1. What's new
Yamaha 8424S
SCSI CDR-W - Page 1
After
so many manufactures shipped 8x CDR-W Yamaha released it's own 8x/4x/24x CDR-W.
Can this drive compete existing 8x CDRs ? How good it is ? Find out by reading
the review..
Introduction :
Yamaha is well known to CDR users. In 1990 1st released 2X-speed CDR (100x
series), in 1993 1st released 4X-speed CDR (400x series), in 1997 1st released
4X-speed writing CD Re Writable (4260x series) and in 1998 1st released 4X-speed
re writing CD Re Writable drive (4416x series). When technology reached 4x speed
many people bought for the 1st time CDR-W. Soon competition made 6x CDR and
Yamaha released 6416x series. However by that time competition released
8x CDR and CDR-W (with Sanyo mechanism) but Yamaha didn't had announced any
plans for hi-speed CDR-W drive. Many people thought that this was the end of
Yamaha CDR-W. But Yamaha tech's was working hard to build their own mechanism.
At last before the century ends they released 8424x (some late) to compete other's
8x CDR-W models which already had dominated hi-speed CDR-W World.
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Recording Speeds and Times
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74 mins / 650 mb
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1x
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74 mins
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74 mins / 650 mb
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2x
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37 mins
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74 mins / 650 mb
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4x
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18.5 mins
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74 mins / 650 mb
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6x
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12.34 mins
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74 mins / 650 mb
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8x
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9.25 mins
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74 mins / 650 mb
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12x
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6.17 mins
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New Mechanism from Yamaha:
From previous series Yamaha made mechanism of 8424s from scratch. As they
stated into their press release : ".. completely re-designed for highest
reliability and quality. The new optical head of the Yamaha CRW8424 is designed
by Yamaha to assure optimum recording quality, and reflects their ten years
of experience in the CD recorder industry. On the audio side, the recording
quality of the new CRW8424 creates pure sound reproduction, and its audio extraction
is improved and more accurate.."
What's new?
Technology PPLS (Pure LASER Phase System)
Yamaha developed in particular new technology PPLS (Pure Laser Phase System)
integrated directly in the light unit of the recorder. The adoption of this
technology PPLS makes it possible to strongly increase the signal of recording
and corrects the "Jitter" (deviation compared to the original signal)
from approximately 25% compared to the models Yamaha precedents. This new technology
of optical recording of precision reduces considerably the risks of, corruption
clerical errors of the data and is compatible with the majority of the marks
of medias.
Laser technology triples beam (LASER Beam Triple)
New series CRW8424 in combination with the PPLS, uses a technology Triple
LASER Beam (Beam Triple) in order to guarantee an optimal recording and a perfect
reading of the data. Yamaha 4416 & 6416 series also have triple beam technology
inside.
"Beam Triple" offers the following advantages :
-
Improved tracking performance. The use of Beam Triple improves the follow-up
of track on the CD-R/RW and reduces considerably "Track Jumping"
(jump of track) during the recording and reading of data.
- Improved trace performance.
- Reduced the generation of defective sectors (BLER) during recording.
-
Reduced the appearance of data corruption (CRC error) caused by heat or
a media of average quality.
-
Quality of recording increased by the use of an electromagnetic optical
structure (magnet floating structure) and not mecanique. (On avoids the
appearance of blocking mechanical (Lock-up)).
RapidLinked for a faster writing in mode UDF Packet Writing
Optimum Power Control (ROPC) for maximized media writing integrity.
The Yamaha integrate a function OPC (Optical Power Control) which makes it possible
to recognize the media automatically, to adapt the LASER according to its characteristics
and at every moment to control the writing of the media for a maximum integrity
of the data (system R-OPC).
