorded DVDs, single and dual layer, and written DVD recordable
• Double and single speed analysis
• Double-check function at reference speed
• Double-check function at reference speed
• Multi-dimensional calibration
• HF, jitter, mechanical and tracking parameters checked
• Radial tilt control, focus offset compensation and slicing level adjustment for jitter measurement
• Local defect detection/missing pits
• Error flag analysis (PI-errors, PI-fail, PO-fail)
• According to DVD Forum specification
• Double-Check function
• Control datasimulation
• DVD-9 OTP sector number check

An explanation of the various parameters the DaTARIUS DVD Analyzer R 2x offers is available here. At the same page, you can read more details about the error signals and a brief analysis the possible meaning of its parameter in the overall quality of each burn.

In the following pages, we present the writing quality measurements of various DVD recordable and rewritable media, burned with the LiteOn LH-2B1S.

---

12. CMC MAG M01 000 (00) DVD+R

---

We start our DVD writing quality measurements with DVD+R media. A variety of different MIDs were selected and were burned at the maximum allowed speed. In each of the following pages you can find detailed information about each disc, the burning and reading procedure as well as the related signal measurements that construct the overall quality picture of each disc.

You can always navigate across the different MIDs of this test, using the page navigation drop down menu.

Media Info -

Writing - 16X (11.96X average) in 5:38

Reading - 16X (12.06X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

 

The measurements are summarized in the below table. You can see the limits for each signal, the average and maximum value as it was reported by the DaTARIUS equipment and the values at three specific positions on the disc (radius 25.0mm, 40.0mm and 55.0 mm)

The disc produced one POF error near the 56mm radius.

---

13. MAXELL 003 000 (00) DVD+R

---

Media Info -

Writing - 18X (13.53X average) in 5:14 mins

Reading - 16X (12.04X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

No POF errors were reported but the PISum8 near the end of the disc was way over the limit.

---

14. DAXON AZ3 (000) DVD+R

---

Media Info -

Writing - 16X (11.87X average) in 5:44

Reading - 16X (11.98X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

Many unncorrectable errors near the end of the disc. Also, the Jitter signal is over the limit in the same area.

---

15. MCC 003 DVD+R

---

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.42X average) in 8:59 mins

Reading - 16X (12.20X average)

The MEMOREX drive was not able to read the MCC 003 disc.

DataRIUS Scans -

The graphs above show that the DaTARIUS Analyzer was not able to read the disc at radius 31-40 mm. The same thing happened while reading with CDSpeed, where the process stopped at approximately the same point.

---

16. RICOHJPN R03 004 (04) DVD+R

---

Media Info -

Writing - 16X (11.94X average) in 5:40 mins

Reading - 16X (12.20X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

---

17. YUDEN000 T03 DVD+R

---

Media Info -

Writing - 18X (13.50X average) in 5:11 mins

Reading - 16X (12.01X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

No uncorrectable errors and overall good writing quality.

---

18. RITEK R04 DVD+R

---

Media Info -

Writing - 12X (10.79X average) in 6:11 mins

Although the disc is designated as 16X compatibe, the drive recognized it as 12X.

Reading - 16X (11.99X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

---

19. CMC MAG AM3 DVD-R

---

Media Info -

Writing - 16X (11.91X average) in 5:36 mins

Reading - 16X (12.01X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

While the disc was read successfully by the MRX-525GE drive, the DaTARIUS Analyzer could not read it between approximately 49 and 53 mm. POFs were also reported around the unreadable area.

---

20. DAXON016S DVD-R

---

Media Info -

Writing - 16X (11.92X average) in 5:38 mins

Reading - 16X (12.02X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

Very few signals are over the limit and no uncorrectable errors. Nice burning with DAXON016S media.

---

21. CMC MAG AE1 DVD-R

---

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.42X average) in 9:07 mins

Reading - 16X (12.2X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

---

22. OPTODISC R016 DVD-R

---

Media Info -

Writing - 16X (11.91X average) in 5:37 mins

Reading - 16X (12.00X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

A good burn with the OPTODISCR016, with low digital errors.

