1. Introduction
Ricoh
MP7320A IDE CDR-W - Page 1
- Introduction
Ricoh did not stay out of the 32x recording
market and shipped a new drive with the code name "MP7320A". The drive
is an internal ATAPI model and writes at 32x CD-R, as already mentioned, re-writes
at 10x and reads at 40x. Ricoh has chosen the Z-CLV 32x writing strategy for
this model and among the main features of the drive is the "JustSpeed"
and "JustLink" technologies. We have already tested the most of the
32x recorders of the market and we expect to see whether Ricoh MP7320A will
make the difference.
- Embedded technologies
During high-speed writing in the 32x speed range,
the drive checks the type of disc in use and adjusts the writing speed to an
optimal level between 16x and 32x; It reduces disc errors such as deficiency
in writing power and servo follow error.
The mechanism controls the optimal writing speed
by media type
(1) using the ATIP information (maker name, media type pre-recorded on disc),
(2) performing test writing to the OPC area at the inner circumference of the
disc, and
(3) getting the status of the servo follow check of the outer circumference
of the disc (checking of track shift due to lack of precision in cutting of
the disc itself).
A combination of the above (1), (2), and (3) enables ensured high-speed writing,
while offering support to discs for which maximum writing speed normally cannot
be obtained from the ATIP information.
MP7320A provides 32x write speed with the ZCLV (Zoned Constant
Linear Velocity) method where the write area of a disc is divided into several
areas and each area is assigned a rotation speed.The speed to be assigned increases
towards the outer area of the disc. This method enables the optimum write job
at high speed without disturbing the drive's mechanisms.
During write operation using ZCLV, the speed switches
from 16x to 20x, 24x,28x and 32x at designated speed switching points (referred
to as T1 to T4) fixed on the disc. Those switching points are set flexible when
JustSpeed is active, and during writing, each point is assigned in accordance
with the condition of the disc. That is, the drive determines the positions
of the switching points to specify areas suited for faster writing. This method
provides MP7320A with both highly reliable and fast writing capabilities.
When using high-speed media with MP7320A, the speed switching point T1 will
be located at the innermost periphery of the data area (at the end of the lead-in
area). When JustSpeed is not active, the switching points T1 to T4 are fixed.
- Features
The
new recorder supports 32x writing, 10x re-writing and 40x reading . MP7320A
utilizes the already known techniques that were introduced by the MP7200A series:
"Zone-CLV" recording mode and "JustSpeed" quality control mechanism.
The drive supports 4x, 8x,12x, 16x (CLV) and 16-24x, 16-32x (Z-CLV) writing
speeds. The rewriting speeds are 4x and 10x and 40x maximum (CAV) reading speed.
The cache buffer of the drive is 8MB and supports the "JustLink" buffer
underun protection. Lastly, Ricoh MP7320A does not support the Mt Rainier format.
The drive comes with newly developed modules and mechanism
to enable high-speed writing and reading.
- High-speed writing is handled by the newly developed pick-up module
incorporating a high power laser and high precision pulse control.
- The newly developed digital controller LSI controls the width
of pulse precisely,allowing for stable writing at high-speed.
- Incorporation of the high-speed rotation type spindle motor gives
stable and precise rotation during high-speed writing.
- Addition of the high-precision stepping motor to the seek algorithm
enables highly precise positioning and high speed access at 120 msec, while
improving the noise level.
- Ricoh's 32x writing speed
Ricoh MP7320A supports 32x Zone-CLV writing speed.. We used Nero CD Speed 0.85
build-in writing test in order to test the drive's writing performance:
As Nero CD Speed showed, the drive starts writing at 16x and after 2-4minutes
it jumps up to 20x. The next jump to 24x comes after 10 min from the beginning
of the disc, and after 22 min the drive increases the writing speed to 28x.
The last speed shift is the 32X at 38min. The average writing speed is around
27.41x
- The package
The drive we have in our hands was not in the retail package, and the installed
firmware revision was vBP06. The same drive will be shipped in the retail packages
that will be sold in the European/Japanese/Asian/rest of the world markets.
