NEC ND-3520A Preview

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. DVD Error Correction Tests
3. DVD Recording Test
4. PlexTools/CDSpeed Scans - Page 1
5. PlexTools/CDSpeed Scans - Page 2
6. DVD+R DL - Page 1
7. DVD+R DL - Page 2
8. Conclusion

NEC ND-3520A Burner - Page 1

NEC is known for developing high quality burners at a considerably low cost. Following the success of the ND-25x0 series and the ND-3500A model, rumors were heard around the Internet regarding a new NEC burner with more features than the NEC ND-3500A. Since 16X writing speed is the physical limit for DVD media, users were asking what this new burner had to offer. The answer is simple: higher Re-Writing speed.

Since most users will be eager to find out more about this drive, we decided to post this preview to share our first impressions, until the full review is released.

- Features

The new NEC model is capable of writing DVD media at 16X and re-writing DVD+RW media at 8X. DVD-RW media writing speed is raised from 4X to 6X. -R double layer upgradeability is an issue that will be discussed later on this preview. CD writing speed is not changed, already tuned at 48X for CD-R media and 24X for CD-RW media. It can also burn double layer media at 4X, and support anti-buffer underun protection system. WOPC is introduced to further improve burning quality.

- Specifications

Drive	NEC ND-3520A
Media	DVD		CD
Transfer Rate Write	+R	16x (9 - 22MBytes/sec)	-R	48x (3000-7200kBytes/sec)
	+R9	4x (5.5 MBytes/sec)
		2.4x (3.3 MByte/sec)
	+RW	8x (11 MBytes/sec)
			-RW	24x (3000-3600kBytes/sec)
	-R	16x ( 9 - 22MBytes/sec)
	-RW	6x (8.2MBytes/sec)
Transfer Rate Read		DVD-R 16x CAV (max 22000 kb/s)	CD-R 48x CAV (max 4800 kb/s)
		DVD+R 16x CAV (max 22000 kb/s)	CD-RW 16x CLV (max 2400 kb/s)
		DVD+R9 4X CLV (5500 KByte/s)
Mechanism	motorized Tray load mechanism for horizontal and vertical use
Interface	IDE / ATAPI
Burst Transfer Rate	PIO mode 4 / Ultra DMA 33
Cashe Memory	2MB
Audio	digital-out and line-out at the back (MPC compatible)
Modes supported	DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-Video, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-Audio, CD Extra, CD Text, CD-IReady, CD-Bridge, Photo-CD, VideoCD, Hybrid CD
Writing methods	DAO(disc at once), SAO(session at once), TAO(track at once) with zero gap, variable or fixed packet, multisession
Compatibility	MPC Level 3, MultiRead, PC2001
Weight	1.01 kgr
Dimensions	148mm x 42mm x 190mm

The drive does not support Mount Rainier and it uses the well known RPC II region control, allowing a user to change the drive's region at most 5 times. Unfortunately, it cannot read or write DVD-RAM media. Below are the drive's main specs as given by NeroInfoTool, VSO Inspector and DVDInfoPro:

- The Drive

We received the bulk version of the drive in our labs, and we don't yet know what software will be included in the final retail package. Of course, this preview will be followed soon by the full review, with more detailed information providing a more complete picture of the drive and its capabilities.

The front panel does not introduce anything new from the previous ND-3500A model. You can see the eject button, the activity led and the eject hole.

On the rear panel you will find the analogue and digital audio outputs (SPDIF), the IDE selection pins, the IDE connector and the power input.

Opening the device case will void the warranty, so we advise against it. Instead, use the photos in this review for a closer look under the hood. Clicking on the image below will reveal a high resolution image.