---

23. MCC 03RG20 DVD-R

---

Media Info -

Writing - 18X (13.54X average) in 5:03 mins

Reading - 16X (12.02X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

The POF error reported at the very last addresses is an issue commonly produced during the writing quality measurements. The specific scan should be considered as a good one.

---

24. RITEK F1 DVD-R

---

Media Info -

Writing - 16X (11.95X average) in 5:35 mins

Reading - 16X (12.04X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

---

25. TTH02 DVD-R

---

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.42X average) in 9:01 mins

Reading - 16X (11.25X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

Although the Memorex drive found some difficulties reading the disc, the scan with the DaTARIUS Analyzer produced very low digital errors.

---

26. MKM 01RD30 DVD-R DL

---

Media Info -

Writing - 4X (3.95X) in 27:23 mins

Reading - 12X (9.11X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

Layer 0

 

Layer 1

Both the first and the second layer produced POF errors.

---

27. MKM 03 RD30 DVD-R DL

---

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (6.29X average) in 19:09 mins

Reading - 12X (9.11X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

Layer 0

Layer 1

---

28. RITEK S04 001 DVD+R DL

---

Media Info -

Writing - 4X (3.95X) in 27:28 mins

Reading - 12X (8.84X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

Layer 0

Layer 1

Despite the first layer's good writing quality, the scan of the second layer reported 8 POF errors and high PISum8 error rate.

---

29. MKM 003 (000) DVD+R DL

---

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (6.28X) in 19:11 mins

Reading - 12X (8.89X average)

DaTARIUS Scans -

Although the disc was read successfully by the drive, the DaTARIUS Analyzer was not able to scan the disc.

---

30. MKM 01RW6X01 DVD-RW

---

Media Info -

Writing - 6X (5.63X average) in 11:10 mins

Reading - 12X (9.15X average)

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

The quality test reported 1 POF.

About Almedio AEC-1000

The AEC-1000 consists of a DVD Drive and the "ALChecker" error measurement application which can check the written data quality. The application is capable of 1X CLV measurement as well as 4X CLV on DVD-Video/ROM and finalized DVD+R/-R media.

There are three measurement modes:

• Fine Mode: checks a series of eight consecutive ECC blocks,
• Rough Mode: checks eight consecutive ECC blocks every 100h ECC blocks
• Quick Mode: checks three specified areas

The checking status is shown graphically in real time while you can save the error graph at the end of the test. The reported errors are the PI and the UncPO. In the case of PI, it counts the number of rows corrected by the PI error correction in each group of eight consecutive ECC blocks. In the case of UncPO, it counts the number of ECC blocks in which more than one byte is uncorrectable in eight consecutive ECC blocks. For our quality scans, we set for 1X CLV and Fine Mode which is the slowest and with the safest results. Also, we chose to measure all the media burned at the maximum available writing speed.

---

31. RITEKW06 DVD-RW

---

Media Info -

Writing - 6X (5.63X average) in 11:10 mins

Reading - 12X (9.12X average)

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

The quality test reported numerous digital errors.

---

32. RITEKW04 DVD-RW

---

Media Info -

Writing - 4X (4.02X average) in 14:52 mins

Reading - 12X (9.13X average)

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

---

33. MKM A03 DVD+RW

---

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.47X average) in 9:45 mins

Reading - 12X (9.16X average)

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

---

34. RICOHJPN W21 DVD+RW

---

Media Info -

Writing - 8X (7.47X average) in 8:33 mins

Reading - 12X (9.14X average)

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

---

35. INFODISC A10 001 DVD+RW

---

Media Info -

Writing - 4X (4.02X average) in 15:55 mins

Reading -

The drive was unable to read the disc.

Writing Quality - Almedio AEC-1000

Like the Memorex drive, the Almedio testing device was unable to read the disc

---

36. MXL 16 DVD-RAM

---

Media Info -

Writing - 5X (4.71X average) in 12:02 mins

Reading - 5X (4.75X average)

---

37. Burning Times Summary

---

In the following table we have gathered together the findings of the DVD quality measurements. Note that each disc was measured under the same conditions with the Datarius equipment. On the left side of the table you can find the discs that produced no uncorrectable digital errors, while on the right side there are the rest of the discs. For detailed measurement data, visit the corresponding pages.