The package will include the MP7320A CD-RW drive(ATAPI Interface), Nero Burning
Rom and InCD as attached software, 1 Ricoh High Speed CD-RW blank disc, 1 Ricoh
CD-R blank disc, a Quick start Instruction, analogue audio cable, and mounting
screws.
The front of the drive includes the "Ricoh", "JustLink", and the "32x10x40"
logos printed on it. There is also only one led, the eject button and the headphone
input jack/volume selector.
On the back of the drive there are the usual connectors (IDE interface, power),
the jumpers for setting the drive as Master/Slave/Cable Select and the SPDIF
output connector:
- Installation
Ricoh MP7320A was installed as Master in the secondary
IDE BUS. The drive worked in UDMA-2 mode and after boot up, it identified itself
as the "Ricoh CD-RW MP7320A". We unchecked the Auto Insert notification,
checked DMA and rebooted.
The drive was a February 2002 model with firmware revision vBP06
installed.
We used the latest version of Nero Burning ROM (5.5.8.0), InCD (3.24.3) and
CloneCD (4.0.0.0 beta1) for the recording tests. As we can see from Nero's features
screenshot we can select if "JustLink" and/or "JustSpeed" will be enabled or
not by default.
2. Data tests
Ricoh MP7320A IDE CDR-W - Page 2
Data
Tests
- SCSI Mechanic v3.0x results
The drive gave the third best "Average Random I/O" result among the 4 tested
drives. In the "Average Sequential I/O" test it gets the last place with 4580kb/s,
very close to the performance of the LiteOn drive. Finally the drive's "Average
Same Sector I/O" results were the worst in the category.
- Pressed CD results: (click here
to see the CD Speed graph)
Using CD Speed 0.85, we confirmed that the previous results. The drive reaches
around 31.32X average reading speed, very close to LiteOn's performance. The
competition from the Aopen drive is strong since it is the faster with 37.71X
and CyberDrive follows with an 36.83X average speed.
In the "Seek Times" test results, the Ricoh MP7320A gets the first place with
an under than 90ms random seek time, complying with the drive's specifications.
The Aopen drive has also the same Random performance but the competition from
LiteOn and CyberDrive is strong enough.
- CDR Media: (click here
to see the CD Speed graph)
Ricoh MP7320A showed the same performance with CDR media as with the pressed
ones. The drive is the slowest in this test among with the Liteon LTR-32123S.
- HS-RW media: (Click here
to see the CD Speed graph)
For the RW tests, we used Ricoh's HS-RW media. Ricoh MP7320A gave lowest result
(25.62x) among the 4 tested drives, since its speed was reduced to 34.23x at
the end of the 74min:
3. CloneCD reading tests
Ricoh MP7320A IDE CDR-W - Page 3
CloneCD
Reading Tests
- Procedure
We used CloneCD (v4.0.0.0 beta 9) and 5 original CDs - Euro 2000 (SafeDisc
1), No One Lives For Ever / Serious Sam (SafeDisc 2), Rally Masters (LaserLock
1), Desperados (LaserLock 2) and V-Rally 2 Expert (SecuROM 2) - in order to
test the reading time of Ricoh MP7320A. We also tested the reading performance
with backups of the original CDs, since the reading speed varies between original
and backup media. The following picture shows the Ricoh's MP7320A reading/writing
capabilities:
- PSX Pressed Media
Ricoh MP7320A finished the PSX ripping really fast and finished after 95 seconds.
Liteon LTR-32123S was slower with 138 secs and Aopen CRW3248 gets the third
position with 174 secs.
- SafeDisc 1/2 Results
Ricoh MP7320A showed a very bad performance with SafeDisc 1 protected CDs.
The drive skips bad sectors very slowly, compared to Aopen and LiteON, that
lead the race.
With SafeDisc 2 protected CDs, Ricoh MP7320A continues its bad performance
as mentioned earlier.
LaserLock 1/2 Results
Ricoh MP7320A continues its bad performance during the LaserLock protected
CDs test. The drive has the second slowest reading performance, with both original
and backup CDs.
