CyberDrive CW038D CD-RW

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. Data Tests
3. RW reading tests
4. DAE Tests
5. CDR Tests
6. RW Writing Tests
7. Conclusion

CyberDrive CW038D IDE CDR-W - Page 7

Conclusion

Positive (+):

Negative (-):

- First drive to support 12x re-writing (CLV) speed!
- "ExacLink" anti-coaster technology
- Has build-in media quality detection system
- Good data reading performance with both CDR/pressed media
- Best re-writing/packet writing performance around!
- Supports DAO-RAW
- Supports reading/writing of SubChannel Data (very fast!)
- Supports CD-Text (reading/writing)
- Supports Ultra-DMA 33 connection interface
- Retail package includes Nero 5.5
- Low price (75$<=)

- 16x writing speed is Z-CLV
- Build-in media quality detection needs improvement
- Doesn't support overburning :(
- Problems with scratched Audio CDR media
- DAE performance lower than competition
- Low PSX ripping speed
- Bad CloneCD reading performance with SD1/2 protected CDs
- Failed to backup SD2 protected CDs
- Stops reading at 90mins

CyberDrive has brought something unique to the CD-RW scene. The first 12x re-writer! Even if there isn't an official specification to support and set the standards of the increased re-writing speed, the current HS-RW media can handle it without any problems.

The CyberDrive CW038D doesn't support pure 16x CLV writing speed, and that is a sacrifice that renders it slower than the competition. ExacLink and the build-in media quality detection system are a big help to its performance. We did notice detection problems with Mitsui's 24x media, which should be worked on by CyberDrive engineers and finally solved in a future firmware release. The DAE ripping speed is good but with scratched CDs you will have problems, since the drive will deny reading them. Last, but definitely not least, CloneCD users will like the drive's increased SubChannel reading speed and support for almost all types of CD protection (except SD2).

The drive can be bought for around $74 on the market, which makes it a very attractive solution. The competition is very close, with LiteOn 16x $80, Teac 516EB $108 and PleXWriter PX-W1610A $162.