Media type	Digital errors within limits	Digital errors exceed limits
DVD+R	YUDEN000 T03 (000) burned at 18X	MAXELL 003 000 (00) burned at 18X
		CMC MAG M01 (000) burned at 16X
		DAXON AZ3 000 (00) burned at 16X
		MCC 003 (000) burned at 8X
		RICOHJPN R03 004 (04) burned at 16X
		RITEK R04 (001) burned at 12X
DVD-R	DAXON016S burned at 16X	CMC MAG. AM3 burned at 16X
	MCC 03RG20 burned at 18X	CMC MAG. AE1 burned at 8X
	OPTODISCR016 burned at 16X	RITEKF1 burned at 16X
	TTH02 burned at 8X
DVD-R DL		MKM 01RD30 burned at 4X
		MKM 03RD30 burned at 8X
DVD+R DL		RITEK S04 001 (01) burned at 4X
		MKM 003 (000) burned at 8X
DVD-RW		RITEKW04 burned at 4X
		MKM 01RW6X01 burned at 6X
		RITEKW06 burned at 6X
DVD+RW		INFODISC A10 001 (01) burned at 4X
		RICOHJPN W21 (001) burned at 8X
		MKM A03 000 (00) burned at 8X

- Burning times

Here we have gathered the results of the burning tests for DVD media. The numbers formatted in "Bold" indicate the best recording time for each format.

For more information about the test done with each disc, you can visit the corresponding pages of this review.

- Booktype Settings

The MRX-525GE supports the Booktype feature only for non-DL media.

- DVD Overburning

The Memorex drive does not support overburning with DVD recordable media, according to CDSpeed.

---

38. Conclusion

---

The MRX-525GE is a Multi-Format DVD Recorder, which supports writing of specific 16X DVD±R media at 18X. It's not the first external drive being able to record at such speeds though, as Sony and Samsung have already released their 18X-compatible external drives.

The bundled software, Nero 7 Essentials, handles all the DVD- and CD-related tasks. Among the included modules are the Nero Vision video editor; Nero ShowTime, for playing back DVDs and other movie files; Nero BackItUp, for saving data to multiple CDs or DVDs; and Nero Express, for creating data, music, and video discs.

As far as defective CD media correction is concerned, the Memorex drive showed us very good results. The drive managed to correct the majority of the defects on our test discs and scored quite high, compared to competitive drives. The good behaviour continued with the defective DVD discs. The reading speed of those discs, however, was rather slow compared to other drives' tests with the same media.

The drive produced average overall writing quality with DVD±R media, with only one disc not being readable after burning. However, looking at the DVD±RW media, the performance of the drive was not so good, as it could not erase some media and also all of the burned discs had uncorrectable errors. In addition, one DVD+RW disc was not readable at all. Also, all the DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media that was burned with the Memorex drive showed some speed fluctuations during the reading process, which were caused by digital errors. The drive had hard times reading the first layer of the DVD-R DL media, while the situation was worst with DVD+R DL media, especially in the second layer. All these issues could be solved through firmware.

The situation is different with CD-R burning, where the writing quality was high with most of the CD-R brands we tested.

The reading speed, in general, was average. Exceptions to this are the Pressed PTP DL DVD-ROM reading and the DVD Ripping, where the speeds were lower than the other drives. But the majority of users care more about the reading accuracy and not speed?

The MRX-525G's performance was a mixed bag, though. It left us with an overall impression that it has the potential to be a good performer, possibly with some extra tweaking through a new firmware. Its "extreme" behavior unveiled some exceptional results in some tests but also some failures in others. Let's wait for a new firmware update before we come to an absolute conclusion.

The Memorex MRX-525GE is priced online at US$99.99. Memorex also offers an internal ATAPI version of the drive, which will cost you approximately US$40 less.