It is to no surprise that the drive continues to have bad performance with
LaserLock 2 CDs. The srive had really hard times to make the image file of the
original CD, and kept the slow reading performance in the backup CD test, as
well.
SecuROM Results
Ricoh MP7320A was faster in this test and with the original CD it managed to
get the second position with 1899.27 sectors/sec. In the backup CD test the
performance is lower. LiteOn LTR-32123S is the fastest drive in this test.
4. DAE tests
Ricoh MP7320A IDE CDR-W - Page 4
DAE
Tests
- Test Method
We used CD DAE 99 v0.3 beta and EAC v0.9 beta 2 software in order to check
the DAE performance of the drive with various AudioCDs (both pressed and CDR).
The posted DAE results are the average of both applications. We made a full
CD Rip starting from the first to the last track of the CD. The Average DAE
reported speeds are displayed in the test graphs.
- DAE features
As EAC v0.9 beta 2 reported, the drive doesn't do data "Caching"
and supports "Accurate Stream" and "C2 Error info". The specifications state
that the drive can reach up to 40x DAE (max) with both pressed and CDR media.
- Pressed AudioCD results
The DAE ripping speed of MP7320A is not so good as the specifications declare.
The maximum DAE ripping speed is not high and is kept far away from 40x. That
gives a rather low average ripping DAE speed, compared to the competition:
- CDR AudioCD Results
Ricoh MP7320A continues to perform average with CDR Audio CDs. The drive does
slowdown in the outer tracks of the test disc and gives an only 23.1X average
ripping speed:
- EAC Secure Extract Ripping mode
After many requests from numerous visitors we have added the EAC's secure
extract ripping mode results, which ensures maximum produced WAV quality. Note
that for each drive we used the build-in detection function:
Tested Drives
|
Average DAE Speed (X)
|
Pressed
|
CDR
|
LiteOn LTR-32123S
|
4.4
|
5.0
|
AOpen CRW3248
|
20.1
|
20.3
|
CyberDrive CW-058D
|
11.2
|
11.3
|
Ricoh MP7320A
|
7.3
|
7.4
|
- Advanced DAE Quality
Ricoh MP7320A completed the Nero CD Speed "Advanced DAE test" successfully,
and the speed results were low as expected.
The average reading speed was 23.88X and Nero CD Speed reports that it can
read "CD-Text" enabled AudioCDs, among with "SubChannel Data". Lastly, the drive
got 100 quality score (max) , since it produced zero sync/data errors.
- Bad CDR Media results
Despite the fact that Nero CD Speed Advanced DAE test stretches drive's mechanism
to the max, we decided to do real life tests with a scratched disc. The disc
was dirty, and with some light scratches, enough in order cause problems to
most of the tested drives. We used CD DAE 99 software to rip the whole disc
(756539616 sectors) and the results were very interesting:
|
Average Speed (X)
|
Errors
|
Errors Of Total Disc (%)
|
LiteOn LTR-32123S
|
14.4
|
906044
|
0.12
|
AOpen CRW3248
|
8.4
|
313
|
0
|
CyberDrive CW058D
|
27.2
|
17617
|
0
|
Ricoh MP7320A
|
13.3
|
50892
|
0.01
|
The best reader for this test comes from AOpen. The drive lowered its reading
speed down to 8x and managed to produce the lower reading errors at this roundup.
The CyberDrive CW058D comes second with much higher errors but low overall error
rate. Ricoh MP7320A comes third with a high average speed and with an 0.01%
error rate and 50892 errors.
- Ripping 90 and 99mins AudioCDs
The drive recognizes both 90/99min AudioCDs without any problems.