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Yamaha 8424s CDR-W Specifications :
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Interface
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Scsi 3 (Ultra SCSI)
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Transfer Rate
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10X-26x CAV read
(1500KB/s - 3600KB/s Data Transfer Rate)
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Writing/Reading Speed
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Writing : CDR 1x, 4x, 6x, 8x
CDRW 2x,4x
Reading : 24x (max) Full CAV
Note - Data : 10-24x
- CD-DA Extraction : 16x (max)
- Drive can play CD-DA at 1x speed only
- Video-CD : 6.9x (max)
- Disc (session closed) : 24x (max)
(12x max for packet writing)
- Disc (session not closed) : 8x (max)
(6x max for packet writing)
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Writing Methods
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Disc At Once (DAO)
Session At Once (SAO)
Track At Once (TAO)
Packet Writing
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Data Capacity supported
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700MB (79min)
650MB (74min)
550MB (63min)
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Burst Transfer Rate
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5mb/s (max) (asynchronous)
20mb/s (max) (synchronous)
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Functions
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Multi Read, Horizontal, Analog output,
Plug & Play/ SCAM Compatible, Flash ROM
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Data Buffer
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4MB
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Supported CD Formats
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CD-DA, CD-ROM(MODE-1,MODE-2), CD-ROM XA
MODE-2(FORM-1,FORM-2), Multi-Session Photo CD, CD-I, Video-CD, CD Extra,
CD+G, CD-RW
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2. Installation
Yamaha 8424S
SCSI CDR-W - Page 2
Package:
Yamaha 8x series include:
CRW8424E
(Internal IDE)
CRW8424S
(Internal Scsi)
CRW8424SX
(External Scsi)
OEM version included drive, manual (English,Deutsch,Francais,Espanol) and
CDR Software (Nero)..However full retail version will include: Easy CD Creator
4, DirectCD 3.0 and Adaptec Take Two. Media: 1 x, CD-R, 1 x CD-RW, Audio Cable,
IDC cable (SCSI ribbon), Operating Guide and Software Guide..
Also Media included on Value Kit:
Yamaha CDM 74 SB
CD-R 74min (media made in Singapor)
ATIP : 97m 34s 21f
Disc Manufacturer : Mitsubishi Chemicals Corp.
Dye : Cyanine Type 1
Type : Cd Recordable
Normal Capacity : 656.40 Mb (74min 43s 00f / LBA 336075)
Yamaha CDM 74 SY
CD-R 74min (media made in Japan)
ATIP : 97m 24s 01f
Disc Manufacturer : Taiyo Yuden Limited
Dye : Cyanine Type 1
Type : Cd Recordable
Normal Capacity : 656.40 Mb (74min 43s 00f / LBA 336075)
Installation:
I removed old Yamaha 4416s and i placed 8424s. It has default SCSI ID 3
and termination on. If you have more devices on Scsi card you maybe change SCSI
ID number. Don't worry.. Yamaha 8424s manual describes very good how change
SCSI ID number and termination..After boot CDR-W intentified as Yamaha 8424s
into both DOS & Windows.
I unchecked Auto Insert notification, checked Sync Data Transfer
(as manual suggests) and reboot. Yamaha 8424s was October 1999 model with v1.0d
firmware. All latest software version (Prassi PrimoCD Pro 8 v1.1.317, Nero v4.0.7.0,
DiscJuggler v1.05.395, CDRWin v3.8a) supported Yamaha 8424s..All was set and
time to start tests..
Test Machine:
ABIT BH6
Celeron 300A over clocked to 464 MHz
128 MB SDRAM PC 100
Quantum Fireball EX 6.4 GB UDMA
CL RivaTNT
CL AWE32
MS Windows 98 SE
Plextor UltraPlex 40max, Firmware v1.01, (with Auto Insert Notification &
Sync transfer off & on). Plextor Manager 2000 v1.01.2 was running at the
background with the 17x-40x Speed Setting and 2 minutes Spindown Time-out Setting.
