CDR Tests

The AOpen CRW1632 supports up to 16x (CLV) writing speed. We used Nero CD Speed build-in writing test in order to test the drive's writing performance. The drive's average writing speed is 16.04X as Nero CD Speed revealed.

The drive also supports JustSpeed, which automatically will reduce the writing speed in case an un-certified 16x CD is inserted and the drive detects that cannot be written safely at the maximum writing (16X) speed.

- Procedure:

We tested the AOpen CRW1632 with Nero v5.5.3.5, CloneCD v3.0.5.1 and Padus DJ v3.50.799 software.

For the CDR tests we used: Verbatim 74min (16x) & 80min (16x), Taiyo Yuden 74 & 80min (24x), Mitsui 74min (24 & 16x) and Ricoh/Verbatim/TDK 74min HS-RW media. We did notice that the drive didn't like at all Creation 74min 12x (made from Plasmon) media and we had "Medium Speed Error" all times we tried (both with JustSpeed on/off).

- CD-R Tests:
We created a "DataCD" with an amount of data slightly higher than 74mins (74:03:65). We burned the same data amount with all 4 CDR-W drives:

The AOpen CRW1632 stays very close to the competition and needs 407 secs to finish the task, 2 more than PleXWriter PX-W1610A and one more than LiteOn drive. The CPU Usage is slightly higher than the competition.

The drive's performance at 16x (with JustSpeed disabled) was very good and it actually got the second place behind PleXWriter. The difference with JustSpeed On/Off and certified 16x media is very small (around 3-4secs). But for safety reasons, AOpen suggests to have "JustSpeed" always on.

- 80min CDs:
As with the previous test, we created a DataCD (80:01:47) and used the same media for all burns:

Again in the 80min CD task, the AOpen CRW1632 needs 6more seconds than PleXWriter and 3 more than the LiteOn drive. Of course those small differences can be reduced/increased after de-activate/activate "JustSpeed" and use different CDR media.

With 80min CDs at the 16x writing speed, AOpen CRW1632 has the second best writing time, behind PleXWriter PX-W1610A. The LiteOn needs 4 more seconds and as for Teac, it needs around 22secs more to finish the task.

- Overburning Tests:
The AOpen CRW1632 supports overburning up to 99minutes!

- CD-Text Results:
We created several AudioCDs with CD-Text enabled. The AOpen can write/read CD-Text Audio CDs.

- CloneCD Tests:
The CloneCD v3.0.5.1 reports that the drive supports the DAO-RAW writing feature. The drive also supports JustLink. From our tests results DAO-RAW writing works without any problem for the SafeDisc 1, LaserLock 1/2 and SecuROM 2 protections.

- SD2 Support:
For the SD2 tests we used the "No One Lives For Ever" and "Emperor Battle for Dune" CD titles. We used the AOpen CRW1632 both as reader/writer. The produced backup didn't play using the same drive or any drive we tested. Therefore the AOpen CRW1632 cannot produce SD2 working backups.

- 8cm mini CDs:
The AOpen does support 8cm CDs and/or business cards. We did a burn with a business card CD which was successful, despite the loud noise while writing/reading.

- Buffer Underrun tests:
The AOpen CRW1632 supports the "JustLink" anti-buffer underrun technology that has been developed by Ricoh. The drive worked without any problems when buffer underrun caused from our side.