- Reading/Ripping Protected AudioCDs
For the test procedure we used 3 protected AudioCDs, which we
tested in both recognition and ripping (with CD DAE v0.3b/EAC v0.9 beta2) processes:
* Pressed AudioCD with Sony Key2Audio
* Pressed AudioCD with Cactus Data Shield 200 (Natalie Imbruglia - White Lilies
Island)
* CDR AudioCD protected with Cactus Data Shield (CDS100) - made with Clone Audio
Protector v1.1 (adding 30 secs lead-out)
|
Key2Audio
|
CDS200
|
CDS100
|
CDDAE
|
EAC
|
CDDAE
|
EAC
|
CDDAE
|
EAC
|
AOpen CRW3248
|
Cannot recognize disc contents
|
Rips up to 91%
|
Rips entire disc without problems
|
Reads all tracks as Data tracks - ripping
impossible
|
CyberDrive CW058D
|
Rips entire disc without problems
|
Rips entire disc without problems
|
Problems recognize 1st track
|
Rips entire disc without problems
|
LiteOn LTR-32123S
|
Cannot recognize disc contents
|
Problems recognize 1st track, cannot
rip
|
Recognizes tracks, cannot rip
|
Ricoh MP7320A
|
Cannot recognize disc contents
|
Cannot recognize disc contents
|
The best reader for audio protected discs comes from CyberDrive, which can
rip contents of Key2Audio/CDS200 discs without any problems only when using
the EAC software. The AOpen CRW3248 can also rip CDS200 discs (even with CDDAE)
but fails entirely to recognize Key2Audio discs. Ricoh MP7320A cannot recognize
the contents of any CDs, except from the CDS100 disc, which are recognized as
data tracks.
5. CDR tests - Page 1
Ricoh MP7320A IDE CDR-W - Page 5
CDR Tests - Page
1
- Procedure
We tested the drive with latest version of Nero/CloneCD. We used various media
for our tests: Mitsubishi Chemicals 74/80min 24x/32x certified, Mitsui 74min
16x/24x/40x certified, Prodisc 80min 32x certified, Taiyo Yuden 74/80min 24x/32x
certified, Ricoh 80min 24x/32x certified and Mitsubishi Chemicals/Ricoh HS-RW
media. We burned CDs at almost all recording speeds from 16x up to 40x using
the SAME amount of data for all drives. The posted recording times are the
best we had from our test results. Using other media can increase the final
burning time.
In the case of the MP7320A, JustSpeed the drive automatically adjusts the writing
speed for having the best quality results and doesn't allow writing at maximum
speed with non 32x certified media. The picture below comes from Nero, when
32x media are inserted:
When we used lower quality of media, Nero lowered the maximum allowed writing
speed at 24x.
In that case, even we disabled "JustSpeed" inside Nero, the drive
didn't allowed 32x writing speed. We don't know if this a bug of Nero or the
drive itself.
- Comparison
Before starting the recording tests, let's see how the drives are compared
in the writing/rotation speeds:
The above chart displays the different approaches towards 32x Zone-CLV recording
speeds between CyberDrive and Ricoh.
Drive
|
Average Writing Speed (X) with 80min
CDs
|
LiteOn LTR-32123S
|
26.23
|
CyberDrive CW058D
|
26.41
|
AOpen CRW3248
|
27.00
|
Ricoh MP7320A
|
27.41
|
- CD-R Tests
We created "DataCD" job with data slight higher than 74mins (74:03:65). We
burned the same job with all 4 CDR-W drives:
As you can see, Ricoh MP7320A gave the highest recording time among the 4 tested
drives. The time difference with LiteOn LTR-32123S is just 1 sec, which can
be different with various media. Aopen CRW3248 is the fastest drive in this
test, with just 310 seconds.
Let's see how the drives behave during the 20x writing speed test. The MP7320A
gave the third best result with 233 seconds, very close to the second Aopen
CRW3248. The lowest writing time came from CyberDrive.
At the 32x test, Ricoh MP7320A was fast and finished the task
after 208 secs, just 1 seconds sower than Aopen. CyberDrive still holds the
first position. The results with JustSpeed enabled and disabled were almost
the same.
6. CDR tests - Page 2
Ricoh MP7320A IDE CDR-W - Page 6
CDR Tests - Page
2
- 80min CDs
As with the previous test, we created a DataCD (80:01:47) and used the same
media for all burns:
In the 16x test, Ricoh MP7320A finished the task in 337 secs, faster than LiteOn
but 13 seconds slower than CyberDrive CW-058D.