Teac 532E-A Firmware v3.0A
Yamaha 8424s Firmware v1.0d
3. Data Tests
Yamaha 8424S
SCSI CDR-W - Page 3
Data Tests
Test Method:
I used CD Speed 99 v0.6, SCSI Mechanic v2.1h (evaluation version) and SiSoft
Sandra 99 v8.5.30 to run Data tests. I run all tests with Sync Data Trasnfer
On. All tests done with the same CD.
CD Speed results: (Speed
: Bigger is better, Seek Times : less is better, CPU Usage : less is better)
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Speed (x)
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Seek Time (ms)
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CPU Usage (%)
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Start
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Average
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End
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Random
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1/3
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Full
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1x
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2x
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4x
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8x
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Sync On
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10.54
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17.82
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21.49
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121
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138
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183
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2
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4
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9
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17
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- SiSoft Sandra 99 results:
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Drive Index
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Track Speed (ppm)
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Buffered Read (mb/s)
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Sequential Read (mb/s)
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Random Read (kb/s)
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Average Access Time (ms)
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Sync On
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2099
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10989
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108
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3.1
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583
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133
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SCSI Mechanic results:
(I/O throughput :
Bigger is better)
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Random I/O
throughput (kb/s)
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Sequential I/O
throughput (kb/s)
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Same Sector I/O
throughput (kb/s)
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Min
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Average
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Max
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Min
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Average
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Max
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Min
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Average
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Max
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Sync On
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395
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507
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618
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1534
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2638
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3639
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2683
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7640
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7819
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Verdict of Data Tests:
Yamaha 8424s really gives what it promises. Average transfer rate is 2.6Mb/S
and max is 3.6MB/s (24x). As for seek time it gives lower than what's on specification
121ms (random). Also since it is a SCSI device it has low CPU usage. You have
to ebable Sync Data Tranfer for making the drive work in max speed. Yamaha seems
to be a typical 24x CD Rom. Most users will not need reading data capabilites
of Yamaha 8424S since latest CD Rom are 32x,40x even 50x capable.
4. DAE Tests
Yamaha 8424S
SCSI CDR-W - Page 4
DAE Tests
CD Speed results : (Speed
: Bigger is better, Seek Times : less is better, CPU Usage : less is better)
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Dae Quality/ Accurate Stream
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Speed (x)
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Seek Time (ms)
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CPU Usage (%)
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Start
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Average
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End
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Random
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1/3
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Full
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1x
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2x
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4x
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8x
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Sync On
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10 - Yes
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8.78
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14.48
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15.73
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882
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768
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1127
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15
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18
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23
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34
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Various Rippers Results:
Test Method: I used CDFS.VXD & EAC v0.85 beta 4 to test audio capabilities.
Eac reported that drive was capable of accurate stream but it aslo had "caching
on"..So i compared the "Burst" vs "Secure Stream with caching"
mode..
Tested CD: The Chemical Brothers "Dig Your Own Hole" -
Track: 5 (Setting Sun)
Comparing Method:
- Ripped Track 5 of the CD with Drag & Drop (using CDFS) and with all
the other CD Rippers.
- Edited all wavs with Hedit v2.0.04 and located the 2 following bytes (chosen
randomly)
- Removed all previous bytes and saved.
- Then in a Dos window compared them using: FC /b x.wav y.wav
Programs Settings:
CDFS Driver v4.00.130:
Drag & Drop
EAC v0.85b: Burst & Secure Mode / Rip Speed Default / Allow speed
reduction / Error correction medium
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Program
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Average Speed
(Sync Data Transfer On)
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Listening
Quality
(Sync Data Transfer On)
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CDFS Driver v4.00.130
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53 sec for 56.630kb= 7.12x
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No
clicks..No sec lost..Seemed ok!
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EAC v0.85b (burst)
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13.9x
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No
clicks..No sec lost..Seemed ok!
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EAC v0.85b (secure)
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3.3x
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No
clicks..No sec lost..Seemed ok!
