Acer CRW1208A CD-RW

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. Data Tests
3. RW/CloneCD Tests
4. DAE Tests
5. CDR Tests
6. RW/Packet Writing Tests
7. Conclusion

Acer CRW1208A IDE CDR-W - Page 7

Conclusion

Positive (+):	Negative (-):
- Supports "SeamLess Link" anti-coaster technology - Good DATA reading performance - Fair DAE ripping performance - Fastest Seek times around - Supports HS RW standard (8x re-write) - Supports DAO-RAW - Supports CD-Text - Supports Overburning (?) - Produces perfect SD2 backups - Good retail package/software - Low price (around 120$)!!	- Low DAE (8x) with CDR media - Low speed (8x) with HS-RW media - Low packet writing performance - High CPU usage (?) - Bad CloneCD reading performance - Doesn't support 90/99min CDs - Doesn't support reading of SubChannel Data

The Acer CRW1208A is an interesting drive since it has 3 important features which many CDR-W drive misses:

1) The "SeamLess Link" anti-coaster technology: The Acer CRW1208A is the first CDR-W, which supports this new anti-coaster technology. This new technology works very good and will prevent buffer underruns. The interesting part is that works in all CDR software even the software doesn't support it!

2) The capability to backup 100%, SD2 protected CDs: The Acer CRW1208A is the first 12x CDR-W, which can produce working backups of SD2, protected CDs in all CD-ROMS drive. 95% of the currently sold CDR-W drives misses that feature. For many people it might not be so important but a lot of users would appreciate it.

3) Low price... Well guys 120$ for a 12x writer with anti-coaster technology is simple a rocket deal. The competition is much higher priced, (PleXWriter PX-W1210A 170$, Ricoh MP7120A 130$, Ricoh MP7125A 180$), which gives Acer CRW1208A an extra advantage.

On the other hand the Acer CRW1208A has several problems which will trouble possible buyers such as: low DAE with CDR media (seems locked at 8x), high cpu usage when writing CDs, bad CloneCD reading performance, no support for reading SubChannel data etc. As usual you have to judge the positive and negative and make your own conclusions.