At 24x Ricoh MP7320A gave the same writing times as the Aopen drive.
CyberDrive is faster again with 239 secs.
In the maximum writing speed, Ricoh MP7320A showed the best performance
with with 215 secs, followed by CyberDrive. Aopen CRW3248 is just one second
slower and LiteOn gets the last position with 227 secs.
The picture below comes from Nero when Prodisc 32x media were used.
That was the best burning result for 80 min at 32x speed, with the "JustSpeed"
enabled.
Using the same media with "JustSpeed" disable will slight increase
writing time:
7. CDR tests - Page 3
Ricoh MP7320A IDE CDR-W - Page 7
- AudioCD Authoring
Ricoh MP7230A permits AudioCD authoring up to 32x. Even at the 32x writing
speed, the writing quality stays at high levels. The drive will produce higher
C1 error rate at the 32x (Z-CLV) writing speed, as expected, but the average
stays low enough. Of course with different media results can be reversed. That's
why we only advise using quality media for AudioCD recording in such high recording
speeds.
|
DAE Ripping Speed
|
Writing Speed 16x
|
Writing Speed 32x
|
Ricoh MP7320A
|
23.1X
|
22.9X
|
The ripping capabilities of Ricoh MP7320A are also not affected from the
increased writing speed.
- Other features
Overburning Writing
|
Up to 99mins
|
CD-Text (Read/Write)
|
Yes/Yes
|
8cm CDs
|
Yes
|
- CloneCD Writing Tests
CloneCD
v4.0.0.0 beta 21 reports that the drive supports the DAO-RAW feature. We performed
our usual tests and we confirmed that the drive supports the DAO-RAW writing
mode at the following CD protections: SafeDisc 1, LaserLock 1/2 and SecuROM
2 CD protections.
- SD2 Support
For the SD2 test we used the "Emperor: Battle for Dune", "Max
Payne", "Serious Sam - The Second Encounter" and "Medal
of Honour Allied Assault" game titles. We used the drive both as reader/writer
at the maximum reading/recording speed. Unfortunately, he produced backups did
not work at any drive we tried to. Using the build-in feature "Amplify
Weak Sectors" has eliminate this problem.
8. RW - Packet Writing tests
Ricoh MP7320A IDE CDR-W - Page 8
RW Writing
Tests
We used Nero 5.5.8.0 for writing CDs in maximum RW writing speed for all the
tested drives in 10x HS-RW media. All drive support fully the HS-RW writing
standard:
Ricoh MP7320A gave back a low result compared to the other drives, due to the
10x supported re-writing speed. The other drives support 12x HS-RW speed, and
among them the CyberDrive is the fastest writer with 394 seconds. In the "quick
erase" test Ricoh MP7320A was fast and finished after 27 secs.
- Packet Writing Tests
We used Ahead InCD v3.24.3 for all Packet Writing tests. We used Ricoh HS RW
media and we formatted it. The formatting of the media takes around 10min. After
formatting, we tested all four drives for their packet writing performance.
The formatted disc had 530mbs of free space. We copied a 403 MB file
(403.147 kbs) from a Hard Disk (on the same PC as the writers) to the
formatted RW media-using explorer (we dragged and dropped) we completed
the test twice to eliminate possible time measurement faults and user
errors:
The MP7320A gives a lower packet writing speed (7.11x) against the other drives,
but was faster in the reading part, finishing the test in the third position.