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Comparing Results
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CDFS Driver v4.00.130
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EAC Burst
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EAC Secure
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same
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same
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After i also used Copy&Test Selected tracks. I marked all tracks and after
i set Burst mode (max) for ripping speed i started test..(alternative way to
check DAE quality..). Results were the same as before..All tracks ripped on
max speed (9-15.7x) and all checksums were ok!..That means Yamaha 8424s is capable
of doing up to 16x (max) DAE!!
Verdict of DAE Results:
Yamaha really re-designed 8424s and this showned on DAE tests..In start
when i saw 16x DAE performance from specifications i thought. "Just another
tipical number which will not be confirmed on real life. " However Yamaha
managed to suprise me..All tests confirmed that Yamaha 8424s managed to reach
<16x DAE performance. CDFS didn't worked so well with Yamaha 8424s since
it only reached 7.12x. EAC secure mode (with caching) performed from
4x-4.5x however into last sec halted and average speed dropped on 3.0x.
Maybe this is EAC problem. Eac Burst mode performed best giving up to 13.9x.
5. CDR Tests
Yamaha
8424S SCSI CDR-W - Page 5
CDR Tests
Yamaha 8424s tested mainly 8x (CDR Media) and at 4x (CDR-W Media)
Software used:
Nero v4.0.7.0
PrimoCD Pro 8 v1.1.317
Padus DiscJuggler v1.05.395
Feurio v1.30
Brand Of CDs:
Prodisc
Prostech
Ritek
Princo
Mitsui Gold & SG
TDK
Yamaha 4x RW
LeadData 4x RW
BTC 2x RW
Tests:
(On the Fly) CD Copy (both Data and Audio)
Data CDs (Multisession)
AudioCDs (from mp3 and wav files)
OverBurn (on both 74 & 80min CDs)
Results:
By suprise all tests completed ok!. I done above 50 CDs on 8x during the
various tests ,many in sequence, and Yamaha 8424s wrote them without any problem.
Overburn worked ok in 74 & 80min CDs. It is pretty nice to have a full CD
(650mb) on 9.15mins ! I also done various burns with both Yamaha 8424s (8x)
& 4416s (4x) at the same time and problem apeared..I didn't had from all
tests not a single coaster. Yamaha 8424s has the same problem with buffer size
as previous models. Feurio (for example) uses only 3.0mb of 4.0mb total. Why
this happens ? Check FAQ
page.
6. Conclusion
Yamaha 8424s
SCSI CDR-W - Page 6
Conclusion
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Positive (+):
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Negative (-):
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- 4MB Buffer
- Scsi 3 Support
- Support most burn speeds (1x,4x,6x,8x)
- Supports (2x,4x) CD-RW burn speed
- True 24x (max) Data performance
- Up to 16x (max) DAE!!
- All know burning method (TAO,DAO,SAO,Packet Writing) support
- OverBurn support
- Official support for 80min CDs
- No problems with uncertified 8x Media
- Good manual for beginners..
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- No CD-Text (read/write) support
- No Raw read/writting (which most newer scsi drives don't support either)
- Newest 8/4/32 drives which support CD-Text and 32x reading..
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Overall Yamaha 8424s is the best Yamaha CDR-W ever tested. It writes at 8x
and rewrite them at 4x without any problems. Even non-certified 8x media worked
OK with it. Speed when reading data is 24x (max) and when used for DAE goes
up to 16x! (max). However it has newest 8432 drives to compete which support
CD-Text and are capable of reading 32x speed. Who will won ?
7. FAQ
Yamaha 8424s
SCSI CDR-W - Page 7
FAQ
Is Yamaha 8424s any good?
Yamaha 8424s seems to be the best Yamaha CDR-W ever tested..
When Yamaha going to support CD-Text?
The next generation after 8424x will support CD-TEXT. This new generation
will be launch on Spring-Summer 2000.
Is there any possibility with firmware upgrade to include CD-Text on current
Yamaha Models?
