32x CD-RW Roundup Vol3

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. Introduction - Page 2
3. Data Tests
4. CloneCD reading Tests
5. DAE Tests
6. CDR Tests - Page 1
7. CDR Tests - Page 2
8. CDR Tests - Page 3
9. Writing Quality of ASUS
10. Writing Quality of TDK
11. RW-Packet Writing Tests
12. Conclusion

32x CD-RW Roundup Vol 3- Page 12

Conclusion

ASUS CRW3212A
Positive (+)	Negative (-)
- Supports 32x writing and 12x re-writing speeds - Supports FlexLink/FlexSpeed/DDSII technologies - Faster reader at 40x speed with pressed/cdr media - Very fast DAE speeds - Low seek times with pressed CDs (80ms) - Very good CloneCD reading performance - Supports DAO-RAW - Supports reading/writing of SubChannel Data - Can produce perfect SD2 backups (up to v2.51) - Supports CD-Text (reading/writing?) - Supports Overburning (up to 99mins) - Supports Ultra-DMA 33 connection interface - Retail package contains Nero/80min HS-RW media - Low price (<$120)	-Only 2MB of buffer - High seek times with CDR media (110ms) - Doesn't support 'Mt. Rainier' format - Cannot "handle" protected AudioCDs - Produces lot of errors with scratched AudioCDs - Competition offers 2 years of warranty

TDK CyClone 321040
Positive (+)	Negative (-)
- 32x writing speed - 4Mb of buffer - Supports Burn-Proof - Can write any media at 32x writing speed but in some cases produces high C1 errors - Very good DAE speeds - Can "handle" protected AudioCDs with proper software - Supports DAO-RAW - Supports reading/writing of SubChannel Data - Supports CD-Text (reading/writing) - Supports Overburning (up to 93mins) - Has 2 years of warranty (applies only for Europe) - Retail package includes Nero	- Competition supports 12x RW speed - Doesn't support 'Mt. Rainier' format - Makes lot of noise when writing at 32x speed - Higher seek times than competition - DAO-RAW writing only at 16x speed - Failed to backup SD2 protected CDs - Very bad CloneCD reading performance

During this roundup, we examined two new drives from ASUS and TDK. The ASUS CRW3212A has exactly the same specifications with Mitsumi CR-480ATE/LiteOn LTR-32123S, while the TDK CyClone 321040 has the same specs with Freecom 32A and Philip PCRW3210A. There are also two drives that support 48x reading speed (AOpen CRW3248 and CyberDrive CW058D). We cannot hereby announce a winner among the competitors, since there are drives that have either higher reading speeds, or lower recording speeds. Users should read carefully each drive's performance and decide of what they really needs.

The ASUS CRW3212A is the faster reader for the 40x reading speed. The drive supports 32x writing speed, 12x re-writing and 40x reading speed. It supports FlexLink to avoid buffer underruns, FlexSpeed to adjust recording speed automatically and DDSSII system to reduce vibration/noises. In addition it will rip AudioCDs and make images of your protected CDs very fast. Users will be able to make backups of their CDs, since the drive can backup even SD2 v2.51 builds. Last, overburning is allowed up to 99mins and you will be able to buy it at a low price of $120. On the dark side, the drive produces lot of reading errors with scratched AudioCDs, doens't support Mt. Rainier format and includes only 2MB of buffer, when the competition offers up to 16MB (Mitsumi CR-480ATE).

The TDK CyClone 321040 begins with one negative point. The low re-writing speed of 10X. The drive's overall performance is good at both data/DAE reading but the competition is faster at both reading/writing tasks. Users will be allowed to write almost all CDs at the maximum 32x writing speed, at the cost of writing quality in case of low rated media. Users might find annoying the noise which this drive produces while writing at maximum speed, but will be probably pleased from the 2 year of warranty (applies only for Europe).

Ending, we give the ASUS CRW3212A our "Safe Buy" award for its performance/value mark.