9. Writing quality tests
Ricoh
MP7320A IDE CD-RW - Page
9
Writing Quality Tests
We used many media and burned them at various recording speeds with Ricoh
MP7320A. We used Nero 5.5.8.0 as the CDR software. The produced CDs were measured
by DigitalDrives
and the results are illustrated in the following tables:
- 24x writing speed
Brand
|
C1
|
Average Burning Time (mins)
|
Max
|
Average
|
SanyoDigital 74min 16x (JustSpeed Off)
|
22
|
0.7
|
3:53
|
Ricoh 74min 24x (JustSpeed Off)
|
23
|
0.6
|
3:53
|
Taiyo Yuden 74min 24x (JustSpeed On)
|
8
|
0.2
|
3:53
|
Taiyo Yuden 74min 24x (JustSpeed Off)
|
9
|
0.2
|
3:54
|
Mitsui SGUltra II 74min 24x (JustSpeed
On)
|
306
|
4.2
|
3:51
|
Prodisc 80min 32x (JustSpeed On)
|
25
|
1.7
|
4:08
|
Prodisc 80min 32x (JustSpeed Off)
|
25
|
1.7
|
4:08
|
Ricoh 80min 24x (JustSpeed
On)
|
26
|
1.1
|
4:07
|
Taiyo Yuden 80min 32x (JustSpeed On)
|
54
|
4.3
|
4:09
|
Taiyo Yuden 80min 32x (JustSpeed Off)
|
15
|
0.6
|
4:07
|
- 32x writing speed
Brand
|
C1
|
Average Burning Time (mins)
|
Max
|
Average
|
Taiyo Yuden 74min 24x (JustSpeed On)
|
12
|
0.3
|
3:28
|
Taiyo Yuden 74min 24x (JustSpeed Off)
|
19
|
0.3
|
3:29
|
Taiyo Yuden 80min 32x (JustSpeed On)
|
14
|
0.7
|
3:39
|
Taiyo Yuden 80min 32x (JustSpeed Off)
|
21
|
0.8
|
3:38
|
Prodisc 80min 32x (JustSpeed On)
|
34
|
2.2
|
3:35
|
Prodisc 80min 32x (JustSpeed Off)
|
22
|
1.4
|
3:38
|
Ricoh 80min 24x (JustSpeed
On)
|
16
|
1.3
|
3:38
|
The highest C1 error rate comes from Mitsui media. The problem is that Mitsui
CDs, have less recording capacity than other media. We burn data with 74:03:65mins
long, so with Mitsui media, each drive must overburn, and as a result, in the
last minutes the C1 error rate increases. With the rest media, writing quality
is very good.
At the 32x writing speed, the produced CDs had also a good overall quality.
However, the best results came from Taiyo Yuden 24x media, with or without the
"JustSpeed" enabled.
10. Conclusion
Ricoh MP7320A IDE CDR-W - Page 10
Conclusion
Positive (+) |
Negative (-) |
- Fastest 32x recorder
- "Just-Link" anti-coaster technology
- "Just-Speed" quality protection system
- Good ripping quality with dusted/scratched CDR media
- Fast PSX ripping
- Good writing quality with quality media
- Very Good access times
- Supports 90/99min media
- Supports HS-RW standard (10x re-write)
- Supports DAO-RAW
- Supports reading of SubChannel data
- Supports CD-Text
- Supports Overburning (up to 99mins)
- Supports Ultra-DMA 33
|
- Supports
only 10x re-writing and 40x reading speeds
- Lower DAE and Data reading performance than competition
- Bad CloneCD reading performance
- Failed to backup SD2 protected CDs
- Unable to handle audio protected CDs
|
Ricoh MP7320A showed a very good writing performance, especially at the maximum
supported speed. The "JustSpeed" feature kept the drive's recording
quality in high levels, even when the media we burned were not in the Ricoh
recommended media list. As for the drive's mechanism, we could say that Ricoh
enginners made a good job and managed to give the drive very accurate and fast
access to the discs.
In the advantages of the drive are also included the 8MB of cache buffer and
the "JustLink" anti-coaster technology. The drive supports overburning
up to 99 minutes, CD-Text for audio CDs, and will work at Ultra-DMA 33 mode.
The PSX ripping test gave Ricoh MP7320A the first position.
On the other hand, the drive failled to reach the 40x DAE speed and was really
slow in the corresponded tests. Ricoh was also not very fast when reading CD-R
and CD-RW discs, and the lack of 12x rewriting speed made the drive slower than
the competitor drives in the test charts. The users of CloneCD will not be satisfied
by the performance of Ricoh, since the drive is too slow with all the protected
titles and cannot produce working backups of SD2 discs.