No, because for supporting CD-TEXT you need a Red Book LSI (Chipset) and
firmware modification. Sony created CD-TEXT and they sales LSI chipset to other
manufacturer. Yamaha built is own red Book LSI chipset. The next generation
will have a new red Book LSI chipset with CD-TEXT and faster DAE (above 24X!!)
Why don't Yamaha CDR-W drives support read/write RAW?
When you use MMC-3 (ANSI Multimedia Command Set SCSI-3) standard is quite
difficult to implement RAW read/write..That's why all newer CDR-W doesn't support
it..
Why i should (or not) care about RAW read/write?
Read/write RAW is very useful to users..With the arrival of CloneCD users,
which their CDR-W supports RAW read/write, can do <backups> of their protected
CDs..
Is Yamaha plans any 12x CDR-W drive soon..
Yamaha Japan is developing for Q3 2000 a Ultra speed CD-R/RW drive. The
pick up will be specially designed for High speed..
Hmm..How come other manufactures released 12x CDR-W before Yamaha?
Other manufactures used pick from Sanyo. Sanyo Pickup are generally boosted.
The 8X Sanyo pick up series cannot write in 6X because originally they have
a 4X structure. So they write in 1X 2X 4X and 8X (the 8X is a 4X boosted). It's
the same for the 12X. The pick use a 8X technology and it's boosted to 12X.
It is much easier for some manufacturer to make fast drive but the reliability
of the writing is not very good. Yamaha 8X technology it's the same for Sony
and Philips because it's take time to create a real 8X pickup with a good pricing.
Why various programs like Feurio reports that Yamaha 8424s uses only 3.0
of 4.0mb buffer?
Like all Yamaha burners, the size of the useable buffer is less than the
size of the total buffer.
From
Feurio Support (Actually is for 4416x series but also fit..): The
answer of the Yamaha support was: "The size of the dDRAM is 2 MB however
the area for the host is 500 blocks. For instance, in case of Mode 1 data (2048
bytes per block) the buffer area for the host is 2048x500 byte. In case of audio-data
(2352 bytes per block), the buffer area for the host is 2352x500 byte (1,176
MB)."
Any plans for 6x CDR-W?
Wait till Cebit 2000..
When we should expect to see DVD+RW (or possibly a DVD-R) from Yamaha?
Yamaha is working on DVDRW 4.7GB format but we expect this drive for 2001.
HP and SONY said on Comdex they launch DVD+RW 4.7 on 2001. Everybody is delaying
because the CD-R/RW is bigger market (objective: replace the floppy disk) and
the DVD-FORUM haven't yet decided for a DVD RW standard. So, we have to wait...
How come 80min CDs are now officially supported by Yamaha?
80min CD-R are officially supported by the Orange book chapter II release
3.1. The CRW8424 have this specification. The 6416, 4416 and before support
only the Orange book chapter II release 2.0 (support only 74min and 63min).
That's why 80 min wasn't supported before by a lot of drive into past..
Hmm? My 4416,6416 can write 80min CDs...What you are talking about?
CRW4416 and 6416 support CD-R 80 minutes but unofficially because the Orange
book ver3.1 chapter II wasn't available at this time. Yamaha is one of the leader
of the Orange book forum and OSTA, so since CDR400, Yamaha was able to activate
80min unofficially.
The problem of the 80min is during a long time, the pressure of CD audio manufacturer
and Game editor was very strong and they didn't want to see 80min CD-R on the
market (remember TDK in 1996-97 was the first to have a CD-R 80min but under
pressure they should increase the price to $20). Last Year Taiwan manufacturer
like Ritek and Lead Data start to produce CD-R but to have a new market they
start to produce cheap 80min without caring the pressure of CD audio manufacturer
and Game editor. so now, the Orange book forum have to confirm the Orange book
ver 3.1 chapter II, and some major manufacturer CD-R brand like Philips make
80min.