Optorite DD0203 DVD±RW

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. CD Reading Tests
3. CD Error Correction Tests
4. DVD Reading Tests
5. DVD Error Correction Tests
6. Protected Disc Tests
7. DAE Tests
8. CDR Tests
9. CD Writing Quality Tests
10. HS-RW Writing Tests
11. HD BURN
12. DVD Recording Tests
13. KProbe PI/PO Quality Tests
14. Conclusion

Optorite DD0203 dual DVD±RW recorder - Page 14

Conclusion

Pros	Cons
Fast 4X DVD±R writing HD-BURN feature 24/10/40 CD-RW Low CD/DVD seek times Fast CD-R/RW/DVD-ROM reading Supports DVD-R/RW, +R/RW, DVD-ROM formats Fast DAE Supports Key2Audio audio protection Good DVD ripping speed Low CD-R jitter Overburning up to 93min Supports CD-Text (reading/writing)	Problematic reading of scratched CD/DVD media Slow reader of protected data discs Cannot create working SafeDisc v.2 backups Does not support Mount Rainer Does not support reading of 99min CD-R Does not support Cactus Data Shield 200 audio protection

The HD-BURN along with the 4X DVD±R writing are certainly the most interesting features of the Optorite DD0203 drive. The HD-BURN is the Sanyo's approach to affordable high capacity recording on CD-R media and can be proved very handy when it comes to video storage or when your data archive volume does not fit on a single 700MB disc. Furthermore, writing on DVD at 4X is currently a demand among users and Optorite DD0203 offers this in a wide range of DVD±R/RW media.

We liked the way HD-BURN is adopted through the software applications, allowing writing up to 1.4GB of data / video on normal CD-R media. A 30min DVD Video file can be recorded on a CD-R disc in less than 10min, by choosing the 24X HD-BURN writing speed. However, the playability of the produced disc is depended on the hardware capabilities and most of the players currently does not support it. The discs were solely playable on the Optorite drive. According to Sanyo, HD-BURN reading compliance can be achieved through firmware upgrade of the various players. Sanyo also plans to make HD-BURN available for audioCD creation, and this would make most audiophiles happy.

The drive accepted the most of the DVD±R recordable media we used and recorded it at 4X. The writing times for a 4.4GB file was approximately 15min. The playback compatibility of the discs (DVD Video) was almost 100% for both DVD formats, with Maxell, Verbatim, Pioneer, Philips and Ritek media.

The supported 12X DVD-ROM reading speed is high enough for your reading tasks combined with low seek times. DVD±R media are read at 4X CLV and DVD ripping is achieved at a high rate. However, the drive had reading problems with the ABEX scratched DVD-ROM media, where it gave back read errors with both single-layer and dual layer media.

Optorite DD0203 is also a reliable 24/10/40 CD recorder, provided fast reading, low seek times, and 30X average DAE speed. Although the implemented Z-CLV writing strategy for 24X recording does not allow impressive recording times, the writing quality is adequate and low jitter is introduced to the CD-R media we tested.

Audio protected discs are partially supported, as the drive is able to read the Key2Audio discs but is weak when it comes to Cactus Data Shield 200 protection. In addition, the drive does not support reading of 99min discs.

Optorite DD0203 is the faster drive available if you ask for fast image creation of data protected discs. Gamers will also not be satisfied by the lack of the drive's ability to create working backups of the latest SafeDisc v.2 protected titles.

The drive is available in the market at a very competitive price of $180-190, making it a very attractive DVD recording solution among the rest recorders of the market.